How to Thicken Up or Thin Down Lotions, Creams, and Conditioners

To fix a thin lotion or cream, the easiest and most efficient method is to add Xanthan Gum slowly until you reach the desired viscosity.
Follow this methodology for adding xanthan gum:
1. Weigh and record the estimated amount of xanthan gum you think you will need
2. Weigh your lotion or cream and record the weight
3. Grab your stick blender and begin mixing your lotion or cream
4. Slowly sprinkle the xanthan gum into your lotion or cream while mixing. (you may need to adjust the speed once the gum starts to thicken your product)
5. Once you have achieved the desired viscosity, weigh what is left of the xanthan gum.
6. Record the weight of how much xanthan you added. (simply take the weight of what you started with and subtract the weight of what was left after adding to your product.)
7. The amount of Xanthan Gum used to the amount of lotion or cream will be your ratio going forward if you need to thicken the same product again. If you are formulating from scratch, add the amount of xanthan gum used to your formula.
To fix a thick lotion or cream, the easiest method is to add preserved Deionized Water or Distillate. It’s important to ensure that your product remains safely preserved when adding water. Distillates are already preserved so no additional preservative is required if you choose to add a distillate.
If you choose to add water it’s important to add Deionized water to ensure the stability of your lotion or cream and it’s important to preserve the water to maintain the integrity of the preservation system.
To preserve Deionized Water add 1% Phenoxyethanol and 0.5% Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and mix thoroughly.
Follow this methodology for adding preserved deionized water or distillate:
1. Weigh and record the estimated amount of water or distillate you think you will need
2. Weigh your lotion or cream and record the weight
3. Grab your stick blender and begin mixing your lotion or cream
4. Slowly add water or distillate into your lotion or cream while mixing.
5. Once you have achieved the desired viscosity, weigh what is left of the water or distillate.
6. Record the weight of how much water or distillate you added. (simply take the weight of what you started with and subtract the weight of what was left after adding to your product.)
7. The amount of water or distillate used to the amount of lotion or cream will be your ratio going forward if you need to thin the same product again. If you are formulating from scratch, add the amount of water or distillate used to your formula.

[@patriciasalazar1158]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You saved my batch of body cream.

[@monica2862]

Thank you so very much for this great video, you answered all my questions!! I love that you go directly to the point, great teacher!!

[@yodie5918]

Thank you so much. Just the video I have been looking for.

[@antisocial_socialite]

Xanthan Gum!!! I almost picked that up to thicken my lotion but was afraid I would get the "goobly gunk" u mentioned 😆

[@dianeespinoza8647]

I would rather make a super thick cream and add it to my lotion. Gums are gooey in a leave emulsion. I don’t mind gum in wash off surfactants though :)

[@chiccabee8840]

@@dianeespinoza8647 Can you please please advise of a natural organic method.......ingredients please hun

[@AthenaPadilla]

I generally dissolve the gum into an oil first or it will lump up horribly.

[@sheilaquattrocchi9274]

Great video! Thank you! Question...can you also thin down a too-thick cream with additional liquid oil (maybe warmed slightly) vs. a water product? And, of course, measure what you add and add any additional preservative if necessary. Oh, and if you want a cream/body butter to be pump-able (say in an airless pump bottle), can we just not whip it quite as much as long as it emulsifies? Sorry for all the questions, but I am still learning and trying to head problems off ahead of time. 🙂

[@MWAmos]

I looked for your link for the Xanthan I didn't see it rather than just going to Amazon I thank you for your video

[@ericaluba2904]

What does the bizzar term/slang/words "tear out" mean??? I've near heard the phase " tear out my scale"???

[@terrondanielson8696]

I have made my lotion for a couple of years using the same recipe but my new problem is my lotion SWEATS opend the jar and it had mold at top. I wonder if its my new humidity filled room but any tips

[@AthenaPadilla]

The thick cream was so nice to begin with. Lol.

[@connieskarda7588]

What did you use to thin a thick cream? I don’t see a list on your video.

[@sobossy3052]

How To thicken 3:42

[@alishashumway138]

Help! I couldn't find your video again when I needed to thicken my lotion, and I put the Xanthem Gum in all at once, which made it sticky like slime. Is there any way I can fix it? Can I use distilled water to fix it?

[@shannonhill3625]

Does this work for store bought stuff too. I had a friend give me some stuff that is really Watery

[@pallavisreetambraparni6995]

@ Shannon hill. My problem is the opposite. My face cream is too thick and because it is too thick it leaves a sticky residue on my face.( I didn't know this. I think was showed one type of tester product at the store and when I come home I found out that I was given a different textured face cream to buy. And unfortunately, I can't even return it because it's an opened product. So I want to thin it down just a bit to a creamy texture so that I can use what I have. Now I've learnt my lesson that I never buy hydrating face cream moisturizers unless I can actually see the consistency and viscosity of the cream and it isn't boxed up where you can't see anything. I don't actually mind buying those boxed sets of creams like one moisturizer or cleanser, one day cream, one night cream, one serum, and and one acne control solution because you can actually see what you're buying in those sets.

[@Shineysun77]

So happy to have found this video. Question is there another way to thicken a thin lotion without Gums?

[@pallavisreetambraparni6995]

Thank u so much. I might try this method with a cream that I bought. I bought a clique face cream and for some reason it is too thick and it leaves a sticky residue on my face also. I bought it at the cosmetics center and I think that was my mistake. I talked with a salesperson about my dry skin over there and I think she showed one sample product but I was sold a different one. Now unfortunately I can't return it because it's been used. So I want to see if I can water it down and still use it.

[@nerdybitch1526]

I use oils to thin down creams and stuff

[@krncharms]

Hi, do I reheat my lotion from that I made last week and add additional Sweet almond oil to it ? How much additional oil do I add to a 1 pound batch to make it pump out if a pump bottle ? Please if any one of you guys can help me ...

[@richardsanchez8808]

You're awesome. I learned a lot

[@Makashaty]

can u do an episode on how to make solid shampoo bar ?

[@LisaCabal-ey2dc]

Where shld i get/buy d ionised water?

[@sadomalik3663]

Plz can u tell me m working on sunscreen cream but after mixing it becomes foamy in texture

[@ehsanbahramzadeh8020]

sado malik do not use blender i feel foamy, use a simple spoon instead and make sure if u use proper components in oily phase

[@user-if6rj8uo1x]

Can I use Distilled Water to thin down?

[@nathanielallen748]

Can I ask a stupid question? Will putting sunblock in a fridge or freezer help thicken it back up easily or is that too counterproductive and won’t help?

[@pallavisreetambraparni6995]

Can u please put the link as to where I can purchase deionized water?

[@ikimchi4753]

Can I use Xanthum Gum to thicken a pre existing mixture like a conditioner? Does it affect the effectivity of the ingredients within the existing mixture or it will only alter the viscosity of the product? I was also concerned that it will alter the color since it seems to have a white color base. What is the difference of it to BTMS? Pls help me 🥺

[@Scentfularomas]

Did you get the answer to this?

[@donnamcdaniel5393]

I dont see the answers either and they are great concerns

[@chinwenduofforbuike2549]

Good day ma’am I made an emulsified hair butter but it ended up watery due to excessive oils, I think. Should I use xanthan gum or the emulsifier to thicken it up??? If I’m using the emulsifier to thicken it up, do I still have to dissolve it in oil??

[@diekcelina6311]

I only have glycerin and xanthogom what can i do ?

[@emmaagbley4002]

What about guar gum for thickening?

[@mariapatino2327]

I added a bit too much xanthan gum to my homemade face cream and it’s a little soapy. Is there a way to fix that?

[@Konezumi0chan]

How much percentage of preserved deonized water did you use?

[@rachaelalabi4884]

Thank you for this what of in absent of xantha gum, what can we use

[@Skylightatdusk]

When adding the xanthan gum, can the product be at room temperature (so you can see how thick the product is becoming at its usual temperature)?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Yes, however, it will take time for the xanthan to fully hydrate at room temperature so you may notice that the product thickens over the next 24 hours.

[@Thankyouuniverse90]

What is the ph level of it

[@sheenamoll]

Hi, I have a face cream that I don’t use anymore, however I don’t want to dispose it, can I somehow use it to DIY a face mist instead? Thank you!

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

not sure how much of the face cream you have, but you would end up with a lot of face mist. Depending on how thick your cream is, I would imagine you would need a minimum of 80% preserved water to add to just 20% of the cream. I honestly would just dispose of the cream but again, I don’t know your situation.

[@lolaXStone]

Did your cream have steric acid to help keep its consistency from using water?

[@Johanna-cx3zp]

Hi... I enjoy very much allof your videos .. I do have a question, what ingrediants if i want to have a gel serum with a lovely smoothy n soft kinda feeling after i put the serum on my face ? You see, a hyaluronic & glycerin kinda leaving a very tacky & sticky feeling, and i really hate that 😢😢😢

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Try making a serum using carbomer and TEA - makes the best gel ever and feels really moisturizing.

[@Johanna-cx3zp]

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[@lcolebeauty]

Hello. Do I need to heat the water before adding it to my thick cream?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hi there, no need to heat the water, all it needs to be is at room temperature, and you can add it.

[@jenheinze1]

Can distilled water be used?

[@ayumihamano]

There is no link in the description.

[@LisaCabal-ey2dc]

Where should i get/buy deonized water?

[@zoozsas1889]

If i add oil to it is i need to add preservative also?

[@donnamcdaniel5393]

Don't see the link to get the X-Gum either

[@redd_rl]

Is it safe to perform this on ACO's body lotion moist?

[@lorelitasirenita]

If I accidentally get a bit of tap water in my mango butter when making a lotion, how do I make sure no bacteria can grow? Please recommend preservatives!!

[@lorelitasirenita]

Can I just add phenoxyethanol?? Please lmk!

[@suntiki33]

Phenoxythenol with caprylyl glycol or in combination with tetrasodium edta.

[@megandickson4642]

Liquid germall plus

[@torim4256]

We purchased Natural Aloe Vera gel in a 1 gallon jug. It has Xanthan gum. I’m making hand sanitizer for friends and neighbors. When I added this with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, the Aloe Vera was very “gummy”. How/what can I use to “thin out” the Aloe Vera? Thank you in advance.

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

You could add another solvent such as distilled water to help thin it down, or better yet, if you want a nice moisturizing effect to it, I would add propylene glycol.

[@redroselily]

I recently purchased your "Nourishing Lip & Eye Cream" but I want it thicker to place in a jar instead of a bottle, can I use xanthan gum to thicken it?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

You could, or you could melt down some of the emulsifier used in the Cream and add that. It really depends on how you want to thicken. The gum would add a more gummy texture whereas the emulsifier might add a more waxy feel.

[@gabhandebrun1871]

Good tips but I think Phenoxyethanol is not needed in this or any concoction It’s a bad ingredients u look it up

[@ahmethas3735]

I do not agree with you to thicken creams by xanthan gum not even dispersed, how about beeswax and lanolin?

[@andreahoffman8152]

You make mixture xanthan gum with glycerol or ethanol 1 part xanthan 5 part glycerol - and than pour into lotion you want to thicken.

[@nyliahb2185]

If I wanted to add oils after adding your water to the product, would I need to add another preservative?

[@donnamcdaniel5393]

I would like to know as well I see she didn't respond yet.

[@awalidreamz]

Can I add Shea butter or cocoa butter or mango butter to thicken the lotion?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

you could add butter to thicken, but note that a butter is more there for emollience and moisturization. So if you use a butter to thicken rather than a thickener, your final product won’t be as stable and you might see a massive amount of separation.

[@onikkaraphael8601]

I’m wonder the same. My finished product moisturizer came out thinner than I expected so I’m thinking to just add some more mango butter. Maybe dissolving the gum into the butter first then adding might work

[@sandeepKaur-mo8ok]

i made a lotion at home with pottasium sorbate ,citric acid mixed in water while making a lotion ,,,do i need to add them again to my distilled water to mix in my ready lotion to make it thin

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

It’s always advised that when you want to thin a product down, that you calculate how much preservative you need in the entire batch. There will be times when your preservative level is still perfect and times when it’s too low, so you need to preserve the water. I do not know your recipe so can’t quite say. Sunscreens are highly regulated and believe it or not, are not as easy as simply adding zinc or titanium to the product. With that said, if it’s simply for you and only your personal use, there is no harm is trying that out for you as I do a 15% zinc addition to mine and it appears to work well.

[@sandeepKaur-mo8ok]

can i add zinc oxide to my ready lotion to make as sunscreen lotion

[@BumblyBear]

Not sure if you figured it out by now or no but; no. You can't just dump it in. It'll clump and leave streaks and my lotion got discolored. It's only soluble in acids and some oils apparently.

[@kuzhal1411]

Hi , i made a lotion it came out thick and very hard to pour.. so shall I add xanthum gum to get thin lotion again

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hi there, To fix a thick lotion, the easiest method is to add preserved Deionized Water or Distillate. It’s important to ensure that your product remains safely preserved when adding water. Distillates are already preserved so no additional preservative is required if you choose to add a distillate.

[@theresiawakuna5780]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial please What if I use Boiled water which I have let to cool down for thinning of my products

[@cherryshooter]

Is it ok add distilled water to thin the lotion?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hi there! You can certainly try it out. Be careful to make sure it's still properly preserved. It's easier to preserve the water before adding it, but still a great experiment to try!

[@technologyofdetergents903]

What about adding some of lanette 0 or wax and heating and mixing againe

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

there are actually many options for thinning and thickening lotions; some take more work than others. I know one of our formulators actually prefers using either Lanette O or simply Stearic or Cetyl Alcohol. But yes, using Lanette O is fine. You would need to not only melt it down COMPLETELY (same with whatever wax you chose) but you’d also need to get your base product up hot enough to where when you add the Lanette O, you’re not causing the Lanette to cool too fast when it hits the base you’re trying to thicken. By the way, one thing to keep in mind, if you’re using a wax or a fatty alcohol, is the ratio tolerance. Both can make the base feel very waxy if you use too much.

[@RayShine305]

Can you use Hydroxyethylcellulose to make conditioner if so how?

[@YellowPineappleHoyas]

Ray Shine great question!

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hydroxyethylcellulose is a thickening agent used to make gels and also to stabilize emulsions but it doesn’t do much for conditioning hair. To create a conditioner, you would need conditioning agents such as BTMS.

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

@@YellowPineappleHoyas Just wanted you to see that we responded :)

[@technologyofdetergents903]

No you can't

[@technologyofdetergents903]

I'm achemist my whats app is 00201094430379

[@dylanborglan]

Can you write me the name ? I heared zantem gum is that right??

[@kwintyra4990]

Dylan Borglan xatham gum

[@ej3943]

xanthan gum

[@SheabaButters]

Thank you

[@troyedward1966]

What if I can't use water to thin it down . What oil should I use to take a paste to a cream

[@angelahector654]

Vegetable glycerin

[@troyedward1966]

@@angelahector654 thank you . Is that harmful to the skin

[@boligtz]

Would adding Micellar Water to moisturizer work to thin it out?

[@WaxWitch]

Micellar water has surfactants in them which may irritate skin if not washed off. Dr Dray has a video on micellar water. Personally, with no experience, I would not use it.

[@jkpropertymanagers]

Dr Dray has orthorexia, she has a concern about everything.

[@cherylboyd8148]

I SEE THAT A COUPLE PEOPLE HAVE ASKED IF ALOE JUICE CAN BE USED AS A THINNING AGENT BUT YOU DIDN'T ANSWER, SO CAN YOU USE ALOE JUICE AND SHOULD YOU PUT PRESERVATIVE IN IT BEFORE ADDING IT TO THE LOTION?

[@majorkai4960]

i know Im asking randomly but does anyone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow lost the login password. I appreciate any help you can offer me!

[@alfonsocarlos285]

@Major Kai instablaster :)

[@majorkai4960]

@Alfonso Carlos I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@majorkai4960]

@Alfonso Carlos it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my account!

[@alfonsocarlos285]

@Major Kai you are welcome =)

[@tylerholloway7680]

What negative affects if any would using a combination of both a distillate and water have on this and any other product? Would it weaken the strength of the preservatives? Also, can a distillate be added to any “water based” homemade product as a substitute for the actual water and work fine against bacteria, etc? Or will distillates work better in some products and not others/some ingredients and not other? Basically, are your distillates a one-size-fits-all defense against any bacterial and fungi growth? I love the idea of using a distillate full of preservatives to stand in for water so this is very, very intriguing. I’d rather limit that preservative trial and error phase as best as possible. Thanks for any help.

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Wow you sure packed a lot into that one comment! Here you go! Q: What negative affects if any would using a combination of both a distillate and water have on this and any other product? Would it weaken the strength of the preservatives? A: It could. As always we recommend a Preservative Efficacy Test (PET) through a 3rd party lab. This can take up to 45 days but is worth the knowledge of putting a safe product out onto the market. Other than that, the pH of a hydrosol will be different than that of water, so make sure to check your pH. Q: Also, can a distillate be added to any “water based” homemade product as a substitute for the actual water and work fine against bacteria, etc? A: As mentioned above, it could but best to know through a PET. If this is not for the general public, just be sure to do a bacterial assay on it or make enough for a fast using up. Q: Or will distillates work better in some products and not others/some ingredients and not other? A: honestly, I am always willing to replace water with a hydrosol no matter what the formula, but pH is very important as is preservative. Q: Basically, are your distillates a one-size-fits-all defense against any bacterial and fungi growth? A: No, it completely depends on how the hydrosol is preserved or not preserved and it depends on the pH. The final pH of your final product is the most important, but to get there you must understand the pH of your water based ingredients.

[@wandaanderson8250]

Where would you purchase distillate water

[@juliem1674]

Hi Do u have a link oh how you make the lotion?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

We do have a video guide for how to make a basic lotion. Check it out >> kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHSqXnyYg7Obf5I

[@shokunbimuibat2470]

Pls can I use guar gum inplace of xtan gum? Tnx

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

You could try, however, just make sure you are not use cationic guar. If you do have/use cationic guar be sure that your surfactants are not glucosides as they do not work well with guar.

[@Nah481]

There's no way on God's green earth that I would ever add xanthan gum to anything.

[@mohantextiles5518]

Does liquid soap need preservative?? Is it compulsory

[@drgirl4443]

Mohan Textiles definitely! Anything liquid or where the final base is primarily water, you definitely need it. But chose a preservative that will be effective at the final pH of your product

[@mohantextiles5518]

DrGirl444 , thanks alot, can u suggest one Natural preservative and it's dosage too

[@drgirl4443]

I know over 30. The issue is the base ingredients you are using plus the pH. Some preservatives work with your product, but may change the color or consistency. I would suggest reaching out to Essential wholesale to see if they would help you. Second, their website lists the preservatives they carry. Under the How to use tab for each product, it gives you whet the use of the preservative is for, usage rates, and if it will cause any esthetic issues.

[@bpro69]

Should this work to thicken store bought items? Or are there certain ingredients to not mix xanthim gum with?

[@Skylightatdusk]

Would preservation be necessary if the xanthan gum is being added to an oil-based mixture? If I add a small percentage of glycerine to my oil -based mixture, will preservation be necessary if I also added xanthan gum? Thanks

[@shinkathzbeast]

Can i use rose water to thin down my moisturizer?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Yes you may. Just bear in mind the amount of water you’re adding as it will lessen the % of the preservative. We always recommend that any changes go through preservative efficacy testing.

[@shinkathzbeast]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial thank you for your response 😊

[@HEKNOWSTHEPLANS]

Just listening only, she sounds so much like Ellen DeGeneres

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

She’s also just as funny (-:

[@rushickaj6576]

Can you use Aloe juice to thin it out?

[@karenpoulin1402]

yes if you add a preservative

[@rhoned1]

The xanthan gum makes it too gritty!

[@hamadarashadawad9393]

Please writing ingredients and method of compounding in screen when speaking thank you

[@hariyasivakumar1883]

How to convert thick sanitizer into thin please help me mam

[@alyiahmartine1351]

Just add rubbing alcohol

[@ekebireblessing2241]

Please how can I thicken my rice cream,it turns watery the next day😭😭

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

The ways mentioned in this video should work! Additionally, here is a blog where we go into a bit more detail about gums and thickeners: library.essentialwholesale.com/cosmetic-thickeners-and-natural-polymers/

[@bodyframewellnessboutique8058]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial can I use guar gum also. My lotion looks yummy after making it only to have water at the bottom next day

[@tivo148]

Will xantham gum disperse in the lotion?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Yes it should, although you'll want to add it very slowly while using a mixer.

[@IrisPattersonIrisDiaries]

Can you use Xanthum Gum to thicken shampoo

[@MS-wy4sb]

Yes, but not much. Maybe 0.05-0.1% of the formulation. It'll give shampoos a slight gel consistency.

[@IrisPattersonIrisDiaries]

Thanks that what I want

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

We agree. Yes, it would be an option.

[@ElffFace]

Can I use tap water to thin down small amounts of store brought cream that I'll only use the same day?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

For same-day use: yes

[@dianeespinoza8647]

I would rather leave my hand wet and put lotion into wet hands and mix in my hands than add into a cream jar.

[@momomily9229]

I have guar gum. Can I use this?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Yes, you can use Guar Gum. It will not have the same smoothness or feel as Xanthan Gum, but it is still a lovely option.

[@momomily9229]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial Thanks.

[@charlesg203]

Can you also use shaving cream to thicken conditioner or lotions?

[@karenpoulin1402]

wat are you serious

[@samiatoni9355]

Can I use rice water to thin down my lotion?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Yes, but you will also need to add a preservative such as phenoxyethanol to preserve your rice water. Phenoxyethanol => www.essentialwholesale.com/product/1359/phenoxyethanol

[@Johanna-cx3zp]

And also, i have so many lumphy of titanium sand on my lotion, how can i make my lotion smooth like ur lovely lotion ? I feel so sad if i have to throw my lotion away 😭😭😭😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

It sounds like you may have been adding titanium oxide for color. I think if you have lumps of it in your lotion, it’s probably been saturated - meaning you’ve used too much. Just a guess... We would need a lot more information to seriously help troubleshoot that. If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our formulators then shoot an email over to [e-mail]

[@Johanna-cx3zp]

Thankyou so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@technologyofdetergents903]

I can learn you my whats app 00201094430379

[@Johanna-cx3zp]

I already figure it out 😁😁🙏🙏🙏🙏