Borax

General Description

Borax, otherwise known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually white in color. Borax is composed of soft colorless crystals that dissolve instantly in water.

Properties and Uses

Borax is popularly used in creams, lotions, shampoos, and gels. Generally, borax is being used in body care and skin care products because of its following properties: preservative, emulsifier, water softener, cleanser, particle suspension, buffering agent and fizzing action, when used with citric acid. Because of its ability to soften the water, and suspend soap particles in the bathwater, it is a usual ingredient in bath bombs and bath fizzes – when added to bath tubs, it results to a soft, clean, and healthy skin, which is not clogged by the residue of soap particles.

Origin and History

Borax came from the Medieval Latin word "borat," Arabic word "buraq," Persian "burah," and Middle Persian "burak."

Borax naturally takes place in evaporated deposits produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes. The most vitally viable borax deposits are found in Turkey and near Boron, California as well as in other locations in the Southwestern United States, the Atacama desert in Chile, and in Tibet. Borax is also produced synthetically from other boron compounds.

Recipes

Basic Cold Cream

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: ½ cup mineral oil, 1 ounce beeswax, ¼ teaspoon borax, ¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon distilled water, a few drops of essential oils (use any essential oil blend according to your preference).

Place mineral oil and beeswax in a heat proof bowl and heat in a double boiler. In a separate bowl, dissolve borax in distilled water then boil. Add the water mixture to the wax mixture in a thin stream, blending thoroughly. Remove from heat and cool to 140 degrees. Add essential oils until essential oils are incorporated. Cool to 120 degrees then transfer into a clean jar, cap, and store.

Belly Balm for Dry, Itchy Skin (Good for Pregnant Women)

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 1 tablespoon cocoa butter, 1 tablespoon jojoba oil, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ tablespoon anhydrous lanolin, 2 teaspoons beeswax, 4 tablespoons rose hydrosol, 1 teaspoon borax, ½ teaspoon vegetable glycerin, ½ teaspoon grapefruit seed extract (or any preservative according to your preference).

Combine cocoa butter, jojoba oil, lanolin and beeswax in a heat proof bowl. Place in a double boiler until wax is melted, stirring with a wooden stick. Remove from heat. In a separate heat proof bowl, combine hydrosol, borax and vegetable glycerin. Place in a double boiler until borax is well-dissolved, stirring with a wooden stick, and remove from heat. Add this mixture to the wax mixture, and blend thoroughly for about three until mixture becomes thick.

Transfer into a clean jar and cap. Store the balm in the refrigerator to lengthen shelf life. Use a wooden spatula when dispensing to avoid contamination.

Bath Bombs

Prepare and measure all dry ingredients; you will need: 1 cup baking soda, ½ cup citric acid, ½ cup corn starch, ¹/₃ cup Epsom salts or coarse sea salt. Put the dry ingredients through a sieve until they are well blended, then set aside.

Prepare and measure all dry ingredients; you will need: 2 ½ tablespoons sunflower oil (or any light oil according to your preference, such as sweet almond oil), ¾ tablespoon water or rosewater, ¼ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of essential oils (use any essential oil blend according to your preference), ¼ teaspoon borax as an emulsifier, vegetable or other natural food colorant (according to your preference). Pour all wet ingredients in a clean jar, cover tightly and shake well until all ingredients are blended thoroughly.

Gently sprinkle the wet mixture to the dry mixture, stirring after each addition to prevent any reaction. When mixture is dry and crumbly, pack firmly in molds. Allow the bombs to form for about 30 minutes. Let dry for about 3 days before using.

Hand Cream

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 26 gm beeswax, 50 gm food grade mineral oil, 2 gm borax, 22 ml distilled water, a few drops essential oils (use any essential oil blend according to your preference).

In a heat proof container, place mineral oil and beeswax. Place in a double boiler and heat until wax is completely melted. In a separate bowl, dissolve borax in water and pour this slowly to the oil and wax mixture until mixture is thick and creamy. Add essential oils and blend until oils are incorporated thoroughly. Pour into clean jars, cap and store.

Facial Cream

Prepare and measure ingredients. For this recipe, you will need: 16 gm beeswax, 50 ml food grade mineral oil, 3 gm borax, 31 ml witch hazel, a few drops essential oils (use any essential oil blend according to your preference).

In a heat proof container, place mineral oil and beeswax. Place in a double boiler and heat until wax is completely melted. In a separate bowl, dissolve borax in witch hazel and pour this slowly to the oil and wax mixture until mixture is thick and creamy. Add essential oils and blend until oils are incorporated thoroughly. Pour into clean jars, cap and store.

Safety Precautions

Avoid ingestion of borax, as large doses may be hazardous. Borax may cause inflammation when exposed to the skin, eyes, or if inhaled. Keep away from children and pets.