Which is the Best Lotion Sample?

By: Johana Guatemala, Mikaela Konrad, Katherine Carlson, and Elena Cohen
After creating our samples for three different recipes of lotion, we took to testing each
sample for effectiveness, smoothness, moisture, durability (long lasting), and absorption (rubs
in).
For the effectiveness test, we spread a teaspoon of each lotion (Recipe #1, #2, and #3)
onto a piece of thin color paper. We then set out each paper in the sun for 5 hours. Every hour we
would observe and the paper for change in coloration and greasiness then write down our
observations. Recipe #1 was thick and liquidity then seeped a little bit onto the other side of the
paper. Recipe #3 was very clumpy, greasy and seeped a lot onto the other side of the paper.
Recipe #2 was the lightest, smoothest, and least greasy throughout the test. Therefore Recipe #2
was the most effective.
For the smoothness and spreadable test we applied 20 drops of lotion in the middle of the
filter paper. After waiting ten minutes we cut out the affected part of the filter paper and
measured and weighed it. The test results showed that even though the weight stayed zero,
Recipe #1 spread two inches making it the most spreadable sample of lotion. Recipe #3 didnt
spread out during the ten minutes leaving it at a total distance as one inch. Recipe #3 also left the
filter paper very greasy, which was a trait we didnt want our lotion to have. Recipe #2 spread
one and a half inches. From the data we received Recipe #1 spread the most making it the lotion
we would want to use.
For the moisturizing test, we used water, three graduated cylinders, three clear beakers,
three coffee filter papers, measuring spoons, and rubber bands. We began the test, by pouring ten

milliliters of water into each of the four graduated cylinders. We have to pour water into the three
clear beakers, measure of a teaspoon of each recipe, then spread it over each filters. After, that
we put the filter over the jar and tighten around the jar. We placed each beakers on counter in our
chemistry room, which has room temperature, and let them sit for a class period. We checked the
jars every ten minutes to measure how much water has evaporated. Therefore, we found out the
recipe that had keep the most water in the breaker was the one with the most moisture elements.
So we decide that Recipe #2 is the best for moisturizing.
For the long lasting test we put one half a teaspoon of lotion on our hand for the whole
day to see which one would last the longest on our skin. Mikaela placed Recipe #3 on the back of
her hand and then placed a latex glove over it in order to not wash it off. Kat (Recipe #2) and
Elena (Recipe #1) did the same thing and they all checked and described what they say every
hour. Throughout the day we noticed, Recipe #1 and #3 were very greasy and shiny compared to
Recip #2. During mid-day we saw, that as Recipe #1 and #3s grease was struggling to sink into
the skin, Recipe #2 had already started giving a softness effect to Kats hand. At the end, we saw
that Recipe #2 effective had lasted the longest.
For absorption, our materials consisted of 3 small potatoes, saran wrap, and measuring
spoons. First we weighted each potato wrapped with enough saran wrap to wrap around the
potato in grams. Then we apply 1 tablespoon of evenly around the potato with in the saran wrap.
Once we label each of them with their corresponding lotion, we let them sit and each day for five
days we wrote down our observations on each. We notice during the test, Recipe/potato #1
increased the fastest whereas Recipe/potato #2 increased the slowest By the end, Recipe #1 had
absorbed 1.3 grams into its potato, Recipe #2 had absorbed 0.8 grams into its potato, and Recipe

#3 had absorbed 0.2 grams into its potato. Therefore, we were able to determine Recipe #1
absorbs the best.
Data Tables:
Effectiveness Recipe #1
11:00 p.m (Thursday)

Recipe #2

Recipe #3

Spread out

Lightest

Clumpy

12:00 p.m.
(Thursday)

Thick

Smoothest

Greasy and clumpy

1:00 a.m.
(Thursday)

Spread onto other

page

Smooth, lightest

Spreading onto the

other page

2:00 a.m.
(Thursday)

Liquidy

Spreading on to other
page

Running on the
window

3:00 p.m.
(Thursday)

On the other page

Little big greasy

a little on the other

page
Lightest

Running down the

window
Greasy

Smooth (Spreadable) Recipe #1

Weight of Filter
Paper (W1)
Total Area of Filter
Paper (A1)
Dry Part of Filter
Paper (W2) (after the
lotion is placed)
Diameter of Lotion
part of Filter Paper
(A2)

Moisturizing -

Recipe #2

Recipe #3

8 inches

8 inches

8 inches

2 inches

1.5 inches

1 inch

Recipe #1

Recipe #2

Recipe #3

Amt. of Starting
Water

10 milligrams

10 milligrams

10 milligrams

10:20

Most absorbed
Greasy on top
Water is clear

A lot of top
Water is cloudy

Clumpy
Greasy on top
Less Water

Most absorbed on top

Clearest Water

Almost smooth

Clumpy on top

Water is cloudy

Water is a little
cloudy

9 milligrams

10 milligrams

8 milligrams

10:40

11:10

Long Lasting Recipe #1

Recipe #2

Recipe #3

11:00 a.m.

Greasy

Rubbed in well

Really Greasy, Runny

12:00 p.m.

Half the amount

Greasy

Starting to rub off

Greasy

1:00 p.m.

Rubbed in

Wearing off

Greasy

2:00 p.m.

Beginning to become
soft

Wearing off

Greasy

3:00 p.m.

Soft

Soft

Really Greasy
Lasted a long time

Rubs In Recipe #1

Recipe #2

Recipe #3

Day 1

40.1 grams

39.8 grams

42.0 grams

Day 2

40.2 grams

40.0 grams

42.3 grams

Day 3

40.7 grams

40.2 grams

43.0 grams

Day 4

41.3 grams

40.1 grams

43.0 grams

Day 5

41.4 grams

41.0 grams

43.2 grams

We have now decided that Recipe #2 is the best one and the one we want to create a full
batch of. Recipe #2 turned out to be the best one in test and felt the best on our skins which is
why we chose it as our lotion. It uses Sakura oil as an emulsifier, Vegetable Fat as a thickener,
Coconut oil as a preservative, and Orange, Grape Seed, and Pine oil as fragrances. When we
create our lotion, we go through different chemical levels. We go through an endothermic
reaction, solidification, and then the oil molecules bond with previous mixture (combination).
We are ready to move on.