To make creams, balms, salves, and soaps, you will need to heat and even boil a lot of natural waxes and butters. Some waxes and butters can be heated directly over the low or medium heat but this process may destroy some of the valuable phytochemicals and vitamins in the oils. Double-boiling to direct boiling is the same as steaming vegetables is to deep-frying. Boiling water rarely becomes hotter than 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius). Not only double-boiling preserves most of the important microelements in the ingredient, it also allows for more controlled mixing and blending as you heat the butter, wax, or oil.

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