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Inconsistent thickness/viscosity and can’t figure out why
Same ingredients, same method, but thickness is inconsistent.
This is a small home based product for skin. Contains oils (fractionated coconut, plus infused herb oils in a sunflower oil base) zinc oxide powder, beeswax and essential oils for fragrance.
The difference in thickness is not huge, but enough for the product to run out of tube (too runny) as opposed to being gently squeezed out on to finger (ideal) to be applied to skin.
Oils & zinc are combined and heated, then beeswax is added. It certainly looks like beeswax is completely melted, but I am suspecting that perhaps tiny bits are not??? Therefore when things cool, the product is not consistent.
I make sure I stir well every time I ‘syringe’ up product to put in tube, because the zinc oxide will not entirely mix through product (apologies if I don’t know correct terms lol).
I have found if i don’t shake product (while cooling in its tube) it ends up runny. However the last time I made a batch, even though I did this, it still came out too runny, so now I’m baffled.
Has as anyone got any suggestions or insights please?
Many thanks : )
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7 Replies
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Why are you using Zinc Oxide?
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Are you mixing it the entire time? Using a hand mixer for a formula like you describe will not give you a consistent product.
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Can the product be transferred to the tubes after it has cooled or at least mostly cooled? It sounds like you need to keep mixing the entire time the product is cooling to ensure that the zinc oxide doesn’t settle out.
What temperature are you heating to? Try heating the beeswax with the oils and heat to about 10 degrees Celsius above the melting point of the wax.
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Thanks everyone.
I do remember having success once when I stirred until mixture cooled more, but not too cool to transfer/syringe to tubes. If it cools too much, my syringe tool won’t work properly.
I pretty much mix the entire time, as som of the zinc will start to settle. I definitely mix before every new ‘syringe’
of mixture.Im using zinc oxide because it is to help with sun protection (product is chiefly for animals)
I was considering using a different ingredient to help thicken (either in combination or instead of beeswax) any suggestions of what might play nice with the oils and zinc?
Thanks : )
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If your zinc oxide is settling that means it is not properly dispersed which means it is worthless in terms of providing sun protection. You need a suspending agent like Carbomer to help with suspension and you need better blending techniques / equipment.
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you also need a high-shear mixer of some kind to ensure the zinc oxide is fully dispersed
also, what grade of zinc oxide are you using?
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Ok thanks everyone. Some things to think about. Is there anyone in here who does this for a living (or is just really knowledgeable) that I can pay to help get my formula right? I need to be able to prep it at home. If so, can you please email me some details at chubbybunny533@gmail.com
Happy to purchase some better equipment, but this is not a major commercial operation by any means.cheers : )
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