Medium sticky pomade - Chemists Corner

Formulating

Medium sticky pomade

Posted by Goodlobster on December 17, 2017 at 1:14 pm

hi guys! I’m currently working on a medium oil based pomade and was wondering if I can make it stickier? I really don’t want to reply on wax much for hold but on the stickiness of it. I’m currently using Petro and lanolin for the stickiness

beeswax 25% (50/50 microwax and yellow beeswax)
lanolin 5%
oil 24% ( 70% coco 30% castor)
petro 45%
scent 1%

wondering if I can add anything else to make it a bit stickier so I can make it a med/firm hold thing focusing on the stickiness

thanks!

em88 replied 7 years ago 6 Members · 12 Replies
12 Replies

belassi

Member
December 17, 2017 at 4:37 pm

There are so many requests for this, that I think Perry should create a new site called Pomade Corner!
Bill_Toge

Professional Chemist / Formulator
December 17, 2017 at 5:18 pm

try carnauba wax
Goodlobster

Member
December 17, 2017 at 9:21 pm

Belassi - yeah I’ve bee not scouting forums a lot. Also trial and error. Since I have no background in cosmetic science I guess I’d call the experts

bill - thanks I’m trying that in my next batch. What percentage do you think would work?
gdabain

Member
December 18, 2017 at 5:22 pm

Why not increase the lanolin and take away the difference from the petroleum? Lanolin has incomparable stickiness
Goodlobster

Member
December 18, 2017 at 11:20 pm

Gd- it’s the scent of lanolin that turns me off a bit haha. Kinda looking for an alternative and cost wise lanolin is expensive haha
gdabain

Member
December 28, 2017 at 9:35 pm

That’s understandable. Maybe try lanolin alcohol then? It may not be as sticky but doesn’t have nearly the odor that the normal lanolin does.
I’ve made a boat load of sticky hair pomades but they usually contain water and a polymer to contribute to the stickiness.
Goodlobster

Member
December 29, 2017 at 8:10 am

I’ve heard about water and emulsifying waxes too but I’m trying to make oil based ones with simple materials.

im also wondering about differences in the water temp that could affect consistency when I melt them?

currently using some white beeswax pellets and yellow beeswax blocks as well
em88

Pharmacist
January 17, 2018 at 10:49 am

Haven’t tried myself, but how about adding PVP like PVP K30?
gdabain

Member
January 22, 2018 at 10:33 pm

You might have luck with hydrogenated polyisobutene as well.
Chemist5000

Member
January 25, 2018 at 7:57 pm

PVP k-90… aquastyle 300 a fixative should do the trick
Bill_Toge

Professional Chemist / Formulator
January 25, 2018 at 8:04 pm

@em88 @Chemist5000 those are water-soluble, so they won’t work in this type of product
em88

Pharmacist
January 26, 2018 at 12:00 pm

@Bill_Toge, good observation! Since there is lanolin in the formula, some water can be added.