• Formulating

  Emulsifying essential oils for flea and tick spray

  Posted by imhumble on February 10, 2020 at 9:48 am

  I’m trying to emulsify around 5.7% essential oils into water as well as 0.1% carrier oil.

  I’ve tried doing this with Polysorbate 20 and it doesn’t seem to be working. I also tried adding a little surfactant hoping that might help.

  I’m trying to replicate this formula:

  Active: 4.2% cedarwood oil, 2.2% sodium lauryl sulfate, 1.5% lemongrass oil, 0.1% sesame oil. Inert: 92% (water, polyglyceryl oleate, glycerin, sodium chloride, ethyl lactate, sodium citrate, citric acid, vitamin E). Total: 100.0%
  
  It’s a flea & tick spray for dogs. Im trying to make the formula as gentle as possible. I tried substitutuing the SLS with Decyl Glucoside hoping it might help staibilise the emulsion as well as be a milder solution. Didn’t work.

  I’m wondering if anyone had any ideas. I’m not fussed on clarity as it’s just for my own use. I just don’t want the product separating.

  I currently have Ceterayl Alcohol, Polysorbate 85, CA/C20, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate & PEG 100 stearate.

  I wonder if adding a little of one or two of these would help?

  imhumble replied 4 years, 10 months ago 1 Member · 0 Replies

  • formula development
  • stability
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