Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating What is the worst formulating advice you’ve seen on the Internet?

  • What is the worst formulating advice you’ve seen on the Internet?

    Posted by OldPerry on May 17, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    Since literally anyone can write anything about anything on the Internet, there has been a proliferation of dubious formulation experts giving dubious advice. 

    What are some examples of the worst formulating advice you’ve seen online?

    I’ll start…

    Using natural oils as SPF ingredients - This is downright dangerous as people may go out thinking their skin is protected while it actually isn’t. No, Carrot oil will not help you achieve an SPF 38 to 40!

    Abdullah replied 3 years, 7 months ago 15 Members · 28 Replies
  • 28 Replies
  • EVchem

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    Just a general example- people thinking Vitamin E Acetate is either:
    1. a preservative
    2. an antioxidant that will increase shelf-life

  • OldPerry

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 4:31 pm

    @EVchem - yeah, that advice about vitamin E is all over the place and just mistaken. 

  • Graillotion

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 6:50 pm

    Emulsify your product with a whisk.  :#

  • OldPerry

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    @Graillotion - lol!

  • RedCoast

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 8:17 pm
    Heat and hold for 20-30 minutes no matter what. Do it regardless of the emulsifier or co-emulsifiers. Also, add temperature-sensitive ingredients in the hot phase, even for 10-20 minutes, including antioxidants.
    I saw all those “instructions” on one entire post.
    Runner up: to prevent an emulsion from separating, add more antioxidants.

    Emulsify your product with a whisk.  :#

    I’ve seen this one before, too. I think some people are copying instructions from making chocolates and applying them to formulating cosmetics. xD

  • OldPerry

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    @RedCoast - yes, I think a lot of stuff you see about making cosmetics online is adaptations of food making.

  • ngarayeva001

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 10:19 pm

    The question was ‘which preservative is suitable for baby products’. Response:

  • ngarayeva001

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 10:21 pm

    Emulsify your product with a whisk.  

    Well if your product is relying  on sepigel 305 as the only emulsifier you can even emulsify it with a fork ????

  • OldPerry

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 10:57 pm

    @ngarayeva001 - ah yes, the vitamin E preservative nonsense. ugh.

  • abierose

    Member
    May 17, 2021 at 11:45 pm

    Perry said:

    Since literally anyone can write anything about anything on the Internet, there has been a proliferation of dubious formulation experts giving dubious advice. 

    What are some examples of the worst formulating advice you’ve seen online?

    I’ll start…

    Using natural oils as SPF ingredients - This is downright dangerous as people may go out thinking their skin is protected while it actually isn’t. No, Carrot oil will not help you achieve an SPF 38 to 40!

    I visibly cringe every time I see “to use coconut oil as an spf and sun block” ????…I’ve also read you can use coconut oil to whiten your teeth! ???? There was definitely a minute where people were touting coconut oil as a cure-all…

  • domicanica

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 12:48 am

    Could someone please clarify for me the part about Vitamin C Acetate not having anti-oxidant properties?

  • ozgirl

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 12:51 am
    Any time any of the following statements are mentioned is definitely bad formulating advice.
    “You don’t need a preservative for this lotion/shampoo/<insert other water containing/contact product here>”
    “Preservatives are bad”
    “Use essential oils as preservatives”
    :#
  • abierose

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 1:00 am

    There are way too many websites proclaiming that essential oils are natural and therefore harmless and that fragrance oils are synthetic and therefore harmful. ????

  • jemolian

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 1:27 am

    Speaking about cooking, this kills me :D

    Comments from the natural FB groups always does, so…

  • Graillotion

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 2:09 am

    jemolian said:

    Speaking about cooking, this kills me :D

    Comments from the natural FB groups always does, so…

    All that is missing is…..Bake at 350 for 25 minutes! :)

  • Graillotion

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 2:10 am

    Emulsify your product with a whisk.  

    Well if your product is relying  on sepigel 305 as the only emulsifier you can even emulsify it with a fork ????

    The whisk people…have more than likely never heard of Sepi 305. :) 

  • jemolian

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 2:15 am

    To be honest, i think using a whisk is still fine because we can be slightly short of budget or basic equipment at home. Using a milk frother is worse.  :#

  • ozgirl

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 2:29 am

    @jemolian I must remember to tell our manufacturer to add “a pinch” of EDTA next time :D :D :D

  • Paprik

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 2:45 am

    jemolian said:

    Speaking about cooking, this kills me :D

    Comments from the natural FB groups always does, so…

    Oh **** :D This cracked me up !!! :D :D :D 
    Pinch of EDTA :D Ninicidmide :D Omg I caaan’t :D 

  • jemolian

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 2:46 am

    @ozgirl supposedly a pinch is about 1/16 teaspoon, so it’s about 0.35g. I’d assume for EDTA, it’s workable up to a 1kg batch for a pinch?  :D

  • ngarayeva001

    Member
    May 18, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    It’s fascinating that a person who measures ingredients in pinches and teaspoons is ok with EDTA, mineral oil and methylparaben.

  • Pharma

    Member
    May 19, 2021 at 4:44 am

    @ngarayeva001 Why? Back in the good old days of alchemy, their measures were even worse but they seemed to feel quite confident using things like mercury, lead oxide, deadly nightshade, and goose droppings in their salves and ointments. On the other hand, why should non-metric measures mean that someone is supporting the free from boom? Wouldn’t the USA be all organic and fairtrade if it were so? :smiley:

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    May 20, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    preservative free

  • Microformulation

    Member
    May 20, 2021 at 1:53 pm

    “90 percent of what you put on your skin is absorbed into the body.” It is then usually used as the Foundation for a campaign of chemophobia.

  • abierose

    Member
    May 20, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    “Hypoallergenic”

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