Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Oil Fragrance deflates my bubbly formula

  • Oil Fragrance deflates my bubbly formula

    Posted by Rockstargirl on January 9, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    I’ve made a beautiful thick body wash - but when I add 1.5% EO fragrance -it turns to a thin water. Why is the viscosity changing? What can I do to stop it?
    Also - it’s not all EO scents. just some.

    belassi replied 4 years, 2 months ago 4 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • oldperry

    Member
    January 9, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    The technical explanation involves the micellar surfactant structure, the close packing of particles and the effect these have on the film surface of the bubbles. But the basic conclusion is…

    Oils depress foam
    Oils also impact (usually reduce) viscosity

    Some oil are worse than others because they impact the particle dynamics differently.

    What can you do?  Lots of things you can try but they may or may not work.

    1.  Use less EO.
    2.  Use a solubilizer like Polysorbate 20
    3.  Use different EOs
    4.  Don’t use EOs in your cleansing formulas
    5.  Adjust your surfactant levels (higher)
    6.  Reduce your salt levels (if you have any)
    7.  Use a thickener system that isn’t impacted by the micellar particle packing

  • Cafe33

    Member
    January 9, 2020 at 6:08 pm

    I never start with that high of an EO level when adding it for the first time. Most product problems I have encountered are related to EOs.

  • Rockstargirl

    Member
    January 9, 2020 at 6:24 pm

    super helpful. Thanks!

  • belassi

    Member
    January 11, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    1.5% is way too high.

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