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Best way to use Stearic Acid?
I also purchased some Stearic Acid for the purpose of emulsion, and having never worked with this particular substance, how is it best used and incorporated into an oil/water emulsion….add to oil or water? I DUNNO
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8 Replies
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Melt it in your oil phase. It should be neutralized with something alkaline (sodium hydroxide, TEA). It isn’t an emulsifier by itself, it’s more of a thickener and co-emulsifier/stabilizer.
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ok great! I’m making a dup of my Argan, Rosehip Oil & Coconut oil serum, (which I usually just shake) I don’t think Sodium Hydroxide would be a good additive. Would something else work? Or would even isopropyl or glycerin even make it miscible? Something….
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You need something alkaline to neutralize the Stearic Acid so Isopropyl Alcohol or Glycerin will not work. What’s wrong with sodium hydroxide?
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I also read on The Good Scent Co. website than xanthan gum could be used as an emulsifier, but I’m a bit hesitant….any thoughts?
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How much Sod. Hydr. should I use?…its for the face
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Would Sodium Bicarbonate be alkaline enough for the Stearic Acid?
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I’m afraid you are getting too far ahead of yourself. It would help if you knew more about the chemistry you are working with before going further. You shouldn’t be mixing acids and bases together if you don’t know some basic chemistry. It can be dangerous.
Xanthan gum is not an emulsifier. At most it is a suspending agent which helps support emulsions. There is a lot of misinformation on the Internet so I would encourage you to start from the beginning.
I would suggest you start here.
http://makingskincare.com/how-to-make-a-lotioncream-part-1-equipment-and-ingredients/ -
Thanks. I’m new to the “skincare” arena, do mostly eyeshadows, eyeliners, lipsticks, etc. That is why I am consulting everyone before I do anything. I have had a brief stint as a soap-maker, and I definitely know the dangers of mixing acids and bases. I’m just looking for something mild and not extremely caustic…im still new to THIS area
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