Can I use perfumers alcohol in cream formulation ? - Chemists Corner

Formulating

Can I use perfumers alcohol in cream formulation ?

Posted by Anonymous on October 11, 2014 at 4:27 am

Hi

I am making a face and body cream formulation and need alcohol. i already have phenoxyethanol in my preservative but limit of preservative is 1%. Is it safe using perfumers alcohol? if so, is there a limit? I know you can use in perfumes in high % but cannot find information about its use in creams.

I have tried the perfumers alcohol and the cream has been table for about 6 weeks.

Your suggestions are welcome.

Vida

Microformulation replied 10 years, 1 month ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
4 Replies

OldPerry

Member
October 11, 2014 at 9:41 am

What do you want the alcohol to do in the formula?

For preservation you’ll have to use ~20%

There may be some California VOC restrictions on using that much in a cream however.
Anonymous

Guest
October 11, 2014 at 7:31 pm

Hi Perry,

Thank you for your reply.

I need it to enhance the effect of one of my ingredients in the cream. I already have a preservative for the cream. I shall be using less than 10% of the perfumer’s alcohol.

I am based in the UK. I shall take note of California restrictions all the same.
IrinaTudor

Member
October 14, 2014 at 11:18 am

Are you planning to sell the products to the public?

Ethanol will indeed work as an enhancer, of all other ingredients too. Any irritants will also have effect on the skin.
Microformulation

Member
October 14, 2014 at 12:44 pm

Also keep in mind that alcohol in an emulsion COULD cause some Ostwalt Ripening (instability) in your emulsion system. Stability studies would be a good idea.

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