Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Formulating a sunscreen lotion with mineral UV filters.

  • Formulating a sunscreen lotion with mineral UV filters.

    Posted by Doreen on June 4, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Hi,

    I
    want to make a sunscreen lotion without other actives than the UV filters, for
    own use. The SPF will be about 15. The UV filters I use are micron. zinc- and
    titanium(di)oxide, coated with simethicone (SofiTix).

    I also want to add another, volatile silicone, because of its nice skinfeel. I
    know silicones can be tricky, so I hope the stability of the way I formulated
    etc will be sufficient. This is the first time I will be working with
    silicones.

    My formula, feel free to comment, much appreciated!

    ·        
    q.s.
    deionized water

    ·        
    8%
    E-wax (glyceryl stearate + PEG100 stearate)

    ·        
    2%
    cetyl alcohol

    ·        
    1%
    cyclopentasiloxane

    ·        
    9%
    sunflower seed oil

    ·        
    1%
    petrolatum

    ·        
    1.5%
    glycerin

    ·        
    0.5%
    α-tocopherol

    ·        
    6% SofiTix (nano zincoxide/nano
    titaniumdioxide/simethicone)

    ·        
    0.4% phenoxyethanol

    ·        
    0.3% benzyl alcohol + DHA (Cosgard)

    ·        
    0.1% potassium sorbate

    ·        
    citric
    acid in aqua for pH < 5.5

    Phase 1:

    Disperse SofiTix in mixture of sunflower oil + cyclo D5

    Phase
    2:
    Water +
    glycerin, heat to 70C

    Phase
    3:
    Melt the
    emulsifiers + petrolatum -> 70C

    Add
    phase 1 to the 2+3 emulsion in the cooling phase.
    Add
    preservatives + α-tocopherol.

    QUERY: Would 9% oil be enough
    to disperse 6% SofiTix?

    If so, should I use even less oil in the premix and add oil to phase 3?

    Would this be stable enough for the 1% cycloD5 and the simethicone coating?

    I wanted to add benzyl alcohol to prevent discoloration by potassium sorbate,
    like @DRBOB@VERDIENT.BIZ said. I don’t use it very long, so it probably won’t
    be necessary.

    Is pH 5.5 low enough for potassium sorbate to ‘metabolize’ into sorbic acid?

    Thanks a bunch!

    Doreen replied 6 years, 11 months ago 3 Members · 9 Replies
  • 9 Replies
  • DRBOB@VERDIENT.BIZ

    Member
    June 4, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    yes 9% oil should be enough to dispese 6% Sofitix.Also  5.5 in low enough to form sorbic acid from Ksorbate which should be fine for preservation but will discolor with time however you use it up quickly.Why don’t you raise Ph to 7-7.5 for optimum stability of Zn O and just use either BA or phenoxyethanol at  ! % ?

  • Doreen

    Member
    June 4, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    @DRBOB@VERDIENT.BIZ
    I didn’t know the optimum stability of ZnO being so high? And what about the TiO2?
    Will it really be a problem to put it at 5.5? If it is necessary, I’ll raise the pH with Na lactate and get rid of the phenoxy and potassium sorbate (which isn’t stable then I assume) and just do the Cosgard (BA +DHA).
    Or just phenoxyethanol alone? :)

  • DRBOB@VERDIENT.BIZ

    Member
    June 4, 2017 at 8:09 pm

    Below 7 Zno forms Zn++ ions which raises issues of stability/efficacy so we always keep our mineral sunscreens above 7:  At 7 K sorbate doesn’t work but you can use either BA or Phenoxyethanol at 1%.  

  • Doreen

    Member
    June 4, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    Edit:  message deleted, question is answered above.

  • Doreen

    Member
    June 4, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    @DRBOB@VERDIENT.BIZ

    At 7 K sorbate doesn’t work but you can use either BA or Phenoxyethanol at 1%. 

    Does that mean I don’t need additional antifungal excipients at pH7 or >7?

  • DRBOB@VERDIENT.BIZ

    Member
    June 4, 2017 at 8:40 pm

    no  you should be fine

  • Doreen

    Member
    June 5, 2017 at 7:25 am

    @zwapp
    Thanks for the reminder, you’re right! I’ve got tocopherol acetate aswell, so that’s not a problem. Or I just leave it out, both.

  • pradeep

    Member
    June 16, 2017 at 4:08 am

    I have heard if titanium di oxide is inhaled during preparation it may be carcinogenic itself.
    So does it necessary to use in spf lotion
    Or what is the safe method of handling tio2.

  • Doreen

    Member
    June 16, 2017 at 5:26 am

    @pradeep
    Lots of chemicals have inhaling hazards, even cellulose or niacinamide. Take adequate safety measures all the time (ventilation etc). If you handle powders a lot, you can think of using simple dust-masks.

    For this lotion I have chosen a combination of TiO2 and ZnO, both are broad spectrum.

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