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Goat milk lotion failure
Hi all. First, let me say that I am not a formulator. I am a maker. I have been successfully making a goat milk lotion (substituted goat milk for 10% of the water in the original formula) preserved with liquid Germall Plus at the highest recommended amount.
I had a basic plate count done at several points over the years, and all looked good. Last December I had the lotion produced in a cosmetics lab for the first time; however, the lotion was overgrown with mold within a month of my using it for the first time. Of course they assumed I contaminated it, but I don’t think I could’ve contaminated it that much if I had tried. They produced another batch as a replacement and said it tested fine. It is already growing mold within a few weeks of my using it again. I purposely did not touch the lid of the product where there was lotion residue just in case mold grew there so I would know I had not contaminated it. Sure enough, that seems to be where the mold is starting. The only difference in the production would be that they are using a powdered goat milk, whereas I used fresh, pasteurized. Any thoughts on what could be the reason for the failure and how to fix it? I can’t afford to lose this much (five gallons) of product. -
15 Replies
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If your lotion is already contaminated, you must destroy it - it cannot be sold for human or even animal use. A quick plate count can determine this. FDA rules are pretty strict about this.
If your lotion is only under-preserved, you can salvage it by adding more preservative. How natural do you need to be? -
Oh I realize this batch is trashed. There is visible mold growth on the underside of the lid. I just meant I can’t afford to continue using this lab if I’m going to have problems like this. I can’t figure out what the cause might be though. The sample they sent originally appears fine. Their first five-gallon batch ended up completely covered with green and yellow mold. I’m only trying to avoid paraben preservatives for the most part.
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If the lab sample they sent you is fine (and you should do a challenge test to make sure), and the production batch either came to you contaminated or was so under-preserved that normal exposure to the environment contaminated it, then something changed in their process or formula.
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The producer may also have substandard disinfecting procedures for their production equipment. Or they have developed a biofilm that they haven’t been able to destroy.
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I have heard back from the lab. They will re-test the sample of my product they retained. Since it initially tested fine, of course this is a post-production issue. I have asked them for the % of Germall Plus they are using and am waiting for a reply on that. They suggested that since the mold is initially appearing on the lid that condensation may play a role, but if it was preserved properly, I’m guessing this shouldn’t be an issue. They claim they sterilize the 5-gallon bucket the lotion is placed in and have not had this issue with their other products. I know when I was looking for a lab to produce this lotion for me, several of them would not touch it due to the goat milk, so maybe it is tricky to deal with. As I get further information, I will post it for any feedback or suggestions any of you may have. If anyone has suggestions for another lab that may work with small minimums (5 gallons), I would appreciate that as well. Thanks!
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I wanted to update the goat milk lotion failure. The lab re-tested their retained sample and report it came back clean. They say they are using the liquid germall plus at 0.5%, the highest recommended rate, which is also what I use when I personally make the lotion. They say it must be a handling or storage issue. I just don’t see how that can be the case unless the lotion was underpreserved, which according to them, it was not. This is just so odd because I have a container of lotion I made that has been sitting open for over six months with no visible signs of mold growth. Again, the only difference between my and their lotion is their use of powdered goat milk. Anyone have any further thoughts or recommendations? I would really like to find a lab that could manufacture this for me in five-gallon batches. Thanks.
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In your original formula you used 10% Goat’s Milk Liquid. If the outsourced cosmetics lab is using powered Goat’s Milk, is it 10% powder? If so the preservative system seems unable to handle the 10% powder, which is more concentrated than 10% liquid Goat’s Milk.
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where to get goat milk for cosmetic use to begin with? any suggested source?
thanks in advance! -
This thread reminds me of the guy who was looking for cosmetic camel urine for use in a shampoo!
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First: It is ESSENTIAL that there is no trace of the cream left on the threads of the pot or in the lid area or the liner (seal). You must seal the jar in a clean condition. Any tiny amount of material will be very prone to mould growth since it contains insufficient preservative reserve.
Second: Your preservative system is inadequate to deal with your product, and it is probably due to the milk content.Third: What properties do you think goat milk gives it? I honestly can’t see any point.Fourth: The preservative you are using must be added <50C or it won’t work properly. -
I’m going to take a wild guess here, but maybe the goat’s milk powder was contaminated with mold spores after the first sample was produced. The easiest way to find out would be to ask them to use GM from an unopened container, or if they don’t have it, you can send them a small sealed bag (since we’re talking small quantities anyway).
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Why don’t you have the lab make a batch for you using the same Goat’s Milk pasteurized liquid that you are using instead of a powdered Goat’s Milk?
What type of packaging are you using? Is this a flip-top lid on a lotion bottle? Is the mold growing on the outside of the opening to the container or on the inside opening?Besides Germall Plus as your main preservative, what other preservative boosters are included in your product? … are you using some sort of hurdle technology approach or is the liquid German your only preservative ingredient?Without knowing the formula, it is difficult to offer you any other advice. -
@MarkBroussard guess what I came to know in Beautyworld Exhibition that the camel urine product has been rolled out and in the market.
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LOL! @Chemist77
I wish them well! Apparently, there is a market for camel urine hair products in the middle east. Or, someone thinks there is. -
Can’t speak to the urine, but back in 1991 when I was in Desert Storm the Saudis fed us Camel T-bones steaks. They were great but about twice the size of a normal T-bone.
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