Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Hairwax; Can I substitute ingredients in this formula (for healthier ones)

  • Hairwax; Can I substitute ingredients in this formula (for healthier ones)

    Posted by DrJekyll on June 18, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    Hi everyone,

    My first post… yeah :). Greetings all!

    The formula I am talking about is:
    PEG-12, PEG-60, Lanolin, PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragrance/Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tocopherol, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool, CI 15510
    Wella Indie wax

    It’s a formula for hairwax I use to buy for a long time and the ONLY one I have found so far that I am really happy with. It’s holds my hair very well and continues to do so the whole day. It’s holds when temperatures are lower (winter) or higher. I can remodel my hair with my hands any time and it stay’s strong. I can wash it off my hands without soap. So it’s worth a try to make it myself.

    Can I lose or sustitute some of the less healthy ingredients for some healthier choices? Because that is what I like win with this project. What would be a good starting point and what are your thoughts about the role of the different ingredients in this hairwax formula? How to replicate and adapt this formula so it’s healthier/less harmfull…

    Very curious,
    Thanks in advance!

    Dr. Yekyll

    DrJekyll replied 3 years, 4 months ago 5 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • EVchem

    Member
    June 18, 2021 at 4:26 pm

    When you say “healthier/less harmful” what are you looking for? Has this product noticeably damaged your hair in any way?

  • DAS

    Member
    June 18, 2021 at 4:32 pm

    There’s nothing harmful in that composition. Those are approved materials for cosmetics and considered safe. By definition a cosmetic will not interfere in your health in any way.

    You certainly can try to replicate the product and adapt the formula, but I doubt you will get the same result. Someone spent time and money to achieve that balance, if they could do the same with what’s considered “natural” or “healthier” you would see it on a shelf. 

  • OldPerry

    Member
    June 18, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    Cosmetic ingredients are not like food ingredients.  There are no “healthier” options as long as you are using ingredients at safe levels. Acceptably safe levels can be found at the CIR ingredient review site.

  • DrJekyll

    Member
    June 18, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    I see what you guy’s are saying. In the end everything is toxic if you absorb/ingest/inhale too much of it. And in this formula there is nothing very alarming to you guy’s? Well OK, that’s good to hear. I have read some things about PEG’s but googled these specific PEG’s listed and I found no real concerning things about them. And you guy’s clearly seem to confirm? Well that’s the easieest outcome for me; then I will for sure keep on using the original one like I have been doing…

    Very helpfull link Perry thanks! Saves a lot of surfing :). Nice

  • Bill_Toge

    Member
    June 20, 2021 at 12:59 pm

    the listing looks incomplete to me: I suspect the first ingredient is in reality PEG-12 carnauba wax (not just PEG-12) and the second is PEG-60 lanolin, as none of the other ingredients are hard enough to form a wax

  • DrJekyll

    Member
    June 21, 2021 at 3:03 pm

    Yeah, I think you are right indeed as it’s pretty waxy stuff… Thanks :)

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