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Magnesium Stick
I’m trying to make a stick that emcompasses magnesium sulfate which we all know is water soluble. I’ve tried several times using high and low HLB emulsifiers but the water squirts right out of the tube each time. Here are the 2 trials I made which both failed. Both times I dissolved the magnesium into water and gently heated. Then combined with the oils and used my emulsifier stick to blend. Any help would be appreciated. I know it can be done. Just can’t figure out how.
stearic 20.00% polowax 3.00% cetyl 10.00% CC TRIGLYCERIDES 5.00% lauryl laurate 2.00% hemp oil 15.00% arnica oil 1.00% magnesium 11.00% DIST WATER 19.20% dimethicone 5.00% hemp butter 10.00% ess oil 2.00% vitamin E 0.50% PRESERV 0.25% stearic 10.00% glyceryl stearate 5.00% cetyl 10.00% cera bellina 5.50% CC TRIGLYCERIDES 5.50% lauryl laurate 2.00% hemp oil 13.60% arnica oil 1.20% polyglyceryl oleate 6.75% magnesium 8.60% DIST WATER 15.70% dimethicone 5.00% hemp butter 10.00% ess oil 1.50% vitamin E 0.50% -
16 Replies
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Maybe tell us what the end product is supposed to do. I am at a complete loss. A pain stick?
I can make no logic of the ratios.
If we know what you are trying to make….it helps with the answers.
Why does one have a preservative…and the other doesn’t? What is the preservative?
Can you put your list….into phases? What you have is jumbled and hard to follow.
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It is a stick in a deodorant tube that is meant to be rubbed on to painful areas (muscle strains) for relief. One has a preservative and the other doesn’t only because the water phase is so small, I wasn’t sure if I needed one. However, in my final, I will use a preservative. The water and magnesium are combined, heated and dissolved. The oils are all melted and heated and then the water is added just like an emulsion. Combined with stick emulsifier and preservative, essential oils added, then poured into the tubes to harden. Once solid, the water precipitates right out.
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@niecie2k Have you tried adding a bit of neutralizer (like Sodium hydroxide or TEA?). Almost all of the ingredients you added are oil soluble, so I don’t see how any of those could hold the water, so neutralizing part of your Stearic acid could help.
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Hmmmm, doesn’t hurt to try! Thank u! I thought the LOW HLB emulsifiers would hold the water
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Can I rob your brain for a minute? What would neutralizing the stearic do? Care to share some of that science with me?
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niecie2k said:Can I rob your brain for a minute? What would neutralizing the stearic do? Care to share some of that science with me?
Turns it into a stearate soap….where it can actually emulsify. Without it…stearic is only a thickener. Lots of misinformation on this ingredient on the mommy blogger sites.
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Thank you! I will keep that in mind for all my future formulating endeavors.
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Would you know what % of TEA is needed to accomplish this?
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niecie2k said:Would you know what % of TEA is needed to accomplish this?
Not a percentage….a pH.
I don’t recommend you go this route.
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@niecie2k, be careful where you go with this else you run into patent infringement difficulties and retribution. Personal use? No worries. Sales and distribution? See USPTO 11,337,995 B2 issued to one Matthew Zoeller, whom would be yours truly. Be advised I’ve already formulated a stick-based permutation with Epsom salt at high concentration, and a gel, and a bomb, and a cleanser, and a …you get the picture.
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This is for myself, friends & family. No sales here
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I still kind of feel like Stearic Acid does not need the neutralization to work as an emulsifier. As it is anionically charged, it holds the emulsion with its charge (repulsion)?
Adding electrolytes (NaOH) might change it into TEA stearate, but then it would work on a different principle (?)
@ketchito @Graillotion - I was discussing this with you so would like to know your opinion again
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Sometimes the best way to learn….is by doing (works well with me).
Make a simple “emulsion” using only stearic acid as the “emulsifier”. Do not add an alkalai. Observe and enjoy.
If what you were taught is true…then it will result in a wonderful product.Once you’re done…and want more….research old Cold Cream formulas.
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Yeah, I understand all the principle behind old cold cream formulas and why would you want to saponify the SA, etc … But I feel like nowadays use of Stearic acid should be thru its charge? [Or even in the past] With some good reliable non-ionic emulsifier? I dunno, but it’s just make sense.
I was using Stearic acid only as is (no alkali added) and it worked just fine.
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Well in my case, I’m having trouble holding the water in the stick. It precipitates right out so neither the stearic acid nor the emulsifiers are working here.
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It might be syneresis. You are mixing different polarities.
Plus I think you should use low HLB emulsifiers - you have a looot of lipid there.
[But to be frank, I don’t have many experiences in sticks, so I might be also wrong]
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