• Formulating

  Preservative for Water Based Pomade / Clay

  Posted by 12THPOWER on September 9, 2020 at 9:59 am

  Apologies if this has been asked but I have a question about a preservative combination.

  I’m based in the UK.

  I was originally going to use Optiphen Plus, and still might, but seems as if it’s quite costly?

  Is there an alternative combination, I see Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Sorbic Acid (what optiphen plus consists of) added separately on ingredients lists, would these be in equal ratios 1:1:1, meaning would it be better to purchase separately and add 33.333% of each together?

  If not, what are the best alternatives to the Optiphen plus preservative for a hairclay or hair pomade.

  I really would appreciate feedback on this. THanks

  12THPOWER replied 4 years, 3 months ago 2 Members · 5 Replies

  • formulation
  • pomade
  • preservatives
• 5 Replies

• 

  12THPOWER

  Member

  September 9, 2020 at 10:27 am

  To add, I found a mixture of Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate and Tocopherol. Will this be ok?

  Another common combination is Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexyglycerin. Any opinions?

• 

  Damode

  Member

  September 9, 2020 at 12:32 pm

   Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Sorbic Acid (what optiphen plus consists of) added separately on ingredients lists, would these be in equal ratios 1:1:1, meaning would it be better to purchase separately and add 33.333% of each
  together?
  

  The three cannot give you a reversible reaction, meaning adding three separately cannot have the same activity level as optiphen plus

  Sourcing for alternative prevative is dependent on your constituent, but you are not presenting that here

• 

  12THPOWER

  Member

  September 9, 2020 at 1:16 pm

  Ok thanks

  The ingredients are water, Kaolin and wax and some oils. 

  I’m using polysorbate 20 or 80 and glycerin and peg 40 hydrogenated caster oil 

  I live in the UK

  What’s the best alternative that’s strong enough? And does the same job as optiphen? Any more info I’m  happy to provide 

• 

  Damode

  Member

  September 10, 2020 at 10:41 am

  Since you have clay in your recipe, try phenop @0,5 -  1%
  Keep temp less than 200degre
  But
  If your clay percentage is minute
  Use optiphen ND @ 1%
  Temp at 176 degree Fahrenheit 

  Honestly,preservative is determinant of the percentage of your active materials
  E. G if water is in higher percentage 
  Optiphen plus is your primary option
  Or look for effective gram+ and gram- combo
  Or
  Cosult an in-house formulators

• 

  12THPOWER

  Member

  September 10, 2020 at 4:16 pm

  water is 50+ %

  what if i only have optiphen…does the sorbic acid make a huge difference

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