• Formulating

  sodium hydroxide instead of ethanolamine

  Posted by ESN on February 17, 2024 at 12:11 am

  I have a question about using sodium hydroxide instead of ethanolamine in making cosmetic creams.
  I have made a cream with sodium hydroxide, but after 4 months, the viscosity has decreased a lot. Why?

  oldman20 replied 10 months ago 4 Members · 5 Replies
• 5 Replies

• 

  Fekher

  Member

  February 18, 2024 at 2:39 pm

  Write full formulation for better answer.

• 

  ESN

  Member

  February 19, 2024 at 12:46 am

  Stearic Acid 7 %

  cetyl alchol 2 %

  Petrolatum jelly 7%

  Paraffin Wax 1 %

  Paraffin L 4%

  PG 2 %

  Glycerin 3 %

  NaOH 0.2 %

• 

  ketchito

  Member

  February 19, 2024 at 7:41 am

  Even if you were using a 100% active NaOH, 0.2% is not nearly enough to neutralize Stearic acid so it works as an emulsifier. Check your supplier data sheet, it usually comes with a recomendación on how much of each base is enough to neutralize stearic acid.

• 

  Fekher

  Member

  February 19, 2024 at 3:18 pm

  Very nice answer from @ketchito

• 

  oldman20

  Member

  February 25, 2024 at 8:06 pm

  check your pH at first time making and current?

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