• Formulating

  Stearic Acid

  Posted by Lily7 on September 8, 2016 at 8:07 pm

  Hello, people!

  Can I mix Stearic Acid with cationic surfactants?
  I’m trying to mix it with Cetrimonium Chloride, but the phases don’t mix this way! They just mix when I add amphoteric surfactant, like betaine.

  The problem is that I don’t want to use amphoteric surfactants in my formula (hair mask).

  What could I do to use Stearic Acid to create an emulsion together with Cetearyl Alcohol, without using amphoteric or anionic surfactants?

  thanks

  johnb replied 8 years, 2 months ago 2 Members · 1 Reply

  • amphoteric
  • anionic
  • stearic acid
  • surfactant
• 1 Reply

• 

  johnb

  Member

  September 9, 2016 at 8:51 am

  Cetrimonium chloride will dissolve in stearic acid (and cetearyl alcohol) by using solid CTC and mixing with molten SA and/or CA and allowing to dissolve. Heat the SA/CA to 100 - 110C and stir in the CTC. Stir to dissolve and pour into a mould or on to a cool surface to solidify.

  You must use a good grade of CTC as some poorer grades may contain sodium chloride as a contaminant which will not dissolve.

  As a point of interest, cetrimonium bromide 10% in cetearyl alcohol equates to the pharmaceutical material Cationic Emulsifying Wax.

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