Vaporub Formulation - Chemists Corner

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Vaporub Formulation

Posted by Priya on November 21, 2014 at 2:43 am

Hi all,
I am developing one vaporub formulation where i am using petroleum jelly as my base with high MP, But i wont get stable formulation. It get melt about 40°C. and it gives sticky feeling after rubbing on skin. As we are in herbal cosmetics we are using herbal oils like Eucalyptus, Nutmeg, Menthol, Camphor as actives for formulation,

I am trying to make vaporub jelly with 50-60°C MP but it fails. In some region of India the temperature is quite higher so I am trying to design my formulation accordingly but i still not got any achievement.

hishine1 replied 10 years ago 6 Members · 16 Replies
16 Replies

Ella

Member
November 21, 2014 at 4:10 am

Essential oils are, if not used just as fragrances, usualy a part of anhydrous products-but that doesn`t mean you can`t make a cream or lotion with larger amounts of EO. Since temperature is an issue-you could try with simple cream. Other things will probably melt,even if you try with higher MP waxes, temperature in a car or somebodys pocket can get very high…
Priya

Member
November 21, 2014 at 4:22 am

Hi Ella,

thanks for your kind reply. I wan make gel formulation with petroleum base. i do not want to make cream or lotion and high mp waxes cant used in large amount cause it make formulation rigid & also its not good for skin.
Chemist77

Member
November 21, 2014 at 4:33 am

@Priya maybe you have to ask your PJ supplier to give you a grade which can sustain higher temperatures plus the EOs or you could optimize using some paraffin/ozokerite/microcrystalline/ceresin which all are petroleum derived waxes.
Priya

Member
November 21, 2014 at 6:05 am

Milliachemist I have done some trials with that PJ also but i could get the gel like feel and still it melts at about 40°C. have you seen vicks?? I am try to fomulate like that Product.

Here is our formulation

HP wax - 1.5%
IPA - %
CM- 1000- 1%
Camphor oil - 1-5%
Menthol oil - 3-7%
Eucalyptus oil - 0.5-1%
PJ - Base Q.s.
Bobzchemist

Member
November 21, 2014 at 6:59 am

“high mp waxes cant used in large amount cause …its not good for skin.”

Where are you getting this information?
Ella

Member
November 21, 2014 at 7:45 am

I was reading an article about some vegetable replacement for petroleum based products-it supposed to increase thermostability in anhydrous products an offers better skin feel-less tacky. I haven`t tried it so i can`t say much, but here is a link:

http://www.natunola.com/index-16.html 

I hope it helps.
Chemist77

Member
November 21, 2014 at 7:48 am

@Priya Is that Isopropyl Alcohol which you have mentioned as IPA???? And why the silicone gum??? I suggest you again go back to the supplier for that special grade PJ and try to optimize it the high MP waxes. Btw what is HP wax??? Polyethylene or something else????
Priya

Member
November 21, 2014 at 8:34 am

its high paraffin wax. CM-1000 is used as thickener (co thickener) its INCI as per BP is Cetamacragol 1000 (PEG 20 Cetostearyl Ether). IPA is isopropyl alcohol
Priya

Member
November 21, 2014 at 8:38 am

Bobzchemist I agree with you but so many analgesic formulations are ointment based made with translucent petroleum jelly.
Bobzchemist

Member
November 21, 2014 at 9:14 am

Just because everyone’s doing it doesn’t mean you have to.

So, my suggestion is to make a base mixture with petrolatum and all of the EO’s you want to use, leaving about a 5% hole. Then, split the base into a number of small batches, and add different waxes to each batch, and evaluate your results.

Leave out the IPA completely.
Chemist77

Member
November 21, 2014 at 9:25 am

I absolutely concur with @Bobzchemist, sorry since we have a chemical CM 1000 as gum dispersion as well from Belsil I got it wrong.
belassi

Member
November 21, 2014 at 4:15 pm

http://wellnessmama.com/3527/natural-vapor-rub/

Here you go! (No I have no idea what it’s like but it might work for you so why not?)
Priya

Member
November 26, 2014 at 1:08 am

Ok.. fine.. I will try to do trial as suggested by you.. Bobzchemist. what type of waxes should i used?? other than bees wax which also maintained translucency of my formulation too.
Bobzchemist

Member
November 26, 2014 at 10:52 am

Try the standard vegetable waxes - carnauba, candelilla, palm wax, and hydrogenated castor oil
Priya

Member
November 27, 2014 at 1:36 am

Thanks Bobz.. In my first formulation first I’ll replace HP wax with palm wax and i will put some hydrogenated castor oil, further will discuss development of my project. thanks all.
hishine1

Member
November 28, 2014 at 7:34 am

Priya, I understand that tacky/sticky feeling from your formulation you talked about… Can I suggest, maybe keep the grade of Petroleum Jelly you have, add something simple like capric/caprylic triglicerides or C 12-15 Alky Benzoate and THEN thicken with a wax… I am not a chemist, but have made a lot of anhydrous product experiments and this is a way I use to cut out that awful claggy feel of straight petroleum jelly.