Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Why does cream loses 15% water after 2 weeks?

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  • Why does cream loses 15% water after 2 weeks?

    Posted by andync on March 3, 2021 at 12:55 am
    Hi everyone,

    I am making cream with the following formula:
    - Water: ~90%
    - GELMAKER: 4%
    - Polysorbate 80: 1%
    - Lanolin and active ingredients: 4%
    - Pigments: 0.1%
    - Prevasertive: 1%
    Everything is ok. But after 2 weeks, the weight of the cream -> lost more than 15%.

    May I know what causing this issue? What should I do to fix this problem?

    Thank you.
    OldPerry replied 3 years, 9 months ago 5 Members · 13 Replies
  • 13 Replies
  • TheSocksTooBig

    Member
    March 3, 2021 at 3:03 am

    I’m guessing that it is not enough humectant and also depends on your packaging? 

  • jemolian

    Member
    March 3, 2021 at 5:08 am

    Likelihood to be water evaporation. So you can think about what TheSocksTooBig has mentioned. 

  • andync

    Member
    March 3, 2021 at 8:56 am

    TheSocksTooBig, jemolian, thanks for your advice.

    I avoid using humectants b/c when applied to skin, they draw water from the inside skin, not water from the air. and my case is not allowed to use them.

    Do you know of other ways to avoid evaporation without using a humectants?

  • jemolian

    Member
    March 3, 2021 at 8:59 am

    You can opt to use milder humectants if you can’t use the more water retaining types.

    If not put the formula in a airless pump bottle or jar, squeeze the bottom lever or stopper to reduce the head space. At least with it, the moisture won’t go anywhere. 

  • andync

    Member
    March 3, 2021 at 9:11 am
    @jemolian I have tried with propylene glycol and glycerin. But fail.
    Can you recommend some milder humectants?
  • jemolian

    Member
    March 3, 2021 at 9:15 am

    Perhaps you can try betaine or sorbitol if you are looking for milder ones. 

  • andync

    Member
    March 3, 2021 at 9:23 am

    @jemolian, i will test again. thanks a lot for your helpful suggestions!

  • OldPerry

    Member
    March 3, 2021 at 11:00 pm

    What type of packaging are you using?

  • andync

    Member
    March 3, 2021 at 11:45 pm

    @Perry I am using plastic jar

  • OldPerry

    Member
    March 4, 2021 at 12:16 am

    Losing 15% (even without humectants) is a large amount. How did you determine that amount?  But the packaging could be a significant problem. Unless it’s an open jar there is no reason you should be losing that much water in such a short amount of time.

  • andync

    Member
    March 4, 2021 at 12:32 am
    Thanks @Perry , that might be one of the reasons.
    I check the weight every day, and jars are only lightly screwed, not closed.
    And maybe to make the bigger problem that the temperature in my country is very hot, at noon is usually 32-35 degrees Celsius.
  • Pattsi

    Member
    March 4, 2021 at 10:11 am

    andync said:

    Thanks @Perry , that might be one of the reasons.
    I check the weight every day, and jars are only lightly screwed, not closed.
    And maybe to make the bigger problem that the temperature in my country is very hot, at noon is usually 32-35 degrees Celsius.

    Water evaporation isn’t it nature of hydrogel in open jar? 
    May I know why didn’t you close your jar?
    Even alcohol gel sanitizer won’t evaporate in proper tube/packaging.

  • OldPerry

    Member
    March 4, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    If you have an open jar at elevated temperatures, you’re going to have a difficult time preventing evaporation (even with humectants).

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