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Working with magnesium
I’m wondering if anyone knows the usage % of magnesium hydroxide in skin care products. I have seen many times that it is used in formulations but I have no idea what the usage % is. It does not appear to be documented anywhere. Thanks for any information anyone can give me.
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11 Replies
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What function are you looking to get from Magnesium Hydroxide in the formula?
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In a deodorant, to kill bacteria.
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the supernatant solution of the MgO powder slurry and a MgCl2 solution containing Mg2+ at a concentration of the solubility of MgO did not affect the growth of E. coli and S. aureus.
- I think you need to do some research on whether this will work. -
So many manufacturers are claiming that magnesium kills odor causing bacteria. Is that possible?
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Don’t put too much faith in statements made about technologies by companies who benefit by having you believe them.
I couldn’t find any studies showing magnesium hydroxide is an antibacterial
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Perry, thank you. I appreciate your input.
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Interestingly, the bacteria that causes underarm odor is a Staph bacteria.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/31/396573607/meet-the-bacteria-that-make-a-stink-in-your-pitsI still couldn’t find anything that showed Magnesium Hydroxide was effective for preventing underarm odor.
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The Magnesium Hydroxide is used to raise the pH of the stick … it is not bactericidal per se, but creates an environment in which it suppresses bacterial growth. Used primarily to replace Sodium Bicarbonate for sensitive skin deo stick formulas.
You can use up to 20% Magnesium Hydroxide depending on the structural integrity of your stick formulation.
But, you will need to also include ingredients that are effective against Staph and Cornybacteria, both of which contribute to underarm odor.
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Thank you. I really appreciate your response. I know people who are very sensitive to the use of baking soda and am hoping to formulate a deodorant without it. Perhaps closer to the top end of 20% would work well. I’ll give it a try.
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You’ll have to play around with it … it will make your stick soft and mushy at too high a level, so the top end is really dependent on the other ingredients in your stick.
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I’m using it in a powdered form. Does that make a difference?
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