[AdmiralRedBeard]

Thank you both for your help and advice. I decreased the propanediol to 5%, increased the Olivem 1000 to 5%, doubled both carrier oils to increase my oil load to 6%. I was sure this time to allow 20 minutes for the Sloagum AX slurry to fully hydrate before heating the water phase. Initial results are that I have an emulsion that has the consistency of a lotion. Will see if it separates come tomorrow.

[AdmiralRedBeard]

Hi PhilGeis.

Is the type of preservative not good or the amount is not enough? Any advice is welcome. 

[AdmiralRedBeard]

Thank you, ChemicalMatt for your reply. 

To answer your questions, the spray was not much of a mist but the solution did spray out - more of a direct stream kinda. I do not know what grade of Sodium Hyaluronate was used as the 1% solution was pre-mixed and purchased from Formulator Sample Shop. It was a bit of a gel-like solution. The Glycine Betaine that I have was purchased from Ingredients To Die For and I have been able to use it successfully in a cleansing conditioner formulation but it is a rinse off type of product. The mist spray is a leave-in product. 

If I were to remove the HYA and Glycine Betaine, would the aloe vera juice be enough to provide a moisturizing effect? What about using Panthenol or Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey?

[AdmiralRedBeard]

Thank you Bill and Bob for your comments.

I am very new at cosmetic chemistry and I would be the first one to admit that. I thought that polymers performed one function and didn’t realize the difference between products. I only omitted the Triethanolamine because I had inadvertently mistook it as Triethylamine which is typically used as a neutralizer. I didn’t look any further to see that Triethanolamine was an emulsifier.

I guess we all learn from our mistakes. I knew that there would be the chance that my actions would end in failure and that is fine.

I have increased the hydrogenated Olea europaea (Olive Oil) to 20%, the Glyceryl Stearate & PEG-100 Stearate to 5% and the Maltodextrin / VP copolymer to 25%. I now have a paste-like product that has a very strong hold. I am thinking about modifying the hydrogenated Olea europaea (Olive Oil) to either a lesser amount and/or a blend of the wax and a butter. I may also try different quantities of the Maltodextrin / VP copolymer to see what I can come up with. While I like the strong hold of the product, I am hoping for something that is a little easier to apply. 

Thank you again for your comments on my post.

[AdmiralRedBeard]

Thanks, Bill. I appreciate your advice. I have found some products to not have complete ingredient listings and sometimes even no ingredient listing.

I will get some different waxes and see what I can come up with. Do you think that if I add a polymer to the wax that it will help me to get what I am looking for? Do polymers work with waxes?

[AdmiralRedBeard]

Thank you, bobter6. I really appreciate your advice. I have modified my formula to include your suggestions and will give it a try. I am finding that cosmetic chemistry is very fascinating and frustrating at the same time. In the end if I can get a product that performs as expected then it is all worth it. 

[AdmiralRedBeard]

Thank you for the advice and the link. It makes a lot of sense to use a pre-made extract. I feel a little foolish for not thinking about searching for it. 

[AdmiralRedBeard]

I’ve read in online articles, etc. where you can create a cold infusion. There are different formulas but they equate pretty much any where from 88% to 95% water (lukewarm) and the rest of the percentage is marshmallow root. Add the marshmallow root to the lukewarm water and refrigerate overnight. Strain the marshmallow root from the infusion this will leave the mucilage. I’m looking to create a leave-in detangler as well by adding marshmallow root to my formula.

[AdmiralRedBeard]

Thank You, Bob! I really appreciate your reply. I need to tweak my formula a bit because the bars soften a bit too much when left out in room temperature.

[AdmiralRedBeard]

Hi,
I’m Admiral Red Beard and I started my own small online business selling handcrafted beard care products a little over a year ago. I started out with a beard oil and a deep conditioning mask. I’m looking to add new products to my menu of products such as cleansers and conditioners and other styling type products. I’m pretty new to cosmetic chemistry and hope to learn more through this forum. I look forward to interacting with y’all.