[Bernie_X]

@Belassi Thanks, for that.  I vaguely recall a lower incidence of bubbles while an emulsion was hot.  I guess I would need a mixer with a very low RPM when adding miscellaneous phase.

[Bernie_X]

@Bobzchemist Excellent.  Thanks, Bob.

[Bernie_X]

@MakingSkincare Thanks, Jane.  Your insight is very helpful.
@johnb Thanks for your expertise on carbomer. I now understand its senstivity to metal ions.  I also think it’s the root of my issue, as stated in Chemistry and Technology of the Cosmetics and Toiletries Industry (http://bit.ly/2tplLx9).  For kicks, I’d like to try opaque carbomers (i.e., carbomer 934); however, 940 is the only one I’ve been able to purchase.

Regards.

[Bernie_X]

@johnb I am using Carbomer 940 as a thickener that helps prevent creaming; are you referring to its intolerance to acidic solutions?
@em88 for $12, it’s great!
@Perry for the test, I used a 10g sample
@Bobzchemist although I have a manual pump for vacuum sealing, I can’t conceptualize using it as part of formulating; is there something you could refer me to?

Thanks.

[Bernie_X]

Thanks, Perry and Belassi.  Here’s my before and after, per heating an arbitrary formulation for several hours.  The pictures don’t do my testing justice—flash washing things out.  If anything, the bubbles appear smaller.  I’ve tossed these results, and have another formulation with bubbles, in a 40 C water bath, which has been going for > four hrs.  I’ll check it in about another four hrs.  BTW, the formulation pictured contains Carbomer 940 at ~ .08% and Xanthan gum at ~ .10%.  Regards.

[Bernie_X]

Thanks, Perry.  Would a 40 C water bath suffice for removing bubbles?

When considering the very final formulation, is the use of hobbyist tools distinguishable from that of high-end homogenizers and high shear mixers?