[BigDreams]

Thanks @chemicalmatt! I did some research on PGEs and think they could work. I’m actually ok with some agglomeration since the some of the powders in the formula can get a bit dusty. I do have a couple follow up questions just to make sure I’m looking at things the right way.

It looks like the INCI for Emulsiderm PGEO is “Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters”. Since I’m not buying commercial quantities quite yet I found a couple of re-packers that sell Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate and Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate. I’m assuming the main differences here are the shorter polyglyceryl chain lengths and a fatty acid input that comes from straight oleic acid instead of olive oil, correct?

Also wondering if you think they would give a similar (I know it won’t be exact) functionality to the Emulsiderm and if you had any insight on wheter the PG-3 or PG-4 might be a better choice for this application?

Thanks again for your time and energy!

[BigDreams]

Also forgot to mention I’m trying to stay away from PEGs and MEA/DEA/TEA. Probably why I’m having such a hard time…

[BigDreams]

Not sure how this got filed under ‘Hair’…but it’s not really a hair question…sorry about that…

[BigDreams]

Got it! Thanks again @chemicalmatt. I’ll stick with TG’s like you’re suggesting. Gonna look for a replacement for the lecithin and go from there.

[BigDreams]

Thank you @chemicalmatt! This is great info. Now you’ve got me wondering if the phospholipids (I’m using lecithin powder) are fighting with my cationics!

When you say “not the best choice” do you mean those two together are “ok but not ideal” or “they are wrecking your whole formula and you should absolutely not put them together”? I don’t know the exact degree of modification on the Guar HPTC, in case that makes a difference, but both of these elements are key players in the formula.

I was hoping to get most of the lipids from the triglycerides, so I’m not tied to the phospholipids as conditioning elements - they are there mostly as an emulsifier. I just thought I should mention them as something that might affect how the question was answered - which I knew would probably happen! I’m also pretty limited on the ingredients I can use, but if you’ve got any other suggestions for powdered emulsifiers that can go in a conditioner I’m all ears!

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.

[BigDreams]

Thanks @Cst4Ms4Tmps4! Great info about different mesh sizes. I’ll definitely keep it in mind when testing in the future.

[BigDreams]

Thanks @Agate! That’s the one I saw as well. Not sure why I thought they wouldn’t ship here but I’ll definitely give it another look!

[BigDreams]

Thanks @Agate! I don’t know about formulating with it either, but I’ll be sure to share any info if I’m able to get my hands on anything. 

I saw a mention of it as well, but seemed like a dead end. I did find one supplier in the EU selling it, but they don’t ship to the US.

[BigDreams]

Thanks @ketchito ! The lab samples without xanthan did not meet the viscosity targets, so xanthan was added to the formula prior to the batch production. I can only assume (hopefully!) that my manufacturer added/hydrated it properly during production. Maybe they didn’t though and that’s why I’m seeing this (or potentially it’s the glucosides). 

I thought about a glycerin fix as well - made up sample batches with .5%, 1%, and 2% glycerine to test out on the body wash and it didn’t seem to make a difference with the residue formation. Bummer!

[BigDreams]

Thanks @Agate. I’d have to check with my manufacturer to see what trade name they used for the xanthan gum. Are there certain brands/types that you know of that are more prone to these issues? Or particular differences in manufacturing that I should look for next time so I know which one to go with?

[BigDreams]

Thank you for the input @Belassi. I understand MIT has its drawbacks as a preservative, which is why I used it in the dish soap but not the body wash. It made the most sense for me at the time, and I’m exploring other (“friendlier”) options for the next round of production.

I’d love to hear any alternative preservative solutions you recommend for a product like dish soap, as well as any thoughts you have about my ‘snot’ issue. 🙂