[Clark]

good stuff here - took me MONTHS to realize “Hydrogenated Castor Oil” and “PEG-40 HCO” are two totally different things. HCO is a flaky wax where as PEG-40 is a goop. Real scientific descriptions I know - hope that distinction is clear.

[Clark]

@Bill_Toge Thanks for the feedback. Really means a lot to get your opinion man!

@celine13009 did you have this problem? The bubbles? How did you fix it?

Thinking about switching to carbomer instead of cet-25. What would be the downside of this?

I’m also thinking “the bubble layer” may be due to the fact i’m brewing in 100g test batches… from what I saw in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmIRz2aBfyw where they make gel style pomades they brew in probably 10,000g batches then pull from the bottom. Thoughts?

It’s really just this foam thing driving me crazy. I love the look / feel of my product.

[Clark]

Hey guys - great discussion. Thanks @bill_toge @celine13009 @charmer @tonyh I’m learning a lot!

This is my formula: INGREDIENTS: Water, Ceteareth-25, Propylene Glycol, PVP, Vegetable Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragrance

1. My product is fine once settled I have to remove about 1/2 in layer of foam from the top of each 4oz jar. Why is my product foaming? Is there a way to get rid of the top foam layer?

2. Currently can only get my product up to 80C. Using a double boiler and have limited lab (kitchen) equipment. Do you think this is hot enough?

[Clark]

My current formula in case it helps:

2oz. (59g total) batch: 

Olive Oil       _28___%

BeesWax         _17___%

Shea Butter       _17___%

Almond Oil     _13__%

Soy Wax           _13__%

Lanolin Oil      __5__%

Jojoba Oil        _5__%

Essential Oils    N/A  (30 drops)

[Clark]

@Bill_Toge Dude thanks! You have no idea how helpful that comment was. I have been trying to figure out the difference for WEEKS. Do you know where I can order the stuff? Should I look for “Hydrogenated Castor Oil Wax” Thanks again for you help Bill, really saves me a ton of headache.

[Clark]

Hey @Ozgirl - thanks for the responses.

To clarify, PEG-40 and “Hydrogenated Castor Oil” are the same ingredient, yes? Two pomades which I am modeling my product after list ‘Hydrogenated Castor Oil’ is the main (first) ingredient. I know that listing an ingredient first generally means it has 30%-50% of the product. The PEG:Wax ratio of 68% : 28% has gotten me the closest to what I am looking for.

Thanks for that link. I had previously downloaded it / swapped out petroleum. This was a more natural recipe I did that I also liked:

2oz. (59g total) batch: “THE NATURE-RAL”

Olive Oil                                           _____28___%

BeesWax                                           _____17___%

Shea Butter                                       _____17___%

Almond Oil                                       _____13__%

Soy Wax                                             _____13__%

Lanolin Oil                                          _____5__%

Jojoba Oil                                            _____5__%

Essential Oils                                    N/A  (30 drops)

Does this look more workable? More along the lines of what you were thinking? Any suggestions from looking at it? Thanks! -Clark