[Duncan]

Overhead mixers are different as they are less stressed, and if all else fails a drill press from your local big box DIY store (Harbor Freight, Machine Mart etc etc etc )can be used at a push 

[Duncan]

Spares is the issue for me.
If I buy Silverson or IKA, (not used Waring but assume they do the job equally as well ) no matter how clapped out I can still get spares support.
Especially for homogenisers which can consume teflon head bearings like anything, especially if you’re handling a lot of powders 

[Duncan]

If he did he would have eaten the entire contents of Aisle 3 at the local 7-11

[Duncan]

Search Dishwash on here you’ll find plenty of threads about that

[Duncan]

Colouring ( 6grms -  RIGHT? )
Of a 1% solution maybe. If using powders prehaps not so much. For small batches use a solution 1% or less then add to the desired colour. 
Doesn’t matter too much what the exact dilution is as long as you are consistent 

[Duncan]

There are two common grades
your standard 30% CAPB which can vary between OK, or cheap and crap, and the higher solids versions (Tegobetain F50 and equivalents)

Check the specs as a start, but the best way of checking if it fulfills your needs is to get a sample in and put it in product vs your current grade. That way you can check if the viscosity response and foaming is what you need

[Duncan]

Most of the “Organic” labelled products will automatically discount water and salt.
A healthy dose of 200x Organic aloe vera powder can very easily “Convert” the water content of a product to 1:1 aloe vera juice.
The silly thing though is that the more water that is in the product, perversely, the easier it is to hit 70% organic or better

Something like a micellar water is a breeze to make 70, 80, 90% organic

[Duncan]

I’ll note that BASF have some nice example formulations, not using LABSA, but mainly alkylpolyglucosides, which do perform and foam quite well. 
I’ve used those for projects where the perceived premium ecological claims are more important than the absolute cost.
LABSA is still the workhorse and yes has good costs

[Duncan]

really depends on what price point you’re going to sell it at
If you are going to sell direct to the public, general business advice suggests that your finished cost of goods needs to be around half what you’re charging
If you’re selling to a retailer, they’ll want to make 100% markup on what you are selling it to them.

Basically if you’re spending your time doing this you need to cover your costs and make a wage. Less than minimum wage, unless it’s a hobby you do for fun is not sustainable

[Duncan]

Electrolytes like Epsom salts (Mag Sulphate) are often seen in traditional formulations for water in Oil emulsions, but only at pretty low levels.
Most emulsion systems are uncomfortable with high levels of electrolytes

[Duncan]

or even PVP

[Duncan]

Isn’t that stuff povidone iodine and PVA?

[Duncan]

I wouldn’t risk it. Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate would be my fall back along with a suitably low pH (below 5) if my memory serves.
The oils you mention do have a reputation for being antimicrobial but I’m not feeling that they will be enough

[Duncan]

Grade you need is Vacuum salt, or PDV (Pure Dried Vacuum) same grade as used for thickening surfactant systems . 

As for vendors, that is a country specific question. It is a commodity type of material so for example the companies that specialise in selling pallets of material such as Univar or Brenntag in Europe are the ones to contact. They’ll be looking to sell you 500Kg minimum 

[Duncan]

Will also dissolve in Eucalyptus oil with warming

[Duncan]

Aquaguard K12 sounds like Schulke’s Euxyl K712

[Duncan]

In my experience making hot mix emulsions, a small amount to stabilise (up to 0.2%) I’ve just thrown in the water phase, and anything that hasn’t quite dispersed when I add the oils and homogenise goes in. If you’re adding more than that (Typically 0.5% and up) you may have problems, then the adding with glycerin, or in the oil phase may work better. This also works well for things like guar type conditioners in surfactants - glycerin helps a lot, and inorporating in the oil phase has been a popular method for materials like pemulens for years.
To use a cooking analogy it’s making a roux with something like flour and butter to thicken a sauce

[Duncan]

@Chemist77
Cheers chap. I’m back into the toiletries industry now after 5 years on the dark side. Still working the long hours but it keeps me out of mischief!

[Duncan]

Lactic acid can have an antimicrobial effect, true, and there has been some work to prove that between 2-5% in kitchen cleaners can have an antibacterial effect even up to BS1276.
I wouldn’t be using that level of lactic acid in a personal care product as it will sting, and there are probably limits for AHA’s in product where you live as well

[Duncan]

I’ll say the same, sounds interesting

[Duncan]

For TiO2 the pH is due to the surface potential IIRC. Get the pH too off kilter and it can mess with the dispersion abilities and emulsion stability

[Duncan]

Triclosan (Or other antibacterial) in soap. Yes there may not be much difference in outcome if you compare correctly washed hands with soap against correctly washed hands with soap plus.

Trouble is that they base the comparison on proper hand washing techniques.

Evidence shows Health Care Workers wash their hands for 6-8 seconds, not 15 seconds plus which is why antibacterial soaps are still a valid choice, and that’s why I’m a bit lukewarm about all the scare stories.

[Duncan]

@Robert considering I’ve had customer returns that are way past the regular shelf life (Oldest one was 15 years old) it may be a bit of a job there chap

[Duncan]

When I formulated a sugar scrub with chunky organic sugar, we bought it from the local supermarket. Later we used to get it by the pallet load from the local 3663 cash and carry.

We could have got it from a cosmetic supply house that had a food service side to the business but the minimum order quantities were stupid high

[Duncan]

worth a shot?

http://allinpackaging.co.uk/