[GabyD]

Hi Mike, yup and they all passed! In fact, when we used the MSB sample, the products were fine. It was just when we bought 25 kg and scaled up that the problems occurred.  Firstly, it burnt the skin.  Then I was advised to add the MSB at the hot phase.  This got rid of the skin burning problem, but unfortunately the products all went mouldy.

[GabyD]

Yup, the preservative system has been a challenge.  Hopefully I have it sussed now.  I have had TWO costly recalls in the past few weeks  :'(

[GabyD]

Hi Pharma, thanks for your reply. I managed to find a Bamix supplier here in Australia, so I will go with one of those. Thanks again!

[GabyD]

Thanks crillz. I have filled the jars when the emulsion was at 20 degrees and it seems fine. I am a bit scared, as I filled some jars with hot emulsion once and they went mouldy!

Actually mould is the bane of my life.

[GabyD]

OK, I’m going in…. 

-  Remove Soya Lecithin
-  Microcare DB at 1%
-  Naticide at 0.6%.

Wish me luck please guys! 

[GabyD]

Thanks Mark, I can’t use Caprylhydroxamic GG as it’s not guaranteed palm oil-free. God, this is so hard  :'( 

[GabyD]

Sorry, just seen the bit about Xanthan Gum. I am already using 0.3% Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, which has Xanthan Gum in it. 

[GabyD]

Thanks Mark. I am going to switch to MDB as MSB was causing a reaction. Do you have any experience of Microcare DB? If so, would you mind sharing your view on it? Thanks.

[GabyD]

Thanks Mark. I added the Soy Lecithin for stability. Do I not need that then? Or should I use something else?

So if I’m using 1%  Microcare SB or DB, how much Naticide should I use please?

Thanks so much for your help!

[GabyD]

Could it be because I am adding the Microcare SB to the hot phase?  I am doing that because it was causing irritation and I was advised that, if I added it to the hot phase instead of the cool phase, that would help.

It did help.  But now the preservative is not working.

Grateful for any insights - thank you.

[GabyD]

Thanks Natzam. Unfortunately I am limited in what I can use as it’s an organic palm oil-free product. 

Has anybody used Microcare DB before?  It’s Dihydroacetic Acid & Benzyl Alcohol.

[GabyD]

Hi ozgirl, thanks for your reply.  The pH is always below 6.  Here is the formula:

INGREDIENTS (%):

Water - 64.4

Aloe Vera Powder 0.5

Solagum Tara - 0.3

Coconut Oil - 18

Olyvoyl Emulsifier - 3.8

Shea Butter - 8

Floraesters K100 - 2

Vegelane - 1

Soya Lecithin - 0.5

Microcare SB - 1

Lavender EO - 0.5

Citric Acid to pH 5.8.

[GabyD]

Don’t know, but I’ve found Olivoyl to be an excellent emulsifier.

[GabyD]

I have seen some on eBay for AUD 200.

[GabyD]

Thanks guys. I really want to buy a proper mixing machine, but I am baffled (sorry for the pun!) by the range out there. Could somebody please suggest a proper mixing machine for up to 5kg at a time?

Many thanks.

[GabyD]

Interesting thread! I use Soya Lecithin for stability. The problems are that it is messy and makes my beautiful white emulsion a dull, cream colour.

Can anybody please suggest some palm oil-free alternatives?  Thanks.

PS: Sorry to hijack your thread Kirkland.

[GabyD]

I am making 2kg batches. Would this blender be OK for that? Thanks.

[GabyD]

Thanks Perry. I wondered if that was the problem.

Could anybody recommend an entry level mixer? Thanks.

[GabyD]

Hi there, thanks for replying. The formula is below. I am wondering though if it’s because I’m currently using a home food processor to mix it. Thanks, Gaby

INGREDIENTS (%):

Water - 64.4

Aloe Vera Powder 0.5

Solagum Tara - 0.3

Coconut Oil - 18

Olyvoyl Emulsifier - 3.8

Shea Butter - 8

Floraesters K100 - 2

Vegelane - 1

Soya Lecithin - 0.5

Microcare SB - 1

Lavender EO - 0.5

Citric Acid to pH 5.8.

[GabyD]

Naticide (Parfum) smells really bad. I would not use it.

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is not effective enough on its own. I used it with AMTCide and my emulsion still went mouldy, in spite of passing PET.

[GabyD]

Whereabouts in the world are you?

[GabyD]

Thanks NeilL, I will give it a try and report back  .

[GabyD]

Hi NeilL, I am currently adding it to the cool phase, but it is causing the skin to go red and sore (I thought I had fixed the problem as per my other thread, but my elation was a bit premature!)

So the manufacturers told me to add it at the aqueous phase and heat it up. However, I am sure I read somewhere not to do that. So I’m unsure what to do.

[GabyD]

Thanks so much Elise, I sorted it out, although I’m not sure how! I followed your advice and added Buffer, Lavender EO and Microcare SB in that order, testing in between and no reaction! I also made these changes to the formula: switched Citric Acid for Lactic Acid, ditched the Aloe Vera and reduced the Coconut Oil from 18% to 8%.

Thanks for all your help. This is a great site and I plan to stick around.

Gaby

[GabyD]

Just to add, any ingredient I use has to be allowed by the organic authorities and also needs to be palm oil-free.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks.