[lotionmaker]

http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/emulsifiers-and-usage-amounts.html
http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/emulsifying-systems-e-wax-polawax-and.html

So according to the above posts you would add up the oils including fragrance oils together and divide by 4.

[lotionmaker]

I think I took the words “ WILL provide ADEQUATE preservation of virtually ANY cosmetic formulation she develops” too literally!

Yes you are totally right there is no one size fits all preservative.  I think I saw Microformulations mentioning that too in the posts here.  He seems to be very knowledgeable in this area from what I read.

So sorry for hijacking your post.  If I need help I will of course start a new thread but as I said I am fine for now.

[lotionmaker]

Thank you again Doreen.  It’s OK as I was just experimenting with more natural type preservatives.  I do have a problem with irritation with the blend Mark suggested anyway so aside from it not preserving my formula I could not use it anyway.  I was fine with my old synthetic blend which preserved my formula well, except the time I added collodial oats and it moulded.  But this time I leave the oats out and all is fine. 

[lotionmaker]

Doreen, swiftcraftymonkey has written posts on Glyceryl Stearate + PEG100 stearate (known as lotionpro), it’s a lovely strong emulsifier: http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/emulsifiers-lotionpro-165-in-lotion.html

It works so well for me.  

[lotionmaker]

Thank you for Microformulation.  It was not just me then.  I also found olivem gives a lot of soaping and too thick and rich.

[lotionmaker]

Hi Doreen81, Thank you. yes I did sterilise.  I used distilled water and added a chelator. No clay.  Used SLES and CAPB.  Stored in 15-20 celsius.  Not humid.

Mark’s comment: “1% Phenoxyethanol + Dehydroacetic Acid + Potassium Sorbate will provide adequate preservation of virtually any cosmetic formulation she develops if she keeps the pH below 5.5.”

It is a pity what he said did not work for me.  It is ok I can go back to my old synthetic blend as that will be stronger and be less irritating.  It worked before. Thank you. 

[lotionmaker]

Mark’s comment: “1% Phenoxyethanol + Dehydroacetic Acid + Potassium Sorbate will provide adequate preservation of virtually any cosmetic formulation she develops if she keeps the pH below 5.5.”

Unfortunately I tried this and it failed preservative testing and my pH was 5.1 in airless pump.  What can I do?

[lotionmaker]

Beautifully summed up by Perry: “A homogenizer is more appropriate for making fine particle emulsions (creams). A high shear mixer is more appropriate for making most other cosmetic products like shampoos, body wash, conditioners, gels, etc. Ideally, you would get both but if you could only get one, I’d got with the high shear mixer.  Most people in the cosmetic industry use Silverson mixers.”