[mikethair]

There are too many variables to allow for a prescribed “formulating time.” These variables include the ingredients themselves and the ambient conditions in your production area.

The best approach, and what I did back in 2006 when I started to produce Pomades, was to set up an Excel spreadsheet including all the variables, and then start experimenting and recording results.

It will soon become evident what works. And an often forgotten parameter is how the pomade behaves over time, including shelf life data. An added parameter for me, as I was shipping globally, was how the pomade survived various shipping temperatures. With the destinations I was shipping to, this included passing through various hot and cold temperature zones.

Good luck.

Dr Mike Thair

• This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by  mikethair.

[mikethair]

Thanks for your kind words….much appreciated.

[mikethair]

I manufactured shampoo bars between 2006 and 2024. And I kept it simple……first, absolutely zero synthics, and secondly, I used the traditional saponified soap bar approach. Was never any issues, and the bars sold well globally. I also produced Private Label bars for a few brands globally, including Japan.

[mikethair]

If anyone is looking for help in establishing a skincare brand, I’m available.

you can email me at: mikethair@gmail.com

Kind regards,

Dr Mike Thair

Consultant: Skincare Product Development and Manufacturing.

[mikethair]

Hi Simone,

I am the co-founder of Indochine Natural established in 2006, with factories in Viet Nam and Malaysia.

My brand and factory production did not use any synthetic preservatives. I formulated products that did not require preservatives. These products ranged from foaming washes (shampoo, body, face) and face oils, etc.

The key was products made via saponification. These do not require preservatives.

I manufactured and exported globally, including the USA, Europe, and Japan. 90% of my turnover was from Private Label for brands globally.

You can contact me directly: mikethair@gmail.com

Kind regards,

Dr Mike Thair

Consultant: Skincare Product Development and Manufacturing.

[mikethair]

Thanks for your very kind words.

The key to success with hotel amenities is your production facility and production capacity. I was exporting hotel amenities globally, so my products needed to be compliant with global cosmetic compliance standards. These standards need to be in place before you approach hotels. These businesses care about their guests and certainly don’t want to be caught out.

And hotels will order large quantities to maintain their stock on hand. That’s why production capacity is important.

You also need design and production capacity in product labels. I outsourced this work, but you need to have companies producing labels that are reliable.

It’s a long-term project. I started in 2006 when I had Indochine Natural in Malaysia and Viet Nam.

If any questions, please email me at: mikethair@gmail.com

• This reply was modified 3 months ago by  mikethair.

[mikethair]

I have used Insolar in tablet form. It supports skin health and integrity. In my case, quite effective when I needed it.

[mikethair]

This post is what I’d call a “dog’s dinner of misconceptions.”

Yes, fragrances are one of the highest causes of allergies and dermatitis in sensitive skin. Synthetics are probably the worst culprits here.

The key is to look at the CoAs and analysis of allergens for each EO. For example, in my 20+ years of formulating and distributing products globally, Patchouli was not an issue because the level of allergens is low. In contrast, Lavender EO is one of the worst with high levels of allergens.

There is a big difference between “fragrances” - mostly synthetics, and essential oils. The key here is the INCI name appearing in the product list of ingredients that should be placed on the product. If you need any help, email me at: mikethair@gmail.com

Kind regards,

Dr Mike Thair

Consultant: Skincare Product Development and Manufacturing.

[mikethair]

It’s not about adding more preservatives to make a product “safer.” It’s more about a preservative that is right for a particular product. And it is the product formulation and ingredients that will determine this.

“Conditioner bars”, if these are a saponified soap product, then a preservative should not be required, as saponified products (solid or liquid) are self-preserving.

And having said all of that, you still need to set up test protocols to validate this.

[mikethair]

As the co-founder of Indochine Natural in 2022, I formulated a simple hair oil using Pomegranate seed oil, Castor oil, Sunflower Seed oil, Vitamin E, and a range of essential oils for a Private Label client. It sold very well. It was a lot easier to produce than what you proposed, plus it fitted what consumers want—it was all-natural.

[mikethair]

It’s not guesswork. You need to do a Preservatives Efficacy Test if you are intending to sell/distribute.

[mikethair]

Have you thought of formulating a face oil instead of a cream? In my 20+ years experience as the co-founder and Master Formulator with a brand I founded in 2006, oils are more effective and less problematic.

The key difference with oils is that the actives are present at a much
higher concentration as they’re not diluted. This means they have a more
tangible effect on the skin. And, there is no need to add synthetic preservativres which for some can cause skin irritation.

The face oil products I formulated, manufactured and distributed globally 2006-2024 were fantastic sellers and very profitable.

[mikethair]

Yes indeed, it was an amazing fragrance experience.

[mikethair]

It was an American woman, and this incident was subject to legal action by our lawyers. It would be improper for me to name this woman. Later research revealed that she had at least 10 aliases.

And has she had departed Malaysia, it was impossible to pursue the legal action.

Lesson learnt….I’m too trusting.

[mikethair]

I would agree with you.

[mikethair]

Hi Abdullah,

In response to your questions:

“1. Was that free shipping for one consumer retail purchase or bulk?”

Free international shipping across retail and bulk purchases (ouch!!)

“2. What happened to private labels globally?”

When we ran out of money, these sales collapsed because we could no longer manufacture.

“3. What happened to your local customers?”

Because we could no longer manufacture due to our massive financial losses, we were no longer able to support sales. However, many of these customers have stayed loyal to my brand, Indochine Natural. And if we were in a position to manufacture, sales would be restored.

[mikethair]

Thanks for your very kind words. Appreciated.

On a positive note, it provides a strong basis to provide advice to other companies.

[mikethair]

Hi @Perry44,

“What kind of bad marketing decisions did they make?”

This American decided to offer free shipping (via air) on international orders. Reality was that in most cases (if not all), the international air freight was greater than the cost of our product. As a result, the company started to bleed financially.

“Presumably, they thought they were making good decisions”

Yes indeed, even though I pointed out the negative financial impact.

“Did you have the power to approve what they were doing with your brand?”

I was focused on the growing demand for my services globally for my formulation services. In short, I took my eye off the ball. And as this American was a director in the company, we had equal voting rights. I then went through the legal process of removing her as a Director. But by then it was too late.

[mikethair]

Hi @Onur, no offence taken. Yes indeed, essential oils contain many allergens, and these are well-documented and studied. Essential oils have been around for a long time. But I can’t say the same for synthetic fragrances.

And with essential oils, it all comes down to the skills of the formulator to study this documentation and formulate appropriately. Something I have been doing professionally since 2006 when I launched my brand Indochine Natural and my factories in Viet Nam and Malaysia.

I was committed to all-natural products, so any synthetic ingredients were excluded. I remained true to my convictions.

[mikethair]

Excellent.

[mikethair]

With respect, @Onur. I find your statement that “no one knows what they’re talking about” offensive. Would you mind outlining your qualifications and experience that make you an expert?

Thanks.

Kind regards,

Dr Mike Thair

[mikethair]

Agree 100%

[mikethair]

The key is to look at the CoAs and analysis of allergens for each EO. For example, in my 20+ years of formulating and distributing products globally, Patchouli was not an issue because the level of allergens is low. In contrast, Lavender EO is one of the worst with high levels of allergens.

[mikethair]

Hi Perry,

Can you provide links to the scientific literature supporting natural compounds are much more likely to cause allergic reactions than synthetics?

This is something I’m interested in knowing about.

Thanks.

• This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by  mikethair.

[mikethair]

Yes indeed, with clove, a little goes a long way, and it can really transform an ordinary product.