[mikethair]

EVchem said:

  do you have access to the mikrocount combi.

What would be the point of switching to mikrocount combi?

Thanks

[mikethair]

Thanks @ozgirl    All suggestions done, and all checked out. The sample results quoted in my post are from an SGS lab.

I need to work through the distributor of Microcount dipslides here in Malaysia. Who then contact the Schulke technical people in China. The answer that came back was:

In general I think the findings are comparable and reasonable as mikrocount duo is semi-quantitative and fast. The minimum determination limit is ~10^2 cfu /ml level. That means the SGS result 350cfu/ml is also in this minimum range. 
The result is very related to the sample amount to the agar, that’s why for water testing the minimum determination is higher that high viscosity products such as solid/creams, which can be sampled more to the agar surface.

Didn’t make a lot of sense to me, given the external lab results.

Our QC Manager took the water samples for the Microcount dipslides plus SGS lab at the same time. So that eliminates a few variables.

If I am reading the results correctly, the SGS lab results are well above the ND result from the Microcount dipslides. Others (include he Schulke technical people in China) have said differently. Therefore, I’m now asking here.

[mikethair]

We saponify coconut oil to make a shampoo product. The amount of oil remaining can be controlled via the saponification reaction, or adding oil after saponification.

[mikethair]

Thanks for the input here.,….very useful !!

[mikethair]

Have the Challenge Tested the product?

[mikethair]

Experience the same. Have not found any solution.

[mikethair]

Great article, have done similar research myself. One interesting point though, and this is really old science (that’s because Im a really old guy)…. soap, body wash etc is designed to clean, and cleaning chemistry occurs better in a more acid than neutral or basic environment.

[mikethair]

We use RO water with regular in-house testing plus annual test by external lab to confirm our in-house tests.

[mikethair]

I personally wouldn’t be going too much beyond 2%. Having said that, I know of some who go well beyond 2%.

[mikethair]

We own our own GMP Certified production facility that includes two laboratories. We do a lot of our own in-house quality testing and see no need to have these labs certified.

What we do is have regular verifications of our lab results done by external, certified labs. For example, our in-house microbiol lab does the testing of our water quality. This week an internationally certified lab came in to do the tests, and we will validate our own results against the certified results from this lab. We do this on a regularly.

[mikethair]

We have two simple functional lab spaces. One is microbiol, the other physical chem.  Simple, do the necessary, and for anything else we send it out to a cerified lab, its far more cost effective.

[mikethair]

We do soap based face washes & body washes by simply saponifying various oils. Huge sellers (our brand and Private Label brands) with a lot of long-time loyal customers (13 years), and stability not an issue. pH 9-10.

You recipe look complicated.

[mikethair]

Thanks, Bill_Toge, tried this and it works OK. Appreciate your input.

[mikethair]

Have you used this method? Does it work?

[mikethair]

Managing a 100 C water jacketed tank is precarious and subject to boil overs. We prefer not to operate at these temperatures.

[mikethair]

Cheap soap is a crowded marketplace, and in my opinion a spiral down into oblivion. Doesn’t matter how cheap you go with your soap, someone will do it cheaper by accepting lower margins.

CP soap, in my opinion, is in a market space of artisan made soap  using premium ingredients. It should demand premium prices.

Re-think your brand, re-think your market positioning.

[mikethair]

This is something we do regularly. We use a 170 Litre stainless steel water jacketed stainless steel tank. We maintain the temperature at around 71 C. The saponifiaction takes the best part of one day.  A good mixer is required. The liquis soap is poured into jerry cans the next day after cooling. 

[mikethair]

VitalikButerin said:

mikethair said:

For us, stainless water jacketed tanks made in the USA, commercial mixers used in the restaurant industry.

Nice use of industrial/heavy duty  food mixers! 

Can you regulate tempt specifically using the jacketed tanks? 

Can do, electric heater with themostat. We also  monitor with thermometer. All made in the USA. We steer clear of China made equipment.

[mikethair]

For us, stainless water jacketed tanks made in the USA, commercial mixers used in the restaurant industry.

[mikethair]

We use Mikrocount duo on a regular basis withe excellent results.

https://www.schuelke.com/intl-en/products/mikrocount-duo.php

[mikethair]

I use a custom made filling machine made by Universal Filling Machine Company in the UK. It is very well engineered, precise, and hand operated. http://www.universalfilling.com

Part of the process was that I sent samples of our liquids to them for testing before they released the machine. To-date, after four years of solid use, the results have been excellent. It covers bottle sizes 30 mL to 250 mL +

Price ex-works in 2004 was £3,450.00. I’m very happy with this machine.

[mikethair]

[mikethair]

And if you’re a new brand one of these guys might buy you up if you get big enough.

Yes, indeed. This happened to Le Labo, founded in 2006 by a couple of French guy who initially had trouble attracting investors who just couldn’t get fired up with the business plan. So they went ahead on their own.

In 2014 they were purchased by Estée Lauder. Worry now is with this corporate backing, Le Labo will lose its indie appeal and all the exclusive qualities that made it. I guess time will tell.

We have had approaches, but I’m simply not interested. Love making things and not having others telling me what to do.

[mikethair]

I see a lot of ingredients labels these days that look like this….just list the sexy stuff, drop the other ingredients. I wonder how they get passed the cosmetics authorities. 

[mikethair]

deannaji said:

Hi everyone,

I have a question about starting a new cosmetic production line (from home, for starter). Do I need to be cleared by HDA, FDA or any other organizations if Iam planning to sell online. I do line in CA, US.

Cheers!

It can be done, but you need to be realistic and have a plan. I started out working on a few recipes using a corner in the premises of another business. When things started to look promising I took over the premises, hired staff, and then worked on the GMP, and product registration with the cosmetics authorities, etc etc.

As things progressed, we then moved country where we had better international air and sea shipping facilities. And again built a premises that is GMP and Halal Certified.

In my experience, starting at home is a good starting place. If you see potential, then you MUST be prepared to invest in proper GMP facilities and the required staff. Yes, GMP id expensive, and you need the staff. NEVER expand too much without the GMP facilities. If you do, it can turn into a disaster if you are caught. 

Follow your dreams. I did, and you can read about it here: https://indochinenatural.com/the-indochine-natural-brand-story/