[ozgirl]

8% does seem very high even for an air freshener. The fragrance of tea tree oil is often not liked by most people so I can’t see why any one would want to use this much in a product.

What is the maximum amount of ethyl alcohol you can use? Is your product allowed to be flammable?

I would recommend using a combination of Ethyl alcohol, Tween 20, and PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil in an attempt to solubilise your oil. Depending on the oil you could use up to around 10:1 ratio of solubiliser to oil.

[ozgirl]

Depending on your formula you may need both an antioxidant and a preservative.

If you share your ingredients we can help more.

[ozgirl]

An polymer based opacifier is what you need. Ask your supplier for a opacifier suitable for your product type and pH level.

I have used an Esicryl branded opacifier in the past and it worked well but there is also a range of Acusol opacifiers that might meet your needs.

[ozgirl]

Some options to consider are Lamesoft PO65 and PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate.

[ozgirl]

Generally to make a product like this softer you need to increase your liquid ingredients and reduce your solid ingredients. What percentages of each ingredient are you using?

What is the purpose of the glycerin? It is unlikely to stay combined with your oils and waxes.

Here is a good starting formulation for a pomade
http://www.personalcaremagazine.com/formulation-details/2239/natural-hair-pomade?companyid=1259

You will need to try different oils/ butters to work out the best shine/greasiness characteristics for your pomade. 

[ozgirl]

Have you checked out the “Need formulating services?” thread at the top of this forum. There are lots of formulators in that thread that you may be able to contact.

You could also try contacting the Society of Cosmetic Chemists for more options.

[ozgirl]

I think you are talking about what is often referred to as the “soaping effect”.

This old thread may be of interest.
https://chemistscorner.com/cosmeticsciencetalk/discussion/90/soaping-whitening-when-cream-is-rubbed-into-skin

[ozgirl]

I use the Croda equivalent product (Forestall) and it is classified as causing serious eye damage and irritating to skin in its concentrated form.

The Colonial product is actually Colaquat SME (http://www.colonialchem.com/fullpanel/uploads/files/colaquat%20sme%20tds.pdf) not the PDQ that you have linked to. The eye irritation testing was carried out at a concentration of 1.5% so at this concentration it is only slightly irritating to eyes.

So yes you will need to wear your PPE when handling the concentrated product but when diluted to less than 1.5% this product should not cause any problems.

Hope this helps.

[ozgirl]

I’m not sure what the product you are working on is but I have made room spray formulas in the past with that odour masking active and water/ ethanol (<20%)/solubilisers/fragrance and they evaporate quickly in the air.

Your dispersal system will also make a big difference to how the product will evaporate. Look for a misting type sprayer.

[ozgirl]

The linseed mucilage, honey and lemon juice are great food for bacteria. It is not surprising that your preservative is being overwhelmed. I would reduce the concentration of all of these significantly.

Also, what is your pH. This preservative is only suitable for products with a pH <6.

[ozgirl]

You can try UL Prospector or

https://lubrizol.com/Household/Literature/Formulations.html

for formulations.

[ozgirl]

Another option might be to make a small batch with no thickener and use this to adjust the high viscosity batch.

[ozgirl]

It is not a coincidence that you react to all three of those ingredients. From a chemistry point of view

Sodium benzoate is the neutralised form of benzoic acid. When added to formulas with an acidic pH (most creams/lotions, soft drinks etc) it will  release benzoic acid.

Benzoyl peroxide can hydrolyse to form benzoic acid. 

So in reality you are probably only allergic to benzoic acid.

As others have mentioned there are thousands (millions?) of chemicals that contain a benzene ring structure that would have -benz in the name.

Your medical professional should be able to give you a list of ingredients to avoid.

 

[ozgirl]

I have found that when trying to solubilise fragrances that sometimes a combination of solubilisers works better than just one. Maybe you can try a blend PEG-40 Hydrogenated castor oil and Polysorbate 20.

You could also try increasing the solubiliser ratio.

[ozgirl]

You will need to provide more information about why you want to replace it (eg. availability, cost etc) and in what type of product before anyone can help.

[ozgirl]

There are a few posts in the blog section of this website that point out the flaws in the Whole Foods Unacceptable List that might be of interest to you.

Basically the list is far from scientific and as far as formulating goes if the list doesn’t have the chloride form of the ingredient on the list just use that instead.

[ozgirl]

I have had success with replacing Kathon CG with Euxyl K701 (Phenoxyethanol
Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin) for some of my products with pH <6 and no ethoxylated surfactants. I also have used Phenostat (Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol) for a surfactant product with a pH just over 6. 

Hope this helps.

[ozgirl]

[ozgirl]

Yes,definitely add a preservative. With any type of botanical extracts I usually use preservative at the upper end of the recommended usage range.

[ozgirl]

Kathon CG is not suitable for products over pH 7 -8. What is the pH of your product?

Try contacting your preservative supplier for different options.

[ozgirl]

If you want some suggestions on how to improve your balm you will need to provide your current formula with percentages.

[ozgirl]

Scary stuff.

Maybe 8 weeks is the time it usually takes for the microorganisms in the shampoo to start showing obvious signs of contamination (odour/ colour changes), which we all know is long after the microorganisms are actually growing.

The products are also fragrance free so they aren’t even hiding the preservative in the fragrance.

[ozgirl]

The problem with home-crafters getting samples from UL Prospector is that they will never be able to meet the often very large minimum order quantities for the product they are interested in. Even as a smallish business we struggle to meet these minimum order quantities and I make sure to ask my supplier about minimum order quantities when requesting samples so that I don’t waste my time developing a product that we will never be able to manufacture.

@Jvic - You could try contacting the major supplier and asking them for distributor information rather than samples. They should be able to point you in the right direction of a distributor who would be able to sell you the quantities you require.

[ozgirl]

@Sheng I agree that the data sheet does say it can be used but I was pointing out that Schulke doesn’t list it as a preferred option for rinse off products.

[ozgirl]

Schulke does not list Euxyl PE 9010 on its list of preservatives recommended for rinse off products. It is only recommended for leave on products.

http://www.cosmetic-preservation.com/cosmetic-preservation/en/Applications/Rinse-off.php

http://www.cosmetic-preservation.com/cosmetic-preservation/en/Applications/Leave-on.php

The data sheet for Euxyl PE 9010 does say it can be used with some surfactants but you may be better off looking at other preservatives more suited to your application.