OldPerry
Forum Replies Created
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Hello @Lainee - You can post your services here.
https://chemistscorner.com/cosmeticsciencetalk/discussion/137/need-formulating-services-here-are-some-contacts#latest -
Hello @SheilaInBoston
This is a very good question. I agree with @Laniee that simply googling will not tell you much about the ability of the chemist however, the fact that they have a website is a positive thing. Here are some things I would suggest you look for.
1. Google - use this to find labs or formulators. If there is a lot written about the organization then read that. If not, that is not necessarily a bad thing but it does demonstrate that they are either really good (and don’t require business from the Internet to keep them in business) or they are really new & haven’t had a lot of jobs.
2. LinkedIn - for a lab find out whether the chemists who work there have a LinkedIn presence and look for their background. Use the information to get a sense about their experience. However, some of the veteran chemists who have a list of clients already probably won’t be listed on LindedIn.
3. Email - Contact someone at the lab through email and ask them questions about types of formulas they’ve worked on and whether there are any products on the market that they created. Even if they can’t tell you specific brands they should be able to tell you product types they made. Not every formulator can make every formulation type. Some specialize in hair, skin care or color cosmetics.
4. Phone - Ideally, you would talk to someone on the phone. Find out as much as you can about their operation such as the size of the batches they can make and their lab setup. Also, ask them the kind of connections they have with raw material suppliers. If it is just a formulator ask them what contract manufacturer they might direct you to to get your formulas produced.
Ultimately, the only way you’re going to be able to tell if someone is good is if they deliver on their promises. Give them a description of your product and then agree on a timeline for samples and a finished formula. Do not pay all up front but agree with some percentage.
I would also ask for samples of products they made so you can get a sense of their formulating abilities.
Hope that helps.
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That’s a strange formula indeed.
This is a body wash but it would work as a shampoo too.
https://chemistscorner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/body_wash_formula4.jpg -
That’s a lot of loss.
You didn’t list Water in your formula. Is it in there? If not, diluting it should help reduce the foam and loss.
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This didn’t happen too often when I was formulating shampoos but we used to just skim off the top layer when it did. It was usually just dried out foam. I think adding a humectant like glycerin might help.
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While there might not be anything on the market exactly like what you are trying to make, there are definitely hair pomades on the market.
If this is a product you are going to try to sell to consumers (or even use yourself) you have to be aware of the expectations that they will have. If you advertise something as a hair pomade people will want something that works like hair pomades they’ve used in the past. It will help for you to find products on the market that you are trying to emulate.
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To accomplish this, here’s an approach you might try.
1. Find a product on the market that performs the way you want.
2. List out the ingredients and figure out what makes it perform
3. Search for natural alternatives to the ingredients.
4. Make formulas until you get something that performs close to the product you’re trying to emulate. -
The big question is what performance differences do you notice between a batch made with the “good” stuff versus the “bad” stuff. If you can’t tell a difference on a blinded basis, maybe there really isn’t a problem.
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Better is to try and sign up with UL Prospector.
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What do you consider “natural”?
If you follow a strict definition of natural meaning “things found in nature” it is not possible to make a water based pomade.
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I don’t really have an answer to your question, but I do have an explanation for why you aren’t getting any answers.
Your question is much more complicated than you know. Developing formulas like (solid shampoo, conditioner, lotion) this would require a cosmetic chemist many hours to come up with them. It’s unlikely you’ll find anything freely available.
Also your requirements like “natural, cost effective, easy to make…” are just unrealistic. The reason these products don’t already exist extensively on the market is because they are difficult to create and the vast majority of consumers don’t want them.
My advice on your formula, use fewer ingredients. The only thing you need is a detergent and a solidifying agent. Everything else detracts from the cleansing function of the product.
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I don’t know. The formula you have above would need more oil to spread better (mineral oil) but you don’t have anything for hold. For that you could add the hydrogenated resin listed in the ingredient list of the Reuzel product.
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You’ll have to test it to find out. People here can only give you suggestions on what might work. These might not work for your specific situation.
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Interesting. Thanks for the update.
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@SheilaInBoston - I’d suggest you start a new discussion so more people will see it.
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I reviewed the Reuzel products and your formula isn’t even close.
https://www.reuzelpomade.com/pomade/
The water based versions all contain polymers that provide the hold. The wax based versions contain a Resin that provides the hold. Using this ingredients you listed, you will not be able to duplicate the performance of Reuzel
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Since the formula adds up to 100% increasing any ingredient will necessarily reduce other ingredients.
Yes, to get the stickiness/hold properties you want you’ll have to find the right ratio of petrolatum/oil to wax. Wax will give you the hold, petrolatum will make it more tacky.
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There is no reason from a technical standpoint that there should be a huge difference in the cost of dyes. If the ingredients are approved for use in cosmetics then there won’t be much of a noticeable quality difference either.
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I think a cream by definition is not transparent.
What do you want the end product to do?
Most likely to get a transparent formula you will have to make a gel using carbomer.
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Nice list.
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I think I just read the Lauder people denied it was happening.
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The only stability benefit colored glass bottles provide is stopping any chemical reactions that might happen due to exposure to light. Typically, this would prevent oxidation of “active” ingredients, keep colors from changing, and prevent fragrances from changing smell.
It will have zero impact on microbial growth so has nothing to do with whether you need a preservative or not.
As far as the color goes, that is more of a marketing decision as to whether it helps support the image of your brand. It may have some effect on formula stability but that can only be determined by conducting a stability test.
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Great point @Bobzchemist
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By ‘robust’ I just mean a good, reproducible, stable formula for large scale production. On large batches (e.g. thousands of Kg) it’s not surprising when compounders are off by 1% of water or not. They don’t usually add back water. We almost always did it on lab sized batches though.
