[Sarah]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the advice.

The only thing that changed was a fresh batch of NaOH (10% solution made from granules). Same batch of granules. I have checked all of the RMs and nothing has expired. 

I will dispose of the NaOH solution and try the suggestion of adjusting the pH of the water first.

@johnb - the addition of the snake oil (or “fluff” as I call it) are just there to sell to their owners who love to anthropomorphise their wee poochies  

Once again thanks for the advice - I appreciate the time you have all taken to help me out

Sarah

[Sarah]

Hi Microformulation - the pH is high because it is a product designed for dogs. Dogs have slightly alkaline skin so acidic products like those for humans cause irritation. 

[Sarah]

Good to know! At my day job (at which I only have 8 days remaining - it is a dodgy outfit so I am moving on) they use the term uv filter in a cream with only SPF1.2 i.e. diddly squat. 

I will do a bit more brainstorming and market research re  terminology. The products are only sold in New Zealand with plans to expand into Australia so I do not have to deal with the FDA thank goodness. 

[Sarah]

Hi Andy,

I live in NZ and often come across issues where a company will not ship outside the US. There are now companies such as http://www.ship2me.com/ where you get your parcel delivered to them at their US depot and they will then forward it on to you anywhere in the world. Not cheap but for the few critical ingredients I have been unable to source locally it has been worth it.

Cheers

Sarah  

[Sarah]

Thanks for the advice guys - the licking factor is something I keep in the forefront of my mind. I have a paw balm which is becoming a wee bit of a cult item - and I made sure that everything in that formulation was safe to eat. (Not that I could imagine any dog or human wanting to chow down on lanolin or mango butter).

I am going to have to be very careful when I market the product because I do not want to make any explicit SPF claims. Do you think that I could get away with using terminology like UV filter? 

[Sarah]

WRT packaging AliExpress has a wide selection - and you can purchase small quantities. 

http://www.aliexpress.com/premium/category/200002592.html 

[Sarah]

a really helpful tool which I use as a guide is the BASF calculator https://www.sunscreensimulator.basf.com/Sunscreen_Simulator/ 

[Sarah]

@belassi I really enjoy reading about your experiences in the lab

[Sarah]

@milliachemist I did a quick swap at 1:1 - it was not a 100% match but gave a less greasy feeling product which our customers seem to like. 

Very very short notice project i.e. we have told our customers that the products are now silicone free - we need a new formulation before the next production run please…. 

[Sarah]

I have had good results replacing dow corning 1401 with isoamyl laurate

[Sarah]

It would probably be helpful if you posted in English…

[Sarah]

Thanks for the confirmation Bob.

eperfumes - looks like the hubersorb 600 is being used for a deoderant - I was looking for an antiperspirant - thanks for the link though

[Sarah]

Thanks Ozgirl.

I am in New Zealand but we export 90% of our product to the US. 

Looks like I am going to have to really push back on marketing - they will have to decide which claim they want to make - antiperspirant or aluminium free.

[Sarah]

Hi Bryce,

You will need some kind of acrylic co-polymer. I use Aculyn 33 or Carbomer Aqua SF-1. 

Sarah 

[Sarah]

I had an email from a supplier yesterday stating the following:

“Please be informed that the enclosed press release was sent out to journalists last week.

 Earlier this year, the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (SCCS) assessed the use of titanium dioxide in its nano form, and concluded that it is safe to use as a UV filter in cosmetic products for dermal application when it fulfills the characteristics specified by the SCCS. “

[Sarah]

I am looking into formulating products for dogs - in addition to the neutral pH is there anything else which should be taken into consideration from a safety perspective?

I am using the old fashioned suttocide preservative b/c it is effective at pH 7.

[Sarah]

brilliant - thanks Mark - just what I was looking for  

[Sarah]

I have used a product called Betafin BP 20 from Lonza (INCI Betaine) in some of my gel products - it leaves a lovely soft and smooth skin feel. 

[Sarah]

@Matt, I have had the product tested at 6,12 and 36 months with no issue. As I mentioned we also use Totarol and the product is packaged in tubes with a pump which does not allow any air to seep back in. We use loads of ethanol to sanitise everything during manufacture and to be honest I think that we have just been lucky. 

I have not used this preservative system in any projects which I have been responsible for - I use Geoguard ECT which is ecocert so acceptable to the Marketing department.  

[Sarah]

Hi Mark, 

The totarol is quite different to the biovert. It is an extract form the totara tree here in NZ. The INCI is:  

Not sure why we use both systems - the formulation predates me. 

Cheers

Sarah

[Sarah]

Hi,

We actually use this preservative system in our super ‘”natural” range. It is a product called Biovert by Lonza. 

• A two-component protection system
• Mimics a naturally occurring antimicrobial-antioxidant protection system
• Offers broad spectrum activity and reduces risk of oxidative degradation

We also does the product up with rosemary extract and another product called Totarol (made by a local guy in NZ)

http://www.totarol.com

Totarol™ is a naturally occurring plant extract against potent anti-bacterial activity in both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Totarol™ has also potent anti-oxidant properties. Totarol™ is active against acne and tooth decay bacteria, and is one of the rare phytochemicals active against penicillin and methicillin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

We give the product a shelf life of three years and it is all sold in tubes which are air tight. We have not had any issues with micro to date. Our range can be seen online:  http://www.tiakiskincare.com/ 

As a side note the range is a beige colour due to the rosemary extract and has a distinct earthy/plant fragrance. 

[Sarah]

Are the companies pulling TiO2 out of all of their products or just the powdered mineral make up formats? i.e. if a sunscreen contained TiO2  would the manufacturer have to put up the big warning display in store? 

I’m a Kiwi and our company is just starting to develop a presence in California so it is all new to me  

[Sarah]

correct

[Sarah]

We add benzophenone-3 to our shampoo to slow down the colour degradation in the product itself.

[Sarah]

@Bob - what a fantastic resource!