[Zeeshan]

Thank you all for your responses - much appreciated.

As I should not reduce the amount of TEA, how can I reduce the pH of the product? The limit in our country is 8.5 and I am on the higher end of the limit.

Thanks.

[Zeeshan]

@ngarayeva001 thank you for your response and feedback.

For the preservative, what else should be used to make it broad spectrum?

Thanks.

[Zeeshan]

Thank you @amitvedakar, I will give it a try at 2% and see how it turns out.

[Zeeshan]

Thank you @Graillotion and @MarkBroussard for your responses - much appreciated 🙂

[Zeeshan]

Thank you for all the feedback - much appreciated.

[Zeeshan]

@helenhelen thank you for the feedback.

Instead of HEC, can I use Xanthan Gum? It is more readily available here in Kenya - I actually have some at home.

If I increase the % of CDEA would that help as well?

Thanks.

[Zeeshan]

Herbnerd said:

Personally I do everything in Excell. I set up a database tab with all the ingredients and parameters I need (pack size, INCI, trade name, costs etc) and use a formulation template to do the formulation and costing using index-match-match.

Any chance of getting a copy of the database and formulation template? I too am looking for something like this.

Thanks.

[Zeeshan]

Belassi said:

Methyl parabens. Effective at a low %
The two you mention are useless at neutral pH.

What % of Methyl Paraben would be effective, as I can source it.

Also, how do I incorporate it? Can I dissolve in hot water?

Thanks.

[Zeeshan]

em88 said:
I have managed to formulate 70% IPA with carbomer/TEA. Same for ethanol.

How did you manage that? Did you neutralize first then add the IPA / ethanol?

I could not go past 60% as well.

Thanks.

[Zeeshan]

Chemist77 said:

That’s the recommended ratio as posted by many here, check the Lubrizol sheet on neutralisation ratios. 

Yes, I have read that after a few failed attempts. I had miscalculated the dosage. I was given a recommended dosage of 1.5-2.4%, but of a 10% solution. I went with a direct 2% dose of TEA  :#

[Zeeshan]

Pharma said:

zeeshan said:

…
Triethanolamine [TEA] (99%) - 2.5
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer (Ashland Ultrathix 21) - 0.35…

I may be wrong but the proportion TEA/UltraThix doesn’t sound right. 7 times more base than polymer for neutralisation? Try adding just enough TEA to obtain a neutral pH (around 7). I have to guess how much TEA you’d actually need but my gut feeling tells me it has to be around 10 times less than what you use i.e. around 0.25.

Thank you for the feedback. I have reduced the TEA significantly and I am seeing much better results. I’m going with a TEA to UltraThix ratio of about 1.2:1.

[Zeeshan]

Thank you for the prompt replies @Perry and @Chemist77. I will omit the TEA and IPM.

I am also trying to formulate a gel version of the same, but the gel is too watery. The formula in weight is as follows:

Denatured Alcohol (96.11%) - 59.00
Water - 17.00
Glycerine - 2.00
Propylene Glycol - 1.00
Isopropyl Myristate [IPM] - 1.00
Triethanolamine [TEA] (99%) - 2.5
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer (Ashland Ultrathix 21) - 0.35

I have also tried adding IPA but as soon as I neutralize, the mixture gets cloudy and a white powder settles at the bottom. I read that TEA works with a maximum of 60% alcohol by weight. 

I’m struggling with the Ultrathix 21 and TEA quantities / ration to get a thick and clear gel. The IPM can be omitted as well.

I’ve been asked to incorporate Tea Tree Oil well as a ‘fragrance’ but I want to get a stable product first before adding anything else. 

Appreciate any feedback. Thank you.