The home of SwiftCraftyMonkey! Join Susan as she obsesses about cosmetic chemistry and other things (some possibly related to monkeys). Often strange, occasionally useful, and always worth a stop as a point of interest on your journey through the Intertron.
If you’re looking for Incroquat CR, SCI flakes, or cetrimonium chloride, Creations from Eden is clearing them out and you can get them at amazing prices! I’m sharing this with you so you can find cool stuff and save money. This isn’t an ad or affiliate link! I love love love Incroquat CR in my...
In yesterday’s post, we reviewed how we might use sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) in a liquid product. We found was poorly soluble in water – 0.01% at 25˚C – so we took a look at a few ways we might incorporate SCI into a daily shampoo. Let’s take a look at a few different formulas...
In the September Q&A, Melanie wrote: As an aside, I heard that an easy way to dissolve SCI chips is to soak them in the water overnight. I tried this and it worked well. Would you see any problem with doing this? I can’t seem to ever get it to dissolve, without grinding it, even...
In the September Q&A post, Melanie asked, I am trying to make a shampoo using glycol distearate and am having no luck. I do as you suggest, and melt this separately but when I add it to the other ingredients the final product ends up gritty. I have tried adding it all at once, and have...
I’ve mentioned before that I’m a little attention deficit at times and get easily distracted by shiny things, and as much as I love having the freedom to research, fall down rabbit holes for days, and make whatever I want and share it with you, I find I work better on a schedule. To that...
As I mentioned the other day, I am so excited that my muscle spasms are at a point where I can offer classes again! I have missed spending time with people who love this craft as much as I do, and can’t way to get started! My first class at Voyageur Soap & Candle is … Read more
In the October Q&A, Kristina asked, Happy October! I have an easy question this month, yay! My question is: have you used the Siligel yet, if so, what do you think? Lotioncrafter has been sold out for a while now. Lorraine shared, I have used Siligel, I like it better than xanthan gum, but my fave is...
Windy Point Soap brought in sodium stearate after I bugged Michele about it, so I thought I’d share more about this ingredient and why I wanted to have it! If you’re looking to make deodorant sticks, my suggestion is to avoid lotion bars with added baking soda and try making a gel stick with sodium...
As you know, I’ve had a hard year with all my muscle spasms and such, but I’m so happy to be going back to teaching, starting this weekend at Voyageur Soap & Candle, then in November at Windy Point Soap in Calgary! I am incredibly excited about this! I have to watch my energy levels … Read more
I’ve always loved October – so many people I have loved in my life were born this month, including my wonderful Raymond, my oldest friend Michelle, my grandma Lucy, and my pup, Sasja – but it can also be a sad time as in 2016, I lost my amazing mom and my little Blondie dog...