Naming things in chemistry

I know, this probably isn’t a post you’d normally read, but I think it’s something useful for the next few posts. In talking about cationic quaternary compounds, the number of carbon atoms in the chain is vital in learning how conditioning something might be. So here’s a little primer on how to figure out how...

This content is for Foundation, Formulation, and Innovation members only.
Subscribe
Already a member? Log in here

Some additional hair chemistry…

I know I said I’d write about BTMS this morning, but there’s so much about the structure and chemistry of hair that I haven’t written about in the past…so I’ll write about BTMS tomorrow. This bit really should go in the middle of the “how conditioners work” post….Our hair is composed of a cortex –...

This content is for Foundation, Formulation, and Innovation members only.
Subscribe
Already a member? Log in here

How conditioners work… (updated)

How does a conditioner work? Okay, a little bit of chemistry for you… A conditioning agent (like BTMS) is a cationic quaternary compound. It’s a positively charged compound that adsorbs to the surface of your hair. (Adsorption means the molecules accumulate on the surface of your hair. It’s different from absorption in that it doesn’t...

This content is for Foundation, Formulation, and Innovation members only.
Subscribe
Already a member? Log in here

What interests you? Adding slip to conditioners!

I asked, you responded, so what interests you?From Esmee: She’d like more solid things as her daughter is a bit of a mixing mad scientist in the bathroom. I’m working on things so stay tuned! From Christine P: Hi, I have a suggestion! I was wondering if you would consider doing another post on hair...

This content is for Foundation, Formulation, and Innovation members only.
Subscribe
Already a member? Log in here

Cetyl alcohol vs. stearic acid

I feel like the subtitle to this post should be “two go in, one comes out, it’s a battle to the death!” These two are always compared to each other because they serve the same function in lotion making – they offer co-emulsification, they increase viscosity, and they act as fatty ingredients to add to...

This content is for Foundation, Formulation, and Innovation members only.
Subscribe
Already a member? Log in here