The home of SwiftCraftyMonkey Formulating Inc.! 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.
PEG-6 caprylic/capric triglycerides is a non-sticky, non-ionic solubilizer or polyethylene glycol ester derived from coconuts we can use to solubilize small amounts of oils into water soluble products, like fragrance sprays, toners, and micellar waters. We can use it at 0.5% to 5% in the heated or cool down phase of our products. In micellar waters...
Di-PPG-2 myeth-10 adipate (or Cromollient SCE) is a PPG ester we can use in just about every product we make, which is quite the claim! PPG esters are surfactants with a hydrophilic or water loving head and a lipophilic or fat loving tail, so they can bring together water and oil as a surfactant. They’re...
In the February Q&A, Nadia asked: My questions today have to do with choosing which form of an ingredient to use in a particular formula. For example with Calendula I could use an infusion, an essential oil, or an extract, either oil or water soluble. In this case I am talking about making a lotion, so I...
We’ve made two cleansing products with Siligel as the thickener – this rose & chamomile facial cleanser and this body wash with Miracare Soft 313 – so I thought we should take a look at one of the exfoliants I use the most in facial products, jojoba beads. Jojoba beads are not plastic micro beads....
Neossance hemisqualane (INCI: 13-15 alkane) is like squalane, although this one is derived from sugar, not olives, or amaranth. It can reduce frizzies, so the cuticle lays flatter, so you get more shine. I’ve used this in a leave in conditioner and it works well for me on less humid days for my frizzy prone...