Welcome to the home of SwiftCraftyMonkey Formulating Inc.! Join Susan as she obsesses about cosmetic chemistry and other things (some possibly related to monkeys)! Here you’ll find over 5,000 posts and formulas written over the past 16 years for everything from lotions, creams, and body butters to hair care products to fancy facial products filled with actives and cosmeceuticals! Enjoy the site without distractions – no ads, pop ups, sponsored posts, affiliate links, “one weird tricks” – all supported by readers like you.
In the Patreon January Q&A, Becky asked: I tried a face scrub from Posh last night, and it got me thinking about an ingredient that I haven’t seen mentioned yet…charcoal. What are its benefits? Or is its usefulness a myth? It just made me curious because a lot of brands are coming out with products that...
Yesterday, we took a look at some guidelines around making lotions with Varisoft EQ 65, an ECOcert cationic or positively charged emulsifier that can be used for conditioners as well as lotions. Let’s create a formula for a light, fluffy, mousse like lotion today. I’m on a serious ester kick right now – you’ll see...
In yesterday’s post, we started a discussion on the pH of our products when using AHAs. Today, let’s take a look at willow bark as per Marta’s question in the January Q&A! I’m a big fan of willow bark extract as it contains all that lovely salicylic acid, but it’s far easier to use in...
In the January Q&A, Marta asked: What is the recommended pH for a facial product containing fruit acid complex or willow bark extract? You have discussed concerns about a pH being too low in formulations containing (straight) alpha hydroxy acids or salicylic acid. Yet, should one be reducing the pH in a product containing fruit acid...
In the January Q&A, Karen asked: I have a question regarding surfactants. Do they have a shelf life? I have tried the internet for information, but needless to say I have not gotten any definitive answers. They do have a shelf life, something I confirmed recently in the ickiest way possible when I found a bottle...