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.
I’m sorry I haven’t written more this week, but my lower back/hip has been killing me, making it hard to sit up or even balance my laptop on my knees in bed. I had to cancel at class at Voyageur Soap & Candle yesterday as I can’t stand for long periods of time, which was...
In the February Q&A, Sharon asked: Can you give some helpful hints on thickening an oil that is not greasy and would not need an emulsifier? I am look for an anhydrous answer. I have tried shea butter but it is too greasy. Shea butter by its very nature is a greasy ingredient, so anything...
In the February Q&A. Christina asked: With warmer with warmer weather coming on, my facial moisturizers are feeling more greasy. I want some oils, and use squalane and some others. Can I just add some microsilica or penstia powder to take out the greasiness? The moisturizers I have contain lovely peptides,etc. I really like them in...
In the post, Discussion: How do you sanitize your workspace before formulating, Sarah wondered: Does anyone here have a favorite grease-cutting cleanser/method for cleaning little glass bottles and jars? I’ve tried very hot water, dish detergent and d-Limonene, but it still took many round of cleaning and I still don’t think it’s enough…am I going to...
In yesterday’s post, we reviewed the ingredient list for Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm. Today, we’ll take a look at making our own by modifying a formula I shared way back in 2010 for a complicated balm with esters. The key to making a cleansing balm is to include an emulsifier so the...