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.
As I will have time in the coming months, I’m pleased to note that I am now able to offer paid consultations for businesses. If this interests you, please email me at swiftcraftymonkey@swiftcraftymonkey.blog for details. I have made it very clear that I will not help you duplicate any products, so please don’t ask. I’m...
Do you change your fragrances with the seasons? Do you have a favourite for summer, winter, fall, or spring? My all time favourite is – wait for it – Clementine Cupcake from Brambleberry (surprise! surprise!) but I also have room for Jewelled Citrus, Yuzy, and Hello Sweet Thang (also Brambleberry), and Lemon Curd, which kinda...
I’m an ingredient junkie, so you know that when Voyageur Soap & Candle brought in Rita BTMS-225, I had to have it. What’s it all about and how do we use it? The INCI for BTMS-225 is Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol. It’s a hair and skin conditioner as well as a complete emulsifier. If...
Let’s take a look at modifying my six ingredient lotion with shea, soy bean, and sesame oil. (Click on the link if you want to see why I used each ingredient as this post doesn’t need to be any longer!) SIX INGREDIENT LOTION WITH SHEA, SOY BEAN, AND SESAME OILHEATED WATER PHASE39.5% water20% aloe vera3%...
I found a comment from someone who was having trouble with lotion separation. In the message, she notes that she is using the base emulsifier from Aromantic in the UK. This is not a complete emulsifier – it’s glyceryl monostearate, a low HLB emulsifier that must be coupled with a high HLB emulsifier to create...