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 a comment in this post, p asks…Really enjoying your discussion of extracts! Maybe you mentioned this earlier, but is there a standard definition of what an extract is? Are they typically water-extracts by infusion (hot water or cold?), then dehydrated into a powder (under low pressure so no heat applied?)? Or similar with alcohol...
Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’re in love, think of today as an occasion to show your partner how much you appreciate being part of his or her life. If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, think of it as the day before some awesome half price chocolate sales! If you’re indifferent, then happy Sunday!...
There is an extract called grape seed extract that is actually derived from a pine tree. We’re discussing grapeseed extract (no space between the two words), which is derived from the seeds of grapes. Grapeseed extract is a great way to get the goodness of grapeseed oil (and more!) into our products without worrying about...
My mom visited my blog the other day and said, “It’s all about chemistry!” So this is a picture for my mom, a picture of her only daughter trying to put five D cell batteries in her mouth, and, surprisingly, only managing three! I feel so bad for my mom at times – she’s such...
I love honeysuckle extract in anything I’m going to use on my face. I have acne prone skin, pale with a tendency to get very red, and I find it offers great anti-inflammation properties for me. Try it in a toner at 0.5% in the cool down phase after dissolving it in a little warm...