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.
In this month’s Q&A, Susan asked, I am wondering if there are any patterns within your formulations which might help me determine whether powdered or liquid ingredients are called for. For instance, I’ve noticed that powdered extracts tend to appear as 0.5% whereas liquid extracts appears as 5%. Additionally, panthenol appears as a powder in...
As I’ve been reviewing all the various formulas and ingredients I’ve played with over the last four years – wow, since 2017??? – I’ve been finding ones I haven’t shared with you yet. Today, let’s take a look at NaturePep® Quinoa (INCI: Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract), an ingredient you can find at Lotioncrafter.* As a...
As I’ve been reviewing all the various formulas and ingredients I’ve played with over the last four years – wow, since 2017??? – I’ve been finding ones I haven’t shared with you yet. Today, let’s take a look at this water soluble amaranth extract that goes by the name NaturePep® Amaranth from Lotioncrafter! I’m reviewing...
I can’t believe I haven’t shared my love for this extract with you yet! Let’s take a look at borage extract (INCI: Glycerin (and) Water (and) Borago Officinalis (Borage Herb) (and) Sodium Benzoate (and) Potassium Sorbate), a water soluble liquid botanical extract we can add to our products at 0.5% to 5% in the cool down...
Ginger root extract (Zingiber officinale (ginger) root extract) is a botanical extract that can be used as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-oxidant that works to reduce lipid peroxidation and reduce superoxide production. It’s considered to be a soothing ingredient for irritated skin that can reduce redness, so it’s suggested for all skin types, but especially...