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.
I’m editing this post to remove the word “occlusive” referring specifically to allantoin as someone who thinks they’re anonymous – but doesn’t realize we have an activity log on the site đ – has written a diatribe to my friend Michele about how I’m wrong, which has been “happening more often lately” and that I...
If youâve been around this site long enough or have read a few of my e-books, youâll have noticed my signature combination of ingredients* popping up all over the place, in everything from conditioners to lotions to toners and anything else containing water. It goes a little like this â 3% glycerin, 3% propanediol 1,3,...
Quick note before we begin*: Maggie from Formulator Sample Shop just let me know that they have a deal on this ingredient, FSS Hyalurosome (INCI:Â Polydimethylsiloxane/Polymethylsilsesquioxane Copolymer & Phospholipids & Hyaluronic Acid), Hyaluronic Acid that’s released over time in our products. It’s normally as high as $167 a kilogram, but they’ve reduced it to $67 a...
In this month’s Q&A, Susan asked, I’m wondering whether humectants are fully interchangeable, the same way that hydrolyzed proteins seem to be. Specifically, I’m looking at a Lotioncrafter formulation (Time Defy Facial Serum) which calls for butylene glycol but I don’t have any. I do have vegetable glycerin, honeyquat, sodium lactate, and propanediol 1-3. I’m hoping...
As you might have noticed from the pinned posts section of the blog, there’s a question and answer post there for $5 and $10 subscribers to ask questions to which I promise replies. This one from this month… In this month’s Q&A, Jai asked, Hi Susan, I have two questions about humectants: 1. What would be...