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.
Cacay oil (INCI: Caryodendron orinocense seed oil) – might also be called Kahai oil – is a light, quick absorbing, non-greasy oil with a slightly nutty odour that works as a dry oil with a matte appearing finish with some dewiness and good emollience. It’s cold pressed from the seeds of the Caryodendron orinocense tree...
I’m all about trying to conserve, being less wasteful, passing on ingredients if I can’t use them or won’t have time, and sharing where I can, but we need to talk about using previously owned ingredients you’ve purchased from someone you might not know on destashing groups on Facebook or on Marketplace or other online...
In the monthly Q&A, Donna asked, Hello, I am trying to duplicate a body oil that has seaweed/algae as an ingredient, undaria pinnatifida powder to be specific. I can’t find a similar ingredient that will work in oil. All other ingredients are oils or extracts. Does anyone have a suggestion? The body oil is OSEA Undaria Algae...
This is a neat new anionic (negatively charged) cold process gelling agent that’s considered green, eco-friendly, and natural. Siligel (INCI: Xanthan Gum (and) Lecithin (and) Sclerotium Gum (and) Pullulan) can create gels, be used as a stabilizer in emulsions, suspend things like exfoliants in gels, and enhance skin feel. (They say it may be a...
In a message I received from a Q&A subscriber, I was asked this important question: How we can tell if an ingredient is gluten free? The short answer is to check the listing or data sheet from the supplier or manufacturer. If something contains gluten, it will usually tell you. If it doesn’t contain gluten, it...