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 the monthly Q&A post, Shelby asked, Hi Susan! Can a lotion made with Sepimax Zen be super light on the body but SUPER tacky and sticky on the palms of your hands? I made two body yogurts the other day and loved the way they felt on my body. They were super light and just...
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...
Sepigel 305™ (aka Cosmagel 305, CC Sepgel 305) is a translucent to opaque, white-ish, pre-neutralized, non-ionic liquid that works as an oil-in-water emulsifier at 2% to 5% or a thickener for aqueous products at as low as 0.1%. It creates what are called cream-gels, which is one that has a gelling agent along with an...
In the monthly Q&A post, Shelby asked, Hi Susan! I’m back with another question! I have seen some products that are mostly water based, thickened with xanthan gum, but have a small amount of oil added. There are no real emulsifiers or solubilizes for the oil either. So how are these products not separating? Are they...
Xanthan Gum is an anionic (negatively charged) polymer derived from the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, which can be found on cruciferous veggies like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli (all of my least favourites!). In the manufacturing of this ingredient, they actually use the bacteria in a fermentation process. It’s permitted in food and cosmetic products and the typical usage...