over mixing lotion/separation?

[SimplyE]

Can you over mix lotion? I am having a problem with one of my lotion batches separating like an SOB. I used BTMS-50 at 6%. Some separate, some don't. ideas?

Next, I need to figure out the HLB...

 

[kittywings]

If you send me/post your ingredients, I can help you tweak it!

 

[Bigmoose]

I use regular Ewax and not the BTMS-50 and have never had an issue. I would guess that may be it.

Bruce

 

[kittywings]

Me too (as you already know)

 

[SimplyE]

I have used BTMS-50 without any problems before, doesn't make sense

Kittywings, I PMd you

 

[kittywings]

Hmmm, your pm didn't come through.

 

[SimplyE]

Hmmm, your pm didn't come through.

pm'd again, but...

Is it possible that having too little cetyl alcohol creates an unstable emulsion even with 6% BTMS-50? My cetyl alcohol was only at 0.75%. At the higher percentages, the lotion was too thick for what I was looking for. The BTMS-50 already has Cetyl Alcohol in it.

BTMS-50
INCI: Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetyl Alcohol (and) Butylene Glycol

 

[kittywings]

From looking at your formulation, I'd say that I think it's the btms. I'd give the ewax a try. I use even less cetyl alcohol than you do (and have even not used it and it didn't separate). I use btms for hair conditioner, but I think e wax is the way to go for lotions. The rest of your amounts look good.

 

[SimplyE]

Weird. Never heard of that happening.

BTW: I LOVE your face cream! I have been using it everyday and am amazed that I haven't broken out, which I am prone to. Thought I would with the shea butter in there. So lovely.

Thanks for your help.

 

[kittywings]

Thanks! I am really paranoid about my cream making me break out so if I change an ingredient and I start breaking out... that ingredient gets BANNED!

I've been surprised by a few supposedly noncomedogenic ingredients that have made me break out like crazy.

 

[CookieChan]

Do you really need cetyl alcohol or stearic acid if your creams are thick enough? Shouldn't the emulsifier make a stable enough emulsion?

 

[kittywings]

I still use cetyl alcohol or it's too thin with the amount of e-wax I use, but I've cut out the stearic acid... when I go back and look at my older creams I just think "WOW! WAAAAAY too thick!"

 

[SimplyE]

Your face cream is the perfect thickness. Very light and so nice!

I have read and also have experienced that cetyl alchol can cause some skin irritation, which is a bit of a bummer. I really like the way it glides, but I have found that on some of my psoriasis, it really burns like a mo fo. The stearic does not do this, but I don't care for the stickiness of the stearic when compared to the glide of the cetyl.