Alcohol-Free Pet Perfume Formulation and Longevity
Question
I would like to inquire about น้ำหอม for dogs and cats. Normally, based on my research on foreign websites, น้ำหอม formulations do not contain alcohol. They only contain น้ำกลั่น and หัวน้ำหอม. I am unsure if the scent will last long with just these ingredients. Are there any recommended ingredients for mixing น้ำหอม for pets that are safe?
Thank you.
Answer
Making Alcohol-Free Pet Perfume
You're right to look for alcohol-free options for pet perfumes. Alcohol can be drying and irritating to a pet's skin, and there's a risk if they lick their fur after application.
A simple mix of just water and fragrance oil won't work well because oil and water don't mix, and the scent won't last. To create a stable, longer-lasting alcohol-free pet perfume, you need a few key components:
- Base Liquid: Use high-purity water, such as Purified Water, TDS Limit 1PPM).
- Solubilizer: Since fragrance oils don't dissolve in water, you need an ingredient to help disperse the oil evenly throughout the water. Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) or HiPure™ PS20 (Polysorbate 20 Super-Refined) are commonly used solubilizers in cosmetic formulations that can help mix fragrance oil into a water base. You would typically mix the fragrance oil with the solubilizer before adding the water. The usage rate for Polysorbate 20 is typically 1-20%, depending on the amount of fragrance oil you need to solubilize.
- Pet-Safe Fragrance Oil: This is crucial. You must use fragrance oils that are specifically formulated or confirmed safe for use on pets. Many ingredients safe for humans are not safe for animals, especially cats. Avoid using essential oils unless you are certain they are safe for the specific pet and properly diluted.
- Preservative: Any product containing water needs a preservative to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Use a broad-spectrum preservative that is safe for topical pet use.
- Appropriate Dilution: Pets have a much stronger sense of smell. The fragrance concentration should be significantly lower than in human perfumes to avoid irritating their respiratory system or skin.
By using a solubilizer like Polysorbate 20, you can create a stable, water-based spray that allows the fragrance to be evenly distributed. While it may not last as long as alcohol-based human perfumes, using appropriate ingredients and a solubilizer will provide a much better and safer result than just water and oil. Always test any new product on a small area first.