BHA Gel Cloudiness and Texture

Regarding the BHA gel you formulated which turned out cloudy and liquid, this is likely due to the thickener not being fully hydrated or dispersed. Many natural/organic thickeners require sufficient time and proper mixing, sometimes with gentle heat, to fully swell and create the intended gel texture.

As the staff suggested, for your existing batch, you can try gently warming it (not to boiling) and stirring slowly to see if the thickener activates and the mixture clears up and thickens. If it remains cloudy but the ingredients are still effective, it might still be usable, but the texture will not be ideal.

For future batches, follow the recommended method: dissolve the Salicylic Acid in Propylene Glycol, then add Tween 20 and water, ensuring this mixture is clear before slowly adding the thickener while stirring, potentially with gentle warming (50-70°C) if needed for full dissolution and gel formation.

Creating a Silicone Base

Yes, it is possible to use silicones like Dimethicone and Cyclomethicone to create a base, potentially for a sunscreen mousse as you inquired. As discussed, you would typically need an emulsifier/thickener that can work with both water and silicone/oil phases.

Light Cream Maker is an example of an emulsifier and thickener that can help create a cream texture and can also bond with silicones (up to about 10% silicone in the formula). The suggested theoretical formulation involves combining silicones (Dimethicone or Cyclomethicone), an oil, water, and using a thickener like Light Cream Maker to form the base.

Keep in mind that formulating with silicones and creating specific textures like a mousse can be complex. The suggested formulation is a good starting point for experimentation. It is highly recommended to test this in a small batch first to see if it achieves the desired texture and stability before making a larger quantity.