Formulation Tips for Comfortable Cream Texture

Addressing your questions based on the previous discussion and product information:

Water Percentage and Stickiness

The percentage of water in a formulation is generally not the primary factor determining whether a cream feels sticky or light on the skin. As mentioned by the expert (cosmeceutical7), the key contributors to skin feel are other ingredients, particularly emollients and texture enhancers. Ingredients like cyclomethicone or aminosilk are often used to provide a light, smooth, and non-sticky feel. Therefore, focusing solely on water percentage or a maximum percentage for "other substances" won't guarantee a comfortable feel; it depends on the specific ingredients and their interaction.

Creating a Thick, Butter-like Cream (Avoiding Stickiness)

You asked about achieving a thick, butter-like texture that feels comfortable, especially without a strong mixer, and if Light Cream Maker can do this.

• Using Light Cream Maker: Staff confirmed that Light Cream Maker can create a thick texture at around 2-3%. However, without sufficient mixing (like with a high-speed blender), it can be difficult to fully incorporate, potentially leading to a flaky texture when applied. The product description for Light Cream Maker (ID 141) also notes that insufficient spinning or stirring can cause flakiness.
• Easier Method (without strong mixer): Staff recommended using Pro Polymer first to thicken the water phase into a gel (e.g., 1.5%). Pro Polymer (ID 234) is a gel maker that thickens the water phase without requiring intense mixing and avoids flaking. Once the gel is formed, you can add a smaller amount of Light Cream Maker (e.g., 0.5%) to give it a creamy, opaque appearance. This method is easier to manage without a high-speed mixer.

Choosing Emulsifiers for Light Creams (Water + Oil + Silicone)

You inquired about using Light Cream Maker and Warp Cream Maker for a light cream containing water, oil, and silicone (specifically, a ratio of ~17% oil, 20% silicone, 63% water) and how to adjust viscosity.

• Light Cream Maker vs. Warp Cream Maker: As explained by cosmeceutical7, these emulsifiers are suited for different types of creams.
  • Warp Cream Maker (ID 288) is primarily used for "water-drop" creams or formulas with a very high silicone content (50-80%), creating a quick-absorbing, powdery-dry feel.
  • Light Cream Maker (ID 141) is suitable for formulas with silicone up to 20% and oil up to 40%, with the rest being water. For your specified ratio (17% oil, 20% silicone, 63% water), Light Cream Maker is the appropriate choice, being easier to use and more cost-effective for this composition.
• Adjusting Viscosity: If your cream is too liquid, you can increase the viscosity by using a higher percentage of Light Cream Maker (its usage rate is 0.5-3%, according to the description) or by incorporating a thickener like Pro Polymer.

In summary, achieving a comfortable, non-sticky feel depends more on selecting appropriate emollients and texture modifiers than just the water percentage. For a thick cream without a mixer, the Pro Polymer + Light Cream Maker method is recommended. For a light cream with your specified oil/silicone/water ratio, Light Cream Maker is the correct emulsifier, and you can adjust its percentage or add a thickener like Pro Polymer to control viscosity. Ingredients like Squalane (ID 128) and Safe-B3 (Vitamin B3) (ID 74) mentioned in the example formulas also contribute to the overall feel and benefits of the cream.