Combining Ingredients in Formulations

Here are the answers to your questions about combining ingredients:

1. Combining Mineral Oil, Glycerin, and Water

To combine mineral oil, glycerin, and water, you will need an emulsifier.

• Mineral oil is an oil-based ingredient.
• Glycerin is a water-soluble ingredient and will mix easily with water.
• Oil and water do not naturally mix.

An emulsifier is a substance that helps to create a stable mixture (emulsion) of oil and water. You would typically create an oil phase containing the mineral oil and a water phase containing the glycerin and water. The emulsifier is then added to one of the phases (often the oil phase, depending on the specific emulsifier) and the two phases are combined and mixed thoroughly to form an emulsion (like a cream or lotion).

Examples of suitable emulsifiers include:

• Emulsifying Wax 1000
• Sucrose Cream Maker™
• LeciCream™

The choice of emulsifier depends on the desired texture and properties of the final product.

2. Combining Silicone and Mineral Oil

Yes, silicone and mineral oil can generally be combined.

• Mineral oil is an oil.
• Many types of silicone used in cosmetics, such as those found in Silicone Gel (Ultra Clear, Super Silky), are soluble in oil.

Since both are miscible in oil, they can be blended together.