Re: Inquiry about making daily tanning oil

Hello,

Thank you for your inquiry about making a Daily Tanning Oil Instant Glow. Let's address your questions based on the formula you provided (Fractionated Coconut Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Bronze Gold Mica, Pearl Green Mica, Brown Red Mica) and your goal for a non-chemical product.

1. Formula Suitability & Non-Chemical:

   • The ingredients you listed (natural oils and mineral mica) are generally considered "non-chemical" in the sense of avoiding synthetic compounds.
   • However, this formula will provide an "instant glow" effect from the mica, not an actual "tan" which typically requires self-tanning agents like DHA.
   • As the staff mentioned, mica powder will settle in a liquid oil base. To keep the mica suspended and evenly distributed, you would need to thicken the oil base into a gel or semi-solid consistency using an oil thickener. The staff provided several options for this.

2. Shelf Life:

   • As the staff indicated, if prepared cleanly, the shelf life should be similar to standard cosmetic products.
   • Proper storage in a suitable container (see point 3) and avoiding contamination are key to maximizing shelf life.

3. Packaging:

   • To extend the shelf life of oil-based products, it's best to use airtight and opaque containers. This protects the oils from oxidation caused by exposure to air and light.
   • Dark glass or certain types of plastic containers are suitable. Storing the product away from heat is also important.

4. Oil Blender:

   • Based on the simple oil and mica formula you provided, an "Oil Blender" is likely not necessary. This type of ingredient is often used to blend different phases (like oil and water) or modify texture in more complex formulations, which doesn't seem to be the case here.

5. Face and Body Use:

   • The oils and mica you listed are commonly used in both face and body products.
   • However, applying oil-based products with mica on the face might potentially clog pores for some skin types. Mica can also be slightly irritating, especially around the sensitive eye area.
   • It is recommended to test the product on a small area first and observe your skin's reaction, particularly if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

6. Mica Longevity (6-8 hours):

   • Mica provides a temporary shimmer and color effect that sits on the skin's surface. It is prone to transfer and rubbing off throughout the day.
   • Achieving a wear time of 6-8 hours without significant fading or transfer is very difficult with a simple oil/mica formula. This would typically require more advanced cosmetic formulation techniques involving ingredients like film-forming polymers or binders, which are not included in your proposed formula and might not align with your "non-chemical" preference.

7. Waterproof:

   • A simple oil and mica mixture is not waterproof. While oils can repel water to some extent, the mica will likely wash off or rub off when exposed to water.
   • Making a product truly waterproof requires incorporating specific waterproof ingredients, such as certain polymers or silicones, which would add complexity to the formula and might not fit your "non-chemical" requirement.

In summary, your proposed ingredients can create an instant glow oil (if thickened to suspend mica) using generally non-chemical components. However, achieving long-lasting color wear (6-8 hours) or waterproof properties is not feasible with this simple formula and would require more complex formulation techniques and ingredients.

We hope this information is helpful!