Formulation with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a main component in various cosmetic formulations, such as oil blends, lotions, creams, hair treatments, and makeup removers.

The specific ingredients and their proportions will depend on the type of product you want to create and its desired properties.

Basic Concepts:

• Simple Oil Blend: If you want a pure oil product, you can use Extra Virgin Olive Oil at a high percentage (e.g., 50-100%) and mix it with other beneficial oils or oil-soluble extracts.
• Lotion or Cream (Emulsion): To create a lotion or cream, you will need to combine the oil phase (including Extra Virgin Olive Oil) with a water phase. This requires an emulsifier to keep the oil and water mixed.

Suggested Ingredients and Proportions (Example for a basic emulsion):

For a basic lotion or cream using Extra Virgin Olive Oil, you would typically need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Can be used from 1% up to 100% depending on the desired richness and product type. For a lotion/cream, a starting point might be 5-20%.
• Water Phase: Purified water or other water-based ingredients.
• Emulsifier: An ingredient that helps oil and water mix. Olivem 1000 is an excellent, natural-derived emulsifier compatible with olive oil. It is typically used at 3-8% of the total formula.
  • Use 3-4% for thinner formulas like serums or lotions.
  • Use 7-8% for thicker formulas like creams.
• Preservative: Necessary for any formula containing water to prevent microbial growth. The type and percentage depend on the specific preservative.
• Other Optional Ingredients: Depending on the desired benefits, you might add humectants (like Glycerin), thickeners (if not using enough Olivem 1000 for desired thickness), active ingredients, fragrances, or colorants.

Water-Soluble Olive Oil Option:

If you are creating a water-based product like a cleansing water or a light serum where you want the benefits of olive oil without the oily feel, you could consider using Olive Oil Water (Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters). This ingredient dissolves directly in water and is typically used at 1-10%.

To determine the exact proportions, you would need to develop a specific formula based on your target product type and desired feel and performance.