Heating Ingredients and Equipment for Cosmetic Formulation
Question
I want to make sunscreen gel. I'm new to this.
I would like to know if I can use a glass beaker from your website as a container, place it directly on a gas stove to heat and melt ingredients that require heat for mixing or dissolving, and use a thermometer to measure the temperature in the beaker? Is this method okay?
Please recommend heating methods and related equipment.
Answer
Heating Ingredients for Cosmetic Formulations
Using a glass beaker directly on a gas stove for heating ingredients for cosmetic formulation is generally not recommended or safe. This can lead to uneven heating, hot spots, and potentially cause the glass to break due to thermal shock.
Recommended Heating Methods:
Water Bath (Double Boiler): This is a common and safer method. Place your ingredients in a glass beaker and place the beaker in a larger pot filled with water. Heat the water in the larger pot to gently and evenly heat the contents of the beaker.
Laboratory Hot Plate with Stirrer: A laboratory hot plate with a built-in magnetic stirrer provides controlled and consistent heating and helps ensure even mixing.
Essential Equipment:
- Beakers: Use laboratory-grade glass beakers designed to withstand heating.
- Thermometer: An accurate thermometer is crucial for monitoring temperature.
- Stirring Rod or Magnetic Stirrer: For proper mixing.
- Scale: A precise scale is essential for accurately measuring ingredients by weight.