Ingredient Substitution in Microemulsion Cleanser Formula
Question
Regarding the provided sample formula for a Microemulsion Cleanser:
Oilsify 15 30%
Any oil 50%
Water 10%
Butylene Glycol 10%
- Can natural oils such as Castor Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, or other natural oils be used instead of "Any oil" (50%)? If so, do any additional ingredients need to be added?
- Is Butylene Glycol (10%) necessary? Can Glycerin be used as a substitute?
Answer
Microemulsion Cleanser Formulation Substitutions
Regarding the Microemulsion Cleanser formula using Oilsify 15, you asked about substituting the "any oil" component and the Butylene Glycol.
Substituting "any oil" (50%): The formula specifies "any oil," but for a stable microemulsion with Oilsify 15, it is important to use a non-polar oil. Oilsify 15 is designed to dissolve in non-polar oils. Therefore, non-polar natural oils like Fractionated Coconut Oil are suitable substitutes. However, polar oils like Castor Oil are generally not suitable for this part of the formula as they may not properly emulsify or form a stable microemulsion with Oilsify 15.
Substituting Butylene Glycol (10%): Butylene Glycol in this formula acts as a solvent and helps improve the cleansing performance, allowing for a reduction in the amount of oil needed. While Glycerin is also a solvent and humectant, substituting Butylene Glycol with Glycerin may affect the stability, clarity, and feel of the final microemulsion. Butylene Glycol is often preferred in cleansing formulas for its lighter feel compared to Glycerin. You could potentially try substituting Glycerin, but it would require testing to ensure the microemulsion remains stable and performs as expected.
