Lotion Formulation: Stickiness with Increased Oil Content
Asked by: cute_girl143
On: September 30, 2014
Product Type:
Cosmetics
Question
I have created a lotion formula and increased the oil content. I am concerned if the formula will become sticky. The formula includes the following ingredients:
- Rosehip Oil (1%)
- Grape Seed Oil (3%)
- Evening Primrose Oil (2%)
- Shea Butter (2%)
- Rice Bran Oil (2%)
- Cyclomethicone (5%)
- Satin Mousse (emulsifier)
Will this formulation be sticky?
Answer
Hello! Regarding your lotion formula and the concern about stickiness after increasing the oil content:
- Stickiness is Subjective: As the staff mentioned, the feeling of stickiness is very personal. What one person finds sticky, another might find perfectly acceptable or even desirable for dry skin.
- Oil Blend Matters: The type of oils used significantly impacts the feel and absorption. Your formula includes a mix:
- Rosehip Oil (1%): Rated as Very Fast Absorption (1 on a scale of 1-5). This helps the lotion feel less heavy initially.
- Grape Seed Oil (3%): Rated as Fast Absorption (2). Also contributes to quicker absorption.
- Evening Primrose Oil (2%): Rated as Very Slow Absorption (5). This provides long-lasting moisture but can contribute to a heavier feel if not balanced.
- Shea Butter (2%) and Rice Bran Oil (2%): These are generally considered medium to slow absorbing and contribute richness and emollience.
- Cyclomethicone (5%): This is a silicone that evaporates quickly and is often used to reduce the greasy feel of oils, providing a smooth, silky finish. Its inclusion is likely to help mitigate potential stickiness from the oils.
- Total Oil/Silicone Content: Your formula contains a total of 15% oils, butters, and silicone (2+3+2+1+2+5). For a lotion designed for very dry skin, this percentage is not excessively high. The emulsifier (Satin Mousse) is also noted to handle high oil loads.
- Conclusion: While you have included oils with faster absorption rates (Rosehip, Grapeseed) and a silicone (Cyclomethicone) known to reduce greasiness, the presence of slower-absorbing oils/butters (Evening Primrose, Shea Butter, Rice Bran) means the final feel will depend on the overall balance and your personal skin type and preference.
The best way to know for sure is to follow the staff's excellent advice: make a small batch and test it on your skin. You can adjust the oil blend or total percentage in future batches based on your experience.