Mixer Speed for Lotion Formulation: General vs. Physical Sunscreen
Question
What mixer speed is required for lotion formulation? Is a high-speed homogenizer (10,000+ RPM) necessary for all lotions, or can a lower-speed mixer be used for standard cream/lotion emulsions that do not contain difficult-to-disperse powders like physical sunscreen agents (Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide)?
Answer
Hello,
Regarding mixers for general lotion making that are not used for dispersing very fine powders like physical sunscreen agents (Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide), which require a Homogenizer with a high speed of 10,000 RPM or more:
For mixing standard cream-based lotions (which are oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions) without ingredients that are very difficult to disperse, you can use a mixer with a lower speed. The appropriate speed depends on the size of the machine, the impeller, and the viscosity of the cream, but generally, mixers for emulsifying and mixing creams operate in the range of hundreds to a few thousand RPM. This speed is sufficient for good mixing and creating a stable cream texture.
Therefore, if your ingredients do not include very difficult-to-disperse powders, a general mixer with speeds in this range should be sufficient. However, if you have ingredients that require very fine dispersion, such as color pigments or physical sunscreen agents, a Homogenizer with a high speed, as previously mentioned, is still necessary.
Thank you.
Staff - MySkinRecipes