Formulation Advice

Here are answers to your questions regarding formulation:

1. Reducing Transdermal Base Percentage and Using Other Thickeners

Regarding reducing the percentage of a base designed for high skin absorption (like the "transderm" base you mentioned, typically used at 80-90%) to reduce stickiness and using other thickeners like Pro Polymer™ or other gel/cream makers:

• Bases designed for high absorption prioritize penetration efficiency over skin feel, which is why they can feel sticky at high concentrations.
• Modifying such a base by significantly reducing its concentration and adding other thickeners or polymers (such as Pro Polymer™ or Pro Polymer™ Silk) will fundamentally change the formulation's structure.
• While polymers like Pro Polymer™ can create gel textures and improve feel (Pro Polymer™ Silk is noted for a soft, non-sticky feel), they are unlikely to replicate the specific absorption mechanism of the original specialized base.
• Therefore, reducing the percentage of the original base and using other thickeners will likely decrease the absorption efficiency compared to the original formulation. It is generally not recommended if maintaining the high absorption performance is critical.

2. Tea Tree Oil Temperature and pH Tolerance in Soap Base

Regarding the temperature and pH tolerance of tea tree oil when adding it to a bar soap base melted at 70-80°C:

• pH Tolerance: Essential oils, including tea tree oil, are generally stable across a wide range of pH values. The pH of a soap base is typically not a major concern for the stability of tea tree oil.
• Temperature Tolerance: Essential oils are sensitive to high temperatures. Exposing tea tree oil to temperatures of 70-80°C will cause it to degrade more quickly than if kept at lower temperatures. This can lead to a loss of its beneficial properties (like its antibacterial effect) and its characteristic scent over time.
• While you can add tea tree oil to a melted soap base at this temperature, it is best practice to add it when the base has cooled down as much as possible while still being liquid enough to incorporate the oil evenly. Minimizing the exposure time to high heat will help preserve the quality and efficacy of the tea tree oil in the final product.

Hope this information is helpful for your formulations!