Preventing Mica Settling in Shimmering Body Oil Formulation
Question
I am developing a shimmering body oil formulation containing gold mica. I need advice on how to formulate the product so that the gold mica particles remain evenly suspended and do not settle at the bottom of the bottle. If the mica currently settles, what specific ingredients or formulation adjustments (such as adding a gelling agent or thickener) are required to achieve permanent suspension?
Answer
The key to preventing gold mica from settling in a body oil is to increase the viscosity and, more importantly, create a yield stress in the oil phase. Yield stress is the minimum force required to make the fluid flow, which, when high enough, allows the oil to hold solid particles (like mica) in suspension indefinitely.
To achieve this, you must use an Oil Gelling Agent or a specialized oil thickener.
Recommended Ingredients to Prevent Settling
The best ingredients for suspending mica in oil are those that create a clear, stable gel structure:
- Oil-Fix™ O (ID 6928): A highly effective oil gelling agent (Silica Dimethyl Silylate). It creates a clear, stable gel structure that is excellent for suspending pigments and mica without clouding the oil.
- Usage: Typically 3-10%, depending on the desired thickness and suspension power.
- Oil Thick™ Thixotropic (ID 35353): A thixotropic thickener that provides a strong structure when at rest (preventing settling) but thins out easily when shaken or applied to the skin, offering a pleasant user experience.
- Usage: Typically 1-5%.
Example Shimmering Body Oil Formula (using Oil-Fix™ O)
| Ingredient | Function | % |
|---|---|---|
| Phase A (Oil Phase) | ||
| Light Oil (e.g., Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride) | Base Carrier Oil | 85.0 - 95.0% |
| Oil-Fix™ O (ID 6928) | Gelling/Suspending Agent | 3.0 - 5.0% |
| Phase B (Additives) | ||
| Gold Mica/Pigment | Shimmer/Color | 0.5 - 2.0% |
| Fragrance/Essential Oil | Scent | 0.1 - 1.0% |
| Vitamin E (Tocopherol) | Antioxidant | 0.1 - 0.5% |
| TOTAL | 100.0% |
Instructions for Formulation
- Heat the Oil: Heat the base oil (Phase A) to 70-80°C.
- Incorporate the Gelling Agent: Slowly add Oil-Fix™ O and mix thoroughly (using a high-shear mixer if available) until it is completely dissolved and the oil has gelled into a clear, uniform structure.
- Cool Down: Allow the mixture to cool to below 40°C.
- Add Mica and Additives: Add the Gold Mica, Fragrance, and Vitamin E (Phase B). Mix well until the mica is evenly dispersed throughout the gelled oil. The gel structure will prevent the mica from settling.
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