Understanding Cream Formulation Issues: Pilling and Stability

It appears you and other users are encountering common challenges when formulating creams using Light Cream Maker and Warp Cream Maker, specifically regarding pilling (often described as "ขี้ไคลหลุด"), separation, and water resistance.

Here's a breakdown of the potential causes and solutions based on the discussion:

Pilling ("ขี้ไคลหลุด")

This phenomenon, where the cream seems to roll off the skin like dead skin cells, can be caused by several factors:

• Insufficient Blending/Stirring: The Light Cream Maker product description notes that if blending or stirring is not sufficient, a flaky texture may occur when applied to the skin. Ensure thorough mixing to properly disperse the emulsifier and create a stable emulsion.
• Not Shaking the Emulsifier: Light Cream Maker can stratify with temperature changes. It's crucial to shake the bottle well before use to ensure the product is homogeneous and works effectively.
• Poor Emulsification/Formula Instability: If the oil and water phases are not perfectly bound, especially in the presence of ingredients that can disrupt the emulsion (like certain silicones or electrolytes), the cream can break down on the skin and cause pilling.
• Interaction with Skin/Other Products: Sometimes, the cream formulation can interact with the natural oils, sweat, or residual products on the skin, leading to pilling. Testing on clean skin is a good practice.
• Using Too Much Emulsifier: While increasing the emulsifier can help thicken, using excessively high amounts might also contribute to pilling for some emulsifiers.

Separation

Separation can occur due to:

• Insufficient Emulsifier: As noted in the discussion, if the ratio of emulsifier (like Light Cream Maker) is too low relative to the oil or silicone phase, the emulsion may not be stable and can separate.
• Adding Ingredients Incorrectly: Adding ingredients, particularly those containing electrolytes (like certain extracts, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, etc.) or even essential oils in some systems, at the wrong stage or too quickly can break the emulsion. For formulas with electrolytes, Light Cream Maker requires a specific method of gradual addition and re-thickening.
• Incorrect Emulsifier Type for Ingredients: Light Cream Maker is an oil-in-water emulsifier sensitive to high levels of electrolytes. Warp Cream Maker is a water-in-oil/silicone emulsifier more suitable for formulas with high silicone content or those requiring water resistance.

Water Resistance

• Light Cream Maker: This emulsifier is sensitive to electrolytes, including the chlorine (chloride ions) found in swimming pool water. Exposure to electrolytes causes the emulsion to break, leading to the cream components separating and forming a residue on the skin, which is then easily rubbed off.
• Warp Cream Maker: This emulsifier is designed to create water-resistant formulas (water-in-silicone system), making it suitable for sunscreens or products intended for use during swimming. It is expected that creams made with Warp Cream Maker will be difficult to wash off with just water and will require a cleanser.

Recommendations

1. For Pilling: Ensure you shake Light Cream Maker well before use and blend/stir the formula thoroughly until a smooth, homogeneous cream is formed. Review your formula composition for potential incompatibilities or high levels of ingredients that might cause instability. Adjusting the emulsifier percentage or trying a different emulsifier might be necessary.
2. For Separation: Check the ratio of your emulsifier to the oil/silicone phase. Ensure you are following the recommended mixing procedure for the specific emulsifier, especially when incorporating ingredients that might challenge the emulsion stability (like electrolytes or essential oils). For formulas with high silicone or requiring water resistance, consider using Warp Cream Maker.
3. For Water Resistance: If you need a water-resistant product (e.g., for swimming), Light Cream Maker is not suitable due to its electrolyte sensitivity. Use an emulsifier designed for water-in-oil or water-in-silicone systems, such as Warp Cream Maker.
4. No Additional Emulsifier Needed (Generally): For a simple oil-in-water emulsion, Light Cream Maker itself acts as the emulsifier. You don't necessarily need another type of emulsifier, but you might need to adjust the percentage of Light Cream Maker or ensure proper mixing techniques and formula compatibility.

By understanding the properties of each cream maker and ensuring correct formulation techniques, you can achieve stable, well-textured creams without pilling or separation issues.