Review and Suggestions for DIY Natural Deodorant Cream Formula
Question
I am overweight and have strong body odor, including a sour smell. I want to make a natural deodorant cream that is as natural as possible. I want it to reduce body odor, brighten skin, reduce 'chicken skin' texture, be non-sticky, and absorb easily. Is the formula I've come up with feasible? Could the team please advise if it's suitable, what I need to reduce or add, and the mixing procedure?
My proposed formula:
- Manggosteen extrack = 18%
- Rhamnose = 3%
- Lemon peel bioferment = 2%
- Willow Bark extrack = 5%
- Calendula extrack = 3%
- Safe-B3 = 3%
- Gluco Bright = 4%
- Double Hyaluron Liquid = 2%
- LipidSoft Deo = 3%
- Soy Lecithin = 5%
- Thyme Care = 0.8%
- Water = remaining amount
Are all ingredients compatible? If I don't want to use สารกันเสีย (preservative), are there any alternatives I can use instead?
Answer
Formula Review and Recommendations
Your formula includes several active ingredients known for their benefits:
- Odor Control: You've included Rhamnose and LipidSoft Deo, both of which have properties to help reduce body odor by targeting the bacteria that cause it. The percentages you've chosen (3% for both) are within their recommended usage rates (1-5% for Rhamnose, 1-5% for LipidSoft Deo). You mentioned "Manggosteen extrack" at 18%. A specific Mangosteen extract wasn't found in our database, but if you intended a butter like Mango Butter (which was a search result), 18% would contribute significantly to the texture, making it richer. If you were looking for another natural deodorizing ingredient, SugarClean (Sugarcane Extract Deodorizer) could be an option.
- Whitening: Safe-B3 (Niacinamide) at 3% and Gluco Bright (Acetyl Glucosamine) at 4% are excellent choices for skin whitening and reducing dark spots, especially when used together. These percentages are within their recommended ranges (1-10% for Safe-B3, 1-8% for Gluco Bright). Lemon Peel Bioferment at 2% is also a good addition for its tyrosinase inhibiting (whitening) and antioxidant properties, and your percentage is within the recommended range (0.5-5%).
- Reduce Bumpy Texture ("Chicken Skin"): Willow Bark Extract at 5% contains natural salicylic acid, which is known for its exfoliating properties. This can help improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of "chicken skin." The percentage is within the recommended range (1-10%). Gluco Bright also offers gentle exfoliation benefits.
- Hydration & Soothing: Double Hyaluron Liquid at 2% provides hydration to the skin, which is beneficial. The percentage is within the recommended range (1-20%). Calendula Extract at 3% is known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties, which can help with potential irritation, and the percentage is within the recommended range (1-5%).
- Emulsifier: You've included Soy Lecithin at 5%. Soy Lecithin is a natural emulsifier, primarily used for water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. At 5%, it's within the recommended range (3-10%). However, W/O emulsions tend to feel richer and less easily absorbed compared to oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions.
- Preservative: You've included Thyme Care at 0.8%, which is a natural preservative and within its recommended usage rate (0.8%). Please note that Thyme Care has a noticeable natural scent of thyme, which might be strong. If you prefer a less scented natural preservative, alternatives like Mild Preserved Eco (1.0-1.5%, no odor, wide pH range) or PaeoniaPreserve (2% for single use, mild scent) could be considered. NaturePreserve LB2 (0.5-1.0%) is another natural option effective at lower pH.
Compatibility and Suitability:
- Ingredient Compatibility: Most of the water-soluble active ingredients (Safe-B3, Gluco Bright, Lemon Peel Bioferment, Double Hyaluron Liquid, Rhamnose, Calendula Extract, Willow Bark Extract) are compatible within a pH range of approximately 4.0 to 6.5. This pH range is suitable for the efficacy and stability of these ingredients.
- Texture: The combination of 18% of a butter (if Mango Butter was intended) and 5% Soy Lecithin (a W/O emulsifier) will likely result in a relatively rich and potentially heavier cream texture. If your goal is a truly non-sticky and easily absorbed cream, you might need to adjust the oil phase (e.g., use a lighter oil instead of or in addition to a butter) and consider using an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier, possibly in combination with a W/O co-emulsifier for stability. Natural O/W emulsifiers like Olivem 1000 or Sucrose Cream Maker could help achieve a lighter feel.
- Mangosteen Extract: Clarifying the exact "Manggosteen extrack" you intended is important, especially given the high percentage. If it's a standard extract, 18% is unusually high and could cause formulation issues.
Recommendations for Adjustment:
- Clarify "Manggosteen extrack": Please confirm what this ingredient is. If it's a butter, be aware of the potential texture impact. If it's intended for odor control, consider if Rhamnose and LipidSoft Deo at their current percentages are sufficient, or if you want to explore other natural deodorizers like SugarClean.
- Adjust Emulsifier and Oil Phase for Texture: If a non-sticky, easily absorbed texture is a high priority, consider replacing or combining Soy Lecithin with an O/W emulsifier like Olivem 1000 or Sucrose Cream Maker and potentially adjusting the oil phase.
- Preservative Scent: If the natural scent of Thyme Care is undesirable, consider switching to Mild Preserved Eco (1.0-1.5%) or PaeoniaPreserve (2%).
Proposed Mixing Procedure (General Cream Method):
This is a general guideline. Specific ingredients might have unique requirements, so always refer to the supplier's instructions for each ingredient.
- Prepare the Water Phase: Heat the water to around 70-75°C. Add water-soluble ingredients that can withstand heat (like Rhamnose, Safe-B3, Gluco Bright, Double Hyaluron Liquid). Stir until dissolved.
- Prepare the Oil Phase: In a separate container, combine oil-soluble ingredients (like LipidSoft Deo, Mango Butter if using, and your emulsifier - Soy Lecithin or your chosen alternative). Heat this phase to the same temperature as the water phase (around 70-75°C) until everything is melted and combined.
- Emulsification: Slowly add the heated oil phase to the heated water phase while stirring continuously. Use a homogenizer or a high-shear mixer if available for a finer emulsion. Continue mixing until the cream starts to form and cool down.
- Cool-Down Phase: Once the emulsion has cooled to below 40°C, add heat-sensitive ingredients such as Lemon Peel Bioferment, Willow Bark Extract, Calendula Extract, and your preservative (Thyme Care or alternative).
- Final Adjustments: Check the pH of the final cream and adjust if necessary to be within the optimal range (4.0-6.5) for the active ingredients. Add the remaining water to reach 100%. Mix thoroughly.
Remember that creating a stable and effective cosmetic product requires careful formulation and testing, including a challenge test to ensure the preservative system is effective.
Related Products Mentioned
Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide)
GlucoBright™ (Acetyl Glucosamine)
Calendula Extract (Water Soluble)
Lemon Peel Bioferment (Lemon Skin™)
Double Hyaluron Liquid
Rhamnose (rhamnose sugar)
Mango Butter (Deodorized)
Mild Preserved Eco™ (Preservative-Free)
LipidSoft™ Deo (Triethyl Citrate, TEC)
Thyme Care™ (natural preservative)
PaeoniaPreserve™ (Natural Preservative)