Substituting Dimethicone Light with Olive CLEAR in Rich Cream Formulation and Oil Phase Limit

Question

Can I substitute `Dimethicone Light` (4%) with `Olive CLEAR` (4%) in a Rich Cream formulation using `Rich Cream Maker` (5%)?

My oil phase would be 14% (6% Shea Butter + 4% Jojoba Oil + 4% Olive CLEAR), which exceeds the 10% recommended limit for `Rich Cream Maker`. Is this substitution possible, and will the emulsifier be sufficient to handle the 14% oil phase?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Substituting Dimethicone Light with Olive CLEAR in Rich Cream Formulation

Yes, you can substitute Dimethicone Light (4%) with Olive CLEAR (4%) in your Rich Cream Maker formulation.

As the staff mentioned, silicones and oils are considered similar in this context, so replacing Dimethicone Light with Olive CLEAR is possible.

Your total oil phase (Shea Butter 6% + Jojoba Oil 4% + Olive CLEAR 4%) will be 14%. You noted that the recommended oil phase for Rich Cream Maker is 10%, and your calculation is correct that 14% is above this guideline.

The staff's response addresses this:

The 10% is a guideline, and it might be possible to emulsify slightly more than 10% oil phase.
To improve the emulsifying capacity for a higher oil phase while maintaining the Rich Cream Maker texture, you can add a small amount (1-2%) of a co-emulsifier like Satin Cream Maker or Milk Lotion Maker. You would keep Rich Cream Maker at 5% and add the co-emulsifier to help stabilize the higher oil load.

Therefore, you can make the substitution. If you find the emulsion is not stable with 14% oil phase using only 5% Rich Cream Maker, consider adding a small percentage of Satin Cream Maker or Milk Lotion Maker as suggested.