Understanding Glycerin and Cetyl Alcohol for Airbrush Foundation

Based on your question about making airbrush foundation using mineral powder, glycerin, and water, and your observation that the glycerin from SkinRecipe is in flake form unlike the liquid in the YouTube video, here's some information about glycerin and Cetyl Alcohol and how to use them:

Glycerin (Glycerin (USP/Food Grade))

The Glycerin (USP/Food Grade) you purchased from SkinRecipe (Product ID 143) is indeed in a highly pure form, often appearing as flakes or granules when anhydrous or nearly anhydrous. The liquid glycerin seen in most videos is typically a solution of glycerin in water, or pure liquid glycerin which is very hygroscopic (absorbs water from the air) and can sometimes solidify slightly depending on temperature and purity.

To use your flake glycerin in a liquid foundation formula like the one you described, you will need to dissolve it in water first. You can create a liquid glycerin solution by mixing the flake glycerin with distilled water. The ratio will depend on the desired concentration, but a common approach is to dissolve it completely in the water phase of your formulation before adding other ingredients.

• How to prepare: Dissolve the flake glycerin completely in the water portion of your formula.
• Properties: Acts as a humectant (attracts moisture), solvent, and emollient.
• Usage: Mix into the water phase of your formulation.

Cetyl Alcohol (Cetyl Alcohol)

Cetyl Alcohol (Product ID 173) is a fatty alcohol that appears as pearl white, shiny crystals or flakes. It is used in cosmetic formulations as a thickener, opacifier, emollient, and to provide body to creams and lotions. It is a waxy solid at room temperature and does not dissolve in water or glycerin without heat.

The YouTube video mentioning Cetyl Alcohol likely intended it to be used as part of a more stable emulsion system, not just a simple mix with mineral powder, glycerin, and water. Cetyl Alcohol needs to be melted with heat, typically around 60°C, and is usually incorporated into the oil phase of a formulation.

• How to prepare: Melt with heat (around 60°C) and mix into the oil phase of your formulation.
• Properties: Thickener, emollient, helps provide body to creams.
• Usage: Melt and incorporate into the oil phase.

Limitations of the Simple Formula

The simple formula of mineral powder + glycerin + water is unlikely to create a stable airbrush foundation. Mineral powders are solids that will tend to settle out of a simple liquid mixture over time. An airbrush requires a very finely dispersed, stable, and consistent liquid to spray properly without clogging.

Adding Cetyl Alcohol alone to this simple mix won't solve the stability issue. While it can thicken, it doesn't act as a primary emulsifier to keep oil and water phases (or solid particles dispersed in liquid) stably mixed. A proper airbrush foundation formula typically requires:

• An emulsifier to create a stable blend of water and oil-soluble components.
• Suspending agents to keep the mineral pigments evenly dispersed and prevent settling.
• A suitable liquid base with controlled viscosity.
• Preservatives to prevent microbial growth in the water-based product.

Recommendation

While you can dissolve your flake Glycerin (USP/Food Grade) in water and melt Cetyl Alcohol for use, incorporating them effectively into a stable airbrush foundation requires a more complete formulation approach than the simple YouTube method. Consider looking for more comprehensive foundation or liquid makeup base formulas that include emulsifiers and suspending agents to achieve the stability needed for airbrush application.

SkinRecipe offers many ingredients suitable for creating stable emulsions and dispersions, which would be necessary for a successful airbrush foundation.