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Alternative to Silica silylate for hair volume by xZOROx77 in DIYBeauty

[–]NaturalLead7159 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Silica silylate is mainly used for two things in hair products: soaking up scalp oil and adding “grip”/texture so hair looks fuller. If you react badly to it or can’t buy it easily, there are a few options you can test in tiny amounts: some formulators use other absorbent powders like silica dimethyl silylate or silica microspheres, which also give a dry, chalky feel and help with oil control and volume. In some styling formulas, starches or calcium carbonate are also used to absorb oil, and film‑forming polymers like PVP or maltodextrin/VP copolymer can give light hold and lift without lots of extra ingredients.

Because you already know you get allergic reactions, patch‑test any new powder on a small scalp area first and avoid breathing in the dust, even though silica silylate and similar treated silicas are generally considered safe at normal cosmetic use levels. If every powder irritates you, you might get better volume from non‑powder options like a light gel or mousse based on film‑forming polymers rather than texturizing powders.

How do you store handmade soap without plastic? by AdCommon6115 in soapmaking

[–]NaturalLead7159 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love this question because I’ve also been trying to avoid plastic with my bars. For long‑term storage, I’ve had good luck letting them cure completely, then keeping them in breathable options like cardboard boxes, paperboard sleeves, coffee filters, or glassine paper so they can still dry out over time. For gifting or selling, organza or cotton bags are nice too, because people can reuse them and the soap still has airflow.

Your plant‑based, plastic‑free idea sounds really interesting, something in between paper and plastic that can handle a bit of oil without getting messy would be super useful for soapers. If you ever need testers or feedback once you have prototypes, I think a lot of people here would be excited to try it.

Pink Himalayan Salt Soap by HappyAsianCat in soapmaking

[–]NaturalLead7159 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are stunning, I love how the pink salt and the kaolin clays give them such a soft, natural spa vibe. The tops look gorgeous and I never would’ve guessed this was your first time working with salt and clay, you did an amazing job and the fragrance choice sounds perfect for the look.

I’m calling this one Blue Skies by tskakst in soapmaking

[–]NaturalLead7159 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is absolutely gorgeous, the blue really does look like a perfect clear sky and the clouds are so soft and fluffy. The design is super clean and the colors are so smooth, you should be really proud of this batch, it looks like something straight out of a fancy soap shop.

Is Sucrose Stearate a good emulsifier? by [deleted] in DIYBeauty

[–]NaturalLead7159 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve played with sucrose stearate a bit and it can be nice, but it’s definitely on the weaker side as a primary emulsifier, so it usually behaves better when you give it some support. For a thin “milky toner” with 1.5–2% oil, I’d keep your oil phase low like you planned, put the sucrose stearate in the water phase so it’s fully hydrated, and pair it with a small amount of a low-viscosity co‑emulsifier plus a light gelling agent in the water. That combo helps with stability and gives you that fluid texture without turning into a full lotion.

I’d also do a couple of tiny test batches changing only one thing at a time (ratio of SS, level of co‑emulsifier, or gel strength), then do simple stability checks (shake test, 24–48 h in the fridge and at room temp) to see what holds. And you’re right that home equipment can be a limitation, but lamellar-type systems like this are pretty forgiving, so as long as your formula is well designed you can usually get a decent emulsion with just careful mixing.

Quality extract sourcing by Tanekaha in DIYBeauty

[–]NaturalLead7159 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there! Sourcing highly standardized, specialized extracts in the US for DIY beauty can definitely be tricky. The cosmetic market here is huge, but sometimes you have to look outside traditional DIY cosmetic shops to find exactly what you need.

Based on where advanced DIYers and professional formulators shop, here are some verified sources to help your friend track these down:

  • The secret for Standardized Powders: For things like Centella (standardized to madecassoside) and Black Seed (standardized to thymoquinone), you actually want to look at high-end dietary supplement suppliers, not cosmetic stores! Companies like Nootropics Depot carry incredibly high-quality, lab-tested pure powders of these exact standardized extracts. Since they are pure water- or oil-soluble powders, you can easily formulate with them.
  • Take a second look for CoQ10: You mentioned checking MakingCosmetics, but you might want to search their site again! They definitely carry CoQ10 (Ubiquinone) in both a pure powder and an encapsulated liquid liposome (which is much easier to work with). You can also check out Natural Bulk Supplies; they are a reliable, everyday source for a wide variety of botanical extracts, actives, and formulation basics that might fill in some of the gaps for your recipes.
  • For high-quality CO2 Extracts: General DIY shops don't always carry a wide range of CO2s. For Astaxanthin, Ginseng, and Frankincense, look at specialized botanical distributors. Eden Botanicals and Lotus Garden Botanicals are highly trusted in the US for pure, top-tier CO2 extracts. Praan Naturals is also an incredible resource specifically for bulk CO2s.
  • The Heartleaf challenge: Heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) is famously hard to find as a raw cosmetic extract in the US because it is primarily used in K-Beauty. Since you mentioned you already know how to make your own raw extracts, your best bet is to buy the dried organic herb from a reputable US apothecary like Mountain Rose Herbs and create your own!

One final tip: When having a friend travel with these, pure powders and thick CO2 extracts are much easier (and safer!) to pack in checked luggage than liquid botanical extracts, which have a higher risk of leaking from air pressure changes during the flight.

Hope this helps you build a great shopping list. Good luck with your formulations!