I love urea. Yes, it has problems bc it is unstable and causes ph drift, so I am prepared to make it at home regularly to overcome this shortcoming.

But I would still prefer to make my urea serum as seldom as possible, so please help me figure out the best buffer system and ph to formulate to.

I like 10% urea on my skin and prefer a water-based serum. I'm using septima max to gel the serum with a citrate buffer - 0.3% sodium citrate plus enough 10% citric acid solution to get to a ph of 5.4. Also I used sodium at EDTA at 0.1%. My serum definitely drifts over the course of a few weeks. With this buffer, I need to remix about every month.

Can anyone recommend a different buffer system, or other ways to get me a few more months before I have to re-make my 10% urea product?

Also, seeing what I have seen, can I trust that commercial skin products really have the urea in them that they claim? The shelf life of these products seems to have limitations no matter what you do.

Thanks in advance!

i am trying to find Phenoxyethanol Preservative, but the prices are over the top. anyone know where i can look please? thanks

So I am making a very simple Mandelic Acid toner.

10% Mandelic Acid
5% Propanediol
Liquid Germall Plus or another broad spectrum preservative

And the rest will be Water. The ph comes out to be around 1.5-2 but I want to bring it up to a pH of 3.5 or slightly higher.

I got Tromethamine to adjust the pH. It works but I’ve found I have to use it at around 3% to get it there which has me worried because online, the usage is around 0.1-1%. Not sure if I feel comfortable having that amount in my toner or if this is common and just the name of the game.

I am thinking of adding 0.5% Sodium Phytate (I don’t have it on hand so I’ll have to order it). But I suspect that it would only marginally raise the pH. I don’t want to use arginine because my skin just doesn’t like it. TEA is getting a bad rep as well.

Now I know Sodium Hydroxide (NAOH) is right there but I’m being a scared-y cat about potentially getting it and using it lol. Is this my best bet to use a pH adjuster at a small percentage? For those who use it are there any storage tips (I’d love to get storage container recommendations etc etc) or tips in general you have to share? If I HAVE to go that route, I plan to purchase an already premade 10% dilution but I’ve also heard that the dilution more unsafe than having the pellets but I don’t want be making the dilution myself lol.

Anyways sorry for the long post, I’d appreciate any insight.

THANK YOU

I've tried washing my hands after but my nails always get orange :/ tips? how do you do it? tysm

I'm making a dry shampoo spray. Silica powder jn water and ethanol works great for me, but the silica sets at the bottom of the bottle and takes 5 or 10 minutes to release so I can shake it in.

I'm happy to shake the product every time I use it, but is there something that would soften the silica so it mixes back in quickly?

Ok so here's my story: the camille rose honey hydrate leave in conditioner has been the best product that keeps my super curly hair really soft and not dry/rough. I have to stop using it soon due to having issues with the fragrance. but it really is my holy grail product so i want to try and replicate its effects with little to no added fragrance.

Its texture is not "creamy" or "emulsified" (? idk anything about diy beauty terms) like typical conditioners but feels kind of slick, viscous, and oily? I can't put in a picture but you can look it up to see its texture. Please let me know how you would describe this type of conditioner as its really hard to find the words to search the reddit lol.

Its first ingredient is propanediol so I'm assuming thats the main one causing my desired effect. I know glycerin is also a good humectant so maybe I can try to see if that has a similar effect since its more available in stores? full ingredient list below.

Basically if I wanted to start making my own conditioner similar to that one (not emulsified but more "syrupy") with many humectants, how would I approach that? I am completely new to anything diy beauty so I'm asking for the basics like what types of agents should I mix and what proportions to get that texture, and how to use propanediol or glycerin in hair products, etc.

I've tried searching the reddit and reading the FAQ but because I don't have the words to describe exactly what I'm looking for in terms of the type of hair conditioner its kind of hard to find answers.

Thank you in advance!

Ingredient list: Propanediol (Zemea), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Honey (Mel), Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Black Tea Extract, Curcumin, Phenoxyethanol (Optiphen ND), Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance

I am wanting to get my 100% menthol crystals and reshape them into a mould (long story why). When I get them out of the bag they are totally normal but once I've melted them down, poured, let them set, they go greasy, for lack of a better word. Like when you touch the crystal it gets wet. It's really odd. I bought new crystals thinking I had a weird brand but they do the same thing. They don't do this prior to melting.

I am melting them due to wanting to rub them on my forehead for headaches. I need it really strong hence the pure menthol crystals. I started doing this after spending a fortune on the forehead products you can buy that are similar but this is the one thing I'm struggling with.

It is useable but...unpleasant lol

Has anyone here used a urea spray made by dissolving urea crystals in water?
I saw a post a couple of years ago and the guy said he cured his KP with a home-made 20% urea spray. Is it safe? And would this work better than dissolving some urea crystals in a regular body lotion with no actives?

Hello, I use a diy oil mixture of 75% mineral oil (light liquid paraffin) and 25% peg-40 by weight. Its supposed to remove sunscreen but for some reason there's always a lot of it left, even though I only apply sunscreen once a day.

The sunscreen I use is reequil ultra matte dry touch sunscreen. Its supposed to be waterproof and for oily skin, and is sort of the only sunscreen which suits me.

Should I use some sort of ester in my oil? Or just change both altogether?

I have disliked my small scales with a passion due to hardwired auto off. They are accurate, but the way I work does not agree with the timer on the auto off.

I’d like recommendations for scales on the 50g-100g range that do not have auto off, or it is customizable. It can be hybrid battery/power, even usb if decent consumer grade.

My work is strictly small batch, I do not need a lab-grade setup, but a shield would be helpful.

Opinions on this recipe? Is anything dangerously wrong with it? What would you add/ change/ remove? This was made with the help of AI but according to my preferences, I have done some reading and will do some more before actually mixing anything, but I’m curious what you guys think first.

PHASE A: Water Phase (To be heated to 70°C)
68.9g Distilled Water (Apă distilată) – Clean liquid base carrier.
0.5g Allantoin Powder (Alantoină) – Anti-inflammatory agent that stops razor bumps.

PHASE B: Lipid Phase (To be heated to 70°C)
15.0g Pure Olive Squalane (Squalan de măsline) – Locks in deep hydration without clogging pores.
4.0g Emulsifiant Emulsan – Plant-derived emulsifier that creates a silk-like, dry-touch feel.

PHASE C: Active & Preservation Phase (Added cold at the end, under 40°C)
5.0g Vegetable Glycerine (Glicerină vegetală) – Low-weight humectant that improves glide.
3.0g Panthenol / Pro-Vitamin B5 – Deep tissue repair active for micro-cuts and chafing.
2.5g Hyaluronic Acid Solution (Acid Hialuronic) – Surface-level plumping moisture blanket.
0.5g Aloe Vera 200:1 Powder Concentrate – High-potency botanical (equal to 100g of raw juice).
0.6g Cosgard Preservative – Eco-certified broad-spectrum protection (~19-20 drops)

Hey, I want to make a cold oil infusion with dried cyperus rotundus, since the ones you can buy are full of unwanted ingredients and are from shady websites. I will ask this in multiple communitys in hopes of getting an awnser: I'm not sure about the mixing ratio, I know how to make a cold infusion and usually the mixing ratio doesn't have to be very strict (like with chamomile), but I can imagine that you might have to be a little more strict with plants as potent as this one, so how should the mixing ratio be? My plan was to mix 25g of cyperus rotundus with 50ml jojobaoil (Well I bought a 50ml glass where I would pour the Plant parts and oil in), is that alright? Just so you know, I've done my research on cyperus rotundus oil and its effects. I have hirsutism and too many androgens, I would just put it on my face. Thank you in advance :)

I’m very new to DIY skincare and just finished a formula for a Scar Cream. My dad just had knee replacement surgery and I want to make him something special to help with the scar once his surgeon gives the okay. I did struggle a bit with the percentages needed for each ingredient and I’d really appreciate it if the formula I finished could get some feedback from the good people here, who are way more experienced than myself.

____________________________

Ingredients & Percentages:

H2O:
Distilled Water - 56.5%
Propylene Glycol - 5.0%
Optiphen Plus - 1.0%
——
OIL:
Shea Butter - 14.0%
Aloe Vera Butter - 5.0%
Sweet Almond Oil - 2.5%
Rosehip Oil - 2.5%
Emulsifying Wax NF - 5.0%
——
OTHER:
Niacinamide Powder - 5.0%
Centella Asiatica Powder - 1.5%
Vitamin E Oil - 1.0%
Lavender Essential Oil - 0.5%
Helichrysum Essential Oil - 0.5%
_____________________________

This is my first time creating a formula myself instead using a recipe I found online and would really like to make sure it’s safe for my dad to use on his knee.

Thanks for any feedback or advice!

Im new formulations and I have made some pretty great lotions. That being said, I thought I'd also be good at moisturizing face creams. I was wrong. I've have gone through many samples but this is my latest

Distilled water 54.90

Glycerin 1.0

Desodium EDTA 0.10

Allentoin 0.50

LotionPro 165 4.0

Montanov 202 2.50

CreamMaker Benhenyl 2.50

Shea 4.0

Squalane 6.0

Isopropyl myristate 2.0

Sepimax Zen 0.50

Evening primrose 4.0

Prickly Pear oil 3.0

Bakuchio 1.0

Niacinamide powder 4.0

D-panthenol powder 0.50

Alpha Arbutin 2.0

Vit E 0.50

Liquid Germall 0.50

DryFlo 1.0

Please be kind, like I said, im new to face formula. I need something ultra super moisturizing. Thank you in advance ☺️

Edit to add %

Are these noodles or powder? Thanks!

I’m sharing a labor of love (and occasional frustration!) for anyone who might find it useful. I’d genuinely appreciate feedback and suggestions for improvement!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yYZ0ynV1tMzjetYk1Kc17dFy1iexQ_B2YfYsEmm4DHg/edit?usp=sharing

I’m new to DIY beauty and wanted a way to organize my ingredient inventory and formulations. What started as a simple spreadsheet gradually grew into a monstrosity. After countless revisions, I think it’s finally ready to share!

Here’s what it includes:

• Dashboard: An overview of inventory, products, and ingredient information
• Setup: A master tab for managing dropdown lists
• Calculators: Tools for resizing and converting recipes
• Ingredient Information: Aggregated information from various sources
• CP Soap: Information on oils and butters for cold-process soapmaking
• Inventory: Ingredient quantities, status, and pricing
• Formulations: A place to track recipes

Basically, the sheets feed each other information. Setup feeds the dropdown menus. Ingredient information >>> Inventory >>> Formulations.

There's sample data in the sheet to show how it works.

A note on sources: I’m not claiming ownership of the ingredient information assembled. I’ve credited the websites used to compile it on the dashboard.

I have 2a-2c wavy hair, but when I spray in As I Am Rice Water Hair Spray I get amazing definition and my hair really curls up.

I want to try to isolate what's causing this so I can create something DIY. I don't love the sticky feeling of this spray and would prefer to make something myself.

Any wisdom on this would be so appreciated. I am new to DIY.

Here are the ingredients list:
Aqua/Water/Eau, Betaine, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Phytosterols, Ceramide NP, Biotin, Copper Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-34, Inositol, Caffeine, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Ofcinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Betainate Acetate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

FIS: 263-201-FS

Hello, I just formulated a shampoo using hydroxyethylcellulose (formula below) and its acting really strangely.

When I add the surfactants to the thick HEC gel, the shampoo turns entirely watery. This is then fixed by me lowering the pH (and oddly adding way more citric acid than I usually would need to do so) to around 5-6. Then the next day, the formula separates into a super thick foamy layer, and a decently thick but noticeably thinner non-foam layer. Does anyone know what is going on here or how I can fix it?

Water 69.40%

Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids 10.00%

Lauramidopropyl Betaine 6%

Coco Glucoside 4.00%

Lauryl Glucoside 6.00%

Hydroxyethylcellulose 1.43%

Honey 3.00%

Citric Acid q.s. to 6

Liquid Germall Plus 0.20%

Guys am in UAE, am trying to do some soaps because am bored. However many ingredients they come internationally from Amazon! Which takes 2 weeks and so.
Do you know any local stores that sell pure oils, raw butters, natural organic essential oils and fragrances?

I ordered some supplies through myskinrecipes.com and DHL is asking for clarification on the package… will it be returned? 🫩🫩🫩 I provided them the documentation I was sent and not sure how it’ll go 💔💔💔

Oddly sticky like honey.
(If you have any tip that benefits hair too id be happy )

I searched the group for posts on botanical extracts but couldn't quite find what I am looking for. Are all ingredients with the word "extract" hard to preserve and a breeding ground for bugs?

I want to incorporate a snow mushroom extract in my moisturizer, and the INCI is this:
Glycerine, Water, Tremella fuciformis, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate

To me this looks likes it is already partly preserved, and surely an added preservative like Liquid Germall Plus or Optiphen should be able to preserve this further and prevent bacterial growth?
I'm sorry if this is a really stupid question.
I just see the term botanical matter or extract tossed around a lot, and people say they are a nightmare to preserve.
There are so many cool extracts/natural ingredients but what is the point if it's "dangerous" to use them?
Is Collagen also problematic, being a protein? I would really like to keep using it, as it feels beautiful on my skin, haha.

Your input is much appreciated.
Thank you.

New formulator here, im sorry if this has been asked already, feel free to guide me in the right direction. I want to make my own deep facial moisturizer. But, all my emulsifyers leave a waxy feel after putting it on. Does anyone have a basic emulsify combo they use in thir formula that won't be waxy, but also hydrating? TY in advance.

I followed a YouTube recipe for magnesium lotion for my RLS looking for alternatives for it my medication f me up so I had to stop using it awaiting doc.

Anyway the recipe I used required shea butter and by god it smells horrible. Looking at different butters on Amazon most have bad reviews about the smell.

Can anyone help with a recipe for beginner with ingredients that don’t smell terrible? Could I replace shea butter with cocoa butter or something else?

I made a light leave in conditioner for fine curls with BTMS 50 and now I want to make a complementary rinse out conditioner. Is it a good idea to use cetrimonium chloride? And do fatty alcohols contribute to conditioning or they just get rinsed down the drain?

Leave in formula percentages:

Aqua q. s

Disodium EDTA 0.2

Cetyl alcohol 2.5

BTMS 50 1

Sweet almond oil 1

IPM 1

BHT 0.05

Fragrance 0.5

Aloe extract 0.1

Germall plus liquid 0.5