Teach Soap

Ok - before we start - please - no warnings/scoldings about FDA and regulations for sunscreen as a drug, etc... I am in Canada, and I already know all the rules and regs from Health Canada.

Just for your info and amusement: Health Canada publishes a detailed list of exactly which words and descriptions you are allowed to say, and a list of those you are not. And in this case, I am allowed to say that the product "contains" this or that sunscreen in these concentrations. I cannot say it "provides" a particular SPF.

So - now that all that is out of the way....

I am using a new sunscreen called Z Cote Max. (The newer, better version of Z Cote) It is micronized encapsulated zinc oxide, that provides very high protection without the white look of traditional zinc oxide.

It is VERY expensive...ouchie!! But I really want a good, non chemical sunscreen for the family, and if it works out and is economically feasible, I may ad it to my emerging line of lotion bars.

Still with me? Ok - here are my questions: does anyone have any experience with any version of Z cote?
Also - the powder is very fine, and the manufacturer lists it as "dispersible" in oil. They also recommend certain temps for certain amount of time etc when adding it to your formula. So there I am at the stove, stirring, stirring, stirring..... and every time I stop, the stuff, at least a good portion of it, settles to the bottom. So I keep stirring as I cool it, to keep it suspended. Seems to work a little better, but then it is thick and gloppy and almost impossible to pour nice and neat into a container...

Now I just need a family volunteer to go try to get a sunburn...

You sound like me trying to get volunteers! I like your style! Much luck, please let us know how it works!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Sorry, I am not familiar with it. Have you called the vendor and asked them?

Sunscreen update:

I mixed it into the lotion bar recipe. The recipe was modified to include non/less comedogenic ingredients so that I could use it on the face if desired.
The problem was - the minute I got the stuff ready - we had a blast of winter weather!! I mean - 4" of snow!!!

So I wasn't able to test it sufficiently. We had one sunny, but cool afternoon, and hubby and I went out and rubbed it all over ourselves.
I liked it on the hands and feet...still seemed a bit heavy for the face.

Next round: I am going to use the sunscreen in a dry oil spray - a mix of FCO and cyclomethicone. Cloudy and rainy till next week - but hopefully we can try it then.

I have severla friends and family members who want a sunscreen like this one, but the idea of making individual custom facial formulations makes me ill....so I told them - give me a jar of your favorite facial cream/lotion, and I'll weigh it and add the appropriate amount of this sunscreen. That way - everyone gets a cream/lotion that they know they like, but with added physical sunscreen.

howzat sound ?

Sunscreen update: I ended up making a dry oil spray with the zinc oxide in it. Although it was rainy and cool here, a girlfriend was going to Cabo for a week - and volunteered to be my guinea pig

She loved the sunscreen - didn't get burned at all, even though it was blazing sun the whole time. Even tho it is oil based, she wasn't sure if it washed off in the water or not, so she reapplied after every dip in the pool.

Now, a month or so later - I am going to the beach for 5 days - and I can "self test"

Hi Kat

That sounds like a wonderful solution. Can you please tell me what a dry oil spray is? Here in NZ we burn incredibly fast and if I understand correctly, faster than any where else in the world. We have high rates of skin cancer so I would love to make something like you have. Thanks, Brenda

HI Brenda,

A dry oil spray is an oil based spray product that doesn't feel like one:) I use fractionated coconut oil, which is very light, and cyclomethicone, which is a silicone that is considered very safe, and basically evaporates off your skin quickly. It takes away that greasy feeling that oils can leave behind.

Then I just measure and add the zinc oxide - Z cote Max, that I mentioned. The literature on the manufacturer's website tells you the concentrations to use to provide a specific SPF.

It doesn't dissolve in the oil - but it stays suspended pretty well. I just give a shake before I spray it on, then rub it in lightly. It doesn't go on white like old style zinc oxide did - it is transparent. Quite a number of reputable organic "authorities" consider this to be a natural product, as well.

http://www.stylelist.com/2011/04/04/sun ... dangerous/

This is a link with an article that mentions it, though not by the brand name.
I'm sure you can just google it , and find someone you can order it from in your part of the world.

good luck!

Hi Kat

Thanks so much for the info and I will let you know how I get on. Cold and wintery here at present but I have a daughter going to Europe soon so hope to make some for her to take away. Brenda

Hi Kat,
Thanks for sharing everything you've worked out for the sunscreen. It sounds fantastic. I'm really interested in trying to make my own and was wondering if you could provide the name of your supplier for the Z Cote Max. I'm also in Canada but haven't been able to find out where to get it.
Thanks,
Erika

This is great! I'm going to have a look at what I can get in the UK along those lines.

I'm actually interested as I'm working towards making an anti-aging sort of face cream, and sun damage is one of the biggest contributing factors to skin aging, so including sunscreen ingredients makes total sense to me, even for something I'm not planning to market for it's sunscreening properties!

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"The question is: does it work on stage? If it works on stage, does it fit the theory? If it works on stage, but doesn't fit the theory; throw out the theory." Bertolt Brecht

Hi Kat

I have purchased some MAX Z-Cote but as I am so new at lotion making am not sure how to incorporate it into a lotion and at what rate would it be best used for sun screen protection. If you are able to offer some advice I would very much appreciate it. Thanks, Brenda

Z-Cote can be added to formulas as is. The recommended concentration is 5-25% (10% corresponds to SPF of about 6-11). Maximum allowed in the USA is 25%. I would try dispersing it in oil. There are more than one type available. You will need a high shear mixer for the Z-Cote to stay suspended.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Hi Soapbuddy, thanks for your reply I appreciate it and would now like to ask what high shear mixer you would suggest.

P.S. Also when we talk about percentages I take that it is a percent of the total ingredients including water.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Thanks once again Soapbuddy