Teach Soap

Okie, these ones I can't answer with Swifty's e-book! A bunch of her recipes call for 2% dimethicone and 2% cyclomethicone. Mine is a mixture, so would I use 4%? is a link to the product I have.

Question 2! Her recipes use powdered botanical extracts, mine are liquid. So how would I calculate it if the recipe says 0.5% calendula powder (for example)? Mine are in water (some have glycerin too); like

I THINK these are my last 2 questions LOL This is a lot more complicated and expensive than soap making! Have to get it right!

Thanks guys! <3

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

If yours is a mixture of the two then use 4%.
Depending how big of a batch you're making, 0.5% of the prediluted herbal extracts should be ok.

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

Alright! Thanks Irena! <3

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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

They don't give the proportions of one to the other, but 4% should work. However, don't use that much in a shampoo, it will almost certainly result in a mess. OK in a conditioner. I would not use more than 0.2% in a shampoo.
Regarding the calendula extract, I imagine that this is either a Gattefosse or Bioextractos product, resold by Lotioncrafter. Typical usage is 1 - 5% (I use 15% aloe vera in my sulphate-free shampoo for its anti-inflammatory action on the scalp) but you could use up to 20% if you wanted a specialist product with therapeutic activity. Of course that would make for an expensive product.

isn't 4% dimethicone-cyclomethicone too much? I approve barquentine, I would not add more than 0,5% in Shampoo and 2% in conditioner.
How are Your herbal extracts ?1:2 or 1:4? these are standard concentrations (at least in Europe). With extracts it's a matter of preference because they can influence the colour and the scent of the product with their own inherent color and scent. I apply liquid extracts up to max. 4% in a formulation.
If I apply my own infused oils or herbal teas, then depending on the formulation, I've even applied up to 100% of the liquid phase (for tea) and up to 10% (infused oil).

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Genius is 1 % inspiration and 99 % perspiration

She uses 2-4% silicone in all of her shampoo recipes. 4% if it is water soluble, 2% if it isn't. I used 2% cyclo-dimethicone in my 2 in 1 today and it is super nice! Over thick, but you can see why in my post about it

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I'm reluctant to use too much silicone in a rinse-off product. Studies indicate that it gets into the groundwater and may cause environmental problems.