Anti-Acne Soap Recipe

Acne is a common affliction that has bothered us during our pubescent years, and is still a source of nuisance for some teens and adults alike. It is caused by excessive production of sebum in the skin pores, especially on the face and on the back. Symptoms include scaly red skin, blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Adolescents are the usual targets because of the increase in testosterone production during the growth spurt years, which exacerbates the condition.

Here is a soap recipe to combat those pestering zits from Vinensia.com! The soap’s active ingredient is tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), a potent antiseptic and antifungal oil from Australia. Tea tree oil clears skin, cleans wounds, and relieves rashes when applied topically. Other important ingredients include PEG 400 which serves as moisturizer, and cocamidopropyl betaine which increases lather.

Ingredients:

Soap flakes – 75 gm.

Cocamidopropyl betaine – 10 cc.

PEG 400 – 5 cc.

Propylene glycol – 10 cc.

FD&C color (optional)

Germaben II ™ (preservative) – 0.22 c.

Method:

Measure all ingredients. Heat soap flakes, cocamidopropyl betaine, and PEG 400 in a crock pot and set it on the lowest temperature. Gently stir mixture with a wooden spoon, taking care not to make bubbles. Check mixture every 15 minutes and continue stirring until completely melted. Then add color intermittently while stirring. Blend tea tree oil, propylene glycol, and Germaben II ™and stir continuously until smooth. Pour mixture into a wooden mold. Cover the mold and leave overnight or until dry. Cut to individual pieces and let the bars cure for a week.

Reference:
http://formulation.vinensia.com/2011/03/anti-acne-transparent-soap-formula-and.html

Apricot Hair Conditioner

This hair conditioner formula is derived from Cosmetic and Toiletry Formulations, a classic compendium of toiletry recipes by Ernest W. Flick. Flick, a former quality assurance administrator and technical writer, compiled more than 10,000 formulas which contain a listing for ingredients and their respective percent weight. Suggested formulation procedures are also included.

This particular recipe contains apricot extract, which is rich in vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. PEG 400 helps to emulsify the mixture while phenoxyethanol lengthens its shelf life.

Ingredients:                                                     Weight (%)

Apricotamidopropyl ethyldimonium ethosulfate      1%

PEG 400                                                           4%

Cetyl Alcohol                                                    2%

Acetamide MEA 70                                             6%

Glycerol monostearate                                        4%

Herbasol apricot extract                                    0.5%

Phenoxyethanol/SA                                           0.2%

Distilled water                                                82.3%

Fragrance

Procedure:

In a double boiler heated at 70°C, mix apricotamidopropyl ethyldimonium ethosulfate, PEG 400, cetyl alcohol, acetamide MEA, and glycerol monostearate. Gradually add water while stirring until mixture is homogenous. Then blend apricot extract, phenoxyethanol, and fragrance. Continue stirring until mixture is smooth. Pour into bottles.