The first video shows how a Cold Process Gel can be formulated using a Silverson Laboratory Mixer. In this video, Tumi Siwoku, Principal Chemist at Beauty Science Labs, shares her
experience in the cosmetics industry and walks Silverson’s James Cardus through the step-by-step process of creating a clear, viscous, aeration-free gel. She explains how pH-sensitive polymers like acrylates copolymer respond to sodium hydroxide and how proper mixing technique makes all the difference.
The resulting product is a cold-processed gel base. These neutral gels are widely used across the cosmetics and personal care sector, serving as the foundation for gel moisturisers, styling products, topical treatments, and various skincare formulations, and can be easily customised with active ingredients, fragrances, or colourants.
The gel is created solely using a Silverson multi-purpose Laboratory mixer. The same high shear mixer is used in the second video demonstrating a Hot Process emulsion, highlighting the versatility of the Silverson L5M-A mixer.
In the Hot Process video, Tumi explains the concept of a Hot Process Emulsion and how the Silverson laboratory homogeniser enables the formation of high-quality creams and lotions. She also explains the different phases, the ingredients in each phase and the importance of mixing each of the phases at the correct temperature. Viewers are able to see how the Silverson Laboratory mixer is able to maintain
uniform mixing throughout, delivering a consistent, stable emulsion.
As mentioned, Silverson Laboratory mixers are used for a variety of mixing processes from simple liquid/liquid blending, forming emulsions and reducing particle size to more complex mixing applications. They are ideal for all routine laboratory work, research and development, QA analysis and small scale production.
The ‘standard’ L5M-A model is the latest development in high shear laboratory mixing. The advantage of a Silverson over simple agitators and stirrers stems from the specially designed rotor/stator workhead; the high speed rotation of the rotor blades draws materials into the workhead where they are intensively mixed, before being projected back into the body of the mix at high velocity. With this method, ingredients are fully incorporated and any agglomerates are eliminated.
With its integral tachometer, ammeter and programmable timer, the L5M-A laboratory homogeniser offers a level of instrumentation invaluable in applications where process validation and repeatability are required. The L5M-A can also be supplied with a temperature probe which can be invaluable in this application, as seen in the Hot Process video.
As Tumi explains, temperature plays a critical role, not only in combining the oil and water phases, but also in determining when to add temperature-sensitive components. Ingredients such as fragrances, colorants, preservative systems, and extracts must be incorporated below a specific threshold to maintain their efficacy and stability.
You can find Silverson Machines at the NYSCC Suppliers Day at Booth 532. To find out more about Silverson Machines, please visit the Silverson website: www.silverson.co.uk
