Silverson Machines has recently worked with a beauty products manufacturer whose main products include fragrances, cosmetics and skin care products.
The company were trying to produce a new make-up base product and had previously been using processing vessels with anchor stirrers and bottom entry rotor/stator mixers but were finding it extremely difficult to emulsify their new product properly. In their terms emulsify meant reducing the particle size of the pigment ingredient and then creating an emulsion of water and oil.
The company had been able to make their desired product using a Silverson mixer in their R&D development department using a Square Hole High Shear Screen. But there were still some teething issues because of the differences in viscosity between the low viscosity pigment dispersions and the high viscosity of the emulsion.
They contacted Silverson to see if there was a way in which they could improve their process further. It was suggested that an In-Line mixer would be best for this application as the company wanted to avoid an additional pump if possible, despite the product being high viscosity. The In-Line mixer was fitted with a Superfine workhead and all of the ingredients which included water, pigments, gels and oils were introduced into the vessel during recirculation and achieved good results with the desired colour and texture all in approximately 10 minutes.
It was the first time the company had been able to produce the new product base in the production area. The mixer worked well without the need for an additional pump. There was also the possibility of it being used for lots of the companies' other products including shower gels, sun lotions and creams.
After the great results from the trial the company purchased a 450UHS-HV high viscosity In-Line mixer for use on all of their production vessels and another HV In-Line mixer for use with one of their development vessel.
As the mixers have been producing such great results and meeting the CIP requirements, the company then purchased another additional 450UHS-HV High Viscosity mixer to help expand their range. This mixer is to be used for the production of their new make-up base and many of their other products.
To find out more about how Silverson Machines can help with producing emulsions, or for more information on the High Viscosity mixing range, visit the Silverson website: www.silverson.co.uk.
