Usage
Typical use level
0.5–2.0%
Tea Tree spheres can be used in many types of cosmetic products, both clear formulations (gels, shampoos, liquid soaps, antiperspirants, deodorants) and emulsions (cleansers, creams and lotions, hair conditioners).
Different coloured spheres can be used in the same product for an enhanced visual effect. Formulas should have sufficient yield values to keep the beads suspended, usually with the aid of common associative thickeners or in high viscosity emulsions In very few cases, certain surfactants, solubilisers or emulsifiers may show incompatibilities with active compounds of the spheres. Spheres can take several hours to soften in a formula. They should be added at the end of the manufacturing process with low shear mixing, but can be safely pumped (using a membrane, peristaltic or piston pump) and filled without breakage.
Tea Tree Spheres soften best in formulas with at least 30% available water content. In low water-content formulas, or in formulas where other ingredients (surfactants, polymeric thickeners, etc.) tie up most of the water, the spheres can be pre-soaked in water to soften before adding to the batch.
Processing Tea Tree Spheres
Processing Tea Tree Spheres
The incorporation of these spheres into final product is not complicated or time-consuming. Only a few tips should be considered:
Tea Tree Spheres are not soluble in water and generally they are not very hygroscopic. When added to formulations containing a certain amount of water, like emulsions, surfactant products or aqueous gels, water will penetrate into the spheres and they soften. This can take some time, depending on the type of final product. In pure water, they will soften within a few minutes. In cosmetic formulations, depending from the amount and availability of free, non-bonded water, this process can take from some hours to some days. increasing temperatures will accelerate this process.
As Tea Tree Spheres are macroscopic beads, any mechanical influences should be avoided during all manufacturing and filling procedures. Shearing, which is a common process for emulsifying and mixing of cosmetic formulations, will destroy the beads. This is why spheres should be added at the end of the manufacturing process only with slow stirring. For storage and filling, the bulk product can be safely pumped (using a membrane, peristaltic or piston pump) and filled without breakage. It is best to fill the products as soon as possible after the addition of Beads, while they are still hard, as the risk of breaking will increase with the softening of the spheres.
Considering normal hygienic procedures, there is minimal risk of contamination of the finished product with the addition of spheres, as they do not contain any active water , thus the absence of any microorganisms is guaranteed.
