Magnesium Myristate

Magnesium Myristate

Magnesium myristate powder is a versatile cosmetic additive used to improve the texture, stability, hold, and adhesion of products, particularly makeup (powders, eyeshadows), including soaps and bath and body products. It is valued for the soft, silky feel it provides to the skin. It acts as an anti-caking agent, opacifier, and viscosity modifier, offering a silky touch and improving the stability of emulsions (lotions, creams). It is suitable for sensitive skin and can be used as an alternative to talc.

Uses and Benefits

• Soaps and Bath/Body Products: It is used to adjust the consistency (viscosity) of lotions and creams. In soaps, it helps structure the product. Its hydrophobic properties contribute to better adhesion to the skin.
• Body Scrubs: It can be incorporated to improve the texture and smoothness of scrubs. Although magnesium myristate is not the exfoliating agent itself, it improves spread ability and the feeling of softness upon application.
• Powder Cosmetics and Makeup: It is highly valued for improving the adhesion and glide of pressed powders, blushes, and mascaras.

General Properties: It prevents clumping (anti-caking agent) and makes formulations opaque. It is considered non-toxic and non-irritating at standard concentrations.

In Cosmetics in General

• Adhesion and Long-Lasting Wear: It is widely used in makeup (foundations, eyeshadows, lipsticks) to improve the product’s adherence to the skin, thus prolonging its lifespan.
• Binder: In pressed powders (blush, loose powder), it acts as an excellent binder, helping to hold the ingredients together and reduce crumbling.

Quick Formulation Guide

• Loose/Pressed Powders: 5% to 10% for optimal adhesion.
• Creams and Lotions: 2% to 5% to stabilize and improve texture.

Method of Incorporating it into Soap:

• Cold Process: Mix magnesium myristate with a small amount of oil from your recipe or water (to create a paste) before adding it at trace (when the soap batter thickens) to prevent lumps.
• Melt and Pour: Add it during the melting phase of the soap base.
• Dosage: Use small amounts, generally between 0.5% and 2% of the total weight of the recipe to achieve a smooth and luxurious feel without affecting the hardness of the soap.

It is ideal for soaps designed for shaving or for providing a soft feel on the skin.

In cold process soap (CP), magnesium myristate is primarily used for its texturizing properties and its ability to improve skin feel. Adding this ingredient will create a soap with a creamy lather and a powdery finish on the skin, which is highly valued for sensitive skin or in shaving soaps.

Here are its specific roles:

• Improved texture and feel: It gives the soap a soft and slippery feel, leaving a silky finish on the skin after rinsing.
• Opacifying agent: It makes the soap less transparent, giving it a whiter and more uniform appearance.
• Lather stabilization: As a secondary surfactant, it can help stabilize the lather, although its primary role remains sensory.
• Adhesion and hold: In cosmetic formulations, it is known to improve the adhesion of products to the skin.
• Talc alternative: It is sometimes used as a more luxurious substitute for talc to add body to soap without the drying effect.

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COA

INCI: Magnesium Myristate