STORAGE:

The consistency of the shaving cream may vary with temperature and if affects the effectiveness of the preparation

FACTORS CONSIDERED DURING PACKAGING OF SHAVING CREAM:

During packaging the following factors should be taken into consideration-

1) Moisture Evaporation:

Shaving cream should be packaged in narrow mouth tube to restrict the evaporation of moisture from the preparation so that cream remains soft & pliable.

2) Corrosion of the tube:

The ingredients of the preparation may react with the tube material which results in corrosion of the tube. It reduces the consumer acceptance of the product & also reduces its quality. So, to avoid these, a rest coating inside the tube is necessary. Some manufacturers incorporate 0.1-0.4% Na-silicate (NaSio3) as an additional safe guard to prevent corrosion of aluminum tube.

3) Cost, weight & decoration:

The tube should be less expensive & light .It should also take the decoration well.

4) Attractiveness of the tube:

The tube should have attractive also and well decorated.

FORMULATION PROPERTIES:-

Shaving cream develops quickly rich and soft foam & remains on the skin without drying for at least 5-10 minutes is the cream of choice.

A lubricating action without any irritation action of cream to the skin is also the consumer’s demand.

Considering these, for the formulation of shaving cream a special case is taken into account on the followings-

1.Surfactants:

It is the main ingredient of shaving cream. Surfactants which are used in shaving cream provide the following effects-

· Wetting effect

· Foaming effect

· Foaming stabilizing effect.

By wetting effect they provide the swelling and softening of the hair. By foaming effect they provide foam which helps to hold the hair effect so that hairs can not escape the blade. In case of Shaving cream, quick, finer and danger state lather is expected which will also not create any irritation. So, care must be taken during selection of a surfactant. Surfactants also provide foam stabilizing effect Depending on the effects that provided by the surfactants, they can be classified into the following groups—

(a)Wetting agents --Na dioctyl sulfosuccinote

--Polyoxy ethylene and butyl alcohol

(b)Foaming agents-combination mixture of Na-lauryl sulfate and caprylic acid–diethanolamide. This combination gives too much foam.

(c)Foam stabilizing agents-

Amount – may be up to 60%

Generally shaving soaps are K-salt with a small portion of Na-salt of Stearic and palmitic acid potassium salts are most suitable for the purpose intended because they are more readily soluble in water. Palmitic and Stearic acids are preferred because they produce fine stable product which has no irritating effect.

2. Humactants:

Humactants in a shaving cream offer the following functions-

(a)They help to retain water in the formulation & thus maintain its normal foam. It maintains the rheological property of cream.

(b)They stabilize the foam by preventing evaporation of water.

In shaving creams generally glycerin, sorribital propylene.

The concentration may be up to 5%

3. Super fatting agents:

Super fatting agents are used for the following purposes-

(a) To make the lather softer

(b) To increase the stability of the foam

(c) It also exerts a lubricating effect on the skin.

(d) To neutralize the free alkali that must be present in the preparation.

The following super fatting agents are usually used-

-Petrolatum -Free fatty acids e.g. stearic acid.

-Fatty alcohol -Free coconut or other vegetable oil.

-Lanolin -Boric acid.

-Polyoxy ethyline

4. Preservatives:

Shaving cream is a slightly alkaline preparation and this alkalinity favor the growth of microorganisms. Due to stability consideration and economical view points, there is no scope of sterilization of the having cream. So, preservative is included in the preparation.

e.g. Methyl paraben -- 0.18% Antimicrobial

Propyl pataben -- 0.02% Preservative

Chloroform -- 0.02%

BHT -- 0.05%

Na - metabisuffite- Antimidant.

5. Fragrances:

Fragrances are used to mask the unpleasant odor of the surfactants and super fatting agents as well as to offer a pleasant sensation. Generally, natural fragrances are used which also give an antiseptic property e.g. menthol, thymol, camphor, lemon etc.

These perfumes or flavors are usually used in shaving cream. One of the flavors must be mild in the preparation. Some flavors e.g. camphor menthol. Exert cooling effect on the skin.

6. Viscosity imparting agents:

It is essential for shaving cream to give them correct consistency which must remain stable over a wide Temperature range. Cream of this tends to thicken at elevated temperature. So, certain salts e.g. borax (0.1-1%) are often used in the formulation which strongly affect the consistency of the cream. Glycerin can give a pleasant consistency.

7. Colors:

Use of color is not essential in shaving cream Color when used should be very light e.g. off white, light. Green, blue or pink water soluble color is advisable to use.

8. Water:

Water is added in the shaving cream to maintain the rheological property of the cream. It also facilitates softening and swelling of hair Amount of enter in a shaving cream must be option. So that al low temperature shaving cream cans its normal viscosity and blow property.

Amount of water (25-30%) in shaving cream is higher than in shaving cream. If we want to prepare a medicate shaving cream, then the following considerations are taken into account.

9. Antiseptic:

Corneam and epidermis layers of skin may be removed and minor cuts may occur during shaving. To get remedy from these hazards, antiseptic is added to the formulation.

Chlorhexidine type antiseptics are used. But to use them, chelation or complexation of them with surfactants is to be considered. Other substances having antiseptic properties are camphor menthol, alum etc. They have also got cooling effect.

10. Astringents:

During shaving bleeding may occur due to any cuts. So, astringents are used which constrict the exposed capillary and help to stop bleeding. Alum is the most common astringent used for shaving cream.

11. Cooling agents:

Three provide cooling effects during shaving and washing e.g. menthol, camphor etc.

FUNCTIONS OF SHAVING CREAMS:-

Shaving cream after the following properties-

(1)It removes the stiffness and roughness of the hair. So, he shaving becomes easy.

(2)Oil secreted from the hair sebaceous gland, coats the hair roof. This oily coating is emulsified by shaving cream. So, gliding of the blade on the hair is prevented.

(3)It causes swelling and suffering of hair by absorption of water and shaving becomes easy.

(4) It prevents rapid evaporation of water by its content of humactant thus keeps the face wet during shaving.

(5)It helps to hold the hair erect so that can not easily escape the blade.

(6)Foam produced by the shaving cream provides lubricating effects that permit the blade to glide smoothly over the hair.

Shaving cream after the following properties-

(1)It removes the stiffness and roughness of the hair. So, he shaving becomes easy.

(2)Oil secreted from the hair sebaceous gland, coats the hair roof. This oily coating is emulsified by shaving cream. So, gliding of the blade on the hair is prevented.

(3)It causes swelling and suffering of hair by absorption of water and shaving becomes easy.

(4) It prevents rapid evaporation of water by its content of humactant thus keeps the face wet during shaving.

(5)It helps to hold the hair erect so that can not easily escape the blade.

(6)Foam produced by the shaving cream provides lubricating effects that permit the blade to glide smoothly over the hair.

PREPARATION:-

(1)Surfactants, super fatting agents and other oil soluble constituents are taken together and heated at 70-75° c in a suitable vessel. It is the solution A.

(2)Water, humactant, KOH, NaOH, borax and other water soluble or miscible constituents are taken together in another container and heated to the some temperature. It is the solution B

(3)The Solution B is poured into solution A with blow but continuous agitation Temperature is maintained at 75° c and stirring is continued at this temperature for 30 minutes.

(4)The mass is then checked analytically to determine whether saponification is complete or not and the desired excess alkalis is presence in every time.

RORMULATION OF LATHER AHAVING CREAM:-

Stearic acid ---- 20-40%

Coconut oil or Fatty acid ---- 6-10%

KOH ---- 2-6%

Glycerol ---- 5-15%

NaOH ---- 1-5%

Mineral oil or Vegetable oil ---- 1-5%
Water ---- 2-5%

IDEAL CRITERIA OF SHAVING CREAM:-

(1) It is easy to produce copious foam rapidly

(2) It causes hair swelling and softening.

(3) It must be free from possibility of causing skin irritation,

Especially to the mucous membrane of eye, nose etc.

(4)It produces stable foam for shave.

(5)It should not cause rusting or dulling of razor blade

(6)It must produce a smooth oily layer on the face to glide the blade or razor easily and painlessly.

(7)It should cause, rapid softening of the beard and should produce sufficient viscosity to hold the hair erect to facilitate cutting of the individual hairs.

(8)The stability should be adequate at various temperatures with geographically different areas.