Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello Experts,

I am currently doing "Potions and Lotions: Lessons in Cosmetic Chemistry" for my science fair project. I am ready to test my samples on the general public. However, my lip balm samples are very hard and cannot be sampled using a cotton swab. I do not wish to start the whole experiment over because my time is very limited.(Project is due Friday April 19, 2013) So my question is: Is there any way to make the lip balm softer and if there isn't anyway I can without starting over: What can I use to allow people to sample my product since it is so hard without contamination. (Using a finger could work?)

Like could I remelt them and then add more oil?

*Note* : I am also refrigerating the lip balms to keep them solid. I thought that that might have been the problem so I took them out and brought them to school for testing but within in hour two of the lip balms remained solid while one of them turned completely liquid. Is that normal or does that mean I experimented wrong?

Also I would like to know what are some good ideas for a project question (like what should I be testing). I was confused because with the experiment what would I be making the lip balm to prove? I thought I could test how long it lasts for but I don't know if I should do that. So I am confused about what my project question should be.

Hello Chellykyla!

If your lip balm samples are too hard, you could either add more oil, as you mentioned (just make sure to put that in your procedure!) or use a popsicle stick to get some lip balm out of the container, then apply it with a finger. Using a finger to get the lip balm out directly might result in some contamination, so I'd avoid that if possible.

One of them turning completely liquid is a little odd-- if you followed the procedure exactly, though, it could just be normal. If it's not solid enough to sample, you could try reheating and adding more wax, as long as you keep that in your procedure-- if you can still use it, though, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

For a project question, you made three different lip balms, right? So your question could be something like "What type of lip balm does the public like best?" or "What ingredients work best to make lip balm?" You varied the ingredients of the lip balm, and measured how many people liked each lip balm.

Hope this helped, and be sure to ask if you have more questions!

I have a question for my research paper I showed this one to my chemistry teacher and he liked it. My research title is "A Comparative Study on the Amount of Moisture in Lip-balms." The lip-balm ingredients I'm using are beeswax and petrolleum jelly and i will be making the lipbalm. My question if how do you measure the amount of moisture of the lipbalms. Super life saver of some one answers. There will be defenses after Christmas break. We have to have 30 trials and be done on or before December. Super help plase

Hello cowleconcepcion,

Welcome to the forum. It's great to see that you have a research title and it sounds like an interesting project.

Moisture content of materials can be measured by any of three types of tests. The three test types include: 1) finding the weight loss after drying the material, 2) using an instrument designed to measure moisture content, and 3) chemical analysis of water content. An overview of moisture tests (also called water analysis tests) is at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moisture_analysis
I'm sure that you can find more information on moisture tests with additional searches.

Given the ingredients you said you will use for your lip balms, I think you might be able to use a moisture test instrument. Perhaps you could borrow one or find an inexpensive one to purchase for your project.

Good luck with your project and please ask if you have more questions.

A. Norman

Thank you Norman for replying . I do have another question is there any similar research or project that is quite related to mine or will help me with this research. Thanks

Hello cowleconcepcion,

You're very welcome.

I entered “Lip Balm” in the search field for this forum and found several related topics that may be of interest to you. Entering “Moisture” in the search field produced a few more topics that may be worth reviewing.

Moisture content measurement is very common for a variety of materials like wood, paper, grains, soil, etc. An internet search for “moisture measurement” or “moisture analysis” will return a number of topics.

I hope this helps and please ask if you have more questions.

A. Norman