Shaking mixture

Externally applicable liquid-aqueous or aqueous-alcoholic preparations with suspended or emulsified active ingredients and auxiliary substances. Solid content approx. 50% (e.g. zinc oxide, talcum, titanium dioxide), applied with a brush or a suitable gauze carrier. A distinction is made between:

• Usual shaking mixtures: ingredients: powder, water and glycerol.
• Shaking mixtures containing ethanol: ingredients: powder, water, glycerol and alcohol.
• Emulsifier-containing shaking mixtures: powder, water, glycerol, emulsifier (e.g. emulsifying cetylstearyl alcohol), possibly lipids. Emulsifiers cause a better washability and a partial water binding in lamellar emulsifier structures.

Shaking mixes differ in the powder content depending on the formulation. With lower powder contents, shaking mixes form less crusts on the skin. Glycerol prevents the evaporation of water from the shaking mix and moisturizes the skin by binding water in the horny layer.

Cooling, drying out, anti-inflammatory and absorbing secretion, in the presence of zinc oxide also astringent. Increase of the cooling effect by adding ethanol (e.g. ethanolic zinc oxide shaking mixture NRF). The addition of a humectant (glycerol, propylene glycol or sorbitol solution) improves the adhesion of the powder component on the skin. Bentonite or carmellose serve as sedimentation inhibiting stabilizers. Zinc shaking mixture produces a slightly basic effect in the zinc oxide shaking mixture DAC (pH 7 - 8).

As an ointment base for large-area, inflammatory, dry to slightly weeping dermatoses, ointment-sensitive, irritable skin as well as for seborrhoic patients.

Notice! Applying too thickly causes occlusion and heat build-up and incrustation!

Zinc oxide shaking mixture ethanol-containing skin colour (NRF 11.3.)

Zinc oxide shaking mixture skin-coloured (NRF 11.22.)

Zinc oxide emulsion shaking mixture 18% (NRF 11.49.)

1. Wolf G (2011) The problem of too many active ingredients. dermatologist 62: 78-79