Suitable scales for skincare formulation lab

I wrote this blog post a long time ago for Formula Botanica. Since then we have received many inquiries from skincare/hair care formulation beginners asking us for a recommendation or even consultation to set up their lab. I have been contemplating to re-do that blog post or write a new post about laboratory scales because the selection could be quite intimidating regarding the broad varieties and prices available.

Let me emphasize that scales are one of the most important and fundamental instruments in your lab and usually, you'll choose one for a life time. You mustn't pay the price of an arm and a leg for a fanciful set of scales but you shall keep away from cheap scales offered from unreliable and unserious vendors online.

Anyway, our dear Jilly, after more than two years of formulating skincare and pet care, finally jumped in the cold water and invested in a balance which is somewhere in the middle. Not quite fanciful, not quite cheap and apparently quite suitable for a skincare lab. I asked her to write a review about her scales and here we are. She is sharing her expericne after having tested the scales for several months.

Here we go, and here is Jilly's post:

Some of you already may have noticed in the photos from my latest posts that I have a new addition in my arsenal of equipment.

Drumroll!

New scales! Hurray!

Elham has written an extensive blogpost about what to look for when buying new scales, you can find it here.

And in a previous blogpost about how to set up your artisan lab, the weighing scales was of course part of this setup too.

I have been using my new scales now for 2 months, and it has been tested back to front, so it’s high time I write a review about this new piece of finery, because, yeah, I know what it’s like when you feel the need occurring to buy a certain item but not knowing where to start because the choices available are so overwhelming.

Before this new asset, I have been working with 2 regular jewellery weighing scales:

• a tiny one: accuracy 0,01g, capacity of 200g (for smaller batches), calibration facility => 14,50 euro

• a small one: accuracy 0,01g, capacity of 500g (for bigger batches), no calibration facility => 15 euro

Especially when you just start out, these scales are great value for money, and they were good companions during my first 2 years of formulating.

However, it REALLY started to annoy me that at times I was more guessing than actual weighing: adding ingredients but nothing happening on the scales, hopping measurements while I stopped adding ingredients, etc. I had to replace the small version scales every now and then because of this, which was getting a bit too crazy for words. So I had been saving up and the time was right to finally invest in trustworthy and accurate scales before I turned completely grey

May I present: the OHAUS Scout SKX-622

Maximum capacity: 620 g 

Readability: 0.01 g 

Pan Size (round): (LxW) 120 mm

Battery life: 80 hours with disposable batteries

Communication: RS232 (available as an accessory); USB host (available as an accessory); USB device (available as an accessory); Ethernet (available as an accessory); Bluetooth (available as an accessory)

Dimensions (HxLxW): 54 mm x 224 mm x 202 mm

Display: large backlit LCD

In-use cover: available as an accessory

Legal for trade: not applicable

Linearity +/-: 0,02g

Net weight: 1kg

Pan construction: stainless steel

Power: AC adapter (included); 4 AA (LR6) batteries (not included)

Repeatability (typical): 0,01 g

Stabilization time: 1s

Tare range: to capacity by subtraction

Transportation case: available as an accessory

Units of measurement: gram, Newton, ounce, pound, pound:ounce

Working environment: 10-40°C, 80% RH, non condensing

Auxiliary display model: available as an accessory

Official description:

Designed for education applications, the OHAUS Scout with large backlit LCD backed by education software is the ideal balance for your classroom. It is built to endure demanding classroom applications with superior overload protection. Features including, faster stabilization time, increased capacity, multiple connectivity options and stackable design make Scout the best weighing experience for the next generation classroom.

Official overview:

Applications

Weighing, Density Determination, Mole Weighing

Display 

Liquid crystal display (LCD) with backlight

Operation

AC Adapter (Included) or 4 AA Batteries (Not included)

Communication

RS232, USB Host, USB Device, Ethernet or Bluetooth® (available as an accessory)

Construction

ABS housing, stainless steel pan, ABS draftshield (1mg model only), weigh below hook, transportation lock, manual calibration lock switch, security slot

Design Features

Stability indicator, stackable design with included storage cover (excluding 1mg model), mechanical and software overload/underload protection, low battery indicator, auto shut-off, auto tare, span calibration mass included on models up to 620g capacity

So far the official specs! Let’s have a look what this actually means in plain English and in our daily formulators’ use .

Upon unboxing, this is what I found:

• balance

• pan

• AC adapter and 2 plugs (1 for Europe and 1 for UK)

• calibration mass of 300g

• plastic stacking/storage cover

• user guide

• quick starting guide

• warranty card

Installation:

1/ To protect the scales during transportation, there is a transportation lock on top. Just a simple 90 degrees counter clockwise click and it’s unlocked and good to use.

2/ The scales up to 620g all have a round weighing pan. This needs to be placed straight down on the scales. At first I am annoyed with this because the pan obviously sits loose on the scales. I’ll come back to this later on .

3/ Either use the AC adaptor or install 4 AA batteries.

4/ Initial calibration: it is recommended to do a span calibration when the balance is operated for the first time to ensure accurate weighing results. The instructions are very straightforward, so this is done within a blink of an eye. I am only wondering about the frequency for this calibration matter; there is nothing mentioned about this in any of the guides, nor did I found this online. It’s fast and easy to be done, so I’ll probably do this once in a while in between. (Elham's notes: you need to calibrate the scales each time you move it, or move the scales table/counter. Apart from that, calibrate your scales every 6 months. Create a chart and note each calibration on your chart. This is a part of your GMP plan and quality control protocol. Trade scales are calibrated/checked once a year by authorities)

3 functionalities

• weighing

• density determination

• mole weighing

(Elham's notes: Don't bother yourself with the last two knock-knacks. You don't need them in a formulation lab. By density determination, you'll use a standardized container with a fixed volume and then weight it. The balance can calculate the density. Since most of our ingredients have a very similar density range, hydrophilic ingredients range and hydrophobic ingredients range, this is not quite a practical test in a formulation lab. If you're tempted to tes this function anyway, go ahead and choose one of you ingredients and test it. The density is usually mentioned on the SDS, TDS, COA.

Mole weighing is something for analytical labs and you certainly don't need it in a formulation lab)

Operation

Again this is very straightforward! There are two rows on the buttons, and this is how to use them:

Review

So far I am really pleased with these scales!

Yes, there are a few options I don’t need and will probably never use. But, we have to bear in mind that all the available precision scales offer tons of extras and plugs and software and options and whatsoever. It is just a matter of finding one that offers excellent weighing skills with not too much frilly-frallies you don’t need, and for me this one is the perfect in-between.

The first thing that strikes me is that these scales weigh SUPERFAST, but like really SUPER SUPER fast! Even after 2 months of intensive use this still impresses me each and every time.

The accuracy is a huge difference in comparison with what I was used to. Even one drop is measurable! No more going back and going forth when I stop adding ingredients. Additionally, this is a fun and very helpful feature: the star! When the scale is doing nothing, the star is visible on the display. Here you see me pouring some water, and as long as the weighing is in progress, the star is gone. When this symbol appears again, the weighing is done, and the numbers don’t change anymore! Bliss!

The scales in rest (no measurement)

For these two reasons only, this is worth the investment! It’s such a pleasure to work with these scales, and much more calmer too. All in all, it makes me wishing I bought it much sooner considering I was getting in unnecessary nervous twists so much with my previous creatures .

Next to this, I think it is very handy that you have the choice between batteries and the AC adaptor.

When I opened the box I was annoyed that the pan sits loosely on the scales. How I was wrong to be annoyed with that! For one, it is actually not bothersome that the pan isn’t clicked on the scales: it’s 100% horizontal level so there are no dancing beakers or any other movements. Most importantly: it is sooooooooooooooo easy to clean! We all have to admit this: it happens to the best of us that a bit of powder, or butter, or whatever escapes under the pan while we work. When the pan is stuck on the scales, yeah .. I think we all fought that battle to get underneath it with a tiny piece of cloth soaked in ethanol to clean it. Now I just lift the pan, wipe, wipe, and done! Easy peasy and super hygienic!

Another pro is that is very easy and straightforward to use. The tare function works perfect.

Nice display with comfortable backlight. Solid blocked and large numbers that are easy to read (no need to put on your reading glasses).

You can set up an automatically shut-off time of your choice, which makes perfect sense of course, especially when you are working with batteries. I have mine plugged in, so I didn’t set this up (yet), and some time ago this proved to be very handy. While I was in the middle of weighing quite a large beaker with many ingredients, the delivery guy rang my doorbell. Now, I have to reach my doorbell system within 30 seconds otherwise it looses connection and the driver guy disappears. I tried to memorize the amount I was weighing, got to my doorbell, flew 6 flights of stairs downwards, got caught by a neighbour who wanted to tell a story … so .. by the time I got back to my flat, I forgot the number, of course, what did you think?! . Started to swear a little to myself, until I saw the display! Haha! The display was still on, and was patiently waiting upon my return! How cool is that!

The plastic cover isn’t extremely sturdy, but it does give protection and covers it well when it is not in use.

The calibration weight is included, which is a big plus. When I was browsing for scales I indeed found scales that were a bit cheaper, but then the calibration weight was never included. When you buy this separately, it would eventually round up to the same total amount. Apparently it doesn’t make sense to invest in high quality scales without a good calibration weight, as the accuracy of weighing is very much determined by the quality of the calibration weight. Again, these scales prove to be the perfect compromise, at least in my case .

Also: lightweight, simple yet elegant and professional looking design.

As you can see, these are all pros. It goes without saying I am absolutely chuffed with this new addition. I can only think of one con, and that is the price tag. Depending on where you buy it, it ranges between 340-390 euro + taxes. However, if you see all these positive notes, it’s worth each and every single hard-earned euro. True, it’s an investment, but it makes my life as a formulator much more pleasant, and let’s just hope this one won’t need replacement for many years to come!

Be magical,

Jilly

Disclaimer: SkinChakra is responsible for the content of this blog post. Please send your comments and questions directly to SkinChakra and don't try to contact Jilly in private or via any other online forum/platform. Jilly or one of our team will happily come back to you.