Achieving Clarity in Serum Formulation with Mixed Phases

Asked by: exherbthai On: September 04, 2018 Product Type: Cosmetics

Question

I want to make a clear serum using the following ingredients:

  • Pro Polymer (thickener)
  • Vitamin E
  • Cyclomethicone / Cyclopentasiloxane
  • Jojoba Oil
  • SiliSolve Plus (emulsifier)

Will this formula result in a clear serum?

Answer

Serum Clarity and Your Formula

You're asking if a serum using Pro Polymer as a thickener, Vitamin E, Cyclomethicone / Cyclopentasiloxane, Jojoba Oil, and SiliSolve Plus as an emulsifier will be clear.

Based on formulation principles and the nature of these ingredients:

  • Clear serums are typically single-phase systems (either entirely water-based, oil-based, or silicone-based).
  • Your formula combines a water-based thickener (Pro Polymer) with oil/silicone ingredients (Vitamin E, Cyclomethicone / Cyclopentasiloxane, Jojoba Oil).
  • Using an emulsifier (SiliSolve Plus) is necessary to mix these different phases. However, emulsifying different phases results in a dispersion that is usually cloudy or white, not clear.

Therefore, your proposed formula will likely result in a cloudy or white serum, not a clear one.