Antioxidant Recommendations for the Gel Formula

Adding an antioxidant can help protect the skin from environmental damage, reduce inflammation, and improve the appearance of redness and dark spots. For the oil-free gel formula recommended by the staff, consider one of the following water-soluble antioxidants:

Option 1: Vitamin C Derivative (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate or Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate)

Vitamin C derivatives like Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) or Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) are stable forms of Vitamin C that are excellent for brightening skin tone, reducing dark spots, and providing antioxidant protection.

• Recommended Ingredient: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) or Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP)
• Recommended Usage Rate: 3-5%
• Benefits: Helps fade dark spots, brightens complexion, provides antioxidant benefits.
• Considerations: These ingredients are most stable at a pH between 7 and 9. You may need to adjust the final pH of your gel formula to this range. Adding a chelating agent like Disodium EDTA at 0.05% is also recommended to improve stability.

Option 2: Green Tea Extract (Hi-EGCG™ or ActiveRelease™ EGCG)

Green Tea Extract is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and anti-acne properties, making it particularly suitable for skin prone to redness and breakouts.

• Recommended Ingredient: Hi-EGCG™ (Green Tea Extract) or ActiveRelease™ EGCG
• Recommended Usage Rate:
  • Hi-EGCG™: 1-3%
  • ActiveRelease™ EGCG: 1-3% (up to 5% can be used)
• Benefits: Strong antioxidant, reduces inflammation (helps with redness), can help reduce oiliness and improve acne, provides photoprotection.
• Considerations: Hi-EGCG™ is a liquid extract. ActiveRelease™ EGCG is an encapsulated powder that dissolves well in water and offers gradual release. Both should be added in the final step of mixing below 40°C. The optimal pH for Hi-EGCG™ is 4.0-6.5. ActiveRelease™ EGCG is water-soluble and its stability across pH ranges is generally good, but check specific supplier data if available. Protecting the final product from light (e.g., using an opaque bottle) is important for maintaining the efficacy of green tea extract.

Choose the antioxidant that best aligns with the primary goals for the gel formula alongside the BHA toner. If targeting dark spots and overall brightening is a higher priority for the gel, a Vitamin C derivative like SAP or MAP is a good choice. If reducing redness, inflammation, and supporting acne treatment is the focus for the gel, Green Tea Extract like Hi-EGCG™ or ActiveRelease™ EGCG would be very beneficial.