Adding Ingredients to Existing Gel Cream

It is generally not recommended to add raw ingredients such as Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide), Natto Gum, or Activated Resorcinol™ (4-Butyl Resorcinol) directly into an existing finished gel-based cream.

Here's why:

• Solubility and Dispersion: Ingredients need to be properly dissolved or dispersed within a formula. Adding them to a finished product may result in them not mixing correctly, leading to uneven distribution, reduced effectiveness, or changes in the cream's texture.
• Compatibility and Stability: Finished cosmetic products are carefully formulated for stability and compatibility of all ingredients. Adding new ingredients can disrupt the balance, potentially causing the product to separate, change color, lose effectiveness, or even become unstable.
• Concentration Control: It is difficult to accurately control the final concentration of the added ingredient when mixing into an existing product. Using too high a concentration of active ingredients like Activated Resorcinol™ can cause skin irritation.
• Preservation System: Adding ingredients can compromise the product's preservation system, potentially leading to microbial growth.

While these ingredients can be used in gel formulations, they should be incorporated during the manufacturing process following specific formulation guidelines. For example:

• Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide): This is a water-soluble powder typically added to the water phase of a formulation at a recommended rate of 1-10% (Safe-B3™ can be used up to 10%). It works well in gel, serum, lotion, or cream bases.
• Natto Gum: This is a water-soluble liquid extract, usually added to the water phase at a rate of 3-10%. It's important to note it is a weak electrolyte and might affect the stability of formulas using certain thickeners.
• Activated Resorcinol™ (4-Butyl Resorcinol): This ingredient is oil-soluble and typically incorporated into the oil phase of a cream or lotion formula at a usage rate of 0.1-2.0% (not more than 1.0% for leave-on products). It requires careful formulation, including the addition of Disodium EDTA to prevent discoloration, and should be protected from light. It can be used with Vitamin B3 but should not be combined with AHA or Alpha Arbutin.

For best results, safety, and stability, it is recommended to use ingredients like these in a properly developed formulation rather than attempting to mix them into existing products.