Alternatives to Oil for Dissolving Oil-Soluble Vitamins E and A

Asked by: xboyspattaya On: January 25, 2016 Product Type: Cosmetics

Question

I would like to inquire about dissolving oil-soluble vitamins.

Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol) and Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate / retinol palmitate) sold on the Myskinrecipes website are stated to be oil-soluble. I would like to know if there are any alternatives to oil that can be used, such as:

  • Ethoxydiglycol
  • Isododecane
  • Flora Solve Clear
  • Pentylene Glycol

or any other substances, besides Lipid Soft (lite), which is known to be oil-soluble.

The main reason for trying to avoid oil is because I plan to use PE-1Aqua 3% and Pentylene Glycol 4% in the formula to help enhance skin penetration, and therefore want to avoid oil in the formula.

Thank you.

Answer

Alternatives to Oil for Dissolving Oil-Soluble Vitamins E and A

Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol) and Vitamin A Palmitate (retinyl palmitate/retinol palmitate) are oil-soluble ingredients. While traditional oils or oil-based emollients like LipidSoft™ Lite are effective solvents, you are looking for non-oil alternatives to use in a formula containing PE-1Aqua and Pentylene Glycol for enhanced skin penetration.

Here's an evaluation of the alternatives you mentioned:

  • Ethoxydiglycol: This is a versatile solvent and carrier that is soluble in water, glycols, and natural oils. It can help dissolve various substances and enhance their penetration into the skin. It is a potential option for dissolving or incorporating these oil-soluble vitamins in a non-oily system.

  • Isododecane: This is an ultra-lightweight emollient and solvent that is suitable for oil-free formulations. It can dissolve oil-soluble substances and evaporates quickly, leaving a non-greasy feel. This is another viable alternative to traditional oils.

  • Flora Solve™ Clear: This ingredient is designed to solubilize oils and fragrances into water-based systems, creating clear microemulsions. It is effective at dissolving oils and can help incorporate oil-soluble vitamins into a non-oily or water-based formula.

  • Pentylene Glycol: While Pentylene Glycol is a useful solvent and humectant, it is primarily water-soluble. It is less likely to effectively dissolve oil-soluble vitamins like Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol) and Vitamin A Palmitate compared to the other options you mentioned or traditional oils.

In summary, Ethoxydiglycol, Isododecane, and Flora Solve™ Clear are potential non-oil alternatives that can help dissolve or incorporate oil-soluble Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol) and Vitamin A Palmitate into your formulation, aligning with your goal to avoid traditional oils while utilizing penetration enhancers like PE-1Aqua and Pentylene Glycol. Pentylene Glycol itself is less suitable for dissolving these oil-soluble vitamins directly. It is recommended to perform testing to determine the optimal concentration and method for incorporating these vitamins using the chosen alternative solvent in your specific formula.