Serum Bead Suspension Issue

It sounds like you're having trouble keeping beads suspended in your serum formulation using Pro Polymer™ (Gel Maker). You've observed that the beads sink, and increasing the concentration of Pro Polymer™ makes the serum sticky without solving the suspension problem.

Why are the beads sinking?

While Pro Polymer™ is a gel maker capable of suspending particles and beads, the effectiveness of suspension heavily depends on the specific type and properties of the beads you are using. Not all beads interact with gelling agents in the same way.

Simply increasing the viscosity by adding more Pro Polymer™ might make the serum thicker overall, but it may not create the specific gel network structure required to hold your particular beads in stable suspension without causing undesirable texture like stickiness.

Solution

The staff's advice points to the core issue: compatibility between the beads and the gel maker. The type of gel structure needed to suspend certain beads might be different from what Pro Polymer™ can provide at a comfortable usage level.

• Consider the Bead Supplier's Recommendation: The most reliable solution is often to use the suspending agent or gel maker recommended by the supplier of the beads you are using. They have likely tested their beads with specific formulation ingredients to ensure proper suspension.
• Alternative Suspending Agents: If you prefer not to use the supplier's recommended product, you might need to explore other suspending polymers or rheology modifiers specifically known for their ability to suspend challenging particles. However, finding one compatible with your specific beads and desired serum texture might require experimentation.

While Pro Polymer™ is a good gel maker and can suspend some beads, your experience suggests it may not be the ideal choice for the specific beads you have, even at higher concentrations, as it leads to stickiness. The other ingredients in your formula, Soy Extract (Isoflavones / Genistein) and Alpha Arbutin (Switzerland), provide skin benefits but do not affect bead suspension. Silicone Quick-Cond is a conditioning agent and also doesn't contribute to bead suspension.

Therefore, focusing on finding a compatible suspending agent for your beads is the key to achieving the desired look with suspended beads without compromising the serum's texture.