Chemical Odor in Sunscreen Formulation

Question

I tried mixing a facial sunscreen using the following ingredients, but the resulting product has a very strong chemical smell. How can I fix or adjust the ingredients?

[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/spf-sunscreen/1048-spf-protect-ultra2.html:t7gitcsr]SPF Protect Ultra™[/url:t7gitcsr] II
[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99-silicone/171-cyclomethicone-cyclopentasiloxane-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%8B%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99.html:t7gitcsr]Cyclopentasiloxane[/url:t7gitcsr] (Low-Odor [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99-silicone/171-cyclomethicone-cyclopentasiloxane-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%8B%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99.html:t7gitcsr]Cyclomethicone[/url:t7gitcsr])
[url=https://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/oil-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%8C/7583-c11-12-isoparaffin.html:t7gitcsr]ISO-Lite Fast (C11-12 Isoparaffin)[/url:t7gitcsr]
[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2/74-vitamin-b3-niacinamide-%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B53.html:t7gitcsr]Safe-B3[/url:t7gitcsr]™ ([url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2/74-vitamin-b3-niacinamide-%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B53.html:t7gitcsr]Vitamin B3, Niacinamide[/url:t7gitcsr])
[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/whitening-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7/225-%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99-glutathione-l-glutathione-reduced.html:t7gitcsr]Glutathione[/url:t7gitcsr] ([url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/whitening-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7/225-%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99-glutathione-l-glutathione-reduced.html:t7gitcsr]L-Glutathione[/url:t7gitcsr]) (Extrasol, Japan)
[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2/1001-ethylhexylglycerin-caprylyl-glycol.html:t7gitcsr]Mild Preserved Eco™[/url:t7gitcsr] ([url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B5/1001-ethylhexylglycerin-caprylyl-glycol.html:t7gitcsr]Preservative-Free[/url:t7gitcsr])
[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%99-silicone/1020-polymethylsilsesquioxane.html:t7gitcsr]Polymethylsilsesquioxane[/url:t7gitcsr] 4.5microns (Soft-Focus / Matte)
[url=https://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/water-in-oil/7661-warp-cream-maker-xl.html:t7gitcsr]Warp Cream Maker™ XL[/url:t7gitcsr]
[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2/6038-magnesium-sulfate.html:t7gitcsr]Magnesium Sulfate[/url:t7gitcsr] (High Purity)
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[url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/additive-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87/2071-odor-kill-%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3.html:t7gitcsr]Odor-Kill™[/url:t7gitcsr] (Water Soluble)
Perfume

Thank you very much.

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Addressing Chemical Odor in Sunscreen Formulation

Based on the ingredients you listed, the strong chemical smell in your facial sunscreen is most likely caused by Glutathione (L-Glutathione). The product description for Glutathione indicates that it has a natural odor.

You are currently using Odor-Kill™, which is designed to help absorb various odors in cosmetic formulations, including the smell associated with ingredients like Glutathione.

To resolve the strong chemical smell, consider the following adjustments:

Review Glutathione Concentration: Ensure the concentration of Glutathione in your formula is within the recommended usage rate (typically 1-3%). Using a higher percentage can amplify its natural odor.
Adjust Odor-Kill™ Usage: Odor-Kill™ is effective for absorbing odors. The recommended usage rate is 0.5-1.0%, but you can use up to 3%. The product description suggests using 1% Odor-Kill™ specifically to help with Glutathione odor when no perfume is used.
Balance Odor-Kill™ and Perfume: Since you are using perfume, be aware that Odor-Kill™ can absorb fragrance. You may need to experiment with the amounts of both Odor-Kill™ and perfume to find a balance that effectively neutralizes the chemical smell without completely masking your desired fragrance.

By carefully adjusting the levels of these ingredients, particularly Glutathione, Odor-Kill™, and perfume, you should be able to significantly improve the scent of your sunscreen.