Choosing Penetration Enhancers for Your Formulation

You are looking to create a formulation containing both water-soluble ingredients like Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) and less water-soluble ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract (Madecassoside). You are currently using PE-1 Aqua and are considering adding or switching to 1,2-Hexanediol (Pentylene Glycol).

Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

• PE-1 Aqua: This penetration enhancer is specifically designed to help water-soluble active ingredients penetrate the skin more effectively. It works well with ingredients like Vitamin B3.

• 1,2-Hexanediol (Pentylene Glycol): This ingredient acts as both a solvent and a penetration enhancer. It can help improve the solubility or dispersion of less soluble ingredients, such as Madecassoside found in Centella Asiatica Extract. It also enhances the penetration of various ingredients into the skin.

Can you use both together?

Yes, you can use both PE-1 Aqua and 1,2-Hexanediol in the same formulation. Based on the product information, 1,2-Hexanediol can work synergistically with PE-1 Aqua to potentially increase the overall penetration efficiency of the formula. This combination is particularly beneficial when your formulation contains active ingredients with different solubility characteristics, like your mix of water-soluble Vitamin B3 and the less water-soluble Madecassoside from Centella Asiatica Extract.

Recommendation:

Using a combination of PE-1 Aqua and 1,2-Hexanediol is a good approach for your formulation containing both Vitamin B3 and Centella Asiatica Extract (Madecassoside). PE-1 Aqua will assist with the water-soluble Vitamin B3, while 1,2-Hexanediol will help with the incorporation and penetration of the less soluble Madecassoside, and together they can offer enhanced overall delivery of the active ingredients into the skin.

Remember to follow the recommended usage rates for each ingredient and the specific mixing instructions for the Centella Asiatica Extract (Madecassoside 7%), which should typically be added at the final step of mixing in a gel or cream base as it does not fully dissolve in water or oil.