Formulation Questions

1. Mixing Hydro-White and 4MSK

You observed that mixing Hydro-White and 4MSK in water results in a cloudy, undissolved mixture, even though both are individually soluble in water.

Based on the product information:

• Hydro-White is soluble in water, but requires heat (60-80°C) to help it dissolve.
• 4MSK is also soluble in water, but you should avoid heat above 60°C. It is also noted as an electrolyte that may affect the texture of some formulations.

While both ingredients are water-soluble on their own, mixing them together can cause compatibility issues. This could be due to several factors:

• Electrolyte Effect: 4MSK is an electrolyte, and adding it to a solution containing other ingredients can sometimes cause those ingredients to precipitate or become less soluble due to changes in ionic strength or interactions between the molecules.
• pH Sensitivity: Although not specified in the descriptions, some ingredients have specific pH ranges where they are most soluble and stable. Mixing two ingredients can change the overall pH of the solution, potentially causing one or both to fall out of solution if the new pH is outside their optimal range.
• Incompatibility: It's possible that Hydro-White and 4MSK react with each other or form an insoluble complex when combined in the same aqueous solution.

How to address this:
Try dissolving each ingredient separately in water first, using the recommended dissolution method for each (e.g., using heat for Hydro-White and avoiding high heat for 4MSK). Once both are fully dissolved in their respective water phases and cooled (if heat was used), slowly combine the two solutions while stirring continuously. However, even with separate dissolution, incompatibility might still occur upon mixing the solutions if they are not compatible when combined. If the cloudiness persists, these two ingredients may not be compatible for use together in a simple water base without additional formulation techniques or ingredients (like specific solvents or stabilizers) to maintain clarity and stability.

2. Hexapeptide-9 Usage Rate

You asked about the usage percentage for Hexapeptide-9.

The product information for Hexapeptide-9 states that it is supplied as a 1000ppm solution. The description does not provide a specific recommended usage percentage for this solution in a final cosmetic formulation.