Important Considerations for Mixing Your Serum

When creating a serum with Hyaluronic Acid, Apple Stem Cell Extract, and whitening agents like Niacinamide and Alpha Arbutin, here are some key points to consider:

1. Potential Interactions Between Ingredients

Generally, these ingredients can be combined, but you must pay close attention to the pH of the final product.

• Alpha Arbutin is sensitive to high pH. It can break down into hydroquinone if the pH is above 8, which is undesirable and potentially harmful. Its optimal pH range is 3.5-6.5.
• Niacinamide (Safe-B3™) is quite stable but works best in a pH range of 4.0-7.0 (though it is stable from 3-8).
• Hyaluronic Acid is generally stable in a wider pH range (3.0-9.0) and temperatures below 70°C.
• Apple Stem Cell Extract should be added at temperatures below 40°C and is stable in a pH range of 3.5-6.5.

To ensure stability and effectiveness of all ingredients, the final pH of your serum should ideally be within the range of 4.0-6.5.

2. Mixing Order

A recommended mixing order for a water-based serum like this is:

1. Prepare the water phase using distilled or deionized water.
2. If using powdered Hyaluronic Acid (e.g., Standard, Small, Large, Nano), dissolve it completely in the water phase. This may require time, refrigeration, or high-speed blending depending on the type. If using a gel form like 4D Hyaluronic Acid, mix it into the water phase.
3. Add other water-soluble ingredients like Niacinamide to the water phase. You can gently heat the water phase if needed to help dissolution, but ensure it cools down before the next step.
4. Once the mixture has cooled to below 40°C (ideally below 30°C to protect Alpha Arbutin), add heat-sensitive and pH-sensitive ingredients such as Apple Stem Cell Extract and Alpha Arbutin.
5. Add your chosen preservative.
6. Measure the pH of the mixture and adjust it to the target range (4.0-6.5) using a suitable pH adjuster (e.g., citric acid or sodium hydroxide solution, used sparingly).

3. Recommended Water and pH Measurement

• Water: Use distilled water or deionized water (DI water). Tap water contains minerals and impurities that can affect the stability and clarity of your serum.
• pH Measurement: It is crucial to measure the pH of your final product. You will need a pH meter or pH test strips specifically designed for cosmetic formulations. A pH meter provides more accurate readings, which is important for ensuring the stability and efficacy of ingredients like Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide, as well as for skin compatibility (cosmetics for skin are typically in the pH range of 4.5-6.0).

Remember to always add a suitable preservative to prevent microbial growth in your water-based serum.