Customizing ANR Serum Base with Syn-Ake, Matrixyl 3000, Niacinamide, and Ectoin: Compatibility and pH Stability

Question

I am planning to formulate a serum using ANR Serum Base (Compare to Estee) as the primary base. I want to incorporate the following active ingredients at high concentrations:

Syn-Ake (Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate) at 4%
Matrixyl 3000 (Pal-GHK, Pal-GQPR) at 3%
Niacinamide (Safe-B3™) at 5%
Ectoin at 2%

I need advice on the following points for a small experimental batch:

Can these ingredients be mixed together, and are they compatible with the ANR Serum Base?
What are the critical considerations regarding pH and overall stability of the final serum?
What is the recommended mixing method (procedure) for combining these actives into the base?
Are there any recommendations for adjusting the percentages or adding other components to ensure the formula is suitable for a stable cosmetic serum?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Based on your request, the proposed formulation using ANR Serum Base (Compare to Estee) and the specified active ingredients is highly compatible and feasible.

1. Compatibility and Stability

All the ingredients you wish to add are water-soluble and compatible with the water-based ANR Serum Base.

Compatibility: Excellent. All components are water-based and should mix easily without separation.
pH Stability (CRITICAL): The key to stability is maintaining the final pH.
- Niacinamide is most stable and effective between pH 5.0 and 7.0.
- Peptides (Syn-Ake, Matrixyl 3000, and the peptides already in the base) are generally stable in the pH 4.0-7.0 range.
- Recommendation: The final serum pH should be adjusted to the ideal range of 5.5 to 6.5. You must check the pH after mixing all ingredients and adjust it if necessary.

2. Proposed Formulation (100g Test Batch)

The proposed concentrations are effective and appropriate for a high-performance serum.

Ingredient	Product ID	%	Grams (for 100g)	Function
ANR Serum Base (Compare to Estee)	31602	86.0%	86.0 g	Main Base
(Syn-Ake eq.) Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate	7284	4.0%	4.0 g	Anti-wrinkle Peptide
Pal-GHK, Pal-GQPR (eq Matrixyl 3000)	51	3.0%	3.0 g	Collagen Booster Peptide
Safe-B3™ (Niacinamide)	6185	5.0%	5.0 g	Barrier/Brightening
Ectoine (Ectoin)	1299	2.0%	2.0 g	Hydration/Protection
Total		100.0%	100.0 g

3. Mixing Method

Since the base is already a finished gel/liquid, the mixing process is simple (cold process):

Preparation: Weigh the ANR Serum Base (ID 31602) into a clean beaker.
Dissolve Powders: Separately, pre-dissolve the powdered ingredients (Safe-B3™ (Niacinamide) and Ectoine) in a small amount of distilled water (e.g., 5-10g) until fully clear.
Add Actives: Add the dissolved Niacinamide/Ectoin solution, followed by the liquid peptide solutions (Syn-Ake eq. and Matrixyl 3000 eq.), directly to the ANR Serum Base.
Mix: Stir gently and thoroughly until the mixture is completely homogeneous and clear. Avoid vigorous mixing to prevent excessive air bubbles.
pH Check and Adjustment (CRITICAL): Use a pH meter or pH strips to measure the final pH. If the pH is outside the 5.5-6.5 range, adjust it using a few drops of a 10% Citric Acid solution (to lower pH) or a 10% Triethanolamine/Sodium Hydroxide solution (to raise pH).

4. Recommendations for Optimization

Hydration Boost: If you want a more intense hydrating feel, consider adding an extra 0.5-1.0% of Sodium Hyaluronate (low molecular weight) to the base, which already contains some. This can be pre-dissolved in water and added with the other actives.
Antioxidant Protection: Adding a water-soluble antioxidant like Ferulic Acid (0.5%) or a blend of antioxidants can help protect the active ingredients and the skin from environmental damage.
Preservation: The base contains a preservative system. For a small test batch, this is sufficient. For commercial production, a preservative challenge test is mandatory to ensure the system remains effective after adding 14% of new ingredients.