Deodorant Spray Formula Review and Adjustments

Question

I have a revised formula for an underarm spray targeting anti-sweat, pore tightening, and skin whitening. Following the staff's suggestion to add Ethyl Alcohol for faster drying, I would like a review of my formula. Specifically, I need to know: Are all the ingredients compatible? Are they all necessary for the stated goals, or should any others be added? Is the preservative system (Phenoxyethanol SA 0.3%, 1,2-Hexanediol 3%) sufficient for this type of product and application area? Are there any ingredients in the formula that are likely to cause irritation, especially for sensitive or freshly shaved skin? Based on the goals and application, should any ingredient percentages be adjusted?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Subject: Deodorant Spray Formula Review

Thank you for providing your revised deodorant spray formula and questions. Based on your goals (anti-sweat, pore tightening, skin whitening) and the ingredients listed, here is a review:

Compatibility, Necessity, Additions:
- The revised formula is compatible, as confirmed by the staff.
- The ingredients you've chosen align with your goals: Aluminum Chlorohydrate for anti-sweat, Witch Hazel for pore tightening, and Safe-B3/GlucoBright for whitening. The other ingredients provide hydration and skin conditioning.
- As the staff suggested, for an underarm spray, replacing 20-30% of the Water with Ethyl Alcohol (Product ID 706) is highly recommended. This will significantly improve drying time and comfort on the skin, addressing the "wet feeling" issue.
Preservative Sufficiency:
- Your formula uses Phenoxyethanol SA (Product ID 928) at 0.3% and 1,2-Hexanediol (Product ID 886) at 3%. While 1,2-Hexanediol provides antimicrobial boosting, 0.3% of Phenoxyethanol SA (which appears to be Optiphen Plus based on the URL) is generally below the typical recommended usage rate (0.75-1.5% for Optiphen Plus).
- It is crucial to ensure the formula is adequately preserved, especially being water-based and used in an area prone to bacteria. Please verify the recommended usage rate for your specific "Phenoxyethanol SA" product with the supplier. You might need to consider increasing its percentage slightly, provided it remains within safe limits and regulatory guidelines, or perform preservative efficacy testing.
Irritating Ingredients:
- Aluminum Chlorohydrate (Product ID 615) at 20% is the primary active for anti-sweat but can be irritating, especially on sensitive or freshly shaved skin.
- Witch Hazel Extract (Product ID 333) can sometimes cause dryness or irritation for some individuals.
- Safe-B3 (Niacinamide, Product ID 74) at 4% is generally well-tolerated, but some people experience flushing or irritation, particularly with certain forms or concentrations. Using a low-flush version like "Safe-B3" helps minimize this.
- Sensitivity is highly individual. It's always recommended to do a patch test before widespread use.
Percentage Adjustments:
- The most important adjustment recommended is replacing 20-30% of the Water (Product ID 838) with Ethyl Alcohol (Product ID 706) to improve drying speed.
- The percentages of active and conditioning ingredients seem reasonable for their intended effects.
- As mentioned in point 2, you may need to review and potentially adjust the percentage of Phenoxyethanol SA (Product ID 928) based on the supplier's recommendation to ensure adequate preservation.

In summary, the revised formula is a good base and compatible. The key improvement for an underarm spray application is incorporating Ethyl Alcohol for faster drying. Pay close attention to the preservative level and be mindful of potential irritation from Aluminum Chlorohydrate and other actives, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Relevant Product IDs: 615, 770, 75, 164, 184, 333, 74, 116, 404, 257, 928, 886, 838, 706