Dissolving Retinyl Acetate Powder for Serum Formulation
Question
I am trying to formulate a serum using Retinyl Acetate (powder) (ID 1035).
I have tried dissolving the powder in ethanol and mineral oil, but it does not dissolve. What is a suitable solvent or method to dissolve Retinyl Acetate (powder) for use in a cosmetic serum formulation? What level of solubility can be achieved?
Answer
Subject: Re: Question about dissolving Retinyl Acetate (powder)
Hello,
Thank you for your question regarding dissolving Retinyl Acetate powder for your serum formulation.
Retinyl Acetate is a lipophilic (oil-soluble) ingredient. This is why it did not dissolve in ethanol, which is a polar solvent. While mineral oil is an oil, other cosmetic esters or triglycerides are often more effective solvents for Retinyl Acetate and can help improve its stability.
Based on the properties of Retinyl Acetate, we recommend trying to dissolve it in cosmetic-grade oils or esters, such as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride or other light cosmetic esters. These solvents are compatible with serum formulations and are effective at dissolving oil-soluble ingredients like Retinyl Acetate.
You can try dissolving the Retinyl Acetate powder in a suitable cosmetic oil/ester at room temperature or with gentle warming (do not overheat, as Retinyl Acetate is sensitive to heat). The amount of solvent needed will depend on the desired concentration of Retinyl Acetate in your final serum and the specific solubility limit in the chosen solvent.
Regarding the staff's questions:
- For cosmetic products, it is essential to use solvents that are approved for cosmetic use (cosmetic-grade).
- The required solubility level (i.e., the final concentration of Retinyl Acetate you need in the solvent phase) will determine the minimum amount of solvent required and might influence the choice of solvent for optimal dissolution.
We recommend checking the full product description for Retinyl Acetate (Product ID 1035) on our website, as it may contain specific dissolution instructions or recommended solvents.
We hope this helps with your formulation!
