Essential Components for Cream, Serum, Lotion, and Feminine Wash Formulations

Essential Components for Cosmetic Formulations

Formulating various cosmetic products such as creams, serums, lotions, and feminine washes requires essential basic components to achieve the desired texture, properties, and stability. The key components vary depending on the product type:

Cream

Creams have a rich texture and are typically water-in-oil (W/O) or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. Key components include:

• Emulsifier: Helps water and oil blend well, such as Sucrose Cream Maker™. If an emulsifier-free formula is desired, consider using Skin Barrier Cream Base (Emulsifier Free).
• Oil Phase: Consists of various oils and emollients to provide moisture and condition the skin.
• Water Phase: Consists of water and water-soluble ingredients like Humectants (moisturizing agents).
• Thickener/Stabilizer: Helps provide consistency and viscosity to the cream, such as CreamMaker EG™.
• Active Ingredients: Components that provide specific desired properties, such as skin nourishing agents.
• Preservative: Prevents microbial growth.

Serum

Serums typically have a light texture and absorb quickly. They are often water-based or oil-in-water emulsions with a high water content and high concentration of active ingredients. Key components include:

• Serum Base: Ready-to-use bases that simplify serum formulation, such as Silky Serum Base for oil-free serums or Silky Serum Base Plus for serums containing oil.
• Water Phase: Water and water-soluble ingredients, such as Hyaluronic Acid Gel Base, which is a hyaluronic gel base that adds moisture.
• Active Ingredients: Various skin nourishing ingredients to be highlighted.
• Thickener/Stabilizer: If viscosity adjustment is needed, such as CreamMaker EG™.
• Preservative: Prevents contamination.

Lotion

Lotions are similar to creams but are more fluid. They are also emulsions but with a higher water content, resulting in a lighter, easy-to-spread texture. Components are similar to creams but with different proportions:

• Emulsifier: Helps water and oil blend, such as Milk Lotion Maker™, or use a ready-made lotion base like Moisturizing Lotion Base.
• Oil Phase: Various oils in a lower proportion than creams.
• Water Phase: Water and water-soluble ingredients in a higher proportion than creams.
• Thickener/Stabilizer: Helps adjust texture, such as CreamMaker EG™.
• Active Ingredients: Skin nourishing agents.
• Preservative: Prevents contamination.

Feminine Wash

Feminine hygiene products require extra gentleness to avoid disrupting the natural pH balance and bacteria. Key components include:

• Surfactant: Use extra mild cleansing agents, such as Mild-Wash L™ (Sodium Lauroamphoacetate) or Mild-Wash C™ (Sodium Cocoamphoacetate), which are gentle amphoteric surfactants.
• Thickener: Helps achieve appropriate product viscosity, such as EasyThick™.
• Humectant: Helps maintain moisture.
• pH Adjuster: Adjusts the pH to the appropriate range for the intimate area (approximately pH 3.5-4.5), often using Lactic Acid or Citric Acid.
• Preservative: Prevents contamination.

Selecting the appropriate components and proportions is crucial for developing each type of formulation.