Extending Shelf Life of Rice Water or Vitamin B for Face Wash and Adding Fragrance

Expert Formulation Answer

Regarding your questions about using rice water for face washing, extending its shelf life with preservatives, using Vitamin B instead of rice water, and the stability of Vitamin B when used with preservatives, here is a summary and additional information:

Extending Rice Water Shelf Life with Preservatives

As the staff previously mentioned, using fresh rice water, which contains a very high amount of microorganisms, would require using preservatives at much higher concentrations than typically recommended to be effective. Such high concentrations of preservatives could potentially cause skin irritation or be harmful to the skin. Therefore, this method is not recommended.

Using Vitamin B Mixed with Distilled Water Instead of Rice Water

Concerning using Vitamin B mixed with distilled water for face washing and whether the benefits would be the same, the staff explained that while Vitamin B is beneficial for the skin, using it in a wash-off product like a face wash involves a very short contact time with the skin before being rinsed off. This limited contact time means the skin absorbs very little of the active ingredients. The benefits gained are therefore not as significant as when used in leave-on products such as serums or creams, where the skin has ample time to fully absorb the active ingredients.

Stability of Vitamin B When Used with Preservatives

Regarding the stability of Vitamin B when adding preservatives to extend shelf life, the stability of Vitamin B in a formulation depends on several factors, including the specific type of Vitamin B, the type of preservative used, the concentration of both substances, the pH of the formula, and storage conditions (such as light and heat).

• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), such as Safe-B3™, is highly soluble in water and is stable within a broad pH range of approximately 3-8 (best at 4.0-7.0). It has heat resistance but should not be heated for prolonged periods.
• Vitamin B5 (Panthenol), such as Panthenol or D-Panthenol Care, is also highly soluble in water and is stable within a pH range of approximately 3.5-7.0. It can withstand heat for a short period.

Most preservatives used in cosmetics are designed to be compatible with common ingredients in water-based formulas, including water-soluble vitamins, under recommended usage conditions (e.g., appropriate pH range, temperature).

• Some preservatives, such as PE 1090 Preservative or Mild Preserved™ COS, can function within a wide pH range that covers the optimal pH range for Vitamin B3 and B5.
• Some preservatives, such as NaturePreserve™ Ultra, have a narrower working pH range (3-6) but still fall within the suitable range for Vitamin B. However, there is a specific caution for NaturePreserve™ Ultra that it should not be used with Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), but this does not indicate a general issue with Vitamin B.

Therefore, mixing Vitamin B with distilled water and adding a preservative to extend shelf life is possible in terms of ingredient compatibility, by selecting a preservative suitable for the desired pH range of the Vitamin B formula. However, the main issue remains the low efficacy of Vitamin B in a wash-off product, as previously explained. The stability would depend on the specific ingredients and formulation conditions, but general cosmetic preservatives are designed to be compatible with many common ingredients, including water-soluble vitamins, within their recommended usage parameters (pH, temperature).

Adding a Light Fragrance

Adding a light fragrance can be done by incorporating a cosmetic-grade Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil into the water-based Vitamin B and preservative formula, using a small amount according to the recommended usage guidelines for the specific fragrance. However, adding fragrance does not help extend the product's shelf life.

In Summary:

• Adding preservatives to fresh rice water for face washing is not recommended due to the high concentration required, which could be harmful to the skin.
• Using Vitamin B mixed with distilled water for face washing provides fewer benefits to the skin compared to using it in leave-on products.
• Vitamin B most types can be used with common preservatives in water-based formulas, considering the appropriate pH range for both the vitamin and the preservative. However, the effectiveness of Vitamin B in a wash-off product remains the primary limitation.
• A light fragrance can be added to a water-based Vitamin B and preservative formula using cosmetic-grade Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil.

If you wish to effectively benefit from Vitamin B for your skin, it is recommended to choose leave-on skincare products that contain Vitamin B instead.