Face Spray Formulation for Skin Strengthening, Anti-Aging, and Hydration

Consideration of Your Face Spray Formula

I understand you want to create an easy-to-use, portable face spray for your mother to help strengthen her skin, reduce wrinkles, and provide moisture. You've proposed an initial formula and asked for feedback, alternative ingredients, and about using mineral water. You also suggested two simpler spray formulas and inquired about their effectiveness, pH adjustment, and preservatives.

Considering Your Initial Formula

Your initial proposed formula includes:

• Distilled Water = 80%
• Ceramide Complex = 5%
• Beta Glucan = 10%
• Moist72 = 2%
• Calendula Extract = 3%

The ingredients you've chosen are beneficial for the skin:

• Ceramide Complex: Helps strengthen the skin barrier, reduce moisture loss, and keep the skin hydrated. It's good for dry, sensitive, or aging skin.
• Beta Glucan: Helps reduce irritation, supports skin immunity, and can help with wrinkles.
• Moist72: An excellent humectant that provides high, continuous, and long-lasting moisture.
• Calendula Extract: Has anti-inflammatory, soothing, and wound-healing properties.

Considerations for a Spray Formula:

1. Wrinkle Reduction Efficacy: While the ingredients are good, formulating them in a light, water-based spray might limit the penetration and contact time needed for potent anti-aging effects compared to thicker creams or gels. As mentioned in the forum feedback, sprays often focus more on providing hydration throughout the day rather than intensive wrinkle treatment.
2. Beta Glucan: Some types of Beta Glucan may settle in low-viscosity water-based formulas like sprays, requiring shaking before use, which might be inconvenient.
3. Ceramide Complex: There are various types of Ceramide Complex. You should choose a type that is easily dispersible in water, such as Water Dispersible or Liposome types, for a spray formula.

Overall, this formula can effectively provide moisture and help strengthen the skin barrier to some extent. However, achieving significant wrinkle reduction might be less effective in a spray format.

Using Mineral Water Instead of Distilled Water

Based on the advice you received, it is not recommended to use mineral water in cosmetic formulations. The minerals present in mineral water can interact with certain ingredients in the formula, potentially causing instability or reducing efficacy. You should use only distilled water or purified water (RO water). If you wish to incorporate the benefits of mineral water, consider using a mineral water extract specifically designed for cosmetic use instead of the raw mineral water.

Considering Your Two Simple Spray Formulas

You proposed two simpler formulas for a spray:

Formula 1:

• Distilled Water
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B3

This is a good and interesting formula for a skin nourishing spray.

• Vitamin B12: Helps reduce inflammation and irritation, and stimulates skin cell regeneration.
• Vitamin B5 (Panthenol): Provides high moisture, helps strengthen the skin barrier, reduces inflammation, and aids wound healing.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): Offers various benefits, including strengthening the skin barrier, reducing moisture loss, reducing redness/dark spots, reducing inflammation, and stimulating the production of Ceramide and collagen, which helps reduce wrinkles and makes the skin stronger.

All three of these vitamins are water-soluble and suitable for a spray format. They provide comprehensive benefits for strengthening, anti-aging (especially Vitamin B3), and moisturizing the skin.

Formula 2:

• Distilled Water
• Moist72

This formula primarily focuses on hydration. Moist72 is an excellent moisturizing ingredient, but this formula will not provide the same level of skin strengthening or wrinkle reduction benefits as the first formula.

pH Adjustment and Preservatives

• pH Adjustment: Formulas containing these vitamins generally have a pH within the suitable range for skin application (around 4-7), so additional pH adjustment is usually not necessary.
• Preservatives: It is essential to include a preservative in any water-based formula to prevent microbial growth, which can degrade the product and be harmful to the skin. You can choose a preservative from the Phenoxyethanol group, such as Phenoxyethanol (Extra Pure) or Phenoxyethanol SA, at the recommended usage rate for cosmetic products.

Conclusion: Which Formula is Better?

If you are looking for a spray that focuses on strengthening the skin, reducing wrinkles, and providing moisture, Formula 1 (Vitamin B12, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B3) will provide more comprehensive benefits and potentially better results than Formula 2, which is primarily for hydration. The ingredients in Formula 1 work well together to help the skin appear more youthful and stronger.

Making a spray is a great option for your mother who prefers easy and convenient products. While the anti-wrinkle efficacy might not be as potent as a concentrated cream or serum, consistent use of a spray with good ingredients can still help improve overall skin strength and hydration.

Have fun making your skincare!