Feedback on Your Lightweight Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion Formula

It's great to hear you had a positive experience with the Vitamin C formula! It sounds like you're off to a good start with your lotion formulation as well, using excellent ingredients for whitening and moisturizing.

Here's some feedback on your proposed formula and mixing method:

Ingredients

The ingredients you've chosen are suitable for a lightweight, whitening, and moisturizing lotion:

• Pro Polymer: Acts as a gel maker to provide a light texture.
• Alpha Arbutin: A well-known skin brightening agent.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): Offers multiple benefits including improving skin tone, reducing redness, and enhancing the skin barrier.
• MOIST72: Provides long-lasting hydration.
• Phenoxyethanol: Serves as a preservative.

The percentages you are using are within the recommended ranges for these ingredients.

Mixing Method

Your mixing method is generally correct for dissolving the water-soluble ingredients. However, here are a few suggestions for optimization based on the properties of the ingredients:

1. Pro Polymer Hydration: Pro Polymer needs sufficient time and proper dispersion to hydrate fully and create a smooth gel texture. Simply stirring for 3-5 minutes might not be enough, and chilling immediately afterwards could interfere with the hydration process. It is recommended to sprinkle Pro Polymer onto the water phase while stirring slowly and allow it to hydrate for a longer period (e.g., letting it sit for a while or stirring intermittently) until a uniform gel is formed before proceeding.

2. Order of Addition & Temperature: Alpha Arbutin and MOIST72 are sensitive to high temperatures. While you didn't mention heating the water, it's best practice to add these ingredients, especially Alpha Arbutin, when the mixture's temperature is below 30°C (for Alpha Arbutin) and below 40°C (for MOIST72). You could dissolve Alpha Arbutin, Vitamin B3, and Phenoxyethanol in most of the water, then prepare the Pro Polymer gel base, and finally combine the two phases, adding MOIST72 and Alpha Arbutin once the temperature is suitable.

3. pH Adjustment: The efficacy and stability of Alpha Arbutin are best at a pH between 3.5 and 6.5, while Vitamin B3 is most stable between pH 4.0 and 7.0. Phenoxyethanol works in a wider range (pH 2-9). After mixing all ingredients, it is highly recommended to check the final pH of your lotion and adjust it to be within the optimal range for your active ingredients, ideally between 4.0 and 6.5.

4. Chilling: The chilling step is not typically necessary for forming a gel with Pro Polymer and may not be needed unless it's for product stability testing or a specific aesthetic reason.

Suggested Mixing Steps

Based on the above, here is a suggested revised mixing method:

1. In a container, dissolve Alpha Arbutin, Vitamin B3, and Phenoxyethanol in about 80% of the total water amount.
2. In a separate container, sprinkle Pro Polymer onto the remaining 20% of the water while stirring slowly. Continue stirring intermittently or let it sit until the Pro Polymer is fully hydrated and a smooth gel is formed.
3. Combine the dissolved ingredients mixture from step 1 with the Pro Polymer gel from step 2. Mix gently until uniform.
4. Once the mixture temperature is below 40°C, add MOIST72 and mix well.
5. Check the pH of the lotion and adjust it to be between 4.0 and 6.5 using a suitable pH adjuster if necessary.
6. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly dispersed.

By adjusting the mixing method and including a pH check, you can help ensure the stability and effectiveness of your lotion, resulting in a product that meets your goals for lightweight texture, whitening, and moisturizing.