Formulating a Whitening Lotion with Specific Ingredients

Asked by: apisada2012 On: May 06, 2020 Product Type: Cosmetics

Question

Can I make a whitening lotion using the following ingredients: Alpha Arbutin, Lift-Now, Vit-e, Vit-c, WaterLock, Distilled Water, Olive Oil?

Answer

Ingredients for a Whitening Lotion

  • Alpha Arbutin (Product IDs: 68, 889, 6186): This is a key skin brightening ingredient. It works by reducing melanin production in the skin and is considered safe and effective for achieving a more even skin tone. It is water-soluble and should be used in formulations with a pH between 3.5 and 6.5. Using a discoloration preventative like ActiveProtecTM OX is recommended.
  • Vitamin C (Product IDs: 134, 499, 8334): Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and also helps brighten skin and stimulate collagen production. You listed different forms:
    • L-ascorbic acid (Product ID: 134): Highly effective but less stable in water. Requires a low pH (ideally 3.5-4.0 for skin application) and the addition of Disodium EDTA for stability.
    • Perfect-C™ (Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate) (Product ID: 499): An oil-soluble, highly stable form of Vitamin C that absorbs well into the skin. Effective for whitening and anti-aging. Requires a pH within 6.0 and Disodium EDTA if water is present.
    • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) (Product ID: 8334): A stable, water-soluble form of Vitamin C that is effective for whitening. It requires a higher pH range (7-9) for optimal stability and also benefits from Disodium EDTA.
    • Choosing the right form of Vitamin C depends on your desired formula properties and pH compatibility with other ingredients like Alpha Arbutin.
  • Vitamin E (Product IDs: 65, 135, 7659): Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage and can also offer moisturizing benefits. It's a good addition to a skin lotion. Different forms are available, including oil-soluble (Tocopheryl Acetate, dl-alpha tocopherol) and water-soluble types.
  • WaterLock™ (Polyquaternium-51) (Product ID: 258): This ingredient helps prevent water loss from the skin, providing hydration and a smooth feel. It is water-soluble and can be used in formulas with a pH between 3 and 8.
  • Olive Oil (Extra Virgin) (Product ID: 85): This is a natural oil that can serve as an emollient in your lotion, providing moisture and skin conditioning benefits. It is part of the oil phase of a lotion.
  • Distilled Water: This will form the main aqueous base of your lotion.

Considerations for Formulation

  • Compatibility: When combining Alpha Arbutin and Vitamin C, pay close attention to the required pH ranges for each ingredient to ensure stability and effectiveness. L-Ascorbic Acid and Perfect-C work best at lower pH levels (below 6.0), while SAP requires a higher pH (7-9). Alpha Arbutin works in the 3.5-6.5 range. Combining ingredients with vastly different optimal pH ranges in a single stable formula can be challenging.
  • Lotion Base: To create a lotion, you will need to combine the water-based ingredients (Alpha Arbutin, water-soluble Vitamin C if used, WaterLock, distilled water) with the oil-based ingredients (Olive Oil, oil-soluble Vitamin E if used) using an emulsifier. The emulsifier helps blend the oil and water phases into a stable lotion.
  • Preservation: A lotion containing water will require a preservative to prevent microbial growth.
  • Mixing: Follow the specific mixing instructions and temperature limitations for each ingredient as provided in their descriptions. For example, some forms of Vitamin E and L-Ascorbic Acid should not be heated excessively.
  • Lift-Now™ (Product ID: 406): This ingredient is designed for temporary skin tightening and wrinkle reduction by forming a film on the skin. It is not a whitening ingredient. You can include it in your lotion for this additional benefit, but be aware it might affect the feel of the lotion or makeup application as noted in its description.

In summary, you have several suitable ingredients for a whitening lotion among your list (Alpha Arbutin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, WaterLock, Olive Oil, distilled water). You will need to add an emulsifier and a preservative to create a stable and safe lotion. Carefully consider the pH requirements of Alpha Arbutin and the different forms of Vitamin C when formulating.