Guidance on Formulating Acne Treatment Gel with AcnePLEX™ and X-Foam

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your interest in AcnePLEX™ and X-Foam for developing your acne treatment gel formula. Our team would like to provide additional information to address your questions.

1. Using Hyaluronic Acid Large Molecule Instead of HEC as a Gelling Agent

AcnePLEX™ has a positive charge to adhere well to the skin and provide long-lasting effects. Therefore, it has limitations in compatibility with negatively charged gelling agents or cream makers. The recommended gelling agents for use with AcnePLEX™ are non-ionic gelling agents such as HEC or HPMC.

Hyaluronic Acid (Large Molecule), or Sodium Hyaluronate, is generally considered an anionic (negatively charged) substance. Thus, Hyaluronic Acid Large Molecule cannot be used as a gelling agent in a formula containing AcnePLEX™ as it may lead to incompatibility and formula instability.

2. Compatibility of Additional Ingredients with AcnePLEX™

The additional ingredients you wish to include, namely Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3), PreB5™ (Pantolactone), Zinc PCA, and Aloe Vera Extract, can be used together with AcnePLEX™ with some additional considerations:

• Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3) and PreB5™ (Pantolactone) are generally compatible in water-based formulas.
• Zinc PCA has an optimal pH range for high solubility of 4-6. Precipitation may occur if the pH is higher or lower than this range.
• Aloe Vera Extract is an extract containing electrolytes, which may affect the viscosity of the gel.

Overall, these ingredients can be used with AcnePLEX™, but the optimal pH range for each ingredient, especially Zinc PCA, must be considered to ensure all ingredients are stable and effective.

3. pH of Formulas Containing AcnePLEX™ and pH Adjustment

AcnePLEX™ contains Salicylic Acid, which is acidic. Therefore, formulas mixed with AcnePLEX™ will have an acidic pH. The exact pH will depend on the concentration of AcnePLEX™ and all other ingredients in the formula.

Although the AcnePLEX™ product description does not specify the exact pH of the final formula, to ensure that other ingredients in the formula, such as Zinc PCA (highly soluble at pH 4-6), Safe-B3™ (stable at pH 4-7), and Aloe Vera Extract (stable at pH 3.5-7), can function effectively and remain stable, the pH of the final formula should be adjusted to an appropriate range, ideally between 4-6. This range is optimal for Zinc PCA solubility and provides good stability for the other ingredients.

You can measure the pH of the formula after mixing all ingredients and adjust it using suitable pH adjusters, such as Citric Acid or Lactic Acid to lower pH, or Sodium Hydroxide or Triethanolamine to raise pH.

We hope this information is helpful for your formulation development. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.