Formulating Oil Blend, Toner, and Lotion with CoQ10, Witch Hazel, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin C
Question
I have several questions about formulating cosmetic products using various ingredients:
Rose Hip Oil and Coenzyme Q10:
- Are both Rose Hip oil and Coenzyme Q10 suitable for facial skin?
- If I use 50g of Rose Hip oil, how much Coenzyme Q10 should I add?
Rose Water and Witch Hazel Toner:
- Can I mix Rose Water and Witch Hazel to create a facial toner to use after cleansing?
- Could you provide a formula for this mixture?
Homemade Rose Water and Allantoin:
- Since Rose Water is not available for sale, can I use homemade extracted Rose Water and mix it with Witch Hazel?
- Can I add Allantoin (up to 4%) to the toner formulation to prevent irritation and allergy?
Specific Toner Formula (100ml):
- For a 100ml facial cleansing toner, what are the required amounts for:
- Rose Water?
- Witch Hazel?
- Allantoin (not exceeding 4%)?
- For a 100ml facial cleansing toner, what are the required amounts for:
DHL Double Moisture Lotion Light Touch (100ml) Modification:
- In the formula for DHL Double Moisture Lotion Light Touch (100ml):
- Can I replace the 99ml of Distilled Water with Witch Hazel?
- I plan to use Hyaluronic Acid (Standard Molecule) 0.5g and Hyaluronic Acid (Nano Molecule) 0.5g. Is this amount appropriate?
- If I want to add Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) for skin brightening, wrinkle reduction, collagen stimulation, and antioxidant benefits, how many grams should I add to avoid irritation?
- Is it necessary to add Glycerin (Vegetable) for moisture retention, moisture absorption, and lubrication? If adding at 15% of 100ml, how many ml should I add?
- In the formula for DHL Double Moisture Lotion Light Touch (100ml):
Answer
Rose Hip Oil and Coenzyme Q10
Both Rose Hip Oil and Coenzyme Q10 are beneficial for facial skin. Rose Hip Oil helps repair and nourish the skin, reduce inflammation, and improve the appearance of wrinkles and scars. Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, reduces wrinkles, and supports skin cell renewal.
To mix Coenzyme Q10 (oil-soluble powder) with 50g of Rose Hip Oil, the recommended usage rate for oil-soluble Coenzyme Q10 is 0.01-0.5%.
- For a 0.01% concentration, you would need 0.005g of Coenzyme Q10 (50g * 0.0001).
- For a 0.5% concentration, you would need 0.25g of Coenzyme Q10 (50g * 0.005).
You mentioned purchasing 1g of Coenzyme Q10, which is enough to mix with 50g of Rose Hip Oil at the maximum recommended rate of 0.5% and still have some left over. Remember to mix the Coenzyme Q10 powder into the oil phase at a temperature below 60°C. Store the finished product in light-protective packaging in a cool place away from light and heat for stability.
Rose Water and Witch Hazel Toner
Yes, you can definitely mix Rose Water and Witch Hazel to create a facial toner. Witch Hazel is commonly used in toners for its pore-tightening properties, and it can be used at concentrations from 10% to 100% (over 50% is recommended for toners). Rose Water is also popular in toners for its soothing and hydrating benefits and can be used from 1% to 100%.
A simple toner formula can be created by combining these two ingredients. You can adjust the ratio based on your skin's needs and preference, keeping the Witch Hazel concentration generally above 50% for a toning effect.
Homemade Rose Water, Witch Hazel, and Allantoin Toner (100ml)
You can use Witch Hazel and Allantoin in a toner formulation. Allantoin helps reduce irritation and moisturize the skin. The recommended usage rate for Allantoin is 0.1-2.0%. However, its solubility in water at room temperature (25°C) is limited to about 0.5%. While it can dissolve up to 4% in water at 75°C, for a simple DIY toner mixed at room temperature, it's best to keep the concentration at 0.5% or use a solvent like Glycerin (at 5% in water) to increase solubility up to 0.8% at 20°C.
Regarding homemade rose water, while it's possible to make, commercial Rose Water products typically contain preservatives (like phenoxyethanol at 0.5%) to ensure stability and prevent microbial growth. Homemade versions would lack this and would require the addition of a suitable preservative to prevent spoilage, especially since toners are water-based.
Here is a possible formula for a 100ml toner using Witch Hazel and Allantoin, assuming you are using a preserved Witch Hazel product and adding Allantoin:
- Witch Hazel (Alcohol Free, Paraben Free): 70-80 ml (e.g., 75 ml)
- Allantoin: 0.5 g (for easy dissolution at room temperature)
- Distilled Water or Commercial Rose Water: Add to make a total of 100 ml (e.g., 100 ml - 75 ml - 0.5 g ≈ 24.5 ml). If using commercial Rose Water that contains a preservative, this helps with the overall preservation. If using distilled water or homemade rose water, you must add a broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative at the manufacturer's recommended rate.
Mix the Allantoin into the water phase (distilled water or rose water) first, ensuring it is fully dissolved (gentle warming can help, but keep it below 70°C), then add the Witch Hazel. Add preservative if necessary.
DHL Double Moisture Lotion Light Touch (100ml)
- Replacing Distilled Water with Witch Hazel: Yes, you can replace distilled water with Witch Hazel in a lotion formula. Witch Hazel can be used at high concentrations (up to 100%) in water-based products like toners and light lotions. Replacing 99ml of distilled water in a 100ml formula means using Witch Hazel at 99%, which is within its typical usage range for astringent properties.
- Hyaluronic Acid Amounts: You plan to use 0.5g of Hyaluronic Acid (Standard Molecule) and 0.5g of Hyaluronic Acid (Nano Molecule) in 100ml, totaling 1g (1%). The recommended total usage rate for Hyaluronic Acid (including different molecular sizes) in cosmetics is typically 0.05-0.5%. Using 1% might result in a thicker, potentially sticky texture than desired for a "Light Touch" lotion and is a higher concentration than usually needed for hydration benefits. You might consider reducing the total Hyaluronic Acid to 0.1-0.5g for 100ml (0.1-0.5%), perhaps using 0.25g of each type for a total of 0.5%. Remember that Hyaluronic Acid powder needs to be properly dissolved in the water phase, which can take several hours in the refrigerator or require blending. Preservatives are essential when using Hyaluronic Acid in water-based formulas.
- Adding Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid): Adding L-Ascorbic Acid to this type of lotion base is complex. L-Ascorbic Acid is highly effective for brightening and anti-aging but is unstable in water and requires a low pH (typically 2.0-4.0) to be effective and stable. This low pH can cause irritation, especially at higher concentrations (3-15% is the typical usage range). Formulating with L-Ascorbic Acid requires careful pH adjustment and often the use of stabilizers. Adding it to a pre-designed lotion base or mixing it with ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Witch Hazel (which have different optimal pH ranges) can be challenging and may lead to instability or reduced effectiveness of the Vitamin C and potentially other ingredients. It is often recommended to use a stable Vitamin C derivative or a specially designed Vitamin C serum base if you are new to formulating with L-Ascorbic Acid. If you choose to add it, start with a very low concentration (e.g., 3%) and be aware of the pH requirements and stability issues.
- Necessity and Amount of Glycerin: Glycerin is a humectant that helps draw moisture into the skin and can improve the texture of a formulation, making it feel smoother. While not strictly necessary for hydration if you are already using Hyaluronic Acid, it can complement its effects and enhance the skin feel. A 15% concentration in 100ml would be 15ml (assuming the density of Glycerin is close to water, although it's slightly denser, this is a reasonable approximation for formulation purposes). This concentration is within the typical usage range for Glycerin (1-100%).
In summary, while you can mix these ingredients, pay close attention to recommended usage rates, solubility, pH requirements, and the need for preservatives, especially when using water-based ingredients or unstable actives like L-Ascorbic Acid.
Related Products Mentioned
Allantoin
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) (Ultra-Fine)
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) (Fine)
Glycerin (USP/Food Grade)
Coenzyme Q10 (98%, Powder, Oil-Soluble)
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) (Standard)
Rose Water (Rosa Damascena)
Rose Petal Water
Rose Hip Oil (Virgin, Fresh)
Rose Hip Oil (Extra Virgin)