Formulation Analysis and Texture Improvement for Serum

Subject: Ingredient Analysis

Hello, thank you for providing your ingredient list. Here is an analysis based on the ingredients and percentages you provided:

1. Compatibility and Texture (Stickiness):

   • The ingredients you listed are generally compatible for mixing in a water-based system.
   • However, based on the percentages, this formulation is likely to be very thick and potentially sticky or tacky. This is primarily due to the relatively low water content (24% listed, total might be slightly higher but still low) and the presence of multiple ingredients that increase viscosity and form films, such as Xanthan Gum, WaterLube Slip, WaterLock, Beta Glucan, and humectants like MOIST24.
   • Manual mixing might be challenging to achieve a completely smooth, lump-free texture, especially when incorporating Xanthan Gum and other polymers.

2. Reducing Stickiness and Improving Spreadability:

   • To significantly reduce stickiness and improve spreadability, the most effective change would be to increase the water percentage. The current water level is quite low for a serum/liquid formulation. Increasing water to 50-60% (and reducing all other ingredients proportionally) would dilute the viscosity-increasing components and improve the texture.
   • If increasing water is not preferred, consider reducing the percentage of ingredients known to significantly increase viscosity or form films. The main contributors are likely:
     • WaterLube Slip (5%)
     • WaterLock (2%)
     • Xanthan Gum (1%)
   • Reducing one or more of these could help, but increasing water is generally the most impactful change for overall texture improvement in this formula.

3. Scent:

   • The formulation contains several ingredients derived from natural sources or fermentation (Repair Activator, Ume Extract, HydroAlgae, Beta Glucan). These may contribute a mild, natural scent.
   • Ethoxydiglycol might add a slight solvent note.
   • It is unlikely to have a strong, perfumed smell unless fragrance is added (which is not listed). The overall scent profile is expected to be mild, potentially slightly natural or clinical.

4. Mixing Procedure (Manual):

   • Here is a suggested method for manually mixing these ingredients:
     1. Measure the Distilled Water (24%) into a clean container.
     2. Add the powder ingredients: Safe-B3 (Niacinamide), GlucoBright (Acetyl glucosamine), Ectoine, and L-Carnosine. Stir gently until they are completely dissolved. You can slightly warm the water (up to 40-50°C) to help dissolution, but ensure it cools before adding heat-sensitive ingredients later.
     3. In a separate small dish, disperse the Xanthan Gum in a tiny amount of glycerin or Ethoxydiglycol to form a slurry, or sprinkle it very slowly into the main water phase while stirring vigorously to prevent lumps. Continue stirring until the Xanthan Gum is fully hydrated and the mixture thickens smoothly.
     4. Add the liquid/solution ingredients that are not heat-sensitive: Repair Activator, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 solution, Skin-mimic, MOIST24, WaterLube Slip, Beta Glucan, Matrixyl 3000 solution, VersaMoist, Ume Extract, HydroAlgae, Ethoxydiglycol, and WaterLock. Stir gently but thoroughly after each addition.
     5. Once the mixture has cooled (if heated earlier) to below 40°C, gently add the Liposome dispersions: Superoxide Dismutase Liposome and Adenosine Liposome. Stir carefully to incorporate without damaging the liposomes.
     6. Finally, add the preservatives: Mild Preserved Eco and MicroKill. Stir until evenly distributed.
     7. Ensure the final mixture is homogeneous. Be aware that manual mixing may result in some air bubbles and the texture will be quite thick.

I hope this analysis is helpful!