Hair Nourishing Formula Feedback

Here is an evaluation of your proposed hair nourishing formula for dry, weightless, and split-end hair, along with answers to your specific questions:

1. Suitability of the Original Formula

The ingredients you've selected are generally beneficial for dry and damaged hair. Ingredients like Vitamin B5 ExtraLite, Pure Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, TreMoisture (Trehalose), and Natural Moisturizing Amino Acids are known for their moisturizing, strengthening, and conditioning properties, which can help address dryness, lack of weight, and split ends.

However, as noted by the forum staff, the percentages for some ingredients, particularly Vitamin B5 ExtraLite (3%), Pure Keratin (2%), SiliWater (3%), Hydrolyzed Silk Protein (2.5%), and TreMoisture (2%), are quite high for a spray or leave-on product. High concentrations of these ingredients can indeed lead to a sticky or heavy feeling on the hair, making it difficult to apply evenly without oversaturating the hair. It is advisable to start with lower percentages (e.g., 0.5-1% for most ingredients) and adjust based on testing to find a balance between efficacy and desirable texture.

2. Adding SiliSolve Plus and Argan Oil

Adding Argan Oil can certainly benefit dry hair due to its nourishing fatty acids. However, SiliSolve Plus is designed to emulsify silicone and oil in water-in-oil or water-in-silicone formulas, not typically for incorporating oil into a water-based spray like this one. To effectively incorporate Argan Oil (which is an oil) into your predominantly water-based formula, you would need a suitable solubilizer or emulsifier for oils in water.

Flora Solve Clear is a recommended solubilizer for incorporating oils and fragrances into water-based formulas without using alcohol. You could try using Flora Solve Clear to solubilize the Argan Oil before adding it to the water phase.

Regarding the percentage, adding 3-5% Argan Oil, even with a solubilizer, is likely to increase the stickiness of the formula, as also mentioned by the staff. Starting with a lower percentage of Argan Oil, perhaps 0.5-1%, along with the appropriate amount of Flora Solve Clear (typically 2-5 parts Flora Solve Clear to 1 part oil, depending on the specific oil), would be a better approach to minimize stickiness while still providing some of the oil's benefits. You would need to experiment to find the right balance.

3. Replacing Vitamin B5 ExtraLite with Vitamin B5 Powder

Yes, you can replace Vitamin B5 ExtraLite (Ethyl Panthenol) with Vitamin B5 powder (DL-Panthenol). Both are forms of Vitamin B5 beneficial for hair. However, Vitamin B5 ExtraLite is specifically processed to be less sticky and absorb more easily compared to standard Vitamin B5 powder.

Standard Vitamin B5 powder (DL-Panthenol) is water-soluble and beneficial for hair health, providing moisture and strength. The recommended usage rate for Vitamin B5 powder in leave-on hair products is typically lower, around 0.5-1%. While using 0.5% of the powder form is possible, keep in mind that this is a lower concentration of the active ingredient compared to 3% of the liquid ExtraLite you initially proposed. Using a higher percentage of the powder form (above 1%) might lead to stickiness, similar to using high percentages of other humectants or conditioning agents.

In summary, while the powder form can be used, Vitamin B5 ExtraLite is generally preferred in spray or leave-on formulas at higher concentrations due to its non-sticky nature. If you use the powder form, starting at 0.5% is a good way to assess the texture, but you may find you need a higher percentage for desired efficacy, which could then introduce stickiness.

It's recommended to create small test batches and adjust the percentages of all active ingredients based on the desired feel and performance on the hair.