Formula Assessment

Based on the ingredients listed:

• B5 (D-Panthenol Care): Functions as a humectant and moisturizer, improving hair health, strength, and shine. It can be mixed in the water phase and tolerates heat for a short time. The recommended pH is 3.5-7.0.
• Pure Keratin™: A protein derived from sheep wool that helps protect and restore damaged hair, adding strength, moisture, and shine. It is water-soluble with a pH range of 4.5-6.5.
• Creatine 100: Promotes the production of keratin, collagen, and elastin. It increases hair moisture, restores damaged hair, adds weight, and smooths the hair cuticle. It is water-soluble (up to 1.4%) and can withstand heat up to 80°C for a maximum of 15 minutes.
• Melatonin Forte™: A powerful antioxidant researched for its ability to stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss. It is water-soluble with a pH range of 4-10 but is sensitive to air and requires air-tight packaging.
• Biotin (Pure-Biotin™): Also known as Vitamin H or B7, it helps accelerate hair growth, reduce shedding, strengthen roots, and nourish hair. It is sensitive to light and should be protected with a UV filter. The description for Pure-Biotin™ (powder) recommends a usage rate of 0.1-0.2%, while your formula uses 2%, which aligns with the typical usage rate of the liquid Biotin Express (1-2% of a 10% solution).
• Biotinyl-GHK (Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1): A peptide that binds to hair proteins to accelerate hair growth. It is water-soluble and should be stored in a cool place away from light and heat.
• Phenoxyethanol (Extra Pure): A preservative effective against bacteria but less so against fungi. It is water-soluble and can be added at temperatures below 80°C within a pH range of 2-9. It is recommended to perform a challenge test and potentially use a co-preservative for broad-spectrum protection.

Compatibility

Generally, these ingredients can be combined in a water-based formulation, provided specific considerations are addressed:

• pH: The optimal pH range for most ingredients appears to be between 4.5 and 6.5. The final formula pH should ideally fall within this range for stability and efficacy.
• Temperature: Melatonin and Biotin are sensitive to heat and light. It is best to add these ingredients during the cooling phase of your formulation (below 40-50°C).
• Storage and Packaging: Melatonin requires air-tight packaging due to its sensitivity to air. Biotin is sensitive to light, so using opaque packaging or adding a UV filter is advisable if the product will be exposed to light.
• Preservation: Phenoxyethanol alone may not provide sufficient broad-spectrum preservation. A challenge test is crucial, and you may need to include a co-preservative to ensure the product is protected against a wider range of microorganisms.
• Solubility: Creatine has a solubility limit of 1.4% in water, which is within the 1% you are using. Other ingredients are water-soluble or dispersible as needed.

Efficacy and Potential Redundancy

The ingredients in your formula target two main areas: hair growth/anti-hair loss and hair conditioning/strength.

• Hair Growth / Anti-Hair Loss: Melatonin, Biotin, and Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 all aim to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. While they may work through different biological pathways, their ultimate goal is similar. Using all three provides a multi-faceted approach, potentially offering synergistic benefits. However, if formula simplicity or cost is a major concern, you could potentially focus on one or two of these actives, depending on which mechanism is most desired or supported by specific research for your target audience.
• Hair Conditioning / Strength: Keratin, Pro-Vitamin B5, and Creatine contribute to improving the hair's structure, moisture, and overall health. Creatine's ability to promote keratin production complements the addition of Keratin. Pro-Vitamin B5 is excellent for moisture and scalp health. This combination provides comprehensive conditioning benefits and is less likely to have redundant functions compared to the growth actives.

In summary, the ingredients can be mixed with careful attention to formulation parameters like pH, temperature, and packaging. While there is some overlap in the hair growth benefits of Melatonin, Biotin, and Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, they can be used together for a comprehensive approach. The conditioning ingredients (Keratin, Pro-Vitamin B5, Creatine) are largely complementary.