Hair Tonic Formulation Review

Here is an analysis of your proposed hair tonic formula and mixing steps, addressing your questions.

1. Mixing Procedure

Your proposed mixing steps are a good starting point, but they can be optimized for better dissolution and stability of certain ingredients.

• Step A (Heating Lavender Water with Dandruff-Clear™): Heating Lavender Water (up to 80°C) is suitable for dissolving Dandruff-Clear™ (which dissolves well with heat between 60-80°C). This step is correct.
• Step B (Adding ingredients 3-8 after cooling, then adjusting pH): Adding ingredients 3-8 all at once after cooling might not be ideal due to their different solubility and pH requirements.
  • Sebum-Reg™ (Capryloyl Glycine) requires dissolving in water or ethanol at a pH higher than 7, preferably with heat (70°C), before the formula's pH is adjusted down to 4-6 for optimal efficacy. Simply adding it to a cooled mixture and then adjusting pH might not ensure complete dissolution.
  • N-Acetyl Cysteine and Vitamin B6 are sensitive to heat and light. Vitamin B6 should avoid heat above 40°C. They should be added after the mixture has cooled sufficiently.
  • Calcium Pantothenate, Pure Keratin™, Ectoine, and Pure MSM™ can tolerate higher temperatures and can be added after cooling the initial Lavender Water/Dandruff-Clear™ mixture.
  • Melatonin Forte™ should be added in the final step and the finished product should be protected from air exposure.
  • Laurocapram should avoid heat above 60°C.

Suggested Revised Mixing Procedure:

1. In a beaker, heat the Lavender Water to 60-80°C. Add Dandruff-Clear™ and stir until completely dissolved. Cool this mixture to below 40°C.
2. In a separate small container, take a small portion of the cooled Lavender Water mixture. Add Sebum-Reg™ and adjust the pH of this small portion to above 7 (using a suitable pH adjuster like Triethanolamine, which is not in your current formula, or dissolve Sebum-Reg™ in the Ethyl Alcohol first if it dissolves well). Stir and gently heat this small portion to around 70°C if needed to ensure Sebum-Reg™ is fully dissolved. Cool this small portion back down.
3. Add Calcium Pantothenate, Pure Keratin™, Ectoine, and Pure MSM™ to the main cooled Lavender Water/Dandruff-Clear™ mixture (from step 1). Stir until dissolved.
4. Add Biotin Express™, N-Acetyl Cysteine, and Vitamin B6 to the main mixture. Stir gently to avoid incorporating air. Keep away from light during this step.
5. Add Laurocapram and Hydrolyzed Silk Protein to the main mixture. Stir until dissolved.
6. Add Ethyl Alcohol to the main mixture and stir.
7. Add the dissolved Sebum-Reg™ mixture (from step 2) to the main batch.
8. Check and adjust the final pH of the entire formula to 4-6. This range is optimal for Sebum-Reg™ efficacy and suitable for most other ingredients. N-Acetyl Cysteine and Vitamin B6 are acidic and will help lower the pH. Calcium Pantothenate is slightly alkaline.
9. In the final step, add Melatonin Forte™ and stir briefly until dispersed.
10. Package the product in an air-protected container if possible, as Melatonin Forte™ is sensitive to air.

2. Ingredients that May Cause Unpleasant Odor

Based on the product descriptions, most ingredients are described as odorless or having a mild/pleasant smell (like Lavender Water and Ethyl Alcohol). However, two ingredients are potential sources of an unpleasant, possibly sulfurous, odor:

• Pure MSM™ (Methylsulfonylmethane): MSM is a sulfur-containing compound and can sometimes have a noticeable sulfurous smell, especially in powder form.
• N-Acetyl Cysteine: While the description doesn't mention odor, cysteine compounds are known to sometimes have a sulfurous smell.

The combination of these two ingredients might contribute to a less pleasant scent profile, potentially overpowering the Lavender Water.

3. Stickiness

• Calcium Pantothenate at 3.00%: Calcium Pantothenate is a form of Vitamin B5 used for moisture and soothing. At a 3% concentration in a tonic formulation, it is unlikely to cause significant stickiness.
• Other Ingredients that Might Affect Texture:
  • Biotin Express™: The description notes it is a "clear, thick, light yellow liquid." While the concentration is only 1%, its inherent viscosity might slightly contribute to the feel, but likely not major stickiness in a spray tonic.
  • Vitamin B6: As an electrolyte, it could potentially influence the texture or viscosity of the formula, but it's not typically associated with causing stickiness itself in a tonic format.

Overall, significant stickiness is not expected from this formulation, especially with the inclusion of Ethyl Alcohol.

4. Need for Additional Preservatives

Yes, it is highly recommended to add an additional broad-spectrum preservative system to this formula.

• Lavender Water contains 0.8% Phenoxyethanol, which provides some preservation. However, your formula uses exactly 60% Lavender Water, not over 60%, which is the threshold mentioned for not needing additional preservatives.
• Hydrolyzed Silk Protein is a natural protein powder that does not contain preservatives and is noted as a substance where pathogens can grow easily. Its inclusion significantly increases the risk of microbial contamination.
• While Dandruff-Clear™ has antimicrobial properties, its primary function in this formula is likely anti-dandruff/anti-acne efficacy at 0.1%, not as a comprehensive preservative for the entire formulation.
• Ethyl Alcohol at 15.9% provides some preservative effect, but it may not be sufficient on its own, especially against bacteria and fungi that can thrive in the presence of water and protein.

To ensure the stability and safety of your product, particularly with the protein ingredient, adding a robust, broad-spectrum preservative system is crucial.

5. Ethyl Alcohol Sufficient for Light Texture

Yes, 15.9% Ethyl Alcohol is a significant concentration in a tonic formulation. It will act as a solvent for some ingredients and, more importantly, will evaporate quickly upon application. This will contribute substantially to a light, non-greasy feel and help the tonic dry faster on the scalp, providing the desired lightweight texture.