Herbal Spray Formulation Advice

Your proposed formula uses a high percentage of alcohol as the base, which is suitable for a spray format and for incorporating alcohol-soluble herbal extracts. You also want to include a cooling agent, emollient, Vitamin E, preservative, and fragrance.

Based on the available ingredients in our database:

• Alcohol: Using Ethyl Alcohol (96% or 99.9%) is appropriate for this type of spray.
• Cooling Agent: We do not have a product specifically named "Freeze Me™" or "Menthone Glycerin Acetal". However, we have alternative cooling agents like CoCool™ (Menthol+Menthyl Lactate) or Menthyl PCA. CoCool™ is soluble in alcohol and oils, while Menthyl PCA is soluble in water, oils, and glycols (with heat). You can choose one based on your preference for cooling intensity and solubility.
• Emollient (Cetiol OE): We do not have "Cetiol OE". A suitable alternative emollient is LipidSoft™ Cyclo, which provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and can help counteract the drying effect of alcohol. It is oil-soluble.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate) is available and commonly used. Note that this form is oil-soluble.
• Preservative: A preservative is recommended even with high alcohol content, especially if the herbal extract introduces water. Options include Mild Preserved™ COS (water-soluble, broad spectrum) or NaturePreserve™ Ultra (natural, water-soluble powder, pH sensitive).
• Fragrance: Various fragrances are available, such as Floral Background. Fragrances are generally soluble in alcohol.

Formulation Considerations:

The main challenge in your proposed formula is incorporating the oil-soluble ingredients (LipidSoft™ Cyclo and Vitamin E) into a base that is 95% alcohol and herbal extract. While high alcohol can help dissolve some oils, 1% of each might exceed the solubility limit, potentially leading to cloudiness or separation.

To ensure a clear and stable spray, you will likely need to use a solubilizer. A solubilizer helps to disperse oil-soluble ingredients evenly throughout the water/alcohol phase. The amount of solubilizer needed will depend on the specific oil-soluble ingredients and the total percentage of the oil phase (LipidSoft™ Cyclo + Vitamin E + fragrance oil, if used).

Suggested Approach:

1. Combine Alcohol and Herbal Extract: Mix the Ethyl Alcohol (96%) with your herbal extract. Ensure the total of this phase is 95%.
2. Prepare Oil Phase (Optional, if using oil-soluble ingredients): If using oil-soluble Vitamin E and LipidSoft™ Cyclo, mix them together.
3. Incorporate Cooling Agent:
   • If using CoCool™, it can likely be added directly to the alcohol phase.
   • If using Menthyl PCA, it is water-soluble, so it might be better to dissolve it in a small amount of water or glycol first, or potentially dissolve it directly in the alcohol phase with gentle warming if compatible.
4. Incorporate Oil Phase with Solubilizer: If you have an oil phase (from step 2 or fragrance oil), mix it with a suitable solubilizer at the recommended ratio (check the solubilizer's usage instructions). Then, slowly add this mixture to the alcohol/herbal extract phase while stirring constantly until clear.
5. Add Preservative: Add the chosen preservative. Follow the supplier's instructions for mixing method and temperature.
6. Add Fragrance: Add the fragrance to the mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
7. Adjust and Finalize: Check the clarity and stability. If cloudy, you may need to increase the amount of solubilizer.

Important Notes:

• Always perform a small test batch first.
• Conduct stability testing (e.g., storing at different temperatures) to ensure the product remains clear and stable over time.
• The percentage of herbal extract within the 95% alcohol phase will affect the final alcohol concentration and the need for a preservative.