Compatibility and Formulation Guidance

Here are the answers to your questions regarding ingredient compatibility and formulation:

1. Compatibility with Electrolytes

For sensitive active ingredients like Bakuchiol-Eco™ and HR-White™ when exposed to small amounts of electrolytes from ingredients such as LecithinGel™ or preservatives like Global Guard™ (at approximately 1-1.5%):

• Bakuchiol-Eco™ is known to be sensitive to metal ions. Our product information recommends adding a chelating agent like 0.1% Disodium EDTA or Phytic Acid to help capture any ions in the formula and ensure its maximum stability.
• HR-White™ also benefits from the inclusion of 0.1% Disodium EDTA to prevent discoloration, indicating its sensitivity to certain ions.
• LecithinGel™ contains Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, which can be sensitive to electrolytes, and Global Guard™ contains Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate, which are electrolytes.

Therefore, even small amounts of electrolytes from these ingredients can potentially affect the stability and efficacy of sensitive actives. It is highly recommended to perform comprehensive stability testing and assay the active ingredient content after the designated shelf life to confirm compatibility and performance in your specific formulation.

2. Electrolyte-Free pH Buffer

Creating a pH buffer entirely without electrolytes is challenging because most traditional buffering agents are salts, which are by definition electrolytes. If your formula is highly sensitive to electrolytes, you might consider using non-ionic pH adjusters or exploring alternative formulation strategies that inherently maintain a stable pH without relying on conventional buffer systems. However, achieving precise and long-term pH stability without any electrolytes can be very difficult. It often involves trade-offs, and you might need to adjust your formula or accept a certain level of compromise.

3. Mixing Bakuchiol-Eco™ with DMI and Protect UV

3.1 Mixing Bakuchiol-Eco™ with DMI in Mineral Oil-Free Formulas

For mixing Bakuchiol-Eco™ with Dimethyl Isosorbide (DMI) in a formula that does not contain mineral oil:

• Bakuchiol-Eco™ dissolves well in various types of oil. Our product information recommends mixing it into the oil phase and blending until combined, avoiding excessive heat (if heat is necessary, use it for the shortest possible time and do not exceed 75°C). It is also highly recommended to use DMI at 2-3% to enhance its penetration and efficiency.
• Dimethyl Isosorbide (DMI) is a versatile solvent. While its description explicitly lists mineral oil, it also states it can dissolve in various types of glycol, alcohol, polysorbates, lanolin, and silicone oil. Based on its general solvent properties and its recommendation for use with Bakuchiol (which dissolves in various oils), DMI is generally compatible with and can help dissolve other common cosmetic oils like Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, LipidSoft Lite, squalane, and other organic oils.
• Mixing Steps: We recommend first dissolving Bakuchiol-Eco™ in DMI, then incorporating this mixture into your formula's oil phase (e.g., Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, squalane).

3.2 Adding Protect UV to DMI

Regarding SPF Protect Ultra™ III (which we assume is the 'Protect UV' you are referring to), its mixing instruction states to 'Mix in the oil.' It is generally best to dissolve oil-soluble UV filters directly into the main oil phase of your formula, rather than adding them directly to DMI, unless DMI is specifically intended as the primary solvent for that particular UV filter in your formulation. This ensures proper dispersion and efficacy.

4. Glycol's Effect on Water Solubility

The addition of glycols such as glycerine, propanediol, butylene glycol, or propylene glycol to a water-based solution can have a complex effect on the solubility of other water-soluble ingredients. Glycols are excellent humectants and solvents themselves. While they generally increase the overall solvent capacity of the system, they can also alter the polarity of the solvent mixture. This change in polarity might either increase or decrease the solubility of specific water-soluble ingredients, depending on the chemical nature of those ingredients and the concentration of the glycol. It is not a straightforward 'always decreases' or 'always increases' situation; it is highly dependent on the specific components and their interactions within the formula.

5. Formula Review

Yes, you can share your formula here. We can provide a preliminary review regarding the basic chemical compatibility of the ingredients based on our expertise and product information. However, please note that this will be a preliminary assessment and will not replace full stability testing, which is crucial for confirming the long-term performance and safety of your final product.