Information on Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Oleanolic Acid, and Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 20%), Sponge Gel, and Light Lotion Maker

Here is the information regarding your questions about Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Oleanolic Acid, and Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 20%), as well as the compatibility of Sponge Gel and Light Lotion Maker.

1. Solubility

• Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane (WhiteCumin™): This ingredient is soluble in glycols (such as Propanediol) and oil. To achieve a clear solution, it can be dissolved in a glycol or Polysorbate 20 before being added to your main formula.
• Oleanolic Acid (Pure-Oleanolic™): This ingredient is soluble in laurocapram. The recommended method is to mix it into the oil portion of a formula. It is not soluble in water.
• Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 20%) (Hi-LiconeA™): This extract is soluble in any type of glycol. It cannot be dissolved directly in water. You would need to dissolve it in a glycol first before adding it to your formula.

2. Heat Stability

For all three ingredients (Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Oleanolic Acid, and Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 20%)), the storage recommendations suggest keeping them away from high heat and sunlight, with refrigeration recommended for long-term storage. This indicates that these ingredients are sensitive to heat. Specific maximum temperatures or durations for heat exposure during processing are not provided in the product descriptions. It is generally best to avoid using high heat or to use a cold process when incorporating these ingredients into your formulations to help maintain their stability and effectiveness.

3. Compatibility with Oil-Free Gel Formulas

• Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane (WhiteCumin™): Yes, this ingredient is compatible with oil-free gel formulas. Since it dissolves in glycols, you can dissolve it in a suitable glycol and then incorporate it into your water-based gel formula.
• Oleanolic Acid (Pure-Oleanolic™): No, this ingredient is generally not suitable for oil-free gel formulas. It is soluble in laurocapram and designed to be mixed into the oil phase of a formulation, which is absent in an oil-free gel.
• Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 20%) (Hi-LiconeA™): Yes, this ingredient is compatible with oil-free gel formulas. It dissolves in glycols and can be added to the water phase after dissolution. The product description specifically mentions its use in gel formulations.

4. Compatibility of Sponge Gel and Light Lotion Maker

• Sponge Gel is a water-based gelling agent designed to create gel texture in formulations that are primarily water, without an oil phase. It absorbs water and releases it upon application.
• Light Lotion Maker is an emulsifier used to bind oil and water phases together to create lotions or creams (emulsions). It is mixed into the oil phase.

While it might be technically possible to combine them, using Light Lotion Maker in an oil-free gel made with Sponge Gel is not typical or recommended because there is no oil phase for the emulsifier to bind. Sponge Gel is intended for creating oil-free water gels, and Light Lotion Maker is for creating emulsions containing both oil and water phases. They serve different functions in a formulation.

Based on your experience dissolving the first two ingredients in Propanediol, this aligns with the solubility information for Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane and Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 20%). For creating an oil-free gel, you can dissolve these two ingredients in a suitable glycol (like Propanediol) before adding them to your Sponge Gel base. Oleanolic Acid, being oil-soluble, would not be suitable for this type of oil-free formula.