Lightweight Emollient Alternatives to Mineral Oil

While the mineral oil you are using may not cause acne, customer perception is important. Several synthetic esters and emollients offer a similar light feel without the potential concerns associated with mineral oil for some skin types.

• LipidSoft™ Lite (Isononyl Nonanoate): This is an excellent option. It has a very light texture, similar to Cyclomethicone (a type of silicone), but is not a silicone. It is specifically described as not clogging pores and is suitable for formulas requiring lightness. It can be used at high concentrations, making it a good direct replacement for a significant portion of the mineral oil in your formula.
• LipidSoft™ B (Dibutyl adipate): This emollient is also very lightweight, spreads easily, and dries quickly. It is explicitly described as non-comedogenic (does not clog pores) and helps reduce acne. It's commonly used in sunscreen formulas but works well in other skincare products needing a light, non-greasy feel.
• LipidSoft™ Cyclo (Undecane and Tridecane): This is another lightweight, volatile emollient designed to replace Cyclomethicone. It provides a very smooth and light feel and increases the spreadability of the formula. If you are looking for a non-silicone option with a dry, smooth finish, this is a good candidate.

Considerations:

• LipidSoft™ Palm (Ethylhexyl palmitate) is also a lightweight emollient, but the description notes that using it in large quantities (above 5%) may clog pores for certain skin types and is not suitable for oily, acne-prone skin. Given your customer's concern about acne, LipidSoft™ Lite or LipidSoft™ B would be safer choices.
• You can experiment with different percentages of these alternatives to achieve the desired feel and performance in your lotion, potentially using a blend of one or more of these with your existing natural oils.

These LipidSoft™ options provide the lightweight feel you are looking for while addressing the concern about pore clogging, offering good alternatives to mineral oil in your formulation.