Liquid AA2G (Vitamin C) Serum: Mixing, Stability, pH, and Degradation

Question

Questions about Serum Formulation with Liquid AA2G™

I am formulating a serum and have some questions regarding the use of Liquid AA2G™ (Ascorbyl Glucoside) and other ingredients.

Can Liquid AA2G™ be dissolved directly in water?
Is it necessary to add other antioxidants to the formula when using Liquid AA2G™ to prevent oxidation?
What is the optimal pH range for the stability of Liquid AA2G™?
I am planning to use the following formula:
- Water
- Liquid AA2G™
- GlucoBright™ (Acetyl Glucosamine)
- Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide)
- Alpha Arbutin (Switzerland)
- Phenoxyethanol (Extra Pure)
  
  Is this formulation viable and stable, especially considering the interaction between Alpha Arbutin (Switzerland) and Liquid AA2G™? Does Alpha Arbutin (Switzerland) affect the pH?
Do I need to adjust the pH of this formula? Is the requirement for pH adjustment different for personal use (short shelf-life, e.g., 3 months) versus commercial production (longer shelf-life, e.g., 24 months)? If adjustment is needed, what alkali agents (TEA or Sodium Hydroxide) are suitable?
How can I tell if the Liquid AA2G™ in the serum has degraded?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Information regarding mixing Liquid AA2G™ and your serum formulation

Based on your question and the previous discussion, here is the information regarding mixing Liquid AA2G™ and your proposed serum formulation:

Mixing Liquid AA2G™: Yes, Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G Stabilized Vitamin C) can be dissolved directly in water.
Need for Antioxidants: Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G Stabilized Vitamin C) is a stable form of Vitamin C. Generally, you do not need to add other substances specifically to prevent its oxidation, as it is inherently stable. However, proper storage is still important. Keep the product in a cool place (like a refrigerator) and avoid direct sunlight to maintain its quality over time.
pH Stability: For optimal long-term stability of Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G Stabilized Vitamin C), the formula's pH should be in the range of 6.5-6.8.
Your Proposed Formulation: Your formula containing Water, Liquid AA2G™, GlucoBright™ (Acetyl Glucosamine), Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide), Alpha Arbutin (Switzerland), and Phenoxyethanol (Extra Pure) is viable.
- Alpha Arbutin (Switzerland) is slightly acidic and will likely lower the pH of the final product.
- For personal use, if you plan to use the serum within approximately 3 months, the pH difference caused by Alpha Arbutin is generally acceptable, and you may not need to adjust the pH significantly.
- For commercial production requiring a longer shelf-life (e.g., 24 months), it is crucial to measure the pH of the final product and adjust it to the 6.5-6.8 range using an alkali like TEA or Sodium Hydroxide to ensure the long-term stability of the Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G Stabilized Vitamin C).
Indicator of Degradation: If the serum starts to turn yellow, it indicates that the Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Glucoside) is degrading. The intensity of the yellow color reflects the extent of degradation.

In summary, while AA2G is stable and doesn't require additional antioxidants for its own stability, maintaining the correct pH (6.5-6.8) and proper storage conditions are key to preserving its effectiveness, especially for longer shelf-life products.