Using HeatPlex™ in Your Treatment

Based on the information about HeatPlex™ (Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol), yes, you can use it in your formulation.

HeatPlex™ is an ingredient designed to create a protective film on the hair, which is primarily activated by heat from styling tools like a blow dryer. When heat is applied, it bonds with the hair's proteins, helping to nourish and coat the hair for a longer-lasting effect (multiple days). Without heat activation, it can still provide some benefits but for a shorter duration (effectiveness within about a day). It can help with curl retention and add shine.

HeatPlex™ is water-soluble and can be mixed directly into the water phase of a formulation. In your process, you could add HeatPlex™ along with the other liquid ingredients (items 9-19) that you are adding to the cooled mixture of the L'Oreal treatment and your heated phase.

The recommended usage rate for HeatPlex™ in hair conditioners and treatments is 20-25%, with a general range of 5-30%. You are adding 10ml of Hair Plex (Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate) and are considering adding Heat Plex. When adding Heat Plex, consider the total volume of your final mixture (original 100ml + all added ingredients) to determine the percentage of Heat Plex you are adding.

Feedback on Your Overall Formulation

Adding multiple ingredients to a pre-made treatment is a complex process that can affect the final product's stability and performance.

• Stability: Combining a heated phase with an existing emulsion and then adding many other ingredients can potentially destabilize the original L'Oreal treatment's emulsion, leading to separation over time. The large volume of added ingredients relative to the base product is a significant factor here.
• Compatibility: While the ingredients you've chosen are common in hair care, ensure they are compatible with each other and the components in the specific L'Oreal treatment. Incompatibility can cause issues like precipitation or reduced effectiveness.
• Preservation: You are including a preservative (Mild Preserved Eco), which is essential. However, adding numerous ingredients and increasing the total volume dilutes the original preservative system in the L'Oreal product. Make sure the amount of Mild Preserved Eco is sufficient for the total volume and complexity of your final mixture to prevent microbial growth.
• Efficacy: Adding many beneficial ingredients doesn't always guarantee proportionally better results. Ingredient interactions and saturation points can influence the final performance.
• Texture: The final texture will likely be different from the original L'Oreal treatment due to the added ingredients and potential changes in stability.
• Method: Your method of heating some ingredients separately and then combining them requires careful mixing and cooling to avoid breaking the existing emulsion of the L'Oreal treatment.

Recommendations:

• Test Small Batches: Always start by making a small test batch (e.g., using 10-20ml of the L'Oreal treatment) to observe how the ingredients combine, the final texture, and its stability over several weeks.
• Check pH: Hair products, especially conditioners, work best in a slightly acidic pH (typically 4-5). Adding many ingredients can alter the pH. If possible, check the pH of your final mixture and adjust it if needed (carefully, using a dilute acid like citric acid solution).
• Observe Stability: Store your test batch at room temperature and watch for any signs of separation, changes in color, odor, or mold over time.
• Research Usage Rates: Ensure the concentrations of the added ingredients are within their recommended effective ranges to achieve desired results without negative effects.