All-Natural Moisturizing Gel Formulation Advice

Here is some advice regarding your all-natural moisturizing gel formula and questions:

Mixing Order

• Lecithin is typically used in formulations containing an oil phase and requires heat to dissolve properly. Since your formula is primarily water-based and aims for a simple gel, incorporating lecithin in the way you described is not recommended and is unlikely to work.
• Hyaluronic Acid (Standard Molecule) powder should be fully dissolved in the water phase first. This usually requires adding the powder to water, mixing well (ideally with a blender or vigorous shaking), and allowing time (often several hours or overnight in a refrigerator) for complete hydration and gel formation before adding other ingredients.
• Add water-soluble ingredients like Glycerin, HYDRO-UREA® Liquid, and Hydro Gel (Biosaccharide Gum-1) to the water phase after the Hyaluronic Acid is fully dissolved.
• Mild Preserved (referring to types like Mild Preserved Eco™, Mild Preserved SC10™, or Mild Preserved CGZ™) can be added in the final step of your formulation.

Humectant Levels

• Using multiple humectants can provide comprehensive hydration benefits. However, using them at high total concentrations, particularly ingredients like Glycerin, can potentially lead to a sticky feeling on the skin or, in very dry conditions, draw moisture out of the skin.
• In your proposed formula, the combined percentage of Glycerin (5%), HYDRO-UREA® Liquid (5%), and Hyaluronic Acid (Standard Molecule) (1%) is 11%, plus the moisturizing effect of Hydro Gel (Biosaccharide Gum-1) (5%). This total humectant load is quite high for a light gel and may result in a sticky texture.
• Consider reducing the concentration of one or more humectants. For example, Hyaluronic Acid (Standard Molecule) is often effective at lower percentages (0.1-0.5% for normal skin), and reducing Glycerin slightly could improve the skin feel without significantly compromising hydration, especially with HYDRO-UREA® Liquid and Hydro Gel (Biosaccharide Gum-1) also present.

Natural and Non-Toxic Ingredients

• The ingredients you've chosen like Glycerin, HYDRO-UREA® Liquid, Hyaluronic Acid (Standard Molecule), and Hydro Gel (Biosaccharide Gum-1) are good choices for a moisturizing gel focusing on natural-derived components.
• For preservation, Mild Preserved Eco™, Mild Preserved SC10™, and Mild Preserved CGZ™ are suitable alternatives to Phenoxyethanol that are not classified as traditional preservatives by some regulations and are often preferred in "natural" formulations. Mild Preserved™ COS contains Phenoxyethanol and would not be suitable if you wish to avoid it.