pH Adjustment for Balm

To increase the pH of your balm from 4.8 to the desired range of 5-7, you will need to incorporate a mild alkaline ingredient. Since balms are typically oil-based or have very low water content, adjusting pH can be challenging as pH is measured in a water system.

The most effective way to adjust the pH is to use an alkaline substance dissolved in a small amount of water before carefully incorporating it into your balm formulation. This may require some experimentation and could potentially affect the texture of your balm depending on the amount of water added.

Based on your preference for natural-derived ingredients, Sodium Gluconate and Sodium Citrate are suitable options. Both are powders that dissolve in water and are commonly used in cosmetics to adjust or buffer pH.

• Sodium Gluconate: Often derived from the fermentation of glucose, it is used as a pH stabilizer and has a neutral pH (6.5-7.5) when dissolved in water. It can be used at a rate of 0.1-10%.
• Sodium Citrate: Derived from citric acid, it acts as a buffer to regulate pH in formulas.

When using either of these ingredients, dissolve the required amount in the minimum possible amount of purified water first, and then slowly add this solution to your balm while mixing thoroughly. Start with a very small amount and measure the pH (using a pH meter suitable for semi-solids or a diluted sample) until you reach your target range of 5-7. Remember to test the stability of your final product.