Pine Bark Extract: Liquid vs. Powder and Effectiveness

Based on the information provided, here are the key points regarding the new liquid pine bark extract compared to the old powder form, and its effectiveness:

1. Concentration and Effectiveness: The new liquid form has a lower concentration (25%) compared to the old powder form (90%+). However, this does not mean lower effectiveness in the final product. You can achieve the same desired concentration of the active ingredient in your formula by using a higher percentage of the liquid form. For example, to get 5% active Pycnogenol, you would use 5% of the powder form or 20% of the liquid form (since 20% of 25% is 5%).

2. Ease of Use: The liquid form was introduced because the high concentration of the powder made it difficult to mix, often requiring powerful blenders to dissolve completely without clumping. The liquid form is much easier to incorporate into formulations as it mixes readily with water.

3. Effectiveness of 1.25% Active: The effectiveness of a specific concentration like 1.25% active pine bark on the skin is difficult to measure precisely outside of a laboratory setting. Real-world effectiveness on skin depends on many factors, including the overall product formulation, how well the ingredients are absorbed, and individual skin characteristics.

4. Using Alone vs. Combined: It is common practice in cosmetic formulation to use a combination of several antioxidants at lower concentrations rather than relying on a single ingredient at a high concentration. This is because:

   • Ingredients can have multiple beneficial effects beyond just antioxidant activity (e.g., anti-inflammatory effects).
   • Combining ingredients can lead to synergistic effects, where they work better together than alone.
   • Using high concentrations of some ingredients can negatively impact the product's characteristics (e.g., color becoming too dark with high pine bark extract, texture becoming too sticky with high Vitamin E). Using a blend allows formulators to balance efficacy with desirable product aesthetics and feel.

Therefore, while 1.25% active pine bark provides antioxidant activity, its overall effectiveness on the skin is influenced by the formula as a whole. Combining it with other antioxidants is a common and often recommended approach to achieve broader and potentially more effective antioxidant protection, while also managing formulation properties.