Question about TH product

Hello! I understand that you want to create a wrinkle-reducing formula and have questions about the feasibility of the formula and preparation method, as well as how to use pH litmus paper. I will answer point by point as requested.

Regarding the Formula and Preparation Method

1. Original Formula with L-Ascorbic Acid: As the staff member already informed you, this formula cannot be made using the method described. This is because Vitamin Cชนิด L-Ascorbic Acid (Ultra-Fine) is not directly water-soluble and requires a highly acidic environment (pH around 3.5) for stability and efficacy. Dissolving it directly in water and adjusting the final pH to 7 will cause the Vitamin C to become unstable and degrade quickly.
2. Replacing with Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: Replacing it with Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) is possible. Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a more stable Vitamin C derivative and is water-soluble. However, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid works best in a slightly acidic to neutral pH range (around 4.0-5.5, or some sources say up to 6.0). Adjusting the final pH to 7 is still too high for optimal efficacy of Ethyl Ascorbic Acid. If you want to use Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, it is recommended to adjust the final pH of the formula to be in the range of approximately 4.0-5.5.
3. Removing Vitamin C: If you remove Vitamin C, the remaining ingredients and the general preparation method are feasible for creating a product base.
   • Most of the remaining ingredients are water-soluble (Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Hyaluron, Allantoin, BroadPreserve™, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, HYDRO PROTEIN, Apple Stem Cell Extract, Sea Kelp Extract) and oil-soluble/emulsifiers (Cetyl Alcohol, Soy Lecithin, Q10, Vitamin E), which can be used to create an emulsion (cream or lotion).
   • The method involving separating Water Phase and Oil Phase and then mixing them is a basic step for making emulsions. However, pouring the Water Phase into the Oil Phase is typically suitable for making W/O Emulsion (Water in Oil), while most skincare products are O/W Emulsion (Oil in Water), which are made by pouring the Oil Phase into the Water Phase. Both methods are possible, depending on the type of emulsifier used.
   • Adding heat-sensitive ingredients (such as Q10, Vitamin E, HYDRO PROTEIN, Apple Stem Cell Extract, Sea Kelp Extract) after mixing the Water and Oil Phases and cooling down is the correct method to preserve their efficacy.
   • A note for the formula without Vitamin C is that adjusting the final pH to 7 might be slightly high for the skin (normal skin pH is around 4.5-5.5), but it doesn't make the formula "impossible" to make; it just might not be the most optimal pH for the skin.
   • The concentrations of Q10 (5%) and Apple Stem Cell Extract (5%) are quite high, which you might want to consider in terms of cost and need.

Summary regarding the formula: The original formula with L-Ascorbic Acid cannot be made as described. If you replace it with Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, it is feasible, but the final pH should be adjusted appropriately (around 4.0-5.5). If you remove Vitamin C, the remaining ingredients and method are generally feasible for creating a product base, but you should consider the final pH suitable for the skin (4.5-5.5) and the order of mixing Water/Oil Phases may affect the type of emulsion obtained.

Regarding the Use of pH Litmus Paper (4-color type)

Based on the questions from user mm.bytanda and user a5a_god, I will explain further as follows:

1. How to Use: According to the staff's recommendation and generally for this type of pH paper, dip the test paper into the liquid part of the product (e.g., water in the Water Phase, serum, essence) until the paper is well saturated. Then, remove the paper from the liquid and place it on a clean, dry surface.
2. Time to Read the Value: According to the staff's recommendation, leave it for about 1-3 minutes, or until the color on the paper stops changing and stabilizes, then compare it to the color chart on the box. You do not need to leave it submerged the whole time. Leaving it submerged for too long can cause the color on the paper to dissolve into the product.
3. Color Bleeding: It is possible for the color from the test paper to dissolve into the product, especially if left submerged for a long time or if the product contains certain ingredients that react with the paper's dye. It is recommended to dip it just enough to wet it and then remove it to wait for the reading according to the recommended time to reduce this problem. A small amount of color bleeding usually does not significantly affect the product's efficacy, but it should be avoided.
4. Testing with Cream: This type of pH paper is designed to measure pH in liquids. Applying cream directly to the paper may not give an accurate reading. If you want to measure the pH of a cream, you may need to dilute the cream with water at a specific ratio (e.g., 1:1 or 1:10) to get enough liquid part to dip the test paper into.
5. Reading the Value from the 4 Color Pads: The 4-color pH paper has different indicators on each pad that are sensitive to different pH ranges, allowing for a wider range and more accurate measurement. For the most accurate reading, the colors of all 4 pads on the tested paper should match the colors of all 4 pads in one of the pH value rows on the color chart on the box. If the colors do not match perfectly across all 4 pads, try to find the pH value row where the colors of the 4 pads on the paper are closest to the colors on the chart. Imperfect matches can occur if the pH value is between the values shown on the chart, or if certain ingredients in the product interfere with the indicators on the paper. Comparing to the closest match is the correct way to approximate the pH value when the colors do not match perfectly.

I hope this explanation is helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask!