Formulation Questions Answered

Here are the answers to your questions regarding specific ingredients:

Activated Resorcinol S and PE-1 Aqua

The new water-soluble Activated Resorcinol S, which is the standard Activated Resorcinol that has undergone encapsulation to become water-soluble, cannot be used with PE-1 Aqua. This is because PE-1 Aqua is designed to enhance the penetration of only water-soluble ingredients, and while Activated Resorcinol S is water-soluble due to encapsulation, its core is still oil-soluble.

When dissolved in a gel formula, Activated Resorcinol S should result in a clear product.

Full & Lift™

Full & Lift™ is described as dissolving within the formula base (gel or cream) rather than directly in water or oil. This indicates that it disperses within the formula. If the formula base is not sufficiently thick, it is possible that the ingredient could precipitate.

Full & Lift™ cannot be used with PE-1 Aqua because it does not dissolve in water. For enhanced penetration, using Pentylene Glycol at 4-5% is recommended instead.

The mechanism of action for Full & Lift™ is significantly different from Lift-Now™. Full & Lift™ provides permanent results, although they take longer to become visible. In contrast, Lift-Now™ provides temporary results that are seen quickly.

Pentylene Glycol

Yes, Pentylene Glycol can help carry oil-soluble ingredients into the skin.

Pentylene Glycol enhances sunscreen performance by helping to disperse the sunscreen ingredients more evenly across the skin's surface and improving their adhesion to the skin.

When used at a low concentration (not exceeding 5%), Pentylene Glycol should not feel sticky on oily skin.

Important Note: If your sunscreen formula uses chemical UV filters, it is best to avoid using Pentylene Glycol. This is because Pentylene Glycol's penetration-enhancing properties could potentially cause the chemical UV filters, which are intended to remain on the skin's surface to absorb UV radiation, to be absorbed into the skin instead.