Questions on Formulation, Ingredient Function, and Texture (Cream/Gel)

Based on the previous discussion with cosmeceutical7 and chalermlap, here is a summary of the answers to your additional questions:

• Propylene Glycol: You can add propylene glycol to the water phase. It is water-soluble and acts as a humectant and solvent, not an oil or emulsifier. You do not need an additional emulsifier just for adding propylene glycol to the water phase.
• Cetyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60: These ingredients are typically used to help create a cream emulsion when an oil phase is present in the formula. If your formula remains oil-free, they are not necessary or effective for creating a cream texture.
• Glycolic Acid: As advised previously by chalermlap, it is not recommended to add glycolic acid to this specific formula.
• Adding Oil: Propylene glycol is not an oil. If you want to add an oil phase, consider natural oils or emollients like LipidSoft, as suggested by cosmeceutical7.
• Creating Cream without Light Cream Maker (using Cetyl Alcohol + Polysorbate 60): To use Cetyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60 to create a cream texture, you must include an oil phase in your formula. The process typically involves heating the oil phase (containing Cetyl Alcohol) and the water phase (containing Polysorbate 60 and other water-soluble ingredients) separately, then combining them while mixing to form an emulsion. However, cosmeceutical7 suggested that using LotionBliss + Cetyl Alcohol might be more suitable for creating a cream with an oil phase.
• Dissolving Ingredient in Oil and Using Pro Polymer for Gel: Yes, if an ingredient dissolves well in oil, you can dissolve it in the oil phase. As confirmed by cosmeceutical7, Pro Polymer acts as both an emulsifier (to help combine the oil phase with the water phase) and a thickener (to form a gel texture). So, you can dissolve the ingredient in oil, prepare the water phase, combine them with the Pro Polymer, and mix to create a gel.