Ratio of Active Ingredients to Water in Formulations

Regarding the appropriate ratio of total active ingredients to water in a cosmetic formulation, there is no single standard ratio that applies to all formulations. As mentioned in the previous reply, the suitable ratio depends entirely on the specific ingredients being used.

Each active ingredient has its own recommended usage rate based on its properties, efficacy, and safety profile. Some ingredients are used at very low percentages (e.g., 0.1-1%), while others can be used at much higher concentrations, even up to 100% in some cases.

For example, products like Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (aka Pitera) and Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (Glycol Free, Glycerin Free, Preservative Free) can be used at concentrations ranging from 1% up to 100% in a formulation, depending on the desired effect and the overall formula composition.

The total percentage of active ingredients will therefore vary greatly depending on which actives are chosen and their respective usage rates. The remaining percentage of the formulation is typically made up of the base (like water, oils, or emollients) and other functional ingredients (like thickeners, emulsifiers, preservatives, fragrances, etc.) that create the desired texture, stability, and feel of the product.

Therefore, instead of focusing on a fixed ratio of total actives to water, it is crucial to determine the appropriate usage rate for each individual ingredient based on supplier recommendations and formulation guidelines.