Recommendations for Clogged Pores and Willow Bark Extract Cream

For addressing clogged pores, several ingredients can be beneficial by helping to exfoliate the skin and reduce factors contributing to blockages.

• Exfoliating Ingredients: Ingredients like Willow Bark Extract (a natural source of Salicylic Acid) and Salicylic Acid itself are effective exfoliants that help shed dead skin cells and clear pores. Products containing these, such as a Renewing SA Cleanser, can be helpful.
• Acne Treatments: Products designed to treat acne can also help clear clogged pores by reducing bacteria and inflammation. Examples include Pep®-Acne (an anti-microbial peptide), QD-365 Anti-Acne Complex (reduces inflammation and inhibits bacteria), and Actin AC (a multi-action ingredient for acne).
• Enzymatic Action: White Egg Enzyme (Acnezyme™) is an enzyme that helps kill acne-causing bacteria and can be used in acne treatments.
• Peel-off Masks: A product like Mask acne (Acne Pore Pack, Base / No Color) is a physical method to help peel out clogged pores.

When formulating a cream with Willow Bark Extract, it's important to note that it is water-soluble and sensitive to heat. To incorporate it without heat, you can use a cold-process emulsifier.

Here is a general approach for a cold-process cream formulation with Willow Bark Extract:

1. Prepare the Water Phase: Combine water and any other water-soluble ingredients, except for the Willow Bark Extract and heat-sensitive ingredients.
2. Prepare the Oil Phase: Combine oils and oil-soluble ingredients.
3. Emulsify: Add the oil phase to the water phase (or vice versa, depending on your emulsifier) and mix using a homogenizer or high-shear mixer until a stable emulsion (cream) is formed. This step is done at room temperature or below the heat sensitivity limit of your ingredients.
4. Add Heat-Sensitive Ingredients: Once the cream has formed and cooled (if any gentle warming was used), add the Willow Bark Extract and other heat-sensitive ingredients like Pep®-Acne or QD-365 Anti-Acne Complex if using them.
5. Adjust pH: Check and adjust the final pH of the cream to the recommended range for Willow Bark Extract (4.0-6.5).
6. Add Preservative: Add your chosen preservative.

The recommended usage rate for Willow Bark Extract is 1-10%, with 5-10% recommended for accelerated cell turnover and dissolving acne breakouts.