Recommended Usage Percentage vs. Research for Effectiveness and Stability
Question
When ordering ingredients, there is a recommended usage rate. Is this recommended percentage the concentration at which the active ingredient is effective and stable? I read research, for example, on [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9B%E0%B9%8A%E0%B8%9B%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2/762-madecassoside-centella-asiatica-extract.html:29rqzqkv]Centella Asiatica extract[/url:29rqzqkv], which is often used at around 5% to be effective, but the recommended percentage here is 1%. I am unsure if using the recommended percentage will provide good skin absorption effectiveness or stability.
Answer
Recommended Usage Rates
The recommended usage rate provided by suppliers, such as the 1% for Madecassoside/Centella Asiatica extract you mentioned, is a guideline for typical cosmetic applications. It is based on the supplier's data, common industry practices, and aims to provide noticeable benefits while balancing factors like cost, ease of formulation, and safety for general use.
Research studies, however, may use higher concentrations (like the 5% you found) to investigate specific mechanisms, achieve maximum potential effects in a controlled environment, or study particular applications. These higher concentrations might show stronger results in a lab setting or specific clinical trial but may not always be necessary or practical for a standard cosmetic product intended for daily use.
For Madecassoside/Centella Asiatica extract, 1% is generally considered an effective concentration for many common benefits, such as soothing properties and antioxidant effects. While 5% might offer enhanced benefits according to some studies, 1% is often sufficient to see positive results in a well-formulated product.
The stability of the ingredient depends more on the overall formulation (pH, presence of other ingredients, packaging, storage conditions) than just the percentage used, as long as the percentage is within a reasonable range recommended by the supplier.
In summary, the 1% recommendation is a practical starting point that is effective for many users and formulations. You can certainly start with 1% and see if it meets your needs. If you require more intensive results and your formulation allows, you could potentially explore higher concentrations, keeping in mind the factors mentioned above.
