Reducing Stickiness and Improving Drying Time in Eye Serum

Based on your eye serum formulation, the stickiness and slow drying time are likely due to the high concentration of moisturizing polymers and humectants.

Key ingredients contributing to this feeling are primarily:

• 4D Hyaluronic Acid (4%): Hyaluronic acid, especially at higher percentages, can create a gel texture that feels sticky and takes time to absorb.
• Dipropylene glycol and Dipropylene glycol Methyl Ether (3% each): Glycols are effective humectants and solvents, but high total concentrations can leave a tacky residue and slow drying.
• Yerba Santa Protein and VersaMoist™: While providing beneficial textures and properties, these can also contribute to the overall feel of the product.

To reduce stickiness and improve drying speed, consider the following adjustments:

1. Reduce the concentration of 4D Hyaluronic Acid: Try reducing the 4D Hyaluronic Acid from 4% to 2-3%. This is often sufficient for hydration in an eye product and will significantly decrease tackiness.
2. Add a Detackifier: Incorporate a water-soluble detackifier specifically designed for gel formulations. WaterSil™ 8/12 is a good option for this purpose. Add it at a rate of 0.5-1.0%. This ingredient helps reduce the sticky feel without affecting clarity.
3. Adjust Water: Increase the purified water percentage to balance the reduction in Hyaluronic Acid and the addition of the detackifier.
4. Consider Reducing Glycols (Optional): If the above steps are not enough, you could try slightly reducing the percentages of Dipropylene glycol and Dipropylene glycol Methyl Ether, but be mindful of their role in dissolving other ingredients.

Example Adjustment (Reducing 4D Hyaluronic Acid and adding WaterSil™ 8/12):

• 4D Hyaluronin: Reduce from 4% to 2%
• WaterSil™ 8/12: Add at 1%
• Water: Increase from 69.3% to 70.3%

This adjusted formula would be:

1. Energy-Blend™: 3%
2. Yerba Santa Protein: 1%
3. 4D Hyaluronin: 2%
4. Water: 70.3%
5. Pep®-Radiance: 1%
6. Pep®-Eye: 2.5%
7. Dipeptide-2: 2.5%
8. AHC-Pep™: 2.5%
9. Grape Seed Extract: 1%
10. Ectoine: 2%
11. VersaMoist™: 1%
12. Dipropylene glycol: 3%
13. Dipropylene glycol Methyl Ether: 3%
14. WaterSoft™: 3%
15. EDTA: 0.2%
16. Allantoin: 0.3%
17. Mild Preserved Eco: 0.7%
18. WaterSil™ 8/12: 1%
    Total: 100%

By reducing the primary gelling agent and adding a dedicated detackifier, you should achieve a less sticky and faster-drying texture for your eye serum. Remember to test any changes in a small batch first.