Reducing Stickiness in Your Facial Cream

It sounds like you're looking to achieve a less sticky feel in your moisturizing facial cream while keeping the hydration benefits and avoiding silicones and PEGs. You've already made good attempts by adjusting the oils and butter.

Based on your formula and experience, here's a breakdown of potential causes for stickiness and how to address them:

Why the Cream Might Feel Sticky

Stickiness in a cream often comes from:

• Humectants: Ingredients like Vitamin B5, MOIST72, and WaterLock are excellent for hydration but can feel tacky, especially at higher concentrations or if they sit on the skin surface.
• Cream Maker: The specific type and concentration of your Light Cream Maker can influence the final texture and feel.
• Oils/Butters: While you've reduced these, some residual oiliness can contribute to a heavy or sticky sensation.
• Vitamin E: At 0.5%, Vitamin E can add some viscosity and a slightly heavier feel.

Addressing Your Specific Questions

• Skin Type: Yes, skin type affects how a product feels. Drier skin may absorb products more readily, feeling less sticky than oily skin. However, the formula's inherent texture is the main factor.
• Light Cream Maker: The name suggests a light texture, but performance varies by type and concentration. Your experience indicates that for you, it contributes to stickiness even in a simple base.
• PowderCream: This ingredient (Water Absorbing PMMA) is designed to provide a dry, powder-like, and non-thick feel. It helps absorb surface moisture/oiliness for a smoother finish.
• MatteSilica: Primarily absorbs excess oil (sebum) for a matte look. It doesn't significantly absorb the cream's moisture content. Adjusting sticky ingredients is a more direct way to tackle the cream's texture.

Strategies to Reduce Stickiness (Non-Silicone/PEG)

To reduce stickiness while maintaining moisture, consider these adjustments:

1. Reduce Humectants: Try slightly lowering the percentage of Vitamin B5 and WaterLock (e.g., to 1-2%) to see if it reduces tackiness without losing hydration.
2. Explore Different Cream Makers: If the current Light Cream Maker seems to be the main issue, research other non-silicone/PEG emulsifiers or cream makers known for providing a lighter, non-sticky feel.
3. Incorporate Slip/Dry-Touch Ingredients:
   • PowderCream (Water Absorbing PMMA): Adding a small amount (0.5-2%) can significantly improve the feel, making it drier and less tacky after application.
   • Dry-Touch Ester Oils: Some ester oils provide a non-greasy, dry finish and can replace some traditional oils in your formula (ensure compatibility).
4. Consider a Gel Base: As suggested in the previous replies, a gel formula using a gel maker like Pro Polymer with water-soluble moisturizers (Vitamin B5, MOIST72) can offer intense hydration with a very light, non-sticky feel.

Experimenting with small adjustments to your formula is key to finding the perfect balance for your skin.