Refining Overnight Face Mask Formula for Whitening, Firming, Hydration, and Anti-Aging

Hello,

Thank you for providing the details and goals for the overnight face mask formula you wish to refine. The goals are skin whitening, moisturizing and firming, and wrinkle reduction, for combination skin with an oily T-zone.

Based on the formula you proposed and the previous advice from the staff, here are some additional recommendations:

1. Lift-Now: As the staff previously advised, Lift-Now provides a temporary lifting effect that lasts only while applied and disappears after washing off. Therefore, it is not suitable for an overnight mask formula. It is recommended to remove this ingredient from your formula.

2. Other ingredients in your proposed formula:

   • Rich Cream Maker 3%: This is the main cream base ingredient you want to use up. A concentration of 3% should provide a suitable cream texture for a night mask.
   • Tranexamic Acid 3%: This is a good skin whitening agent. A concentration of 3% is recommended for visible results.
   • Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) 0.1%: This is an antioxidant and helps with moisturizing. A concentration of 0.1% can be used, but if you want to enhance the antioxidant or moisturizing benefits, you can increase it up to approximately 0.5-1%.
   • Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract 1%: This extract helps with skin firmness and reduces wrinkles. A concentration of 1% is appropriate.
   • REGU®-AGE 2%: This ingredient helps reduce dark circles and puffiness around the eyes and also has anti-aging properties. A concentration of 2% is recommended.
   • Phenoxyethanol SA (Optiphen Plus) 1%: This is a preservative. A concentration of 1% is the maximum recommended amount and is sufficient for preservation.

3. Adding ingredients to be closer to the original formula and enhance efficacy:

   • Humectants: The original formula contained Glycerin and Propylene Glycol, which are humectants that help draw water into the skin, making it look plump. Adding ingredients from this group to your formula will help keep the skin moisturized and looking plump in the morning, as you observed with the original formula. It is recommended to add Glycerin or Propylene Glycol at a concentration of approximately 3-5% in total. You can adjust downwards if you find it too heavy for combination skin.
   • Proteins: The original formula contained Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein and Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, which help with wrinkle reduction and firmness. The staff recommended using Hydro Protein as a substitute for Soybean Protein. Therefore, to make the formula closer to the original and enhance anti-aging/firming effects, it is recommended to add Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein and Hydro Protein at a concentration of approximately 1-3% for each.

Sample Revised Formula (Approximate percentages, can be adjusted based on desired texture and efficacy):

• Rich Cream Maker: 3%
• Tranexamic Acid: 3%
• Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E): 0.5% (or 0.1-1%)
• Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract: 1%
• REGU®-AGE: 2%
• Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein: 2% (or 1-3%)
• Hydro Protein: 2% (or 1-3%)
• Glycerin: 4% (or 3-5% total with Propylene Glycol if used)
• Phenoxyethanol SA (Optiphen Plus): 1%
• Water: Balance to 100%

Considerations:

• The amount of humectants (Glycerin/Propylene Glycol) can be adjusted based on your preferred skin feel. If it feels too heavy for combination skin, you can reduce the amount.
• The concentrations of other active ingredients can also be slightly adjusted within the recommended ranges, depending on whether you want clearer efficacy (increase amount) or a lighter formula (decrease amount).
• Please check the mixing instructions for Rich Cream Maker and other ingredients according to the supplier's recommendations to ensure a stable cream texture.

Hope this advice is helpful in refining your face mask formula!