Formulation Review: Olay Complete Sensitive Skin SPF 15 Dupe

Thank you for sharing your attempt to replicate the Olay Complete Sensitive Skin SPF 15 lotion formula using ingredients available from MySkinRecipes. Let's review the feasibility of your proposed formula.

Your formula includes the active sunscreen ingredients Octinoxate (6.0%) and Zinc Oxide (3.0%), which match the percentages listed on the original product label. These ingredients are available.

You have included several common cosmetic ingredients that are available at MySkinRecipes, such as Water, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone (Light, Low-Odor), Vitamin E, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Disodium EDTA, and Aloe Vera Extract. These are suitable choices for a lotion formulation.

The main difference between your proposed formula and the original Olay lotion lies in the emulsifier and thickening system.

Original Olay Emulsifier/Thickener System:
The original formula uses a combination of ingredients like Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7 (likely part of a polymeric emulsifier system like Sepigel 305), Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sucrose Polycottonseedate, and Oleth-3 Phosphate. This is a complex system designed to create a specific texture and stability.

Your Proposed Emulsifier/Thickener System:
Your formula utilizes Easy Cream Maker, Glyceryl Stearate SE, and Cetearyl Alcohol, along with Stearyl Alcohol and Cetyl Alcohol (which are also in the original). You also listed Steareth-2 and Steareth-21 from the original, but without percentages. The Easy Cream Maker system is a different type of emulsifier/thickener compared to the original Olay system. While your proposed system is capable of forming a stable lotion, the resulting texture, feel, and stability will likely be different from the original Olay product.

Missing or Substituted Ingredients:

• You have successfully substituted DMDM Hydantoin with Phenoxyethanol and Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, which is a common and effective alternative preservative system.
• Isododecane is a suitable substitute for C13-14 Isoparaffin.
• Ingredients like Sucrose Polycottonseedate and Oleth-3 Phosphate from the original formula are not included in your proposed formula and do not have direct equivalents available. Their absence might affect the final feel and performance.
• Triethoxycaprylylsilane is present in the original formula. This ingredient is often used to coat mineral sunscreens like Zinc Oxide to improve their dispersion and feel in the formula. It is highly recommended to either add Triethoxycaprylylsilane to your formula (typically used at 0.5-2% for coating pigments) or use a pre-coated Zinc Oxide available at MySkinRecipes for better stability and aesthetics, especially with a high percentage of Zinc Oxide.

Feasibility and Recommendations:
Your proposed formula is generally feasible using ingredients available at MySkinRecipes, but it is a different formulation than the original Olay lotion due to the differences in the emulsifier/thickener system and the absence of some minor ingredients. The percentages you provided are a good starting point, but you may need to adjust the percentages of the emulsifiers and thickeners (Easy Cream Maker, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol) to achieve your desired texture and stability.

To improve the formula, consider adding Triethoxycaprylylsilane or using a pre-coated Zinc Oxide.

In summary, you can create a lotion with sun protection using your proposed ingredients, but expect the sensory feel and stability to differ from the Olay product you are trying to replicate.