Review and Adjustment of Antioxidant Serum Formulations

Hello! I'd be happy to help review and adjust your Antioxidant formulations.

Based on the three formulas you provided, I have analyzed the ingredients and proportions. Here are my comments:

Formula 1

• Key Ingredients: Perfect-C™ (Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate) 5%, Ethyl Ferulate 1%, WhiteCumin™ (Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane) 0.3%, Fractionated Coconut Oil 93.7%.
• Analysis: This is an oil-based serum using oil-soluble antioxidants like Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (a stable Vitamin C derivative) and Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane (from WhiteCumin™), which is a purified, oil-soluble curcumin derivative. Ethyl Ferulate is also a good antioxidant often used with Vitamins C and E (though Vitamin E is not explicitly in this formula). The base is Fractionated Coconut Oil, which is a relatively light and easily absorbed oil.
• Comments: This formula looks good and stable in terms of its oil-soluble components. It's suitable for those who prefer an oil texture or have dry to normal skin. The concentrations of the active ingredients are at appropriate levels.

Formula 2

• Key Ingredients: Pure-Melatonin™ 2%, Ferulic Acid 1%, WhiteCumin™ (Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane) 0.3%, Ethoxydiglycol 2.6%, Butylene Glycol 20%, Propanediol (1,3-Propanediol) 74.1%.
• Analysis: This formula uses a base of Glycols and Solvents (Ethoxydiglycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol), which helps dissolve various active ingredients, especially Ferulic Acid, which is poorly soluble in oil. Melatonin and Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane are also good antioxidants.
• Comments: This formula is designed to use ingredients that may not dissolve well in water or oil alone, using Glycols as the primary solvent. The total Glycol content is quite high (around 96.7%), which might result in a sticky or heavy texture depending on the specific glycols and personal preference. However, in terms of dissolving the active ingredients, particularly Ferulic Acid, this approach is likely more effective than a purely oil base.

Formula 3

• Key Ingredients: Pure-Melatonin™ 2%, Ferulic Acid 1%, WhiteCumin™ (Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane) 0.3%, Safflower Seed Oil (High Oleic, Refined, Cosmetics) 96.7%.
• Analysis: This formula is an oil-based serum similar to Formula 1 but uses Safflower Seed Oil as the base and Ferulic Acid instead of Ethyl Ferulate.
• Comments: The main concern with this formula is the solubility of Ferulic Acid. Ferulic Acid is generally not well-soluble in oil. Using Ferulic Acid in a high-percentage oil base like this may lead to incomplete dissolution, precipitation, or reduced efficacy and stability. If you want to use Ferulic Acid in an oil formula, you might need to use it with other solvents or consider using Ethyl Ferulate, which is an oil-soluble derivative (as in Formula 1), instead.

Suggestions for Adjustment:

1. For an oil-based formula: Formula 1 appears well-balanced and stable. If you wish to add other oil-soluble antioxidants, consider adding Vitamin E (Tocopherol) or Coenzyme Q10. If you prefer a lighter texture, you could blend with lighter oils or certain Silicone Oils.
2. For a non-oil based formula: Formula 2 is a good approach for using Ferulic Acid and Melatonin. If the texture from the high Glycol content is not preferred, you could try reducing the proportion of some Glycols and adding water (if the active ingredients remain soluble) or using other solvents that provide a better texture. Alternatively, consider formulating it as an emulsion (cream/lotion) to combine both water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients.
3. Avoid Formula 3: Due to the solubility issue of Ferulic Acid in oil, it's recommended to avoid this formula or modify it by replacing Ferulic Acid with Ethyl Ferulate if you want to keep an oil base.

In summary, Formula 1 is a relatively good and stable oil-based formula. Formula 2 uses a Glycol solvent base, suitable for certain ingredients but requires consideration of the texture. Formula 3 is likely problematic due to the solubility of Ferulic Acid in an oil base.

If you have any further questions or would like to adjust the formula in a different direction, feel free to ask!