Formula Review: Hair Tonic for Hair Loss and Growth Stimulation

Here is a review of your proposed hair tonic formula aimed at reducing hair loss and stimulating hair growth:

Strengths of the Formula:

• Good Selection of Actives: The formula includes several well-regarded ingredients for hair and scalp health, such as Biotin, Copper Peptide, Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Caffeine, Ginseng extract, and Zinc PCA. These ingredients are known for their potential to support hair growth, reduce shedding, improve scalp condition, and provide antioxidant benefits.
• Appropriate Preservative System: The combination of Phenoxyethanol SA and Thyme Kill™ provides broad-spectrum preservation for the water-based formula.
• Fragrance Solubilization: The inclusion of Flora Solve™ Clear at an appropriate ratio should effectively solubilize the fragrance in the water base.

Areas for Consideration and Potential Improvement:

• Poly-Conditioner Pro Concentration: The proposed concentration of Poly-Conditioner Pro (400 mPa.s) at 2% is significantly higher than the typically recommended usage rate of 0.2-0.5%. Using such a high concentration may lead to excessive viscosity or a heavy feel in the hair tonic and is likely not necessary for the desired conditioning effect. It is recommended to reduce the concentration to within the suggested range.
• Protec™ UV Solubility: Protec™ UV (Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol) is an oil-soluble UV absorber. While its inclusion is beneficial for protecting UV-sensitive ingredients like Biotin, it may not fully dissolve or disperse effectively in a predominantly water and alcohol-based tonic. Consider using a water-soluble UV filter like ActiveProtec™ UV for better compatibility and performance in this formula type.
• Thyme Kill™ Dissolution: Thyme Kill™ (o-Cymen-5-ol) is a powder that needs to be dissolved in a glycol (like Propylene Glycol) before being added to the main formula. Ensure that a sufficient amount of a suitable glycol is included in the formula specifically for dissolving the Thyme Kill™.
• pH Control: The efficacy and stability of several key ingredients (Safe-B3, Zinc PCA, Copper Peptide, and Phenoxyethanol SA) are dependent on the formula's pH. Aim to adjust the final pH of the hair tonic to be within the range of 4.5-6.0. This range provides optimal conditions for the stability and performance of these ingredients.
• Caffeine Concentration: The 5% concentration of Slim-Coffee™ (assuming it contains 50% active Caffeine, resulting in 2.5% active Caffeine) is close to the recommended maximum of 3% for hair tonics. While likely acceptable, monitor for any potential scalp sensitivity.
• Biotin Absorption: The description for Pure-Biotin™ suggests that adding 3-7% Urea can enhance Biotin absorption. While not strictly necessary, you could consider including Urea (and a small amount of Triacetin to stabilize Urea's pH) if you aim to maximize Biotin delivery to the scalp.

Mixing Considerations:

• Pay attention to the mixing temperatures. Copper Peptide and some Ginseng extracts should be added when the mixture is below 40°C.
• Properly dissolve or disperse each ingredient according to its recommended method (e.g., dissolving Poly-Conditioner Pro and Thyme Kill™ separately before combining with the main water phase).

Overall, the formula has a strong foundation with good active ingredients. Addressing the points regarding Poly-Conditioner Pro concentration, Protec UV solubility, Thyme Kill dissolution, and pH control will help optimize the formula's stability, efficacy, and aesthetic properties.