Review of Your Anti-Aging Gel Formula (50g)

Thank you for sharing your first formula attempt! It's a good starting point with several effective anti-aging ingredients. Let's review the concentrations and mixing steps.

Ingredient Concentrations

Your proposed concentrations for a 50g batch are:

• DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid: 3% (1.5g) - This is within the recommended range (1-10%) and at the commonly recommended level (3%). Using above 5% can cause irritation, so 3% is a good choice, especially for a first attempt.
• Repair Activator™ BG (Bifida Ferment Lysate): 15% (7.5g) - This is within the recommended range (5-100%) and provides a good concentration for its DNA repair benefits.
• Snow Algae: 3% (1.5g) - This is within the recommended range (1-4%) and at the higher end of the recommended level (2-3%), which is good for efficacy in improving skin structure and hydration.
• Ectoine: 2% (1g) - This is at the recommended maximum usage rate (0.5-2.0%) for optimal protective and repair benefits.
• Mild Preserved Eco™: 1% (0.5g) - This is within the recommended range (0.5-2.0%) and suitable for general cosmetic preservation.
• Pro Polymer™ (Gel Maker): 0.8% (0.4g) - This is the recommended amount for a general gel texture (0.8-1%).

Overall, the concentrations of your active ingredients are well-chosen and align with the recommended usage rates for efficacy.

Suggested Mixing Procedure

Based on the properties and mixing instructions of the ingredients:

1. Prepare the Gel Base: Add the Aqua (37.6g) to your mixing container. Slowly sprinkle the Pro Polymer™ (0.4g) powder onto the surface of the water while stirring gently. Continue stirring slowly for 3-5 minutes until the powder is dispersed. For best results and full hydration, it is highly recommended to let this mixture sit undisturbed for several hours or even overnight before proceeding. After the resting period, stir gently again until a smooth gel texture is formed. Avoid high-speed blending (>2500 rpm) as this can damage the polymer.
2. Add Water-Soluble Actives: Once the gel base is formed and smooth, you can add Ectoine (1g). Stir gently until fully dissolved.
3. Add Heat-Sensitive Ingredients: Ensure the temperature of your gel base is below 40°C. Then, add the DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid (1.5g), Repair Activator™ BG (Bifida Ferment Lysate) (7.5g), and Snow Algae (1.5g). Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Remember to shake the Repair Activator™ BG well before adding.
4. Add Preservative: Finally, add the Mild Preserved Eco™ (0.5g) to the mixture. Stir gently until evenly distributed.

Considerations

• Viscosity: Repair Activator™ BG (Bifida Ferment Lysate) may contain some electrolytes, which could potentially slightly reduce the viscosity created by Pro Polymer™. Your current Pro Polymer concentration of 0.8% is the standard recommendation. If you find the final texture is not thick enough after adding all ingredients, you could try increasing the Pro Polymer slightly in a future batch (e.g., to 1%) or prepare the gel base first, then add the Bifida and observe the viscosity before deciding if more Pro Polymer is needed (though adding Pro Polymer later takes longer to dissolve). For this first trial, 0.8% is a good starting point.
• Storage: Remember to store Repair Activator™ BG and Snow Algae in the refrigerator (6-8°C) for long-term storage. The final product should also be stored appropriately.

Your formula looks promising for anti-aging benefits with these ingredients. Good luck with your first batch!