Serum Formulation Advice

You've asked about creating a serum using Hyaluronic Acid, Sym-White, Alpha Arbutin, Repair Activator™, and DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid. Here's the information based on the product details:

1. Can these ingredients be mixed together?

Based on the compatibility information, Sym-White (Phenylethyl Resorcinol) and Repair Activator™ (Bifida Ferment Lysate) are not compatible and should not be mixed in the same formula. Sym-White is incompatible with protein groups, and Repair Activator™ is a protein-based ingredient.

Therefore, you cannot create a single serum containing all five ingredients. You would need to create two separate serum formulations:

• Serum 1 (Whitening & Anti-Aging): Hyaluronic Acid, Sym-White, Alpha Arbutin, DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid
• Serum 2 (Repair & Anti-Aging): Hyaluronic Acid, Repair Activator™, DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid

2. Does mixing them change the concentration?

Yes, when you mix active ingredients into a serum base, their concentration changes relative to the original pure ingredient. The final concentration of each ingredient in the serum is determined by the amount of that ingredient you add relative to the total weight of the final serum formulation (ingredient + base + any other additives).

3. How much of each ingredient can be added to a serum base (for a 100g total formula)?

Assuming you are making a total of 100 grams of serum (including the base and all ingredients), here are the recommended maximum usage rates for each ingredient:

• Hyaluronic Acid (Standard Molecule): Up to 0.5% (0.5 grams in a 100g formula). Use 0.05-0.1% for normal skin, 0.1-0.3% for dry skin, and 0.3-0.5% for very dry skin.
• Sym-White (Phenylethyl Resorcinol): Up to 1.0% (1.0 gram in a 100g formula). The recommended usage rate is 0.5%.
• Alpha Arbutin: Up to 2.0% (2.0 grams in a 100g formula). The recommended usage rate is 2% for brightening.
• Repair Activator™ (Bifida Ferment Lysate): 5-100% (5-100 grams in a 100g formula). This ingredient can be used as a significant portion or even the base of the serum.
• DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid: Up to 10% (10 grams in a 100g formula). The recommended usage rate is 3%. Using above 5% may cause skin irritation.

Remember that the total percentage of all ingredients in your formula (actives, base, preservatives, etc.) must add up to 100%.

Important Formulation Notes:

• pH: Aim for a pH range of 4-5 for optimal stability of Sym-White, Alpha Arbutin, and Repair Activator™. Hyaluronic Acid and DMAE are also stable within this range.
• Preservation: You must add a preservative (such as Phenoxyethanol) to prevent microbial growth, especially since these serums contain water-soluble ingredients.
• Sym-White Serum: This formulation requires an oil phase for Sym-White to dissolve properly, even in a gel texture. Consider adding a small amount of a suitable oil. It is also highly recommended to include stabilizers like ActiveProtec™ OX and Disodium EDTA.
• Mixing: Generally, add active ingredients to your serum base in the final step, ensuring the temperature is below 30-40°C (check specific ingredient instructions).

4. Which is more effective for whitening: Sym-White or Alpha Arbutin?

Based on the product descriptions, Sym-White (Phenylethyl Resorcinol) is presented as having higher efficiency compared to Alpha Arbutin and other common whitening substances. Experimental results mentioned in the description indicate Sym-White is significantly more effective at reducing pigmentation in laboratory tests compared to Kojic Acid, and it is classified as providing maximum efficiency among safe whitening substances like Alpha Arbutin.