Serum Formulation with Your Ingredients

Yes, you can definitely produce a serum using the ingredients you listed. You have a good selection of ingredients, including a dedicated serum base and several beneficial active ingredients.

Here's how the key ingredients contribute to your serum:

• Silky Serum Base (Face/Eye): This is your primary base, designed to create a light, smooth, and fast-absorbing serum texture. It mixes easily with water-soluble ingredients.
• Hyaluronic Acid (Standard Molecule): Provides hydration to the outer layers of the skin, helping to keep it moisturized and plump.
• Repair Activator™ BG (Bifida Ferment Lysate): Known for its ability to help repair skin DNA damaged by UV exposure, supporting skin barrier function and overall skin health.
• DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid: An anti-aging ingredient that can help improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Start with a lower concentration (e.g., 3%) as higher amounts can cause irritation.
• Phenylethyl Resorcinol (e.q. Sym-White™): A highly effective skin brightening agent that helps reduce dark spots and uneven skin tone by inhibiting melanin production. It also has antioxidant properties.
• ActiveProtec™ OX: An antioxidant blend that helps protect the other ingredients, especially whitening agents like Phenylethyl Resorcinol, from oxidation and discoloration, thus maintaining formula stability and efficacy.
• 1,2-Hexanediol: Acts as a solvent, humectant (attracts water), and can boost the effectiveness of preservatives. It also helps improve the penetration of other ingredients into the skin.
• Dimethyl Isosorbide (DMI): A penetration enhancer that helps carry active ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, DMAE, and Phenylethyl Resorcinol deeper into the skin for potentially better results.
• Polysorbate 20: Can be used as a solubilizer if you need to incorporate small amounts of oil-soluble ingredients or fragrances (though Odor-Kill might absorb fragrance).
• Disodium EDTA: A chelating agent that binds to metal ions in water, improving formula stability and preventing discoloration or degradation of sensitive ingredients.
• Magnesium Sulfate: The Silky Serum Base description suggests adding 1% Magnesium Sulfate to help increase the stability of the formula and prevent separation when mixing with water.
• Odor-Kill™: This ingredient is used to absorb unwanted odors in the formula. Be aware that it can also absorb the scent of perfumes if you choose to add any.

Formulation Considerations:

1. Mixing: Follow the instructions for the Silky Serum Base carefully, especially regarding adding water gradually and stirring well. Using a blender can help achieve a smooth texture faster.
2. Ingredient Addition Order: Generally, water-soluble ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid (after dissolving), Repair Activator, Disodium EDTA, ActiveProtec OX, Odor-Kill, and Magnesium Sulfate should be mixed into the water phase before combining with the serum base. DMAE and Phenylethyl Resorcinol should typically be added in the final step at temperatures below 40°C (for DMAE) or 50°C (for Phenylethyl Resorcinol). DMI can often be added in various steps, but adding it with or just before your active ingredients can enhance their delivery.
3. Usage Rates: Adhere to the recommended usage rates for each ingredient to ensure efficacy and safety. Pay close attention to the recommended starting percentage for DMAE to avoid irritation.
4. pH: The stability of some ingredients, particularly Phenylethyl Resorcinol, is pH-dependent (recommended pH 4-5). You may need to adjust the final pH of your serum.
5. Preservation: While Repair Activator contains some preservatives and 1,2-Hexanediol acts as a booster, the Silky Serum Base description notes that if you mix it with water to make a ready-to-use serum, you must add preservatives. Ensure your final formulation is adequately preserved to prevent microbial growth.
6. Compatibility: Be mindful of potential incompatibilities mentioned in the ingredient descriptions (e.g., Phenylethyl Resorcinol with certain perfumes or protein/amino acid ingredients).

By carefully combining these ingredients according to their usage guidelines, you can create a potent serum targeting hydration, repair, anti-aging, and brightening.