Simple Hair Tonic Formula for Hair Growth and Alcohol Necessity

Okay, I can help evaluate this simple hair tonic formula and the role of Ethyl Alcohol.

Your proposed formula is a very simple base for a hair tonic aimed at stimulating new hair growth, using DI Water as the main carrier, Melatonin Forte and Biotin Express as potential active ingredients, and Phenoxyethanol as a preservative.

Regarding the necessity of Ethyl Alcohol, it often serves two main purposes in hair tonics:

1. Solvent: Some active ingredients are not easily soluble in water alone. Alcohol can help dissolve these ingredients, ensuring they are evenly dispersed in the tonic.
2. Penetration Enhancer: Alcohol can help the active ingredients penetrate the scalp more effectively.

For your specific formula, the need for Ethyl Alcohol depends largely on the solubility of Melatonin Forte and Biotin Express in water. While some forms of these ingredients might be water-soluble, others are not.

Recommendation:

• Try dissolving Melatonin Forte (1%) and Biotin Express (1%) in DI Water (97%) first.
• If they dissolve completely and the mixture is clear, then Ethyl Alcohol might not be strictly necessary for solubility.
• However, if they do not dissolve fully (e.g., leave particles or cloudiness), you would likely need to add Ethyl Alcohol as a co-solvent. A typical starting point might be around 10-20% Ethyl Alcohol, reducing the DI Water percentage accordingly.

Adding Ethyl Alcohol can also help the tonic dry faster on the scalp, but be aware that it can be drying or irritating for some individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

In summary, your proposed formula is a simple starting point. The main consideration is the solubility of your active ingredients. If they are not water-soluble, adding Ethyl Alcohol would be beneficial or necessary.