Summary of Your Skincare Formulation Questions and Feedback

Based on your questions and the feedback provided, here is a summary of the key points regarding your skincare formulations for brightening, dark spots, pore tightening, anti-aging, and wrinkles.

Initial Whitening & Pore Formula

Your initial formula included Nanowhite, Delentigo, Snail secretion, Bio yeast essence, Witch Hazel, and water. The goal was brightening, pore tightening, and addressing dark spots on slightly dry skin with visible pores.

• Feedback: It was recommended to remove Snail secretion for a stronger focus on whitening. Adding ingredients like Vitamin B3, N-Acetyl Glucosamine, and Alpha-Arbutin was suggested to enhance whitening and address dark spots. Increasing the amount of Witch Hazel was also recommended for pore tightening. It was noted that the formula lacked a gelling agent and would be watery; adding a thickener like Pro Polymer or Xanthan Gum was advised.

Lactic Acid for Exfoliation

You asked about using Lactic Acid AHA directly on the face for 15 minutes before washing off, and the effective concentration.

• Feedback: A starting concentration of 10% Lactic Acid was recommended, formulated as a water-based gel (e.g., using Pro Polymer). Glycolic Acid 10% was mentioned as an alternative, noting its smaller molecule size for potentially better skin penetration, although it is more expensive. The calculation for using 70% Glycolic Acid to achieve a 10% concentration in the final formula (14.3% of the 70% solution) was provided.

Alpha-Arbutin Redundancy

You inquired if adding Alpha-Arbutin would be redundant with Nanowhite and Delentigo.

• Feedback: It was clarified that Alpha-Arbutin is a more potent form than the regular Arbutin (Beta-Arbutin) often found in products like Nanowhite. Therefore, adding Alpha-Arbutin provides enhanced efficacy for whitening and addressing dark spots.

Anti-Aging & Firming Formula

Your proposed formula for wrinkles and firming included Matrixyl 3000, Argireline, Kinetin, Pep-coll, Pepha-tight, Apple stem cell, Sesaflash, Vitamin B3, Urea, and water.

• Feedback: It was pointed out that Pep-coll has similar functions to Matrixyl 3000, and Pepha-tight is similar to Sesaflash. It was recommended to choose only one from each pair to avoid redundancy. For your slightly dry skin, milder moisturizing alternatives to Urea were suggested, such as Moist72 or Vitamin B5, as Urea has an exfoliating effect which might not be desired.

Comparing Whitening Formulas

You asked whether the Vitamin C E Ferulic kit or your adjusted formula (Delentigo, Alpha-Arbutin, Vitamin C Ultra Fine, Glutathione, Bio yeast essence, Witch Hazel, water) would be more effective for whitening, dark spots, and pore tightening.

• Feedback: It was explained that direct comparison is difficult as ingredients perform differently on different skin types. A technical comparison highlighted that Vitamin C (in the kit) offers whitening, anti-oxidant, and collagen boosting benefits, while your formula focuses on whitening (Delentigo, Alpha-Arbutin, Vitamin C Ultra Fine, Glutathione) with skin conditioning (Bio yeast essence) and pore tightening (Witch Hazel). The Vitamin C E Ferulic kit also provides anti-oxidant benefits from Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid.

Adjusted Whitening Formula & pH

Regarding your adjusted whitening formula with Vitamin C Ultra Fine and Glutathione, feedback was given on the potential pH level.

• Feedback: It was noted that this formula would likely have a low pH (around 3.5) due to the Vitamin C. It was advised to remove Bio yeast essence as it would lose its quality and effectiveness at this low pH, while the other ingredients can tolerate acidic conditions.

You also asked if a pH of 3.5 would cause skin irritation.

• Feedback: It was explained that a pH of 3.5 is generally acceptable for cosmetic products, including AHA/BHA formulas, and is within regulatory limits. It was stated that an acidic pH like 3.5 is preferable to a high alkaline pH (8 or above), which can damage skin cells.