Advice on Making Vitamin C Lotion

Regarding your questions about making a Vitamin C lotion using Vitamin C Ester, Ferulic Acid, and Vitamin E, and aiming for an economical formula:

1. Can Vitamin C Ester + Ferulic Acid be dissolved in Vitamin E oil?

   • Vitamin C Ester (like Ascorbyl Palmitate) is oil-soluble and can be dissolved in oils, including Vitamin E oil. However, using a large amount of Vitamin E oil as the primary solvent is generally not recommended because it can make the final product very sticky and is also quite expensive, as noted in the forum replies.
   • Ferulic Acid is not oil-soluble. It requires specific solvents like Ethoxydiglycol or ethanol to dissolve properly.

2. Does Vitamin E oil need to be dissolved in another oil?

   • Vitamin E oil is oil-soluble, meaning it dissolves in other oils. It doesn't necessarily need another oil to dissolve itself, but in a lotion or cream formulation, it is typically incorporated into the oil phase along with other oil-soluble ingredients.

3. Is Glycerin an oil? Can it dissolve these three ingredients?

   • Glycerin is not an oil. It is a humectant (a substance that helps retain moisture) and is water-soluble. Therefore, it cannot dissolve oil-soluble ingredients like Vitamin C Ester, Ferulic Acid, or Vitamin E.

For an economical approach:

• Vitamin C Ester (Ascorbyl Palmitate) should be dissolved in the oil phase of your formulation. Economical oil alternatives like Fractionated Coconut Oil or certain types of LipidSoft (such as LipidSoft Palm or LipidSoft C1215) can be used instead of expensive oils or a large amount of Vitamin E. Heating the oil phase to around 70°C can help dissolve the Vitamin C Ester more easily.
• Ferulic Acid needs to be dissolved separately in a suitable solvent like Ethoxydiglycol before being added to the formulation.
• Vitamin E can be added to the oil phase. It acts as an antioxidant in the formula and provides benefits to the skin.

While the combination of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid is particularly effective for stabilizing L-Ascorbic Acid (a less stable form of Vitamin C), adding Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid to a formula containing Vitamin C Ester can still provide enhanced antioxidant protection and other skin benefits.

Making your own formulation can be rewarding. Starting with simpler formulations or following established recipes for Vitamin C serums/lotions (like a Vitamin C E Ferulic type formula, adjusting the Vitamin C form) can be a good way to begin.