Stability issue in AHA 5% cream after pH adjustment

Regarding your AHA 5% cream formulation that turned liquid after adjusting the pH from 2.7 to 3.5:

The issue you encountered is likely due to the sensitivity of the 'Light Cream Maker' (or the overall emulsifier/thickener system) to the pH change and the addition of Triethanolamine in the presence of a high concentration of AHA. Many thickeners and emulsifiers are designed to work within a specific pH range, and neutralizing a highly acidic solution can disrupt their ability to maintain the cream's structure and viscosity.

You asked if you can use the product at pH 2.7. As confirmed by our staff, you can use the product at pH 2.7 for personal use without any issues, and it will be even more effective at this lower pH. However, if you intend to produce this product for commercial sale, you must adjust the pH to above 3.5 to comply with FDA regulations.

To achieve a stable cream texture at pH 3.5, consider the following:

• As suggested by another user, incorporating a pH-stable thickener like Pro Polymer (Acrylate Crosspolymer) (Product ID 234) at 2-3% can help stabilize the texture in acidic conditions. You would typically add this and mix until fully dissolved to build viscosity.
• Alternatively, you may need to explore different emulsifier and thickener systems that are specifically formulated to be stable at pH 3.5 in the presence of AHAs.

Always perform stability testing on your final formulation at the target pH to ensure the texture remains consistent over time.