Suggested Ingredients for Serums: Freckles, Acne, and Whitening (Face & Body)

Suggested Ingredients for Face and Body Serums

Based on your skin concerns, including oily T-zone, blackheads, clogged pores, occasional inflammatory acne, and noticeable freckles, as well as your request for brightening serums for both face and body, I have compiled information on potential ingredients. Here are suggestions for the three types of serums you are interested in:

1. Spot Treatment Serum for Freckles

This serum formula focuses on targeted action to reduce freckles. It should contain active ingredients that directly inhibit melanin production.

• Tranexamic Acid (Trans-White™): Helps reduce melanin synthesis, suitable for freckles and melasma. Can be used up to 3% in cosmetics.
• Licorice Extract (Glabridin 4.5%, Water-Soluble): A licorice extract containing Glabridin, which helps brighten skin, reduce dark spots, and has anti-irritant properties. Use at 1-2%.
• Glycyrrhizic acid (Oil Soluble Licorice Extract): An oil-soluble licorice extract with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, and may help reduce dark spots. Use at 0.1-1.0%. Suitable for formulas with an oil phase.
• Base Serum: Choose a base suitable for spot treatment, such as a gel or a lightweight texture that absorbs well.

2. Brightening and Acne Reduction Serum for Face

This formula is for oily facial skin with acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), seeking brightening. It should combine ingredients that address acne, control oiliness, and reduce dark spots.

• Tranexamic Acid (Trans-White™): Helps brighten skin and reduce dark spots from acne (PIH). Use at 3%.
• Licorice Extract (Glabridin 4.5%, Water-Soluble): Helps reduce dark spots and has anti-irritant properties. Use at 1-2%.
• Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 1%, Water-Soluble): Helps reduce inflammation, reduce redness from acne, and control facial oiliness. Use at 0.5-1%.
• Actin AC (5-in-1 Anti-Acne): An ingredient that provides comprehensive acne care, including oil control, anti-inflammatory action, reduction of PIH, regulation of keratinization, and antibacterial properties. Use at 2-4%. (This ingredient is soluble in oil/glycol and requires a compatible base like an emulsion or the use of a solubilizer).
• Exfoliating and Oil Control Ingredients: Such as Salicylic Acid (BHA), LHA, Zinc PCA are suitable for acne-prone and oily skin, helping to reduce clogged pores and control oil. (Choose types compatible with the serum base).
• Vitamin C: Helps brighten skin, reduce dark spots, and acts as an antioxidant. Consider using 16% Vitamin C Brightening Serum as part of the base or using other compatible forms of Vitamin C.
• Serum Base: Should be a lightweight, easily absorbed base that does not increase oiliness, such as a water-based serum or a light emulsion.

3. Whitening and Smoothing Serum for Body (to mix with lotion)

This serum formula is for body skin, focusing on whitening and smoothing, intended to be mixed with your existing body lotion.

• Tranexamic Acid (Trans-White™): Helps brighten body skin and reduce various dark spots. Use at 3%.
• Licorice Extract (Glabridin 4.5%, Water-Soluble): Helps brighten body skin, reduce dark spots, and has anti-irritant properties. Use at 1-2%.
• Glycyrrhizic acid (Oil Soluble Licorice Extract): Helps reduce inflammation and may help with dark spots. Use at 0.1-1.0% (if the lotion or serum base contains an oil component).
• AHA Ingredients: Such as Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid help exfoliate dead skin cells, making skin look smoother and brighter. (Use at appropriate concentrations for body skin, starting with lower concentrations).
• Vitamin C: Helps brighten body skin. 16% Vitamin C Brightening Serum can be used as an ingredient.
• Serum Base: Choose a base that mixes well with lotion, such as a water-based or lightweight emulsion-based serum.

Caution when mixing with lotion:

When mixing a homemade serum with a finished lotion product, it is crucially important to check the compatibility of all ingredients to prevent separation, reduced efficacy, or irritation. Once you have the ingredient list of your lotion, you can provide it for a preliminary compatibility assessment.

Additional Recommendations:

• The suggested percentages are starting points. Actual formulation requires considering the compatibility of all ingredients, formula stability, and appropriate pH.
• If you are new to cosmetic formulation, start with simpler formulas and test in small quantities first.
• Maintain cleanliness of equipment and environment during preparation to prevent contamination.
• Always patch test the finished product on a small area of skin before full application.

I hope this information is helpful for starting your serums. If you have the ingredient list for your lotion, feel free to ask for further assessment!