Using Gold Pellet Beads as a 24K Gold substitute in Serum and Suspension Needs

The Gold Pellet Beads, gold flake beads, 1-5mm (Product ID 33183) can certainly be used in a serum to achieve a beautiful, luxurious visual effect similar to 24K gold flakes.

Key Differences and Usage

1. Substitution: They are an excellent visual substitute for 24K gold. However, they are not pure gold. They are decorative flakes made from a base of water, glycols, and natural gelling agents (Calcium Alginate, Gellan Gum, Agar) colored with Titanium Dioxide. They serve a purely aesthetic purpose, whereas 24K gold is marketed as a luxury ingredient.
2. Suspension: The Gold Pellet Beads product (ID 33183) is already a pre-suspended system (a gel containing the flakes). This makes it much easier to incorporate than dry flakes.
   • Do you need an extra suspending agent? It depends on your base serum's viscosity.
     • If your serum is a thin, water-like liquid, the pre-suspended gel droplets may still settle at the bottom over time.
     • To ensure the beads remain evenly dispersed and floating throughout the serum, it is highly recommended to use a suspending agent to increase the viscosity of your base serum. Common examples include Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, or specialized suspending polymers.
3. Mixing Method: Always add the Gold Pellet Beads in the final step of your formulation. Avoid high heat and strong agitation, as this can break the delicate beads.

In summary, use the Gold Pellet Beads for the visual appeal, but ensure your base serum is sufficiently viscous (by adding a suspending agent if necessary) to maintain the stability and even distribution of the flakes.