Using PE1 Aqua Penetration Enhancer: Ingredient Groups for Water-Based Formulas
Question
Based on the information about PE1 Aqua:
Using PE1 Aqua, which is designed to enhance the penetration of water-soluble ingredients, to carry oil-soluble ingredients will reduce the absorption efficiency of the oil-soluble ingredients compared to not using any penetration enhancer in a formula that uses PE1 Aqua. Therefore, oil-soluble active ingredients should not be used.
If I want to use PE1 Aqua to help carry ingredients into the skin, do I need to use the following 4 groups of ingredients in the formula?
- Ingredients for moisturizing, reducing wrinkles, reducing irritation, that are only water-soluble.
- Water
- PE1 Aqua
- Light Cream Maker or Satin Cream Maker
Thank you.
Answer
Based on the information provided, your understanding is correct.
PE1 Aqua is specifically designed to enhance the penetration of water-soluble ingredients. Using it with oil-soluble active ingredients will reduce their absorption efficiency. Therefore, formulations using PE1 Aqua for penetration enhancement should focus on water-soluble actives.
The groups you listed are indeed the key components for a formulation aiming to use PE1 Aqua to enhance the penetration of water-soluble substances into the skin, particularly when creating a cream or mousse texture:
- Water-soluble actives: Ingredients like moisturizers, anti-wrinkle agents, and anti-irritants that dissolve in water. These are the substances whose penetration PE1 Aqua helps to enhance.
- Water: Essential as the solvent for PE1 Aqua and the water-soluble actives.
- PE1 Aqua: The penetration enhancer itself, specifically for water-soluble compounds.
- Emulsifiers (Light Cream Maker or Satin Cream Maker): These are needed to create a stable cream or mousse texture by combining the water phase with any minimal oil phase or simply to provide structure, as suggested by the product names you linked.
Please note that while these are the core groups related to the function of PE1 Aqua and the desired texture, a complete and stable cosmetic formulation may require other standard ingredients such as preservatives, pH adjusters, etc., depending on the specific product requirements.
