Water-based Alpha Arbutin Formula: pH, Preservation, and Sensitive Skin
Asked by: machaingoods
On: March 18, 2014
Product Type:
Cosmetics
Question
I am making a simple water-based formula using distilled water and Alpha Arbutin, potentially with Glycerin. I would like to know:
- Do I need to adjust the pH?
- What kind of preservative should I use for this water-based formula?
- Is this formula suitable for sensitive skin?
Answer
Based on your formula of distilled water, alpha arbutin, and potentially glycerin:
- pH Adjustment: You likely do not need to adjust the pH. Alpha arbutin is acidic, and the resulting solution should be slightly acidic, which is generally beneficial for the skin.
- Preservative: For this water-based formula, a preservative is essential. Suitable options include Phenoxyethanol or BroadPreserve.
- Sensitive Skin: The slightly acidic pH is typically well-tolerated by sensitive skin, but always perform a patch test before applying the product to a larger area.