Water Body Serum Formulation and Acne Treatment Inquiry

Question

I want to make a water-based body serum for dry skin, hydration, and possibly firmness. I plan to use the following ingredients:

Aloe Vera extract
Grape Seed extract
Green Tea extract
Rose Water or regular water
HYDRO-UREA® or Moist 24

I have several questions:

Can I use these ingredients together? Should I use all three extracts or choose one?
Can I use Rose Water instead of regular water? Will this affect the formula?
Which moisturizer should I choose, HYDRO-UREA® or Moist 24?
What are the recommended usage percentages for these ingredients? Do I need to use heat during mixing?
What type of packaging is suitable for this serum?
Can I add SPF to this serum formula? If so, how?
I also have acne on my back. Can this serum help, or is there a better way to treat it, perhaps using Salicylic Acid like the Encapsulated Salicylic Acid (Powder, Timed-Release) (Product ID 1372) that the staff recommended?
Will this serum help with dry skin and hydration? Will it help with skin firmness?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Subject: Water Body Serum Formula Inquiry

Regarding your inquiry about a water body serum formula using the ingredients you listed:

Aloe Vera, Grape Seed, Green Tea Extracts: You can choose to use one or combine these extracts. Aloe Vera is known for soothing properties, while Grape Seed and Green Tea are antioxidants. Combining them can offer multiple benefits.
Rose Water vs. Water: You can use Rose Water. As the staff mentioned, using Rose Water may reduce the need for a preservative. If you use regular distilled water, it is recommended to add a preservative like Phenoxyethanol SA at 1%.
HYDRO-UREA® vs. Moist 24: Both are effective moisturizers. You can choose either one based on your preference for texture and specific moisturizing properties.
Formula Compatibility: The staff confirmed that the ingredients you listed are compatible and can be mixed together as they are water-soluble.
Quantities and Heat: Please check the recommended usage rate and mixing instructions for each specific ingredient on its product page on the website. Heat is generally not required for mixing these water-soluble ingredients.
Packaging: It is advisable to use opaque or sun-protective packaging. This helps protect the ingredients from UV light, which can cause them to degrade faster.
Adding SPF: Incorporating SPF into a simple water or gel serum can be complex and may affect the texture and stability. It might be more effective to use a separate SPF product or a pre-formulated base designed for SPF.
Acne on the Back: For addressing acne on the back, the staff recommended using a Salicylic Acid gel specifically on the affected areas. They suggested checking the product page for Encapsulated Salicylic Acid (Powder, Timed-Release) (Product ID 1372) for sample formulas.
Dry Skin, Hydration, Firmness: The ingredients you listed, particularly Aloe Vera and HYDRO-UREA®/Moist 24, are excellent for hydration, which is beneficial for dry skin. Grape Seed and Green Tea provide antioxidant benefits. For additional firmness, other active ingredients might be considered, but the current combination focuses well on hydration and antioxidant protection.