Ingredient Science
Probiotic and Fermented Skincare: Manufacturing Realities
Almost nothing on the probiotic shelf contains live bacteria. Understanding what the ingredients actually are …
Ingredient Science
Articles in this category for beauty brand owners and cosmetics importers.
Ingredient Science
Ceramides and Barrier Repair Formulation
Adding ceramide to a cream does not make it a barrier product. The evidence points to a specific ratio of cera…
Ingredient Science
Vitamin C Stability: Derivatives, pH and Packaging
The most studied antioxidant in skincare is also the one most likely to be dead on arrival. Stability is a sys…
Ingredient Science
Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare: Molecular Weight and What It Changes
Molecular weight determines depth, feel and how the formula behaves in the jar. The three grades are not inter…
Ingredient Science
Gel and Water-Gel Formulation: Choosing the Right Thickener
Gels look like the simplest formula on the shelf and are the most sensitive to the wrong thickener. Electrolyt…
Ingredient Science
Ingredient Documentation and Traceability: What to Ask Your Supplier
A finished product can only be documented as well as its weakest ingredient. The paperwork for a successful la…
Ingredient Science
AHA and BHA Exfoliating Products: pH, Buffering and Claims
The percentage on the front of the bottle tells you less than the pH on the technical file. Understanding free…
Ingredient Science
Retinol and Anti-Aging Formulas for Private Label Brands
Everyone wants a retinol product. Most first attempts fail stability testing. The decisions that decide whethe…
Ingredient Science
Niacinamide, Retinol or Vitamin C: Choosing Actives for Your First Product Line
A formulator's comparison of the three most-requested skincare actives — efficacy evidence, typical use levels…