Formulating Questions - Moisturizers and extracts

[Guest guest]

Hello!

First, pardon my spelling.

I'm working on a cream to go on the area around the eyes. I'm making it for

myself because I noticed I am getting an awful lot of smile lines around my

eyes. I didn't think I smiled that much.

Looking at several high dollar commercial eye serums I see that L'Occitane and

others have Helichrysum extract, and hyalauric acid in the ingredients list.

Information I've read states that hyalauric acid is a very intense moisturizer,

and that sodium lactate is a less intense moisturizer, but still a good one. I

haven't found specific information on sodium lactate for use in eye area

products. Could I use a small percentage of sodium lactate in a cream around

the eyes without burning out my corneas?

Everlasting EO or extract is beyond my means. But I do have the dried flow

tops. I'm thinking I can put these in glycerin for a while and then use that

glycerin as the humectant in the formula. It may not be considered an active

ingredient, but it'll make me feel better being in there. Thoughts?

Suggestions?

And finally, what is the difference between a cream and a serum?

Thanks!

Beth D

[Guest guest]

Hi Beth!

You can get a tiny amount of Helichrysum Italicum (hope I spelled it right) at

Camden Grey. It would be enough to experiement with.

Serums can be all oil or an emulsion. They are usually used after cleansing

the skin and then one can use a moisturizer to seal it in over the serum. It

can also be used alone. I love making them. HTH

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[Guest guest]

Hey Beth -

Love that you're putting your own flower tops into glycerin and making

your own infusion.

You're talking about 3 things. Solvents as humectants, acids as

humectants and essential oils. My own guess would be if you're

interested in getting rid of wrinkles around the eyes, you'd use

lactic acid (sodium lactate)and if you're interested in puffing up the

skin to make the wrinkles less apparent, use Hyaluronic acid.

Helichrysum is generally touted for it's ability to reduce the

appearance of vascular related discolorations - under eyes or on bruises.

Serums are a buzz word IMO. What they basically are, are clear to

opaque drippy formulas. Makes the consumer feel they are getting

something special. They may or may not be beneficial depending on the

formulation. Same can be said about creams, lotions, gels, balms,

scrubs etc.

Mark

>

> Hello!

>

> First, pardon my spelling.

>

> I'm working on a cream to go on the area around the eyes. I'm

making it for myself because I noticed I am getting an awful lot of

smile lines around my eyes. I didn't think I smiled that much.

>

> Looking at several high dollar commercial eye serums I see that

L'Occitane and others have Helichrysum extract, and hyalauric acid in

the ingredients list.

>

> Information I've read states that hyalauric acid is a very intense

moisturizer, and that sodium lactate is a less intense moisturizer,

but still a good one. I haven't found specific information on sodium

lactate for use in eye area products. Could I use a small percentage

of sodium lactate in a cream around the eyes without burning out my

corneas?

>

> Everlasting EO or extract is beyond my means. But I do have the

dried flow tops. I'm thinking I can put these in glycerin for a while

and then use that glycerin as the humectant in the formula. It may

not be considered an active ingredient, but it'll make me feel better

being in there. Thoughts? Suggestions?

>

> And finally, what is the difference between a cream and a serum?

>

> Thanks!

>

> Beth D

>

>

>