I'm having troubles at making a stable hydroquinone cream. I used sodium meta-bi-sulphite and ascorbic acid and also maintained the pH around 5-5.5. can any one suggest me anything how to make a stable hydroquinon cream.
Not likely because it is a banned ingredient in most countries.
Cosmetic Brand Creation. Concept to name to IMPI search to logo and brand registration. In-house graphic design inc. Pantone specs. Cosmetic label and box design & graphics.
UK based formulation chemist. Strongest subjects: hair styling, hair bleaches, hair dyes (oxidative and non-oxidative)
I know some stuff about: EU regulations, emulsions (O/W and W/O), toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoos, other toiletries
Just to add clarification, Hydroquinone is not banned in the US. It is a monograph ingredient however so you have to follow the FDA monograph guidelines.
It's also not technically banned in the EU. It's just that it is a drug product that requires a prescription.
As @Bill_Toge said, we'd need to know how your current product is unstable.
Cosmetic Brand Creation. Concept to name to IMPI search to logo and brand registration. In-house graphic design inc. Pantone specs. Cosmetic label and box design & graphics.
Cosmetic Brand Creation. Concept to name to IMPI search to logo and brand registration. In-house graphic design inc. Pantone specs. Cosmetic label and box design & graphics.
@Mamun chances are the ascorbic acid is the culprit here; something like sodium erythorbate will do the same job with less discoloration
UK based formulation chemist. Strongest subjects: hair styling, hair bleaches, hair dyes (oxidative and non-oxidative)
I know some stuff about: EU regulations, emulsions (O/W and W/O), toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoos, other toiletries
You are using actual ascorbic acid rather than one of its more complex derivatives? If so, I don't think you will ever get acceptable stability.
Cosmetic Brand Creation. Concept to name to IMPI search to logo and brand registration. In-house graphic design inc. Pantone specs. Cosmetic label and box design & graphics.
Dr. Bob... is it due to the effect of pH of the media on ascorbic acid? as far as I know in the pH range of 1.0–4.4, the decomposition rate of ascorbic acid increases, while at pH 5.4–7.2, it decreases. due to alkaline pH, hydroquinone rapidly oxidized,tht's why I kept the pH of the emulsion at 5-5.5.
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It's also not technically banned in the EU. It's just that it is a drug product that requires a prescription.
As @Bill_Toge said, we'd need to know how your current product is unstable.
Here's a starting formula.
I can understand why one would prefer ascorbic acid over stabilized forms:
http://thebeautybrains.com/2014/05/which-kind-of-vitamin-c-is-best-for-skin-the-beauty-brains-show-episode-31/
And it is stable in anhydrous systems (the brand CSI has 12% LAA + 98% butylene glycol).