[Pattsi]

I (DIYer - non professional) use overhead stirrer with proper blades, can do many formulations without air bubbles issue.  

[Pattsi]

It’s best to avoid air bubbles.
You can search for immersion blender’s attachment shared in the old posts. 

[Pattsi]

Ethanol? I still like it.

[Pattsi]

MarkBroussard said:

Have you measured the temperature of the oil itself?  It might also help if you stir it as you are heating … there is no obvious reason why Olivem 1000 would not melt completely in the 70C to 80C range … unless it’s not really Olivem 1000

As Mark mentioned, measure the temperature of the oil itself not the water in the bath.
Sometimes I when did real quick DIYing, I put the beaker in microwave for 45-50 sec. bring it up to 80-85C and then stir it for a bit.
Olivem 1000 should melt easily, unless there’s somethings wrong with it. 

[Pattsi]

How to do marketing really does depend on your consumers’ demographic.
What is the best way for your product’s message to reach them also depend on your consumers’ demographic.

You mentioned wholesalers/retailers, if you have a good business partners that will make the sale easier, they know their audience base’s behavior.

Indian trader/wholesaler companies are really superb if the product is good and the price is within competitive range, they can make the sale really fast, you just support marketing medias but one downside they want big cut tho. 

Online presence - facebook, IG, website… in this era it is a must have for every brands and never been easier to start one.
Some American brands do well on social media but some Indian brands have low engagement on social media whereas they do have very high engagement on youtube, which way works best for your brand you will have to figure it out.

It’s always good to have your own story and brand image for marketing, if you yourself can’t see your brand apart from others then how could your potential customers tell.

Microformulation said:

1. Ultimately a Cosmetic Line is a Business. You will win or lose through solid Business practices. You should be incredibly honest; “are you a Businessperson who needs a Formulator, or a Formulator who needs a Business partner? In my experience, it isn’t sustainable to try and fill both roles.
2. Don’t go in with an inadequate budget. Early on you will not see discounts you will see as you get larger. Most start-ups have more time than money. Your only real savings will be in taking on your own Project Management.
3. A product will succeed based upon an effective Marketing strategy. Simply crowing that you are “natural” no longer will differentiate you from the crowd. You need to deliver the promised Cosmetic benefits (efficacy) and meet Market expectations for price. Know your projected Customer. WHY should they purchase your product with all the other options?

As Mark pointed out the most important message is Why.

[Pattsi]

PhilGeis said:

amitvedakar said:

What about THIS.

This is an advertisement - these folks have a patent on the stuff.  Here’s the technical report: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32089252/.  It’s in an obscure journal (cite score ~1) likely because it’s a pretty weak study and a “me too” report.  Many plant extracts have been reported to lighten skin.  To your apparent point - yes, extracts can have some cosmetic activity.

This report:
The stuff probably has an effect - but no idea if its more than technical as in vivo efficacy described is not compelling and ingredient safety is more than irritation.  There’s no analysis of litchi “standardized” material.

In testing - there is no positive control that calibrates efficacy in either study.  Forearm study had skin darkening on its own (more so that litchi lightening) and the base (no litchi) showed efficacy. Why was skin darkening and would an effect been observed without the darkening?   What would a commerical product have achieved?  
The facial study was uncontrolled and no idea how grading was accomplished - was skin darkening here too?  Why no control base formula (that itself previously showed efficacy, and  why no calibration to a relevant commercial product?

You will always find weak study like this from Thailand since hydroquinone is prohibited so they are on the mission to find new potential skin whitening ingredient and stuff.

There are some promising plant extracts with better studies from government funded labs but the patents cost a ton of gold coins. 

[Pattsi]

For startup, like every businesses, it’s better to have business model planned, you can make simple business model yourself so you can estimate your budget and revenue.

there’re many ways to approach your consumers.

One aspect many companies ignored is after sales service. 

I believe most of startup want to start with online sale so public relation and communication is an important key.

I bought seasonal gifts for my friends from 2 stores.
The 2nd store is very attentive, they e-mail me to check if the order is right and everything. So I have better experience with the 2nd store.   

[Pattsi]

to get a better answer you may have to post your formula, and what is your final pH?
Optiphen plus should be miscible in water pH 6. 

[Pattsi]

BASF have one in their mix
Water (and) Glycerin (and) Lauryl Glucoside (and) Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate (and) Argania Spinosa Fruit Extract (and) Sorbitol (and) Dicaprylyl Ether
I believe it’s from the pulp and peel that was left. Not so sure I want to use it in skincare since the extract itself looks pretty cytotoxic.

[Pattsi]

If you want SPF then go with the coated ones.

[Pattsi]

Skinceuticals CE+Ferulic serum - would last longer than 3-7 days as they studied and stated in their patent. But IMHO it can’t be 1-2 years.

Skinceuticals CE+Ferulic serum ingredients: 
Aqua/Water/Eau, Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate.

[Pattsi]

My suggestion will sounds silly but throw in some salt to break the network.

[Pattsi]

andync said:

Thanks @Perry , that might be one of the reasons.

I check the weight every day, and jars are only lightly screwed, not closed.

And maybe to make the bigger problem that the temperature in my country is very hot, at noon is usually 32-35 degrees Celsius.

Water evaporation isn’t it nature of hydrogel in open jar? 
May I know why didn’t you close your jar?
Even alcohol gel sanitizer won’t evaporate in proper tube/packaging.

[Pattsi]

Your main solvent is water, when water evaporated L-Ascorbic acid would recrystallize.
Maybe try adjust you glycol.

ETcellphone said:

Also, if I were to keep taking it in and out of the fridge, do you think this daily temperature fluctuation, from cold to room temperature and then back to cold again, could hurt the actives in my serum? I only have it out of the fridge for maximum 30 minutes. 

If it was me I would not concern much since DIY L-Ascorbic acid- 15% serum has a very short shelf life maybe 3 - 7 days.

[Pattsi]

I used overhead stirrer.
As @Pharma suggested, mixing in glycol to prevent clumps. But I was too lazy to do it, I was just testing and playing with ingredients so the method of manufacturing’s not my concern.
HA has a way better skin feel than xanthan, tho you have to check if it can gel at your aimed pH.

[Pattsi]

Will depend on how much xanthan and what equipment you are using.
When I DIYed I use xanthan only 0.1-0.2, I added it through a sifter slowly into water under continuous agitation. 

[Pattsi]

devo2 said:

 but the process that has been used to manufacture it. 
Now I can probably ask the supplier which of the two/ or three methods apply to their xylitol? Right…? . Gosh, it’s not like I can ask them “is your xylitol approved by dental associations?! “lol…. hmmmm. present I’ve only been asking them where it comes from, China probably…

You can e-mail the manufacturers and ask if they have whatever certifications you want or not?  Chinese can speak English too.
For crying out loud, why would you have to mention China in all posts.

[Pattsi]

Cocamidopropyl Betaine 35% ? If it is too much you may try 10-20%.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy. It’s common in children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically. It may be accompanied by asthma or hay fever.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20353273

[Pattsi]

Flip cap with squeeze bottle, if your formula’s not thin enough when you reach the bottom would problem.
what is you bottle volume?
Tube is more manageable. There’s 225-250 ml airless bottle (olay model) from China (forgot the company name) - pretty cheap but looks pretty cheap too.

[Pattsi]

40% propanediol?

1.
Rosa Damascena [Rose] Distillate, Glycerin*, Carica Papaya [Papaya*] Leaf Extract, Carica Papaya [Papaya*] Fruit Extract, Ananas Comosus [Pineapple*] Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate [Hyaluronic Acid], Glucomannan [Konjac Flour] Powder, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Bicarbonate [Baking Soda], Aqua [Water], Melia Azadirachta [Neem] Extract,  Coccinia Indica [Ivy Gourd] Extract, Solanum Melongena [Eggplant] Extract, Aloe Barbadensis [Aloe] Extract, Ocimum Sanctum [Tulsi] Extract, Curcuma Longa [Turmeric] Extract, Corallina Officinalis [Seaweed] Extract *Organic Origin 

2.
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract*, Aqua (water), Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate,
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Glyceryl Stearate, Crithmum Maritimum Extract*, Cetearyl Glucoside, Maris Aqua (Sea
Water), Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract*, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract*, Cytisus Scoparius Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract*, Polygonum
Fagopyrum Seed Extract*, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil,
Tocopherol, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Salicilate, Sodium Hydroxide

[Pattsi]

https://www.fineorganics.com/additives-for-cosmetics-and-pharma/finester-glyceryl-stearate

They’re from India.
They have different CAS from Glyceryl Stearate / Glyceryl Monostearate the one from Germany.

[Pattsi]

My humble Opinion.
50 g. jar in a  box is better than naked jar.
For lower MOQ, you could ask your local printing house if they can do digital printing box.
when you reach high MOQ, you can change it to offset box.

[Pattsi]

What about SLS, pretty cheap?

[Pattsi]

Should we define allergy vs irritation?

[Pattsi]

if you post the choices of thickeners you have or available to you.
maybe it’s will be easier for others to suggest