Tag: hyaluronic acid

“Hydrating Elixir” Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

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For educational purposes only. Content reflects personal, non-professional formulation experiments and is not instructional.
No formula or information on this site is intended for commercial use, consumer application, or third-party use.
Accessing this content means you accept all risks and full responsibility for safety, testing, legal compliance, and outcomes.
[Full Legal Disclaimer & Safety Requirements]

Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Lactate Serum 6

Hello Hello! 😀 Today I share one of my last experiments in the home “lsab”. Where I live, we had days over 40°C, and I just wanted something that felt icy and refreshing. I decided to formulate a serum that behaves perfectly when stored in the fridge—though I always remind myself: even if it’s cold, THERE IS NO ESCAPE FROM PRESERVATIVES! 😀

This is an “upgraded” version of my basic Hyaluronic Acid gel. I wanted to include two salts that I usually can’t put in my lotions because my favorite polymeric emulsifiers are such picky divas when it comes to salts! But in a simple water-based serum, they are absolute stars.

The Formula I Used:

  • Water: to 100%

  • Sodium Hyaluronate (high molecular weight): 1%

  • Sodium Hyaluronate (low molecular weight): 0.5%

  • Sodium Lactate: 2%

  • Sodium PCA: 1%

  • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): 2.5%

  • D-Panthenol: 0.5%

  • Phenonip: 0.5%

  • Fragrance oil (Rock Candy): 0.2%

Notes from my Beaker:

  1. The Hyaluronic “Fuss”: I measured out the water and poured the high molecular weight HA on top. Usually, I try to be patient and let it hydrate naturally, but I was in a rush! I used a stick blender which made it cloudy at first, but after a few days, it turned perfectly transparent. I did the same with the low molecular weight version right after.

  2. The Humectant Boost: I added the Sodium Lactate and Sodium PCA next. Since these are naturally found in our skin (NMF), they make the serum feel so high-performing.

  3. The Niacinamide Caution: I love using Vitamin B3 in the summer, but it’s so sensitive to pH. I measured mine and it was around 7.5, so I used a couple of drops of lactic acid to bring it down to pH 6.5. It’s essential to keep it in that neutral range!

  4. A Touch of Pink: I added one drop of pink food colorant just to pamper myself. It wasn’t a necessity, but it looks so pretty in the bottle!

  5. The Scent: I used a “Rock Candy” fragrance (the Rock Star dupe) and I absolutely LOVE it.

Final Verdict: I was a bit worried that with so many hygroscopic ingredients, it would feel sticky in the 40°C heat, but it’s not at all! I think the Niacinamide really helps with that. I only apply one drop and my skin feels unbelievably smooth. It’s the perfect “fridge treat” for the face. ENJOY! 🙂

Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Lactate Serum 3

I have added one drop of pink food colorant cause I like to pamper myself with colors. Was it a necessity? Nope.
The Fragrance Oil used in this Serum was Rock Candy from Sensory Perfection (the L**h dupe for “Rock Star”) and I LOVE IT! 🙂

Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Lactate Serum 4

Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Lactate Serum

 

Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Problem Skin

LAB NOTES & SAFETY NOTICE
For educational purposes only. Content reflects personal, non-professional formulation experiments and is not instructional.
No formula or information on this site is intended for commercial use, consumer application, or third-party use.
Accessing this content means you accept all risks and full responsibility for safety, testing, legal compliance, and outcomes.
[Full Legal Disclaimer & Safety Requirements]

Hello there! 😀

Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Problem Skin

Lab Note: My “Problem Skin” Niacinamide Serum

Hello Hello! 😀 Today I’m looking back at a formula for a super simple but highly effective serum. I designed this one specifically for those “problematic skin” days—you know, when you have a bit of an oily T-zone, some mild blemishes, and maybe those annoying red marks left over from previous spots.

I have to remind myself: this isn’t a “magic cure” for serious acne. It’s just a helping hand to keep the skin hydrated and soothe that irritation. yeheee!

The Niacinamide “Trick”

The star here is Niacinamide (Vitamin B3). It’s a powerhouse for sebum and redness, but it has a secret: it’s a close friend of Nicotinic Acid. If the pH drops too low, the Niacinamide can turn into Nicotinic Acid, which causes flushing and burning—the exact opposite of “soothing!”

Because of this, I was incredibly “fussy” about the pH in my lab. My goal was a safe pH of 6–6.5. At the time, I was using the most reliable pH strips I could find, though a pH meter is definitely the “gold standard” for this!

The Formula I Used:

  • Water: to 100
  • Niacinamide: 4.0 (The blemish fighter)
  • Aloe Vera Powder (200:1): 0.5
  • Betaine (Trimethylglycine): 5.0 (The soothing powder—not the surfactant!)
  • Glycerin: 1.0
  • Sodium Hyaluronate: 0.9 (Used here as the “gelling agent” and for deep hydration)
  • Preservative: 1.0 (I used my Ecocert approved one)
  • Extras: A drop of green food-grade colorant and a hint of fragrance.

Notes from my Beaker:

  1. The Base Mix: I started by dissolving the Aloe, Glycerin, Betaine, and preservative into the water.
  2. The pH Balancing Act: This was the most important part. When I first measured the mix, the pH was a bit low (under 5.5). Since I didn’t want to play with Sodium Hydroxide that day, I used a clever trick: I added a tiny bit of SAP (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate). It’s a stable Vitamin C that is quite alkaline, so it raised my pH perfectly into that 6–6.5 “safe zone” for the Niacinamide.
  3. Adding the Active: Once the pH was stable, I stirred in the Niacinamide. And yes… I checked the pH again! You can never be too sure when you’re avoiding that Nicotinic Acid flush.
  4. The “Patience” Test: I poured the Sodium Hyaluronate on top. Usually, you’re supposed to just “forget about it” for a day while it hydrates into a gel. But since I have zero patience :D, I hit it with a spatula and then my immersion mixer. It worked like a charm!
  5. The Aesthetics: I added one drop of green colorant because it just felt “right” for a soothing aloe-based serum.

Final Verdict: Even though it was a bit of a “fuss” to keep the pH exactly right, the result was a serum that felt incredibly smooth. It didn’t feel sticky, and it really helped keep my T-zone in check without any of that scary flushing. ENJOY! 🙂

Niacinamide6

Niacinamide7

Zombie Vaccine – Lifting Eye Gel ;)

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These are personal experiments for educational use only— not instructions and not for commercial or consumer use. By proceeding, you assume all risks related to safety, testing, and regulatory compliance.
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ZOMBIE VACCINE 2

ZOMBIE VACCINE 3

Lab Note: The “Zombie Vaccine” Eye Serum-Gel

Hello Hello! 😀 Who doesn’t look like a zombie in the morning? (Okay, maybe you don’t… but I definitely do!). I saw the name “Zombie Vaccine” on a coffee cup once and I knew I had to steal it for this lifting eye serum.

I’m calling this a serum because it’s made of 100% active ingredients! There are no fillers here—just pure hydration and “wake-up” magic for that delicate eye area. yeheee!

The Active Duo:

  • Caffeine: The ultimate “double espresso” for your face. It helps stimulate microcirculation to fight puffiness and those dark zombie circles.
  • Sodium Hyaluronate: This is the salt form of Hyaluronic Acid. Just 1 gram is enough to turn this liquid into a beautiful, thick gel. It gives a slight “lifting” effect as it dries, while pulling hydration deep into the skin.

The Formula: Zombie Vaccine

  • Water: to 100
  • Rose Water: 30.0 (Soothing and smells like a dream)
  • Glycerin: 3.0
  • Sodium Hyaluronate: 1.0 (The gelling agent)
  • Blueberry Powder Extract: 0.3 (Antioxidant power!)
  • Caffeine: 2.0 (The anti-puffiness hero)
  • Preservative (Cosgard): 1.0

Notes from my Beaker:

  1. The Caffeine Challenge: Caffeine can be a bit of a diva. I mixed the water, rose water, glycerin, and caffeine together and heated it very slowly, stirring constantly. You have to make sure it’s fully dissolved—and then I prayed it wouldn’t crystallize into needles as it cooled down! 😀 (Luckily, it stayed smooth).
  2. The “No-Stir” Gelling: Once the liquid was completely cool, I added the preservative and the blueberry extract. Then came the Sodium Hyaluronate. I just poured it on top and did not stir.
  3. The Waiting Game: I covered the beaker with plastic wrap and walked away. I gave it a tiny mix after a few hours, but mostly I just let it sit. It takes about a day and a half for the Hyaluronate to fully hydrate into a clear, thick gel.
  4. pH Check: I checked the pH and it was a neutral 7.0. Since it’s for the eyes, I left it right there!

Final Verdict: This serum is so refreshing in the morning! It’s light, it’s cold, and it really helps “tighten” things up so I look a bit more human and a bit less zombie. ENJOY! 😀 😀 😀

How to: Hyaluronic Acid gel

LAB NOTES & SAFETY NOTICE
For educational purposes only. Content reflects personal, non-professional formulation experiments and is not instructional.
No formula or information on this site is intended for commercial use, consumer application, or third-party use.
Accessing this content means you accept all risks and full responsibility for safety, testing, legal compliance, and outcomes.
[Full Legal Disclaimer & Safety Requirements]

Hyaluronic Acid Gel

My Experience: Preparing Hyaluronic Acid Gel (1% Solution)

Hello Hello! 😀 One of the things I use most in my experiments is Hyaluronic Acid Gel. I’m obsessed with its ability to keep the skin hydrated—after all, it’s a substance naturally found in our own skin!

While I don’t believe in “miracle” anti-aging claims (commercials, right? 😉 ), I do notice that keeping the skin hydrated makes it look so much more plump and fresh. Here is how I’ve been preparing my 1% “stock” solution lately.

The “Experimental” Formula

In my lab, I usually aim for a clean 1% concentration. For a 100g batch, I use:

  • 1g Sodium Hyaluronate

  • 98.4g Distilled Water (Or sometimes Rose Water for that luxurious scent!)

  • 0.6g Cosgard (or whatever preservative my experiment requires)

How I do it (The 2026 Safe Method! :D)

Over the years, I’ve refined how I handle this. Sodium Hyaluronate is precious (and not exactly cheap!), so I want to avoid wasting a single grain.

  1. Safety First: In my experiments, I always add the preservative to the water FIRST. I’ve learned that protecting the water from the very start is much safer than waiting until the end.

  2. The “No-Stir” Layer: I gently sprinkle the powder on top of the preserved water. PHEW! I make sure NOT to stir yet. If I stir now, the powder sticks to my spoon in a stubborn clump and it’s all lost!

  3. The Wait: I cover the beaker and let it rest for a few hours (or overnight). The powder hydrates all by itself.

  4. The Finish: Once it’s fully hydrated into a beautiful gel, I give it a final, slow stir to make it perfectly smooth.

This is exactly why I started making my own cosmetics: I wanted to stop believing the commercials and see the real INCI for myself. It makes me feel like IT’S ALL IN MY HANDS! 😉Hyaluronic Acid Gel 3 Hyaluronic Acid Gel 2