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DIY 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Paulas Choice

Formula;

phase A

  • 2% salicylic acid

  • 10% 1,3 propanediol

  • 5% polysorbate 20

phase B

  • 4% ph buffer (10% sodium hydroxide solution)

  • 76.5% distilled water

phase C

  • 2% green tea extract

  • .5% liquid germall plus

Directions;

  • In a clean sanitized heat safe container combine both the propanediol and salicylic acid. Mix until salicylic acid is somewhat dissolved.

  • Add in the polysorbate 20 and mix.

  • Fill a pan with about an inch of water and put on medium heat. Place container in pan and heat until salicylic acid is fully dissolved.

  • Come back periodically to mix.

  • In a separate beaker combine the distilled water & buffer solution and mix.

  • Once the salicylic acid is dissolved in phase A, pour phase A into phase B and mix.

  • Add both ingredients in phase C into phase A/B and mix.

  • Check ph, should be between 3.5 - 4.5

  • Pour into desired bottle.


Benefits/Purpose of each ingredient

salicylic acid - BHA. Helps treat acne by exfoliating the skin and can help with preventing future breakouts. Can help with black heads & white heads & can also help with treating ingrown hairs.

1,3 propanediol - humectant that hydrates skin and helps dissolve salicylic acid

polysorbate 20 - solubilizer. Helps keep salicylic acid from recrystallizing in formula

ph buffer solution - 10% sodium hydroxide diluted in 90% distilled water. It helps raise the ph since the salicylic acid dramatically drops the ph.

green tea extract - powerful antioxidant that protects skin from free radicals and improve the overall appearance of skin

liquid germall plus - preservative


Substitutions;

substituting ingredients will change the final feel, viscosity, and overall effect of final product. percentages and formulating procedure may need to change with substitutions.

  • salicylic acid - no sub

  • 1,3 propanediol - butylene glycol, glycerin or propylene glycol.

  • polysorbate 20 - sunflower solubilizer, tego solve 61, polysorbate 80, polysuga mulse D9

  • ph buffer solution - triethanolamine ( would need to be used at a different percentage)

  • green tea extract - strawberry extract, ginger extract, ginseng extract or other extract with antioxidants

  • liquid germall plus - euxyl PE 9010, optiphen plus (may need to be mixed with a solubilizer or glycerin/propanedial in order to solubilize into the watery solution) watch my video on toners to learn more about what preservatives to use in watery solutions. (check description of video for time stamp to fast forward to preservative section)

How to make ph buffer (10% sodium hydroxide solution)

  • 90% distilled water

  • 10% sodium hydroxide

Directions; weigh out the distilled water in a plastic container. Look for a container that is PP#5 as this is a hard plastic that can withstand heat. I use this one. Next weight out the sodium hydroxide in another container. I use a little glass bowl. Go into a well ventilated room or preferably outside and pour the sodium hydroxide into the water, NOT the other way around. Make sure you pour the sodium hydroxide into the water. You also want to make sure you have gloves, a mask, and protective eye wear on when working with sodium hydroxide. After you pour the sodium hydroxide into the water mix it up. You will notice the solution will become foggy, it may sizzle and it will heat up. This is totally normal. Let it sit until the water runs clear and it returns to room temperature. You can then store the 10% sodium hydroxide solution in a thick plastic container. You want to look for HDPE #2 plastic containers. Add a label onto your container so you know what it is and when you made it.

important note; wear protective clothing like long sleeves, goggles, and gloves when working with sodium hydroxide. Also do this in a well ventilated room or outside.





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