These recipes are an example of how to make your own DIY sun protection serum. The possibilities are endless, and ultimately you will decide which ingredients you like best.
Your choice of actives will depend on the solvents you are prepared to use. Some actives dissolve in alcohol or glycols, some in water, some in oil, and some in dimethyl isosorbide. BulkActives has a solubility chart that will show you the best way to dissolve all their cosmeceuticals.
Below are two recipe examples, one with alcohol (glycol) and one without.
Version 1 with propylene glycol
| Phase A | % | gram |
| Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate | 7 | 3.5 |
| Polysorbate 80 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Lecithin | 3 | 1.5 |
| Phase B | ||
| Propylene Glycol | 10 | 5.0 |
| Ellagic acid | 3 | 1.5 |
| Silymarin | 3 | 1.5 |
| Phase C | ||
| Distilled water | 48 | 24.0 |
| Dimethyl Isosorbide | 10 | 5.0 |
| Ginkgo Biloba | 5 | 2.5 |
| (Yeast) beta 1-3 Glucan | 5 | 2.5 |
| Green tea EGCG | 5 | 2.5 |
| Total | 100 | 50 |
How to make this:
1. Combine all the ingredients of phase C, gently heat in the microwave at 5 second intervals, stir in-between until the powders have dissolved. DO NOT boil.
2. Combine the ingredients of Phase B, gently heat in the microwave at 5 second intervals, stir in-between until the powders have dissolved. DO NOT boil.
3. Combine Phase A, B, and C. Mix well, until all powders have dissolved and the water and oil have emulsified into a light cream/lotion.
version 2 no alcohol
| Phase A | % | gram |
| Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate | 7 | 3.5 |
| Polysorbate 80 | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Lecithin | 3 | 1.5 |
| Phase B | ||
| Dimethyl Isosorbide | 10 | 5.0 |
| Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) | 5 | 2.5 |
| Phase C | ||
| Distilled water | 49.5 | 24.8 |
| Soy isoflavones | 5 | 2.5 |
| Pomegranate Extract | 5 | 2.5 |
| Ginkgo Biloba | 5 | 2.5 |
| (Yeast) beta 1-3 Glucan | 5 | 2.5 |
| Green tea EGCG | 5 | 2.5 |
| Total | 100 | 50 |
How to make this:
1. Combine all the ingredients of phase C, gently heat in the microwave at 5 second intervals, stir in-between until the powders have dissolved. DO NOT boil.
2. Combine the ingredients of Phase B, mix well until the powder has dissolved.
3. Combine Phase A, B, and C. Mix well, until all powders have dissolved and the water and oil have emulsified into a light cream/lotion.
Important: These recipes do not use a preservative, they must be stored it in the fridge and made fresh every week.
Remember to check back, as I will be posting many more exciting DIY skin care recipes here.
