Hyaluronic serum with preservative is a simple water-based recipe that combines low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid in the same ratio. The recipe came about thanks to a question from one of our customers, who asked which preservative she should use in her serum. So we are bringing you the whole formulation and the procedure — including an explanation of why it is not worth avoiding a preservative in a water-based product.
About this recipe
Today our customer inspired us and we decided to bring you a recipe for a hyaluronic serum. Her specific question was which preservative she should use in her recipe. We are very pleased that in the world of natural cosmetics there is beginning to be more discussion about natural preservatives — in this area quite a lot of prejudices have been created, while there is really nothing to be afraid of, quite the opposite.
A preservative does not immediately mean something artificial or synthetic. There are natural extracts which slow down the “ripening” and thus your natural product retains its original properties. You may rather need to worry about your skin if you make a product at home from purely natural raw materials which, over time, under the influence of heat and the presence of oxygen, begin to work and, naturally, bacteria and moulds form in them.
We recently wrote that the most effective choice is the combination of low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, because each acts on a different layer of the skin. That is why the recipe uses both in the same ratio, so that the best properties of both types are utilised in the serum. This is a serum that is applied around the eyes as well, and the ratio of ingredients is set for a 10 ml bottle.
Main benefits
- Two types of hyaluronic acid
Low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid in the same ratio — each acts on a different layer of the skin.
- No thickener
High-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid forms a thicker gel in an aqueous environment, so no thickener is needed in this recipe.
- Lasts up to 3 months
Thanks to the preservative the mixture will last you up to 3 months — an unpreserved serum lasts a maximum of a week in the fridge.
- Suitable around the eyes too
The serum is applied around the eyes, so the ingredients are chosen so that they do not irritate the sensitive eye area.
- Adjustable formulation
Collagen and D-panthenol are optional, and the water can be combined for example with flower waters.
Product characteristics
Key raw materials in the recipe
Let us go through the individual raw materials of the recipe and the role they play in the serum — including which of them are optional and what they can be replaced with.
Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (LMW)
It makes up 0.2% of the recipe. The most effective choice is the combination of low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, because each acts on a different layer of the skin. That is why both are used in this serum in the same ratio.
High-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HMW)
0.2% as well. Besides acting on a different layer of the skin, it has one more advantage: it forms a thicker gel in an aqueous environment, so no thickener is needed in this recipe.
Cosgard
Since this is a water-based mixture, it is necessary to preserve the serum — which is why we use Cosgard in the recipe in an amount of 1%. This preservative can be replaced by another one, but attention must be paid to pH and usage rate. On the market today there is a very good range of natural preservatives, also at acceptable prices.
Glycerin
Glycerin makes up 3% of the recipe and in the procedure it is the first thing the powdered raw materials are stirred into. Expect it to take a while until the mixture becomes homogeneous.
Hydrolysed collagen
Collagen makes up 10% of the recipe and, together with D-panthenol, is one of the optional substances. You can omit it and make up its share with water, or replace it with vitamins — however, it must be kept in mind that this is a serum that is applied around the eyes, and the components should be selected accordingly.
Other raw materials
D-Panthenol makes up 1.6% of the recipe and, like collagen, is an optional substance — you can make up its share with water or replace it with vitamins, bearing in mind that the serum is applied around the eyes.
Demineralised water forms the base of the serum with a share of 84%. It is added at the end and, in the given amount, you can combine it for example with flower waters — of course again such that do not irritate the sensitive eye area.
Formulation (100 g)
The raw material content is given in percentages by weight, so it corresponds to a 100 g batch of serum. The ratio of ingredients in the original recipe is set for a 10 ml bottle — you will find the weights for that batch in the table below the shopping list.
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D-Panthenol 75% W, 100 mlrecipe uses 1,60 gin stock€7.34
| Name of raw material | Content in g (10 ml) | Content in % |
|---|---|---|
| Glycerin | 0.3 g | 3% |
| Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid | 0.02 g | 0.2% |
| High-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid | 0.02 g | 0.2% |
| D-Panthenol | 0.16 g | 1.6% |
| Cosgard | 0.1 g | 1% |
| Collagen | 1 g | 10% |
| Demineralised water | 8.4 g | 84% |
Procedure
- Mix the powders with glycerin
It may take a while until the mixture becomes homogeneous.
- Stir in the other components
Gradually add the remaining raw materials. Collagen and D-panthenol are optional substances which you can omit and make up their share with water or replace with vitamins — however, it must be kept in mind that this is a serum that is applied around the eyes, and the components should be selected accordingly.
- Finally, stir in the water
In the given amount you can combine the water for example with flower waters — of course again such that do not irritate the sensitive eye area.
- Preserve the serum
Since this is a water-based mixture, it is necessary to preserve the serum. That is why we use Cosgard in the recipe — this preservative can be replaced by another one, but attention must be paid to pH and usage rate.
Use
When should hyaluronic serum with preservative be applied to the skin? Ideally twice a day, in the evening and in the morning, after thoroughly washing the face.
Is a preservative really necessary?
Yes, it is! Because this is a water-based product, it is very important to protect your product against microbial growth. This is often almost invisible to the naked eye and the consequences of using such contaminated products are very unsightly. On the market today there is a very good range of natural preservatives, also at acceptable prices.
An unpreserved serum will last you a maximum of a week in the fridge — and in this time you have no possibility to use it up. If you consider how much hyaluronic acid costs and also the time you devote to making it (the serum needs to be applied for several months before you achieve the desired results), is it really economical and efficient to throw away the leftovers after a week, make a new batch every week and, on the borderline days at the end of the week, basically already risk microbial contamination?
So how long will a product with a preservative last?
Everything depends on which preservative you choose, what quantity you use and whether the other raw materials are not also contaminated. There are also testers with which you can easily measure these parameters. In any case, this mixture should last you up to 3 months.
In the case of purely natural products, a more suitable way is to make smaller quantities more often.
Frequently asked questions about the recipe
Practical questions about hyaluronic serum — choosing a preservative, shelf life, the combination of both hyaluronic acids and the optional components.
Which preservative should you use in a hyaluronic serum?
In the recipe we use Cosgard in an amount of 1%. This preservative can be replaced by another one, but attention must be paid to pH and usage rate.
Is a preservative really necessary?
Yes. This is a water-based product, so it is very important to protect it against microbial growth, which is often almost invisible to the naked eye. The consequences of using contaminated products are very unsightly.
How long will the serum last?
Once preserved, the mixture should last you up to 3 months — everything, however, depends on which preservative you choose, what quantity you use and whether the other raw materials are not also contaminated. Without a preservative the serum will last a maximum of a week in the fridge.
Why are both hyaluronic acids in the recipe?
Because each acts on a different layer of the skin. They are used in the same ratio, so that the best properties of both types are utilised in the serum. The high-molecular-weight one moreover forms a thicker gel in an aqueous environment, so no thickener is needed in the recipe.
Can collagen and D-panthenol be left out?
Yes, they are optional substances. You can make up their share with water or replace it with vitamins — however, it must be kept in mind that this is a serum that is applied around the eyes, and the components should be selected accordingly.
When should the serum be applied?
Ideally twice a day — in the evening and in the morning, after thoroughly washing the face.
LMW and HMW hyaluronic acid, collagen, D-panthenol and the Cosgard preservative from this recipe can all be found in the Handymade range of active ingredients.
