IO Wide pH Range Active Liquid

A wide working pH range is one of the most practical properties a cosmetic active can have. IO Wide pH Range Active Liquid is a liquid active listed with a pH range of 3.0 to 10.0, which means it can follow a formula from an acidic exfoliating serum to a neutral cream without forcing compromises on the rest of the system.

Product data

Liquid, soluble in water, pH range 3.0 to 10.0. The product card does not list specific applications.Use the document for the ingredient list and for any claims.

Why pH range matters

Many actives are stable only in a narrow pH window. Formulators then have to choose between the active and other ingredients that need a different pH. A wide range removes this conflict. This ingredient can sit alongside acids in a resurfacing serum or alongside neutral ingredients in a moisturizer, which makes it flexible for a product line with very different textures.

Product formats

Serum

A water-based serum where the active is the core ingredient, used morning and evening.

Gel

A light gel for oily and combination skin, absorbed quickly without residue.

Cream

A daily cream where the active is added to the water phase during cool-down.

Essence

A thin essence for layered routines.

Formulating guidance

Add the active during cool-down into the water phase and check the finished pH. Because the documented range is wide, it can be combined with ingredients that prefer a low pH, such as 3-glyceryl ascorbate, or with neutral ingredients such as niacinamide. For hydration add hyaluronic acid liquid. More ingredients for skin care are listed under actives.

Claims

Base claims on the supplier documentation and on tests of the finished product. Typical cosmetic wording includes hydrated, smoother-looking and more comfortable skin, depending on what the documentation supports.

Testing

Run stability at room temperature and 40 °C, checking pH, color and odor. In acidic serums, check that the pH does not drift during storage.

Packaging

Glass bottles with droppers suit serums. Airless pumps protect creams and gels.

Range planning

The pH flexibility allows a brand to build a range with an acid serum, a neutral moisturizer and an essence, all sharing one active and one story.

Batch quality

Record the lot number from the CoA, check appearance and odor on arrival and keep retained samples.

Documentation for customers

Customers buying finished products want clear ingredient lists. Use the INCI from the CoA and avoid the alone on the label.

Compatibility checks

Run a small compatibility test before scale-up: mix the active with each key ingredient of the formula at the planned levels, store the mixtures at 40 °C for two weeks and look for haze, color change or precipitation. This simple screen catches most problems early and saves time in full stability.

Original recipe: hydrating gel serum, 100 g

Purified water 83.40 g, glycerin 4.00 g, propanediol 3.00 g, IO Wide pH Range Active Liquid 3.00 g as an example level per CoA, niacinamide 3.00 g, sodium hyaluronate 0.30 g, hydroxyethylcellulose 0.60 g, panthenol 1.50 g, allantoin 0.20 g, preservative 1.00 g. Pre-disperse the thickener and hyaluronate in the glycols, then add the water and mix until the gel is transparent. Stir in niacinamide, panthenol and allantoin; once the batch is under 40 °C, add the active and then the preservative. Adjust pH to about 5.5 with citric acid or sodium citrate solution taken from the water amount.

Record the lot number in your batch log so every production run can be traced back to its certificate of analysis. Retain a small sample of each lot for at least the shelf life of the finished product, since it makes later quality questions much easier to answer.

Storage

Keep the container closed in a cool place away from light.