Chemistry help..?

[Jjoy]

Well not for a class or anything. I am actually trying to make something and am confused. I don't really know where to ask this lol.

Okay so say I am using a lotion, cream, or serum base from a wholesale site. Like this one..

http://www.essentialwholesale.com/s.nl/sc.9/.f

The base is just unscented lotion, cream or serum in bulk. You can add oils and such for scent. But it is perserved already and a solid base.

What I am trying to do is make my own skin lightening lotion, cream, or serum (they are different :P lol) and since I only want it to even my skin out I wont be buying any of the store brand ones. Instead I want to add Alpha-Arbutin, from here. It's in a powder form.

http://www.makingcosmetics.com/Skin-...butin-p12.html

Now I am not sure if just mixing the powder form alpha arbutin to a lotion,cream or serum base would be effective because on the Alpha-Arbutin page under "use" it says this..

Use: Recommended concentration 0.2-2%, add to water phase of formula, best results use product containing Alpha-Arbutin for at least 2-3 months.

So does this mean I would have to get a whatever base I use down to some sort of "water phase" and then add the Alpha-Arbutin for it to be effective..or is this just 'recommended' but not required? because I'm not sure how I would get cream, lotion or serum down to a "water phase" I remember that term from high school though..I suppose I could melt it and hope it firms back up when it cools.

Sorry this is so long >_< lol please help

[jsteinhauer]

The product may not be soluble in or miscible with oils, waxes or alcohols. If your formula has any water in it, dissolve it in that first, before mixing it into the non-water parts of the formula. You could probably mix it into your recipe without water, but it may remain in its solid form as particles throughout your mixture, and that solid form may not be active. That's my interpretation based on my complete lack of familiarity with cosmetics.

My guess is that you won't find many experts around here. I have not been able to get help in the topic of washed rind cheeses or olive pitters, either.