This is it!! Third time was the charm. I’m ready to let my testers decide if this is truly a wonderful facial moisturizer. The final formula I made today has a smoother texture, is light yellow in color, and it is as un-scented as I can make it.

Here is my ingredient list:
Distilled water – I chose to go with simple. Skin needs moisture, and not necessarily “fancy” moisture. The batch I made yesterday was mostly neroli hydrosol (aka flower water) for the water portion. It added to the scent of the moisturizer, so I decided not to use it.
Cetearyl Olivate (and) Sorbitan Olivate – This is the emulsifier which is naturally derived from olive oil. It gives a very elegant feel – I think it’s very light and mousse-like. Clinical tests have demonstrated that it is hypoallergenic and an excellent choice for sensitive skin.
Tamarind Seed Extract – Much has been made recently about two studies in which Tamarind reportedly out performed hyaluronic acid in hydration trials. Even though tamarind extract alone only offers an SPF of 1, a study showed it was able to protect skin cells from UV damage and counteract UV immunosuppression. It seems like tamarind is doing much more at a cellular level than just lock in moisture.
Green Tea Extract – Both animal and human studies have credibly demonstrated that topical green tea formulations reduce sun damage. Green tea appears to exert sun damage protection by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. *
Shea Butter – Has skin protectant properties; it also contains several natural anti-inflammatory agents and minor sunscreen agents.
Squalane Oil – Squalane is a light and stable version of olive oil squalene. Squalene is found naturally in the sebum of human skin and is believed to lubricate and protect skin.
Macadamia Nut Oil – I hesitated a little to use a nut oil since so many people have allergies, but I decided to go ahead because the many benefits. It is considered by many to be the best for antiaging products because of its high percentage of palmitoleic oil. It has a rich, cushiony feel, but will absorb quickly.
Algae Extract (and) Pullulan – This is a highly purified biotechnologically produced algae extract which functions as a skin tightener, providing immediate tightening to the skin. It also increases the formation of collagen – the skin’s connective tissue.
Cetyl Esters – Derived from coconut oil; it imparts a soft gloss and lubricous feel to formulations. No doubt contributing to the “mousse-like” feel.
Vitamin E – Increases the enzyme activity in the skin, and prevents free radical induced skin damage; a natural anti-oxidant.
Sea Buckthorn Berry Extract – (certified organic) This oil has been used traditionally in skin care for hundreds of years, so you can see why I feel it’s important to include, but just not quite so much. It works to regenerate cells – which makes it great for anti-aging formulas, and will also offer some protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation.
Citric Acid (and) Silver Citrate – all-natural preservative

Tomorrow I will be contacting some of the ladies who originally said they would be interested in testing the facial moisturizer with information about what I will need from them. (Unfortunately, I don’t have the budget to send this formula out to everyone who volunteered!) Hopefully, I will be able to post the results from the testers by the end of May.

* Extract information comes from Elixirbotanicals