Vitamin C Serum Scale-Up for a D2C Brand
India & Gulf export · Cosmetic & Personal Care Brands
Overview
Scale-up of an ascorbic acid serum from a 5 kg bench formulation to 1,200 kg batches, solving the discolouration that had failed the brand's first market trial.
The challenge
The brand's contract-developed serum turned amber within six weeks on shelf. Consumer returns in the first launch window were 11%, and photostability had never been run.
What we did
Reformulation moved to an ethylated ascorbic acid derivative with ferulic acid and a chelator, at a lower pH window, filled into airless pumps under nitrogen purge. Photostability per ICH Q1B confirmed the protected pack held colour; the exposed control did not, which settled the packaging argument with data.
Project data
| Batch size | 5 kg bench → 1,200 kg production |
|---|---|
| Colour stability | Amber at 6 weeks → stable at 12 months real time |
| Returns in launch window | 11% → under 1% |
| Photostability | ICH Q1B run; airless pack required |
| PET | ISO 11930 criteria A met |
| Development to first commercial batch | 14 weeks |
Standards applied
- ISO 22716
- ISO 11930
- CDSCO Cosmetic Rules 2020
Scope supplied
- Cosmetic Formulations
- Technology Transfer
Related
- Cosmetic Formulations
- Technology Transfer