Kassy_A's KickAss C+E ferulic serum

Maybe it is overreacting on my part, but holymoly! the list never ends of horror stories of products from China!
Thanks for the article Baby. And I'll keep checking Rat.

BTW, Baby - I read on iHerb's reviews of Acetyl L-carnitine that it should be taken w/ALA to protect the mitochondria. Have you heard that too?

"9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Without ALA, Acetyl Carnitine is dangerous, December 20, 2007
By Rick Weiss from Idaho
Acetyl Carnitine makes it easier for your mitochondria to use fat for fuel, and in so doing, increases the amount of free radicals created. Studies in rats showed damage to the mitochondria as a result, which was neutralized when ALA was added to hand out electrons to the additional free radicals created. Super Oxide Dismutase is the mitochondria's natural free radical neutralizer, and is also available from Source Nautrals, but shouldn't be taken as often as ALA. I take one twice a week, so as not to discourage its natural production. Companies selling Acetyl Carnitine without adding Alpha Lipoic Acid are irresponsible and are increasing energy in the short run, but accelerating the aging process by damaging mitochondria. Carnitine Fumarate is a more conservative way to increase mitochondrial production. I alternate between them." (quote from iHerb.com)

Is this true?

Hazy,
Welcome! Hey that's great you want to start DIY! I warn you: it's addicting once you see all the nice stuff you can make way cheap!

If you want to use HA, I would use it instead of the Sea Kelp Bioferment, but it could make the pH more acidic (lower). The lower the more irritating it could be. Just keep checking the pH as you add the HA. Plus, make sure the HA is well diluted before adding it since it can suck moisture OUT of your skin instead of attracting moisture To it if it's in the wrong ratio. That's why I use the SKB instead. Too hard to figure out the HA ratio.

It will keep for about a month in the frig, but if you use it on face, neck, chest and hands you will use it up before it goes bad. Be lavish with it! It's cheap!

You would know it's gone over if the pH rises above 3.5. I don't check the pH every time I use it - only at the end of the bottle to find out how long it will last. Just for my own curiosity. You read the discussion that the pH has to be below 3.5 for the C to be absorbed by the skin, right!?

This is easier that yu think, but do get the UltraFine L-ascorbic acid if you can. The stuff I got from ThePersonalFormulator.com took forever to dissolve! My ferulic dissolved fine without the vodka to dissolve it. I didn't want to add alcohol anyway.

Let us know here how it turns out! Welcome to the zoo!

Hi Saklig!
You are going to make it yourself....excellent!
Yes, a shot glass is the same as a liquor measuring shot glass - for vodka!

The bottles that I use have a medicine dropper in the cap.
Like this:
Cobalt Blue Boston Round Glass Bottle 1 oz w/ Dropper - 1oz DROPPER

Be sure to get one that is dark glass so that the light doesn't degrade the solution. Let us know how you do with it!!!

I now add the contents of a lecithin capsule (available at health food stores) to the vitamin E before adding it in to disperse the oil better.