Analysis of Your Proposed Toner Formulas for Oily Skin

You're looking to create a toner for oily skin that provides hydration, brightening, anti-aging benefits, and feels comfortable without irritation. Let's analyze your two proposed formulas based on the ingredients and their suitability for oily skin.

Both formulas use a Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner base, which is a good starting point.

Formula 1 Analysis

Your first formula includes:

• Glucosamine (N-acetyl-D) 4% (GlucoBright™): This is a great ingredient for brightening, reducing dark spots, and stimulating the skin's own hyaluronic acid production for hydration. It also offers gentle exfoliation and can help with acne, making it suitable for oily skin. The 4% concentration is within the recommended range.
• MOIST72™ 2%: While providing long-lasting hydration, the product description notes that for oily skin, it might not be necessary unless the skin is dehydrated, suggesting a lower usage rate (1-2%) if used. At 2%, it might feel too heavy or sticky for typical oily skin, aligning with the previous feedback you received.
• WaterLock™ 2%: This ingredient forms a film on the skin to prevent water loss (TEWL). The description recommends 2% for dry skin. For oily skin, a film-forming ingredient at this concentration could feel occlusive and uncomfortable, also supporting the previous feedback.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) 5% (Safe-B3™): This is an excellent ingredient for oily skin. It helps reduce oiliness, minimizes pores, improves skin barrier function, reduces redness and hyperpigmentation, and offers anti-aging benefits. The 5% concentration is optimal and highly beneficial for your goals.
• Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) Extract 5% (Centella Asiatica Extract): Known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, collagen-stimulating, and scar-healing properties. It also helps reduce pigmentation. However, the recommended usage rate is typically 0.1-2%. Using it at 5% is significantly higher than recommended and might not provide additional benefits while potentially affecting the formulation's feel or stability.
• Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8) 5%: This peptide targets expression wrinkles by reducing muscle contractions. The 5% concentration is within the recommended range and contributes to the anti-aging goal.

Overall for Formula 1: This formula contains many beneficial active ingredients for brightening, anti-aging, and soothing. However, the inclusion of MOIST72™ and WaterLock™ at 2% and the high concentration of Centella Asiatica Extract (5%) are likely not ideal for oily skin and may result in a heavy or uncomfortable feel, as pointed out in the previous replies.

Formula 2 Analysis

Your second formula includes:

• Repair Activator 10% (Repair Activator™ BG): This ingredient helps repair skin DNA damage, contributing to anti-aging and overall skin health. The 10% concentration is within the recommended range.
• MOIST72™ 2%: Similar to Formula 1, this concentration might be too hydrating and feel heavy for oily skin.
• Glucosamine (N-acetyl-D) 4% (GlucoBright™): Beneficial for brightening, hydration, and anti-aging, suitable for oily skin at this concentration.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) 5% (Safe-B3™): Excellent for oily skin, providing oil control, brightening, and anti-aging benefits at an optimal concentration.

Overall for Formula 2: This formula also targets anti-aging, brightening, and hydration. It replaces Argireline and high Centella with Repair Activator™. However, the inclusion of MOIST72™ at 2% still presents the potential issue of feeling too heavy for oily skin.

Considerations for Oily Skin

The previous feedback you received is valid. Ingredients like MOIST72™ and WaterLock™ are powerful hydrators and film-formers that can feel too rich or occlusive on oily skin. For oily skin, it's often better to focus on lightweight hydration and ingredients that help regulate oil production or provide soothing without adding greasiness.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) is an excellent choice as it directly addresses oiliness and provides multiple other benefits. GlucoBright™ is also suitable due to its brightening and gentle exfoliating properties.

Regarding Allantoin, which you asked about later, it is a good soothing and moisturizing ingredient. At its typical recommended usage rate (around 0.5%), it provides gentle hydration without being heavy, making it a potentially suitable addition for oily skin for its soothing benefits.

For an oily skin toner, consider reducing or omitting ingredients like MOIST72™ and WaterLock™ and ensuring other hydrating components are lightweight. Incorporating ingredients known for oil control, such as Zinc PCA or L-Carnitine (as suggested in the previous staff reply), alongside Niacinamide, would be highly beneficial.

Product Layering Order

When using multiple skincare products, the general rule is to apply them from the thinnest consistency to the thickest. This allows products to absorb effectively.

Based on the product types you described:

1. Toner: Toners are typically water-based and have the thinnest consistency. Apply your toner first after cleansing.
2. Serum: Your Lanoperl serum is described as a clear, fast-absorbing liquid, suggesting a relatively thin consistency.
3. Sunscreen: Your sunscreen has a foundation powder texture, indicating it is likely the thickest product and forms the final layer on your skin.

Therefore, the recommended application order is:

Toner → Serum → Sunscreen

This order ensures the toner prepares your skin, the serum delivers its active ingredients, and the sunscreen provides protection as the final step.

In summary, while your proposed formulas contain beneficial ingredients, adjusting the concentrations of some (like Centella Asiatica Extract in Formula 1) and reconsidering the inclusion or percentage of heavy hydrators like MOIST72™ and WaterLock™ would likely result in a more comfortable and suitable toner for oily skin. Focus on ingredients like Niacinamide, GlucoBright™, and potentially Allantoin, along with oil-controlling actives if desired. Always apply products from thinnest to thickest: Toner, then Serum, then Sunscreen.