BHA Toner Formulation for Acne: Replacing BHA with Timed-Release and Adding Anti-inflammatory Extracts

Hello, regarding your question about the BHA toner formula:

1. Switching from 3% regular BHA to Encapsulated Salicylic Acid (BHA, Timed-Release): Your calculation that you need to use 9.9% to get the equivalent of 3% Salicylic Acid is correct. However, both 3% regular BHA and 9.9% Timed-Release BHA are considered quite high concentrations. You mentioned you will try 6.6% first, which is a good approach.
2. Ingredient Compatibility: The three ingredients in your formula - Encapsulated Salicylic Acid (BHA, Timed-Release), Calendula Extract, and Hi-Quercetin - are compatible.
3. Approach for BHA Toner + Anti-inflammatory Ingredients: This approach is correct. Using BHA helps exfoliate and unclog pores, and supplementing with ingredients that reduce irritation and inflammation will make the skin more comfortable and help manage inflammatory acne.
4. Role of Calendula Extract and Hi-Quercetin: These two extracts primarily have properties that reduce skin irritation and inflammation. They do not directly help reduce clogged pores but can help soothe inflammation caused by acne.
5. Further Recommendations: As previously suggested, to get better results and reduce irritation from BHA at high concentrations, you might consider making a separate anti-inflammatory product in a water-gel or emulsion form (e.g., using Light Cream Maker or Pro Polymer) to apply after the BHA Toner. Making it an emulsion will help the beneficial ingredients penetrate the skin better than plain water.
6. Quantity of Light Cream Maker: The amount to use depends on the desired texture. Generally, you can find recommended usage amounts in the product details or example formulas for Light Cream Maker.
7. Reducing Acne: Using BHA Timed-Release together with anti-inflammatory ingredients is a correct approach for managing acne. However, if you still have many clogged pores, you might need to consider the underlying cause of the clogged pores, such as excessive oiliness or an allergic reaction to certain substances, to choose other appropriate ingredients to address the root cause.

Hope this information is helpful.