Formulation Advice for Oily Skin with Dark Spots and Clogged Pores

Based on the ingredients you listed (Tranexamic acid 3%, Allantoin 0.5%, BHA 1%, Phenoxyethanol 1%) and the feedback from the forum, here's a breakdown and suggestions for your DIY formula targeting oily skin, clogged pores, and dark spots:

Sufficiency of Ingredients

The ingredients you listed provide a good starting point for addressing dark spots and providing basic soothing and preservation. However, to create a more effective formula for your specific skin type (oily with clogged pores) and concerns, you might consider adding other beneficial ingredients:

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): As mentioned in the forum, Niacinamide is excellent for oily skin as it helps control sebum production. It also offers significant benefits for reducing hyperpigmentation, strengthening the skin barrier, and providing anti-inflammatory effects, which can help with acne-prone skin. Products like Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide) are highly recommended.
• Soothing Agents: Ingredients like Allantoin are good for reducing irritation. Given that BHA can sometimes be irritating, adding other soothing agents such as Natural Bisabolol (from Chamomile) or Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) can further help calm the skin and reduce redness.
• BHA (Salicylic Acid): While 1% BHA is included, the effectiveness for exfoliation and dissolving clogged pores can depend on the specific type of Salicylic Acid used and the formula's pH. Ensure you are using a type suitable for leave-on products and that the final pH is appropriate for BHA activity (typically acidic, but check the specific product's recommendations).

Therefore, while your current list is a foundation, incorporating Niacinamide and potentially other soothing ingredients would enhance the formula's efficacy for your skin type.

Achieving a Gel Texture

To get a gel texture for your formula, Pro Polymer™ (Gel Maker) is highly suitable. As suggested in the forum, this ingredient is designed to create a gel consistency in water-based formulations. It provides a pleasant texture without stickiness once dry and has good resistance to electrolytes, which can sometimes destabilize other gelling agents.