Hydrating Facial Spray Formulation Advice

Based on your question and skin condition, creating a hydrating facial spray is possible. Here's a breakdown of your ideas and other suggestions:

Glycerin + Water

Mixing Glycerin with distilled water or mineral water is a viable option for a hydrating spray. Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts and holds moisture to the skin. As the staff mentioned, you must add a preservative to this mixture to prevent bacterial growth, as water-based solutions are prone to contamination. A dark bottle is not necessary for a simple glycerin and water mixture with a preservative.

WaterLock™ + Water

WaterLock™ (Polyquaternium-51) can also be mixed with water. WaterLock™ works by forming a barrier on the skin's surface to help prevent moisture loss (TEWL - Trans-Epidermal Water Loss). It can be used alongside other humectants like Hyaluronic Acid. Like the glycerin mixture, this formulation requires a preservative to ensure stability and safety. WaterLock™ is soluble in water and can tolerate a pH range of 3-8. The recommended usage rate is 1-2%.

Sodium PCA

Sodium PCA is another excellent humectant and is part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF). It helps balance and moisturize the skin, preventing dryness. It is gentle and dissolves easily in water. It can be used at a rate of 0.5-2%. This ingredient also needs a preservative when mixed with water.

Other Suitable Ingredients

Besides the ingredients you mentioned, here are other options for a hydrating facial spray that are water-soluble and beneficial:

• Hyaluronic Acid: Available in various molecular sizes. Smaller molecules (like Hyaluronic Acid (Small Molecule)) can penetrate deeper for hydration, while larger molecules (like Hyaluronic Acid (Standard Molecule)) provide surface hydration and can create a slight gel texture. Using a combination can offer multi-level hydration. Hyaluronic Acid requires a preservative.
• Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): This ingredient is easily absorbed by the skin and converts to Vitamin B5. It acts as a humectant, helps retain moisture, soothes the skin, reduces redness, and supports wound healing. It is water-soluble and can be used at 1-3% for skin products. Panthenol also requires a preservative in a water-based solution.

Important Considerations

• Preservatives: Any water-based formulation must include a preservative to prevent microbial contamination. Suitable options include Mild Preserved Eco™ or PE 1090 Preservative. Always follow the recommended usage rates for the chosen preservative.
• Skin Assessment: As the staff advised, observe your skin to determine if it truly needs extra moisture, especially since you mentioned having oily skin. While these ingredients add hydration, excessive moisture might not be ideal for consistently oily skin. A hydrating spray can be beneficial in specific dry environments (like air conditioning) or when you feel your skin is dehydrated.
• Storage: Store your homemade spray in a clean, airtight bottle away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain its quality and prevent degradation of ingredients and preservatives.

By adding a suitable preservative, you can safely create a hydrating facial spray using ingredients like Glycerin, WaterLock™, Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid, or Panthenol mixed with distilled or mineral water.