Formulating a Toner with Witch Hazel Base and Added Extracts/Cleansing Agent

Question

I would like to ask if I can use Witch Hazel (Distilled - Alcohol Free, Paraben Free) as a toner base and add the following ingredients. Will they be compatible and not overlap or reduce each other's properties? I plan to use them according to the recommended percentages on the website. Ingredients to add: Calendula Extract (Water Soluble) Aloe Vera Extract (อัตราสกัด 10:1 FullAssay™) Black Caviar Extract or White Caviar Extract Lactobionic Acid or Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract) I am not mixing water into the formula. Can I also add any skin cleansing agent, such as PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides or any other cleansing agent, to further enhance cleansing properties when wiping? Thank you.

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Subject: Using Witch Hazel as a Toner Base

Regarding your question about using Witch Hazel (Distilled - Alcohol Free) as a toner base and adding other ingredients:

Witch Hazel as a Base: Yes, Witch Hazel (especially the alcohol-free distilled version) is an excellent and popular base for toners due to its astringent, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Compatibility of Added Ingredients: The ingredients you listed – Calendula Extract, Aloe Vera Extract, Black/White Caviar Extract, Lactobionic Acid, and Japanese Cedar Extract – are generally compatible with a Witch Hazel base and are commonly used in cosmetic formulations.
- These extracts and active ingredients offer various benefits like soothing, moisturizing, antioxidant, anti-aging, and gentle exfoliation.
- Adding them to the Witch Hazel base should not cause significant compatibility issues or reduce their properties, provided you use them within the recommended percentages specified by the supplier.
Adding a Cleansing Agent: Yes, you can add a skin cleansing agent like PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides to this toner formulation.
- PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides is a mild surfactant commonly used in micellar waters and cleansing toners to help remove makeup and impurities when wiping the skin.
- It is compatible with aqueous bases like Witch Hazel distillate.
Note on "No Water": Please note that Witch Hazel Distilled (Alcohol Free) is an aqueous product (contains water). The ingredients you listed are also generally water-soluble or dispersible in aqueous systems, making them suitable for this base.

In summary, using Witch Hazel as the base and adding the mentioned extracts, active ingredients, and PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides is a feasible approach for creating a multi-functional toner with cleansing properties. Always adhere to recommended usage rates and perform stability testing if possible.