Formulation Advice for Combination Skin with Dullness, Blackheads, and Large Pores

Based on your skin concerns (dullness, blackheads, large pores) and your preference for a lightweight, non-greasy formula suitable for combination skin, here is a review of your selected ingredients and recommendations:

Ingredients to Omit for a Lightweight Feel

The feedback you received is correct. For combination skin that is not overly dry or oily, and aiming for a lightweight feel, you can omit ingredients primarily focused on intense hydration or texture modification that might feel heavy:

• WaterLock™
• Snail Secretion
• Hyaluronic Acid Standard
• Aloe Vera Extract
• Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5)
• Pro Polymer (unless a slight thickening is desired, use minimally)

These ingredients are not directly targeting your main concerns of dullness, blackheads, and large pores, and removing them will help achieve a lighter texture.

Suitable Ingredients for Your Concerns

Some ingredients you selected are indeed beneficial for your stated problems:

• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): Excellent for reducing dullness and dark spots (hyperpigmentation), improving skin barrier function, reducing redness, and helping to minimize the appearance of pores by regulating oil production. Products like Safe-B3™ are good options.
• Glucosamine (N-acetyl-D): Works well with Niacinamide to target dark spots and improve skin tone. It also offers gentle exfoliation and can help with hydration and fine lines. GlucoBright™ is an example.
• DMAE Bitartrate: Can offer some antioxidant benefits and potential skin firming effects, which might indirectly help with the appearance of pores.
• Green Tea Extract: Provides antioxidant and soothing properties.

Essential Ingredient to Add: BHA (Salicylic Acid)

To directly address blackheads and large pores, BHA (Salicylic Acid) is highly recommended. BHA is oil-soluble, allowing it to penetrate into pores to exfoliate dead skin cells and dissolve clogged sebum, which are the primary causes of blackheads and enlarged pores. Salicylic Acid is a key ingredient for this issue.

Recommended Approach

Focus your formula on the ingredients that directly target your concerns while keeping it lightweight:

1. Core Actives: Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Glucosamine (N-acetyl-D), and BHA (Salicylic Acid).
2. Supporting Actives: You may include DMAE Bitartrate and Green Tea Extract if desired for added benefits, but they are not as critical for blackheads/pores as BHA.
3. Base: Use a simple, lightweight base (e.g., water-based serum or light gel) without heavy oils or emollients.

Usage Percentage

The appropriate usage percentage for each ingredient is specified on the product page for that specific ingredient on the website. Always follow the manufacturer's recommended usage rate to ensure effectiveness and safety, especially for active ingredients like Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, and Salicylic Acid.

By focusing on these key actives and keeping the base simple, you can create a lightweight formula that effectively targets dullness, blackheads, and large pores on your combination skin.