Addressing Skin Tightness After Cleansing

It's common to feel a bit of tightness after cleansing, especially if the cleanser is too strong or strips too much natural oil from the skin. You're asking about using WaterLock and Coco Betaine to help with this. Based on the product information and the advice provided, here's a breakdown of your questions:

WaterLock (Polyquaternium-51) Questions

1. Can adding WaterLock at 1-2% help reduce dryness and tightness?
   Yes, adding WaterLock can help. WaterLock is designed to adhere to the skin and create a coating that helps prevent water loss, which can reduce the feeling of dryness and tightness after washing. The recommended usage rate for WaterLock is 1-2%, with 2% suggested for dry skin.

2. If WaterLock adheres within 30 seconds, does rubbing the cleanser for at least 30 seconds ensure full efficacy even after rinsing?
   WaterLock starts adhering to the skin immediately upon contact. While 30 seconds of contact time will allow more of the ingredient to adhere compared to a shorter time, it doesn't necessarily guarantee "full" efficacy compared to a product that is left on the skin. The longer it's in contact, the more it can coat the skin.

3. Comparing using WaterLock in a face wash (for 30 seconds) versus in a toner, would the efficacy be equivalent, or is using it in a toner better?
   The efficacy would be similar, but using WaterLock in a toner is likely to be slightly better. This is because a toner is a leave-on product, allowing the WaterLock to remain on the skin and continue to adhere and provide its moisturizing benefits for a longer period compared to a wash-off product like a cleanser, even if the cleanser is used for 30 seconds.

4. Since WaterLock can stay on the skin for up to 48 hours, will it affect the absorption of other active ingredients? Will it accumulate on the face with morning and evening washing?
   WaterLock forms a coating on the skin but does not penetrate deeply. There is no specific data available on whether it significantly affects the absorption of other active ingredients. However, similar coating ingredients like silicones generally do not reduce the absorption rate of other substances. WaterLock does not accumulate permanently on the skin. While it adheres well and is not easily washed off by water alone, it will gradually wear off with normal activities, sweat, and subsequent cleansing with surfactants. So, washing your face morning and evening will remove some of the WaterLock, preventing significant accumulation.

Coco Betaine and Your Current Formula Questions

You mentioned your current cleanser contains Amino Wash 10% and Baby Foam 4%.

1. How much Coco Betaine should be added to this formula?
   Before adding Coco Betaine, it's recommended to first try reducing the amount of your current surfactants (Amino Wash and Baby Foam). If reducing the existing surfactants makes the cleanser feel less effective but still causes tightness, then you could consider adding Coco Betaine. If you decide to add Coco Betaine, a suggested starting point is around 3-5%. However, if you add Coco Betaine, you should also reduce the amount of the other surfactants in your formula to avoid making the cleanser too strong overall.

2. Would using all three ingredients (Amino Wash, Baby Foam, and either Coco Betaine or WaterLock) be too complex, or is using just 1-2 ingredients sufficient?
   Using all three might be unnecessarily complex. It's generally recommended to simplify your formula if possible. The most effective approach to address the tightness is likely to either:

   • Adjust the levels of your existing surfactants (Amino Wash and Baby Foam) first.
   • If adjustment isn't enough, add either Coco Betaine (which helps mitigate the harshness of other surfactants) or WaterLock (which provides a moisturizing coating), while potentially still adjusting the other surfactants.

In summary, both WaterLock and Coco Betaine can help reduce the feeling of tightness after washing, but they work in different ways. WaterLock coats the skin, while Coco Betaine helps make the overall surfactant system milder. It's advised to first try adjusting the concentration of your current surfactants before adding new ingredients. If you do add something, consider whether you prefer a milder surfactant system (Coco Betaine) or an ingredient that leaves a moisturizing film (WaterLock).