Review and Combination of Spray Essence Formulas (Ingredient Compatibility, Preservation, Texture)

Asked by: hello_kittyjib On: September 27, 2017 Product Type: Cosmetics

Question

I have dry, dull skin with uneven tone and some acne. My goals are skin tightening, pore reduction, brightening, even tone, hydration, reducing acne/clogging, strengthening the skin barrier, and anti-aging. I have created two spray essence formulas and would like your review and advice on combining them and usage (day/night).

Formula 1: Spray Essence (Pore tightening, soothing, brightening)

  • Rose Water
  • French Pine Bark Extract 25 (Liquid) 5%
  • Sea Kelp Extract 5%
  • Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate 5%
  • Plankton GP4G 5%
  • Double Hyaluron 2%
  • Water (balance)

Formula 2: Whitening Spray Essence

  • Rose/Lavender Water (base)
  • Double Hyaluron
  • Safe-B3™ (Niacinamide)
  • GlucoBright™ (Acetyl glucosamine)
  • Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5)
  • N-Acetyl Cysteine
  • Ethoxydiglycol
  • Natural Moisturizing Amino Acids
  • Reservoir-Tech
  • Water (balance)

Please review these formulas, advise if they can be combined into a single product, discuss the suitability for day and night use, and provide any other relevant feedback.

Answer

Thank you for submitting your formulas and questions. I have reviewed your request, skin type (dry, dull, uneven tone, some acne), and goals (tightening, pore reduction, brightening, even tone, hydration, reducing acne/clogging, strengthening skin barrier, anti-aging), along with the feedback from the staff.

Here is a review of your formulas and answers to your questions:

Formula 1: Spray Essence (Pore tightening, soothing, brightening)

  • Review: This formula contains good ingredients targeting your goals, such as Rose Water (soothing), French Pine Bark Extract (antioxidant, potentially tightening), Sea Kelp Extract (hydrating, soothing), Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (brightening, skin barrier), Plankton GP4G (energy, protection), and Double Hyaluron (hydration). The staff noted that the high percentages of Plankton GP4G and Sea Kelp Extract might cause stickiness, but this could be suitable for dry skin. Testing on your skin is recommended to see if the texture is acceptable.
  • French Pine Bark Extract Color: As the staff mentioned, French Pine Bark Extract 25 (Liquid) is very dark. Using it at 5% will result in a dark-colored product, which is generally not suitable for daytime use due to the visible tint. If you intend to use this spray during the day, you should either omit this ingredient or reduce its concentration significantly (e.g., 0.1-0.5%) to minimize the color.
  • Mixing Method: All ingredients in this formula are water-soluble. You can combine all ingredients together and stir or blend until fully mixed.
  • Storage Method: Store the finished product in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Ensure the container is clean and airtight. Important: This formula is water-based and does not list a preservative. A broad-spectrum preservative is crucial to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Without a preservative, the product is likely to spoil quickly and could cause skin irritation or infection. Please add an appropriate preservative according to the manufacturer's recommended usage rate.

Formula 2: Whitening Spray Essence

  • Review: This formula includes ingredients aimed at brightening and hydration, such as Rose/Lavender Water, Double Hyaluron, Safe-B3™ (Niacinamide), GlucoBright™ (Acetyl glucosamine), Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5), N-Acetyl Cysteine, Ethoxydiglycol (solvent/carrier), Natural Moisturizing Amino Acids, and Reservoir-Tech. The staff correctly pointed out that Reservoir-Tech is incompatible with water-like liquid formulas like a spray essence. It is designed to be dispersed in gel or cream bases and will likely separate in this formula. You should omit Reservoir-Tech if you want to keep this as a spray.
  • Can it be used Day and Night? Yes, generally the ingredients in this formula (excluding Reservoir-Tech due to incompatibility with the base) are suitable for both day and night use. There is no ingredient with a strong color like the pine bark extract in Formula 1.
  • Mixing Method: Combine all compatible ingredients (all except Reservoir-Tech if making a spray) and stir or blend until fully mixed.
  • Storage Method: Same as Formula 1. Store in a cool, dark place in a clean, airtight container. A preservative is essential for this water-based formula to prevent microbial contamination.

Combining Formulas:
The staff suggested that you could combine the goals into a single formula, as there's no strict need to separate them. This is a valid approach to create a multi-benefit product. If you choose to combine ingredients from both formulas into one spray essence, keep the following in mind:

  • French Pine Bark Extract: If included, it will add color, making it less suitable for daytime use unless used at a very low concentration (0.1-0.5%).
  • Reservoir-Tech: It cannot be included in a water-based spray formula; it will cause separation. If you want to use Reservoir-Tech, you would need to formulate a gel or cream instead of a spray, which the staff noted might offer better absorption.
  • Ingredient Percentages: When combining, ensure the total percentage of all ingredients adds up to 100%. You may need to adjust the percentages of individual ingredients to fit within the total and manage potential issues like stickiness (from high Plankton GP4G/Sea Kelp) or potential irritation from high concentrations of actives like Niacinamide (though 10% is often well-tolerated, especially on dry skin, it's worth noting). Consider your primary goals when adjusting percentages.
  • Preservative: Regardless of whether you use Formula 1, Formula 2 (modified), or a combined version, a suitable preservative system is absolutely necessary for safety and stability.

In summary, both formulas have potential but require adjustments based on the staff's feedback (Pine Bark color, Reservoir-Tech incompatibility) and the critical need for a preservative. Combining is possible, but you must decide on the base type (spray vs. gel/cream) based on whether you want to include Reservoir-Tech and manage the color from French Pine Bark Extract if included.