Toner Formula for Eye Area: Preservatives and Mixing Method

Question

I have a toner formula intended for use around the eyes. I would like to confirm if the formula and mixing method are suitable, particularly regarding the preservative system.

My formula includes the following ingredients:

Witch Hazel (Distillate - Alcohol Free, Paraben Free)
DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid
Wrinkle-Fill™ (Acetyl-Tyrosine)
Phenoxyethanol SA (eq. Optiphen Plus) - 0.5%
Eye Preserved™ (Polyhexamethylene Biguanide, PHMB) - 0.5%
Sodium Bicarbonate

The mixing method I plan to use is to mix ingredients 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 together, then add ingredient 6 (Sodium Bicarbonate) to adjust the pH to around 5.5.

Is this formula, including the use of both Phenoxyethanol SA and Eye Preserved™ at 0.5% each, and the described mixing method, appropriate for a toner used in the eye area?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Toner Formula Review

Based on your formula and the staff's reply, your toner formula is acceptable to mix as proposed.

Regarding your question about using two preservatives, Phenoxyethanol SA (0.5%) and Eye Preserved (0.5%), specifically for use around the eyes, the staff confirmed that this approach is correct. While Phenoxyethanol SA can be used up to 1.0% and Eye Preserved up to 1.0-1.5% individually for the eye area, using both together at reduced concentrations (0.5% each, totaling 1%) is appropriate and provides sufficient preservation for a product intended for the eye area.

Sodium Bicarbonate is correctly used to adjust the pH of the final mixture to around 5.5, which is suitable for skin.

Your formula includes the following ingredients: