Toner Formulation Review

Thank you for providing your toner formulation and mixing method. Here is a review of your formula and some recommendations:

Formulation Analysis

Your formula includes a good selection of water-soluble ingredients known for their moisturizing, soothing, and anti-aging properties. The total percentage adds up to 100%, which is correct.

Here are a few points regarding the percentages:

• Rice Vitamin (Inositol, Vitamin B8) at 2.5%: The recommended usage is 1-3%, with 2% recommended. Your 2.5% is within the acceptable range but slightly above the typical recommendation. This should be fine, but observe the final product's feel.
• Grape Seed Extract (Proanthocyanidins) at 2.5%: The recommended usage is 0.5-5%, with 0.5-2% recommended. Your 2.5% is within the acceptable range but above the typical recommendation. Using 2.5% might result in a darker colored toner due to the extract's natural color.
• Raffinose (Oligo GGF) at 2.5%: The usage rate is 0.5-2%. Your 2.5% is slightly above the maximum recommended usage. This could potentially make the toner feel sticky. It is recommended to reduce the percentage to 2% or less to avoid stickiness.
• DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid at 0.5%: The recommended usage for anti-wrinkle/tightening effects is 1-10%, with 3% recommended. Your 0.5% is below the level typically needed for a noticeable tightening effect. If you desire this benefit, you may consider increasing the percentage, but be aware that DMAE can cause irritation at higher concentrations (above 5%).

The percentages for Calendula Extract, Aloe Vera Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Oat Avenanthramides, Panthenol, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Adenosine Liposome, and Natural Moisturizing Amino Acids are within their recommended usage ranges.

Mixing Method Review

Your proposed mixing method is generally suitable for a water-based toner that does not require heating. Combining all water-soluble ingredients into the DI Water base is the correct approach.

However, for best practice and to ensure the stability and efficacy of certain ingredients, it is often recommended to add ingredients that are sensitive to heat or require addition in the final step towards the end of the mixing process, after the main water phase is complete and cooled (if heated).

Specifically:

• Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate: The description recommends mixing in the final step below 60°C.
• DMAE (SkinTight MD™) Liquid: The description recommends mixing in the final step below 40°C.

While your current method might work if no heat is applied, adding these ingredients after the initial blend is complete and at room temperature would be ideal.

Important Considerations

• Preservation: Your formula does not include a preservative. Since this is a water-based product containing natural extracts, it is highly susceptible to microbial growth. Adding a suitable preservative is crucial for the safety and shelf life of your toner. A common and effective water-soluble preservative is Phenoxyethanol P5, typically used at 0.5-1.0%.
• pH Adjustment: The final pH of your toner should be checked and adjusted to be within the optimal range for skin (typically pH 4.5-5.5). The combination of ingredients will determine the final pH, and adjustment may be necessary for skin compatibility and ingredient efficacy.
• Stability Testing: It is always recommended to make a small test batch first to check for stability (clarity, color, scent, precipitation) before making a larger quantity.

Factory Mixing Service

Regarding your question about factory mixing services for personal use, generally, ingredient suppliers like MySkinRecipes focus on providing raw materials and formulation guidance. They typically do not offer small-batch mixing services for individual customers' custom formulations intended for personal use. Mixing services are usually part of larger-scale manufacturing for commercial products.

In summary, your formulation is a good starting point, but you should adjust the Raffinose percentage, consider increasing DMAE for efficacy (with caution regarding irritation), and definitely add a preservative. Adjusting the mixing order for Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and DMAE is also recommended. Always check the final pH and test stability.

I hope this helps!