Toner Formulation for Oily Skin

Your proposed formula includes ingredients that are beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin. Let's look at each component:

• Sterile water / Di-water (80%): This serves as the base of your toner, which is appropriate for a water-based product like a toner.
• Complex Salicylic Acid (5%): This product contains 40% Salicylic Acid. Using it at 5% means your formula will have 2% pure Salicylic Acid (BHA). This is the maximum concentration allowed and is highly effective for oily skin as it helps to exfoliate the skin's surface, penetrate pores to dissolve oil and debris, and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is suitable for addressing clogged pores and acne.
• Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide) (5%): Niacinamide is an excellent ingredient for oily skin. At 5%, it is within the recommended usage range (1-10%). It helps to reduce sebum production, minimize the appearance of pores, improve skin barrier function, reduce redness, and can help with hyperpigmentation. This specific type (Safe-B3™) is noted for its high purity, reducing the risk of flushing.
• GlucoBright™ (Acetyl Glucosamine) (4%): Acetyl Glucosamine works synergistically with Niacinamide to improve skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation. It also helps to boost skin hydration by stimulating hyaluronic acid production and can aid in gentle exfoliation and reducing acne breakouts. Your proposed concentration of 4% is within the recommended range (1-8%) and is a good pairing with Niacinamide.
• Phenoxyethanol (Extra Pure) (1%): This is a widely used preservative. Using it at 1% is within the typical recommended range (0.5-1.0%) to ensure the stability and safety of your water-based formulation by preventing microbial growth.

Suitability for Oily Skin

The combination of Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, and Acetyl Glucosamine is well-suited for oily skin concerns.

• Salicylic Acid targets excess oil and clogged pores.
• Niacinamide helps regulate oil production and improves overall skin health and appearance.
• Acetyl Glucosamine complements Niacinamide for brightening and adds hydration without being heavy.

Important Consideration: pH Level

For optimal efficacy and stability, especially with Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide, the pH of your final toner formulation is crucial.

• Salicylic Acid is most effective as an exfoliant at a low pH (ideally around 3-4).
• Niacinamide is most stable and causes less flushing at a pH between 4.0 and 7.0 (ideally 4.0-7.0).
• GlucoBright works best in a pH range of 3-7.
• Phenoxyethanol is effective in a pH range of 2-9.

To balance the effectiveness of Salicylic Acid and the stability/comfort of Niacinamide, aim for a final pH in the range of 4.0 to 5.5. You will need to measure the pH of your finished product and adjust it if necessary using a suitable pH adjuster (like a dilute acid or base solution).

Conclusion

Overall, your proposed formula is a promising toner for oily skin, incorporating effective ingredients at appropriate concentrations. Pay close attention to adjusting the final pH to ensure the best results and skin compatibility.