Toner Formulation Guide

Here is a suggested starting point for your toner formulation using the ingredients you have. You can adjust the percentages based on your desired properties and how your skin reacts.

• Purified Water: Balance to 100%
• Witch Hazel (Distillate - Alcohol Free, Paraben Free): 10-50%
  • Role: Astringent, helps tighten pores.
  • Note on Smell: Witch Hazel has a natural scent. Using a lower percentage (closer to 10%) will help reduce the smell compared to using a higher percentage (like 50% or more, which is recommended for stronger astringent effect). Adding a small amount of skin-safe fragrance or essential oil can also help mask the smell, but ensure it is suitable for a toner and used at a very low concentration (typically 0.1-0.5%).
• Propylene Glycol: 5-10%
  • Role: Humectant (helps retain moisture), solvent (helps dissolve other ingredients like Allantoin).
• Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3, Niacinamide): 5%
  • Role: Multiple skin benefits including reducing wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, redness, controlling oil, and strengthening the skin barrier. The Safe-B3™ type can be used up to 10% without causing flushing.
• Allantoin: 0.5%
  • Role: Reduces irritation, soothes skin, promotes tissue regeneration.
  • Note on Solubility: Allantoin is only soluble up to about 0.5% in water at room temperature. Using Propylene Glycol and gentle heating during mixing helps ensure it dissolves properly.
• Preservative: Follow supplier's recommended rate (typically 0.5-1%)
  • Role: Essential for preventing microbial growth in water-based products. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-soluble preservative suitable for toners.

Example Formula (Total 100%):

• Purified Water: 78.5%
• Witch Hazel: 10%
• Propylene Glycol: 5%
• Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3): 5%
• Allantoin: 0.5%
• Preservative: 1% (adjust water percentage accordingly based on your chosen preservative's usage rate)

Mixing Method:

1. In a clean beaker, weigh out the Purified Water, Propylene Glycol, Allantoin, and Safe-B3™ (Vitamin B3).
2. Gently heat the mixture (e.g., in a water bath) to around 40-50°C. Stir continuously until the Allantoin and Vitamin B3 powders are completely dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool down to below 40°C.
4. Once cooled, add the Witch Hazel and your chosen Preservative. Stir gently until fully incorporated.
5. (Optional) If using a fragrance or essential oil to mask the Witch Hazel smell, add it at this step at a very low percentage (e.g., 0.1-0.5%) and stir.
6. Check the pH of the toner. The ideal pH range for this formulation would likely be between 4.5 and 5.5 to be skin-compatible and ensure the stability and efficacy of the ingredients like Vitamin B3. Adjust the pH if necessary using a dilute acid (like Lactic Acid or Citric Acid solution) or base (like Sodium Hydroxide solution), adding drop by drop and checking the pH after each addition.
7. Pour the finished toner into a clean, sterilized bottle.

Remember to always use clean equipment and follow good manufacturing practices when making cosmetics at home.