Toner Formulation with BHA and Witch Hazel: Usability and Preservation Needs

Subject: Re: Toner BHA can Witch Hazel be added for pore tightening?

Hello,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding your Time-Release BHA Toner formulation with added Witch Hazel.

Regarding your first question about the usability of your proposed formula (40% BHA Toner + 60% Witch Hazel) and the Witch Hazel concentration:
Your formula uses 60% Witch Hazel, which falls within the recommended usage range of 10-100% and meets the suggestion of using more than 50% for toners. So, the concentration of Witch Hazel itself is appropriate.

Regarding your second question about needing a preservative:
Based on the staff's response, your proposed formula, which contains approximately 37.36% water (from the original BHA Toner), likely does require an additional preservative for this water phase. The staff explained that the Witch Hazel product contains a preservative, but it is sufficient on its own only when used at a very high concentration (like the 93.4% in their recommended alternative formula). When a significant water phase is present (as in your proposed formula), an additional preservative is needed to ensure the stability and safety of the product.

The staff proposed an alternative formula that does not require an additional preservative:

• Witch Hazel (Distilled-Alcohol Free) 93.4%
• Encapsulated Salicylic Acid 6.6%
  This formula works without an extra preservative because the high concentration of Witch Hazel, which already contains a preservative, provides sufficient preservation for the entire mixture.

In summary, while your proposed formula uses an appropriate concentration of Witch Hazel, it would likely need an additional preservative due to the water content. The staff's recommended formula is an alternative approach that avoids the need for an extra preservative by using a much higher concentration of Witch Hazel.

Thank you.
Staff - MySkinRecipes (simulated)