Using PE-1 Aqua in a Niacinamide Toner

Based on the previous discussion and the ingredients you mentioned, here is the information regarding using PE-1 Aqua in a Niacinamide toner:

1. Regarding solubilizers and glycols:
   Making a clear toner with PE-1 Aqua is challenging in practice. While solubilizers like Flora Solve can technically disperse PE-1 Aqua in water, a very high ratio is needed (approximately 5 times the amount of PE-1 Aqua). This high concentration of solubilizer can make the toner feel sticky and heavy, which is not desirable for a light toner texture. Glycols can be part of a formulation but are not typically sufficient on their own to solubilize PE-1 Aqua in a clear toner base at effective concentrations without causing issues.

2. Ingredients to avoid:
   The available information does not provide a specific list of ingredients to avoid when using PE-1 Aqua. However, compatibility with other ingredients should always be checked when formulating.

3. Recommended formulations:
   Due to the difficulty in creating a good, non-sticky clear toner with PE-1 Aqua (as explained in point 1), there isn't a standard recommended formulation for this specific application in the provided context. PE-1 Aqua is generally easier to incorporate into formulations with more body, such as gels or creams.

4. Using Pro Polymer for a gel texture:
   Yes, if you use a thickener like Pro Polymer to create a gel or gel-cream texture, you do not need a separate solubilizer for PE-1 Aqua in the same way you would for a clear toner. PE-1 Aqua can be added to the oil phase (if any) or directly into the gel base, typically added towards the end of the formulation process. This method avoids the stickiness issue encountered when trying to make a clear, water-based solution with PE-1 Aqua.

In summary, while theoretically possible to disperse PE-1 Aqua in a clear toner base, it's often impractical due to texture issues. PE-1 Aqua is generally more suitable for incorporation into gel or cream formulations where thickeners help stabilize it without requiring excessive solubilizers.