Water-Based Spray Formulation for Acne Marks and Pores

Based on your goal of creating a water-based spray to help with acne marks, tighten pores, and address clogged pores without using creams/gels that cause breakouts, here is a suggested approach and answers to your questions.

Your proposed ingredients (Vitamin B3, Lactic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract) are suitable for addressing acne marks and improving skin texture and pore appearance. However, for clogged pores, a BHA like Salicylic Acid is more effective.

Suggested Formulation & Usage

To target your concerns, you could use two separate products:

1. Facial Spray (Daytime): Focus on brightening marks, improving pores, and soothing skin.

   • Water (น้ำกลั่น): Up to 100%
   • Vitamin B3, Niacinamide (Safe-B3™): 3-5% (Start with 3% if new to it, can go up to 10% with Safe-B3™ type)
   • Lactic Acid (AHA) 90% Deodorized: 3% (As suggested, start low if new to AHA)
   • Asiaticoside (Centella Asiatica Extract): 0.01-0.1% (Based on product description, higher concentrations like 1-2% might refer to a different extract type or can cause stickiness as noted in the forum reply. Start with the recommended 0.01-0.1% for Asiaticoside 90% powder).
   • Preservative: Follow the recommended usage rate for your chosen preservative.

2. BHA Product (Nighttime): Specifically for clogged pores.

   • Consider a separate product containing Salicylic Acid (BHA). This could be a toner or a serum. Salicylic Acid is oil-soluble and can penetrate pores to help clear blockages. Look for products with Salicylic Acid or water-soluble forms like ActiveRelease™ Salicylic Acid.

Answering Your Questions

• Ingredient Percentages: Suggested percentages are listed above, based on typical usage rates and the forum reply. Always check the specific product page for the recommended range for the ingredient you purchase.
• No Preservative? No, you cannot make this formula without a preservative. Water-based products are prone to bacterial and fungal growth, which can be harmful to your skin. You must include a suitable broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative at the recommended concentration.
• Additional Recommendations: As discussed, add a separate BHA product like a Salicylic Acid toner to your routine specifically for clogged pores. Use the spray during the day and the BHA product at night. Always patch test new formulations and ingredients. Pay attention to the pH of your spray formula, especially with Lactic Acid, as it affects efficacy and irritation.

By separating the AHA/B3 spray from the BHA treatment, you can effectively target different concerns while keeping the spray light and suitable for your skin type prone to clogging from heavier textures.