[JamesLD]

Thank you everyone for your inputs. I will have a meeting with our Sales and recommend to have the toner reformulated for a number of reasons.

[JamesLD]

MarkBroussard said:

@JamesLD:

You will need on the order of 25% to 30% Propanediol.  Add 1% Sodium Citrate and that will help solubilize the SA.  As mentioned above, ditch the NaOH.  Keep your pH between 3.0 and 4.0.  Add 2% Polysorbate 80.

I cant add more Zemea since it’s quite pricey. Does adding 5% Propylene Glycol will make it work?

[JamesLD]

letsalcido said:

Salicylic acid is most effective between ph 3 and 4. The free acid can penetrate skin better for best results.

By adding sodium hydroxide you’re creating sodium salicylate which won’t be able to penetrate, but is definitely more water soluble.

if you care about performance you may want to avoid NaOH altogether and just use a higher percentage of polyols in the formula. You want the free acid available as much as possible for maximum effect.

But let’s see what others say here. 

I agree with you on this. I am also worried on the exfoliancy. The toner claims to be an anti-pimple product. Having sodium salicylate in it makes it an anti-aging product. This is something I need to discuss with our sales team.

I did try cooling down the SA premix but it just crystallizes. This is when I thought I need to adjust the pH of water first, make it alkaline, before adding the SA premix so that it won’t crystallize.