Aakash Institute of Medical Sciences, Nalagarh.
The formulation and evaluation of a rose toner aim to develop a natural skincare product that can effectively cleanse and hydrate the skin while providing soothing and anti inflammatory benefits. This project focuses on utilizing rose water as the primary ingredient due to its well-known therapeutic properties, including skin rejuvenation, hydration, and its mild astringent effects. The toner is formulated with a blend of rose water, glycerin, and other natural preservatives to ensure stability and efficacy. Several batches of the toner are prepared with varying concentrations of active ingredients to optimize the product's performance. The evaluation of the rose toner includes sensory testing, pH level determination, stability testing, and skin combability assessments. Results indicate that the toner effectively maintains skin moisture, reduces irritaGon, and promotes a refreshed appearance. The final product demonstrates excellent potential as a gentle yet effective skincare solution for daily use, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin.
Definition of Toner
A facial toner is a liquid skincare product applied to the face after cleansing and before Moisturizing. lt helps remove residual dirt, oil, and makeup, tightens pores, refreshes the skin, and restores the skin's natural pH balance. Depending On the ingredients, toners can provide hydrating, astringent, or soothing effects. They are a vital part of many skincare routines, especially for maintaining clean and balanced skin.
Definition of Rose Water
Rose water is a fragrant, water -based solution made by distilling rose petals, most commonly from Rosa damascena. lt is rich in antioxidants and possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and hydrating properties. Due to its mild and soothing nature, rose water is widely used in cosmetic arid dermatological form lotions, especially for sensitive and acre- prone skin.
Need for Herbal Formulations in Cosmetics
There is an increasing prefer essence for herbal and natural cosmetic products due to concerns about the potential Side effects of synthetic chemicals. Herbal ingredients are typically safer, better tolerated by the skin, and environmentally friendly. They also offer multiple skin benefits such as hydration, nourishment, and protection against environmental damage. The incorporation of herbal extracts in skincare products has gained popularity for promoting healthy and naturally glowing skin.
Importance of Rose Toner:
Rose toner is a type of facial toner that primarily uses rose water as its base. It can be enriched with natural ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, witch hazel, and niacinamide to enhance its skirl benefits. These ingredients work synergistically to hydrate, soothe, tolie, and brighten the skin. Rose toner is especially beneficial for reducing redness, calming irritation, and maintaining skin moisture without clogging pores or causing dryness.
Ideal properties of Rose Toner
Physiology Of Human skin
Types of Toners
1. Bracers or skin fresheners: This is a mild toner. The toner contains glycerine and water (humectant). Humectants hydrate the epidermis. The most well-known example of it is rosewater. It works best on skin types that are normal, dehydrated, and sensitive.
2. Skin toners: Typically stronger, skin tonics contain a small amount of alcohol (20%), water, and an agent known as humectants. Orange flower water is an effective example of a skin tonic. It is okay to use skin tonics on oily skin.
3. Acid toners: Usually comprising alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid. The most often utilized alpha hydroxy acids are glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids; these acids are most suited for exfoliating the skin's surface. The most popular beta hydroxy acid that is most effective at exfoliating the skin's deeper layers is salicylic acid.
4. Astringents: The strongest type of toner, astringents have a high percentage of alcohol (20–60%) together with water, antiseptics, and humectants. When they utilize a lot of alcohol, these can remove the skin's surplus protective lipids, which can cause irritation and damage to the skin.
Advantages of Rose Toner
Table 1: Common Ingredients used in Facial Toners
|
Ingredient Type |
Definition |
Function in Toners |
Examples |
|
Water (Aqua) |
Purified or distilled water used as the main base of the toner. |
Acts as a solvent to dissolve other ingredients. |
Purified water, distilled water |
|
Botanical Extracts |
Natural plant-based substances rich in nutrients. |
Soothing, hydrating, and antioxidant properties. |
Rose water, Aloe vera, Cucumber, Green tea, Witch hazel |
|
Humectants |
Moisture-attracting ingredients. |
Attract moisture from the air into the skin and maintain hydration. |
Glycerine, Hyaluronic acid, Panthenol |
|
Astringents |
Pore-tightening and oil-controlling agents. |
Help shrink pores and reduce oiliness, often used for oily or acne-prone skin. |
Witch hazel, Alcohol, Citrus extracts |
|
Exfoliants (Acids) |
Mild acids used to remove dead skin cells. |
Promote skin renewal and smooth texture. |
AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid), BHA (salicylic acid) |
|
Soothing Agents |
Ingredients that calm skin irritation. |
Reduce redness, inflammation, and support skin repair. |
Allantoin, Bisabolol, Niacinamide |
|
Antioxidants |
Substances that fight free radicals. |
Protect the skin from environmental stress and aging. |
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Green tea extract |
|
Fragrances / Essential Oils |
Added for scent or mild benefits. |
Improve sensory appeal, sometimes offer aromatherapy. |
Rose oil, Lavender oil (Note: can irritate sensitive skin) |
|
Preservatives |
Chemicals that prevent microbial growth. |
Extend product shelf life and maintain safety. |
Phenoxyethanol, Parabens, Sodium benzoate |
|
pH Adjusters |
Ingredients that control acidity. |
Balance the toner’s pH to match the skin’s natural level (4.5–5.5). |
Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide |
General Ingredients Used in Rose Toner
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Method of Preparation
Evaluation
RESULT
The prepared rose toner was evaluated for its physical appearance, pH, clarity, microbial safety, and stability over time. The toner appeared as a clear, light pink liquid with a pleasant, natural rose fragrance. It had a water-like consistency, which made it easy to apply on the skin. The pH of the toner was found to be around 5.4, which is within the ideal range for facial skin and helps maintain the skin's natural balance.
|
Parameter Evaluation |
Observation |
|
Appearance |
Clear, Light pink |
|
Odor |
Mild, floral (rose-like) |
|
pH |
5.4 |
|
Viscosity |
Light to moderate |
|
Transparency |
Clear to slightly cloudy |
|
Stability |
Moderate |
CONCLUSION
The rose toner was successfully formulated using natural and herbal ingredients such as rose water, aloe vera, essential oil, vitamin E, and glycerine, which are known for their skin-soothing, hydrating, and astringent properties. The formulation was designed to be gentle, alcohol-free, and suitable for all skin types. The physicochemical evaluations showed that the toner had an ideal pH range (4.5–6.0), was clear, had a pleasant aroma, and was non-viscous, making it appropriate for daily skin application. The stability studies under different storage conditions revealed that the formulation was physically and chemically stable over time, with no significant changes in pH, colour, or appearance, and no phase separation observed. Microbial testing indicated the formulation was free from harmful microbial contamination, and the preservative system was effective in ensuring product safety over a 4-week period. Overall, the rose toner demonstrated excellent potential as a natural skincare product. It can be considered a safe, effective, and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic toners available in the market.
REFERENCES
Jaskaran Singh, Formulation and Evaluation of Rose Toner, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 5, 5169-5175. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15561492
10.5281/zenodo.15561492
