Botanical Facial Toner: Hyaluronic Glow

Made by hand in the U.S. in small batches.

Ingredients: Aqua, Aloe Vera Juice*, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) hydrosol*, Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang) Hydrosol*, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) Distillate*, Sodium Lactate, Propanediol, Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, dl-Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid (LMW). Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea and Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

*Certified Organic Ingredient

Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate)
Hyaluronic acid is one of my favorite ingredients for creating beautifully hydrated, supple-looking skin. It is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan found throughout the body, including in the skin, where it plays an important role in maintaining hydration. Its remarkable ability to bind and retain water makes it an excellent humectant in skincare formulations. Unlike oils, which primarily provide emollience and help reduce moisture loss, hyaluronic acid works by attracting and holding water at the skin's surface. I use a 2% hyaluronic acid stock solution in this formula, resulting in 0.4% hyaluronic acid in the finished serum. This contributes to the serum's slightly viscous, silky texture and helps leave the skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and refreshed.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera has been valued in traditional skincare preparations for centuries, particularly for its naturally moisturizing and skin-conditioning qualities. The inner leaf gel contains water-soluble polysaccharides, including acemannan, along with a variety of other naturally occurring plant constituents. These polysaccharides contribute to aloe's characteristic texture and its longstanding reputation as a soothing botanical ingredient. I use a concentrated 200× aloe vera powder, which allows me to incorporate aloe's botanical constituents without adding large quantities of aloe juice to the formula. Aloe complements the other humectants in Hyaluronic Glow and contributes to the serum's refreshing, lightweight feel. I particularly appreciate how well it works alongside hyaluronic acid and panthenol in a formula designed around maintaining comfortable, hydrated skin.

Green Tea Extract (Camellia sinensis)
Green tea is a fascinating botanical with a rich history of traditional use and an impressive collection of naturally occurring antioxidant compounds. Its leaves contain polyphenols, particularly catechins such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have been extensively studied for their antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are valuable in skincare because they can help protect against oxidative processes that contribute to changes in the appearance and condition of the skin. I use a glycerin-based green tea extract, which also contributes a small amount of additional humectancy to the formula. At 3%, it provides a meaningful botanical component without overwhelming the serum with unnecessary ingredients. I chose green tea because it complements the moisture-focused ingredients while adding another dimension to this well-rounded facial serum.

Lavender Hydrosol (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender hydrosol is the aromatic water produced during the steam distillation of lavender. Unlike lavender essential oil, which consists primarily of concentrated volatile aromatic compounds, a hydrosol contains mostly water along with small amounts of water-soluble and dispersed aromatic constituents. This gives lavender hydrosol a much softer, more delicate botanical character than the essential oil. Lavender has a long history of use in traditional skincare, and its distinctive floral aroma makes it a beautiful addition to facial preparations. I chose lavender hydrosol for its refreshing qualities and the gentle botanical character it brings to Hyaluronic Glow. It also pairs beautifully with ylang-ylang hydrosol, creating a naturally fragrant serum without the addition of concentrated essential oils or synthetic fragrance.

Ylang-Ylang Hydrosol (Cananga odorata)
Ylang-ylang is a tropical flowering tree known for its wonderfully fragrant blossoms. Its flowers are used to produce both essential oil and hydrosol, although the two preparations differ considerably in their concentration and composition. Ylang-ylang hydrosol contains small amounts of naturally occurring aromatic constituents that give it a softer, more delicate fragrance than the essential oil. In skincare, floral hydrosols are often appreciated for their refreshing feel and the botanical character they bring to water-based formulations. I chose ylang-ylang hydrosol to complement the lavender and give Hyaluronic Glow a distinctive floral profile. It also helps distinguish this serum from my other botanical toner, which features tea tree hydrosol. Together, the lavender and ylang-ylang hydrosols create a lovely aromatic foundation without the need for added essential oils.

Witch Hazel Distillate (Hamamelis virginiana)
Witch hazel has a long history of use in traditional North American herbalism and skincare. It is particularly well known for its association with facial toners and other refreshing skin preparations. Witch hazel leaves and bark contain naturally occurring tannins and other polyphenolic compounds, although the composition of a distilled witch hazel preparation differs significantly from that of a whole-plant extract. Many traditional witch hazel products contain alcohol, but I specifically use an alcohol-free witch hazel distillate in Hyaluronic Glow. This allows me to incorporate witch hazel's familiar botanical character without introducing the drying effects associated with alcohol-containing formulations. I chose it to complement the floral hydrosols and contribute to the serum's fresh, lightweight skin feel.

Panthenol (Provitamin B5)
Panthenol is a wonderful skin-conditioning ingredient and one that I particularly appreciate in hydrating facial formulations. Also known as provitamin B5, panthenol is converted to pantothenic acid in the body, a vitamin involved in numerous normal biological processes. In skincare, panthenol functions primarily as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent, helping attract moisture and maintain a soft, comfortable skin feel. It is also valued for its ability to support the skin's moisture barrier and improve the appearance of dryness. I include panthenol at 1% because it complements hyaluronic acid and sodium lactate without making the formula unnecessarily complicated. Together, these ingredients provide several complementary approaches to maintaining hydration.

Sodium Lactate
Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid and an important component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor, often abbreviated as NMF. The natural moisturizing factor is a collection of water-soluble substances found in the outermost layers of the skin that help attract and retain moisture. Sodium lactate is particularly useful in skincare because it is an effective humectant, helping maintain hydration without the heaviness of an oil-based ingredient. Although sodium lactate is related to lactic acid, it is not included in this formula as an exfoliating acid. I chose it to complement the water-binding properties of hyaluronic acid and support the serum's overall moisturizing performance. Its inclusion is part of my goal of creating a formula that addresses hydration through several complementary ingredients rather than relying on one alone.

Allantoin
Allantoin is a well-established cosmetic ingredient valued for its skin-conditioning and protective qualities. It occurs naturally in certain plants, including comfrey, although the allantoin used in modern cosmetic formulations is commonly manufactured rather than extracted directly from botanical sources. Allantoin is particularly appreciated in products designed for dry or easily irritated skin because it helps maintain a smooth, comfortable skin feel. It is also used in formulations intended to improve the appearance of roughness and dryness. I include allantoin at 0.5% to complement the serum's other skin-conditioning ingredients. While hyaluronic acid and sodium lactate focus primarily on water retention, allantoin contributes another aspect of skin care by helping maintain a soft, smooth-feeling surface.

Propanediol
Propanediol is a versatile ingredient that serves several useful functions in water-based skincare formulations. It acts as a humectant, helping attract moisture, while also functioning as a solvent for certain ingredients. Depending on how it is manufactured, propanediol may be derived from renewable plant-based feedstocks. I include it because it contributes to the overall hydration system and helps create a pleasant, lightweight skin feel. Propanediol can also influence the way a formula spreads and dries on the skin, making it useful in serums that contain several other humectants. Although it may support the performance of some preservative systems, it is not a substitute for a properly formulated broad-spectrum preservative.

Liquid Germall Plus
Because Hyaluronic Glow is a water-based serum containing botanical ingredients, an effective preservation system is essential. Water-containing skincare products can support microbial growth if they are not properly preserved, even when they contain ingredients with naturally occurring antioxidant properties. Liquid Germall Plus is a broad-spectrum preservative used to help protect cosmetic formulations against bacteria, yeast, and mold. I include it to support the microbiological safety and stability of the finished serum throughout normal use. Unlike vitamin E or botanical antioxidants, which primarily address oxidation, a preservative is specifically intended to help control microbial contamination. Thoughtful preservation is an important part of creating a water-based skincare product that customers can use with confidence.

These descriptions reflect traditional herbal use and formulation principles rather than intended medical outcomes.

Safe for all ages and skin types.

To use: Spray a 2-3 sprays into your clean hands or a cotton square and apply thoroughly to a freshly cleansed face.

♦ Note : These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.