Foam Face Cleanser Formula for Makeup and Waterproof Sunscreen Removal
Question
I want to make a foam face cleanser that can remove makeup and waterproof sunscreen. Can this formula be used?
Distilled Water 22.8%
Diglycerin 10%
Safflower Seed Oil (High Oleic, Refined) 15%
Satin Cream Maker™ 1.5%
Oilsify 30 (Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate) 10%
Sulfate-Free Foaming Base 10%
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine 10%
Sebum-Off (Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate) 10%
Xanthan Gum 0.7%
Citric Acid (High Purity) 2%
Tea Tree Oil (Water Soluble) 2%
Zinc Pyrithione 4%
DeoMax™ Powder 0.5%
MicroKill™ (Quaternium-73 Solution) 1%
Phenoxyethanol (Extra Pure) 0.5%
Answer
Subject: Formula Review: Foam Face Cleanser for Makeup Removal
Based on the formula you provided for a foam face cleanser intended to remove makeup and waterproof sunscreen, here is a review:
The formula contains ingredients that are designed to help remove oil-based substances like makeup and sunscreen. Specifically:
- Safflower Seed Oil (15%): Provides an oil phase to dissolve makeup and sunscreen.
- Oilsify 30 (Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, 10%) and Sebum-Off (Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, 10%): These are surfactants and emulsifiers that help to effectively emulsify the oils and makeup, allowing them to be rinsed away with water.
- Sulfate-Free Foaming Base (10%) and Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (10%): These provide the foaming and general cleansing action.
Therefore, the formula does contain components that can contribute to removing makeup and waterproof sunscreen.
However, there are several ingredients in this formula that are unusual and potentially problematic for a standard face cleanser, especially at the concentrations listed:
- Zinc Pyrithione (4%): This ingredient is primarily an antifungal and antibacterial agent used in anti-dandruff shampoos. A concentration of 4% is very high and is not typically used in facial cleansers. It could be irritating to facial skin, particularly around the eyes, and is not necessary for makeup removal.
- Tea Tree Oil (Water Soluble, 2%): While water-soluble, 2% Tea Tree Oil is a relatively high concentration for a facial product and could cause irritation or sensitization in some individuals. Its primary function is not makeup removal.
- Citric Acid (2%): This is used for pH adjustment. A 2% concentration is quite high and might result in a very low pH, which could be irritating to the skin and potentially affect the stability of the formula. pH adjustment should typically be done gradually to reach a target pH (e.g., 5.5-6.5 for a cleanser).
- DeoMax™ Powder (0.5%): An odor absorber is not a typical ingredient for a face cleanser.
Conclusion:
While the formula includes effective ingredients for dissolving and removing makeup/sunscreen, the presence of high concentrations of Zinc Pyrithione and Tea Tree Oil, and potentially high Citric Acid, makes this formula not ideal or recommended as a general foam face cleanser for makeup removal. These ingredients are likely unnecessary for the stated purpose and could cause skin irritation or adverse reactions.
If your primary goal is solely to create a foam cleanser that removes makeup and waterproof sunscreen, you should reconsider the inclusion and concentration of Zinc Pyrithione, Tea Tree Oil, and DeoMax. The pH should also be carefully adjusted with Citric Acid to a skin-friendly range.
Related Products Mentioned
Citric Acid (Monohydrate, Natural)
Tea Tree Oil (Water Soluble)
Oilsify 30 (Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate)