Functions of Ingredients in Cleansing Water Formulation

Question

I would like to inquire about the functions of ingredients in a cleansing water formulation. Please let me know if my understanding is correct. Thank you for your assistance. The ingredients and their proposed functions are: Water: Solvent [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7/373-peg-6-caprylic-capric-glycerides.html:2m56165l]PEG-6 Caprylic[/url:2m56165l]: Cleansing, Superfatting agent [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/emulsifier/175-polysorbate-20-tween-20.html:2m56165l]Polysorbate 20[/url:2m56165l]: [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/33-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7:2m56165l]surfactant[/url:2m56165l] [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2/320-butylene-glycol-%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%99-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5.html:2m56165l]Butylene Glycol[/url:2m56165l]: Humectant PEG-8: [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/33-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7:2m56165l]surfactant[/url:2m56165l], [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/55-emollient-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B8%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99:2m56165l]emollient[/url:2m56165l] [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7/1211-poloxamer-407.html:2m56165l]Poloxamer 407[/url:2m56165l]: [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/33-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7:2m56165l]surfactant[/url:2m56165l]-Cleansing [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C/153-citric-acid-%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7.html:2m56165l]Citric Acid[/url:2m56165l]: Buffering agent [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C/879-global-guard.html:2m56165l]sodium benzoate[/url:2m56165l]: Preservative [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C/184-disodium-edta-2na.html:2m56165l]Disodium EDTA[/url:2m56165l]: Chelating agent [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/319-%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A1:2m56165l]Fragrance[/url:2m56165l]: [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/105-flavor-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99:2m56165l]Flavor[/url:2m56165l]ing agent [url=https://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C/143-glycerin-%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99.html:2m56165l]Glycerin[/url:2m56165l]: Humectant [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3/76-aloe-vera-extract-%E0%B8%A7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94.html:2m56165l]Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract[/url:2m56165l]: [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/55-emollient-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B8%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99:2m56165l]emollient[/url:2m56165l]

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Cleansing Water Ingredient Functions

Here are the functions of the ingredients you listed in a typical cleansing water formulation:

Water: This is the primary solvent and base of the formulation, dissolving other ingredients and providing the liquid vehicle. Your understanding is correct.
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides: These are non-ionic surfactants and solubilizers. Their main role in cleansing water is to form micelles that capture and lift away oil, makeup, and impurities from the skin. While they contribute to the feel and mildness, "superfatting agent" isn't their primary or most accurate description in this context.
Polysorbate 20: This is a non-ionic surfactant and solubilizer. It helps to disperse oils and fragrances in the water base and contributes to the cleansing action by forming micelles. Your understanding is correct.
Butylene Glycol: This functions primarily as a solvent and humectant. It helps dissolve ingredients that are not easily soluble in water alone and draws moisture into the skin, helping to prevent dryness. Your understanding is correct.
PEG-8: This is typically used as a solvent, humectant, and carrier in cosmetic formulations. It helps dissolve ingredients and attracts moisture. While some PEGs can have emollient properties, PEG-8 is not primarily classified as a surfactant or a significant emollient in this type of formula.
Poloxamer 407: This is a non-ionic surfactant and solubilizer commonly used in cleansing products, especially micellar waters, for its effective cleansing ability and mildness. Your understanding is correct.
Citric Acid: This is used as a pH adjuster or buffering agent to set and maintain the desired acidity level of the product, which is important for skin compatibility and product stability. Your understanding is correct.
Sodium Benzoate: This is a common preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold in the product, ensuring its safety and shelf life. Your understanding is correct.
Disodium EDTA: This is a chelating agent. It binds to metal ions in water, preventing them from interfering with the stability and performance of the formulation and enhancing the effectiveness of preservatives. Your understanding is correct.
Fragrance: This ingredient is added to provide a pleasant scent to the product. It is not a flavoring agent (which is for taste).
Glycerin: This is a well-known humectant, drawing moisture into the skin. It also acts as a solvent and can provide a smooth feel (acting as an emollient). Your understanding is correct.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract: This is a plant extract known for its soothing, moisturizing, and skin-conditioning properties. It can function as an emollient and humectant due to its moisturizing effects. Your understanding is correct.

In summary, your list was mostly accurate, with minor clarifications on the primary roles of PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides and PEG-8, and the correction regarding Fragrance vs. Flavoring agent.