REMOVERS AND CLEANSERS -THE HOW AND WHY!

Micellar Water

It’s a buzz word we’ve all heard by now, but what does “micellar” even mean!?

Micellar water is a gentle cleanser made up of tiny particles called micelles, which are suspended in water. The micelles themselves are actually made up of tiny little particles clustered together, they look almost like little people with a round head and two legs. The head is hydrophilic (water loving) while the little tails are hydrophobic) water hating. The hydrophobic tails also really love oils, making them perfect for cleaning the skin.
 These micelles act like magnets, attracting and trapping dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities from the skin. When you apply micellar water to a cotton pad the hydrophilic heads follow the water in the solution into the cotton pad, leaving the tails (which are repelled by the water) sticking up ready to grab on to anything they come into contact with.
When you swipe the cotton pad across your face, the micelles bind to the debris on the skin and lift it awaywithout the need for harsh scrubbing or rinsing. Because it's water-based and usually free of alcohol or soap, micellar water is suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin, leaving it clean, refreshed, and hydrated.

Kryolan’s Clean & Care Natural Micellar Water is a vegan certified, plant derived micellar water with no fragrance, no parabens and no soap. It is always advisable to rinse the skin with water following any treatments, though with this kind to skin remover it is not essential. Great for on-the go cleansing, before a makeup application, festivals and travel.

Oil- Based Cleansers

Oil-based cleansers work on the principle that "like dissolves like," meaning oil attracts and dissolves other oils. These cleansers contain nourishing oils that bind to the excess sebum, makeup, sunscreen, and impurities on the skin. When massaged into the skin, the oil breaks down these substances, effectively removing them. After adding water, the oil emulsifies, turning into a milky solution that can be easily rinsed off, leaving the skin clean without stripping its natural moisture barrier. Oil-based cleansers are especially effective at removing waterproof makeup and heavy sunscreen, making them popular for double-cleansing routines.
They are particularly helpful for very dry skin types as they remove makeup without stripping the skin of its natural moisture, avoiding that tight skin tingle.

The vegan certified Clean & Care Natural Cleansing Oil is a complex cleansing oil formula containing high-performing ingredients originating from vegetables and precious Argan Oil with its polyunsaturated fatty acids. Squalane derived from olive oil and Avocado Oil protect, care for, and strengthen the skin while effectively removing all traces of makeup.

Cleansing Lotions

Cleansing lotions are creamy, emollient-based products designed to gently cleanse the skin while maintaining moisture. These are emulsions, meaning they contain both oil and water with a stabilising agent, or emulsifier to prevent them separating. Remember oil and water don’t normally mix! This means lotions contain oils capable of breaking down makeup without being greasy.
They work by loosening dirt, makeup, and impurities without stripping the skin’s natural oils. These lotions typically contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerine, fatty acids, or oils that soothe and hydrate the skin as they cleanse. To use, you typically massage the lotion onto damp skin, allowing it to break down impurities, and then wipe or rinse it off. Cleansing lotions are particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive, or mature skin types, as they clean without leaving the skin feeling tight or dry.

The Kryolan Clean & Care Natural Cleansing Lotion is a highly effective emulsion containing multiple natural-derived botanical oils with efficient removal benefits. Jojoba oil retains the moisture of the skin, while the cold-pressed Macadamia Oil creates a velvety-soft feel to the skin. This precious non-greasy advanced formula aims for a simple, deep pore make-up removal, and it’s Vegan certified.

Dual-Phase Removers

Dual-phase makeup removers work by combining two distinct layers of liquid, usually an oil-based phase and a water-based phase, which separate when the product is at rest. In other words, there’s no emulsifier like you’d find in a lotion.
 When shaken, these two phases mix together temporarily to create a powerful yet gentle makeup remover.

• Oil-based phase: This layer helps break down and dissolve oil-based makeup products, such as waterproof mascara, foundation, and long-wearing lipsticks.

• Water-based phase: This layer helps lift away dirt, sweat, and water-based impurities from the skin while providing a refreshing, non-greasy finish.

When applied, the oil phase effectively dissolves stubborn makeup, while the water phase rinses away the residue, leaving skin clean without feeling oily or dry. This type of remover is particularly useful for sensitive areas like the eyes and lips.

Kryolan’s Eye Make-Up Remover is one such dual phase remover. It has no soaps or fragrances making it as gentle as possible while removing stubborn eye makeup. Also great for getting rid of lip stains

Cold Creams

For the ultra-traditionalist, cold creams are a blast from the past that’s still effective today. Particularly popular in the early 20^th century, they have since lost popularity but are still around if you know where to look!
Cold creams are emulsions of water and oil, traditionally used as makeup removers, facial cleansers, and moisturizers. They work by utilizing their oil-based ingredients to dissolve and lift away makeup, dirt, and excess oils from the skin. The "cold" in cold cream refers to the cooling sensation the product provides when applied, due to the evaporation of water in the formula. Our cold cream is a mineral-oil based cream.
Kryolan Abschminke Cold Cream

Paraffin oil, also known as mineral oil, works as a makeup remover by acting as a non-polar substance that effectively dissolves and lifts oil-based products from the skin. It binds to oils, makeup, dirt, and other impurities on the skin's surface, allowing them to be easily wiped away without water or harsh scrubbing.
As an occlusive emollient, paraffin oil also forms a barrier on the skin, helping to prevent moisture loss. This makes it particularly useful for people with dry or sensitive skin, as it gently removes makeup while leaving the skin hydrated and protected. Additionally, it is non-irritating and doesn't foam, so it's a good option for removing waterproof makeup, heavy foundations like TV Paintstick, and long-lasting products without disrupting the skin’s natural moisture balance. However, it may not be ideal for those with oily or acne-prone skin, as it can sometimes clog pores.

Fun Fact: This cold cream was one of the first ever products made by Kryolan in 1945!

Specialized Removers

Of course, when you enter the world of special effects and specialized formulas, some require specific ingredients for effective removal.

MME - Spirit Gum Remover

Spirit gum removers work by breaking down the adhesive properties of spirit gum, a strong, resin-based adhesive used in theatrical makeup and prosthetics. Spirit gum removers are typically oil-based solvents designed to dissolve the resin, making it easier to lift off the adhesive from the skin or prosthetic piece without causing damage or irritation. To use, the remover is applied to the area where spirit gum was used, and after a short wait, the spirit gum softens and can be wiped away or gently peeled off. This prevents skin irritation and ensures a clean, residue-free removal.
Kryolan MME, Mild Spirit Gum Remover is a particularly gentle formulation to protect the skin. This remover also contains isopropyl alcohol, making it an effective remover for alcohol-based paints without resorting to pure isopropyl alcohol.

Isopropyl Myristate

Finally, when removing other strong adhesives like pros aide or latex, there’s isopropyl myristate. Don’t let the name fool you, even though it has isopropyl in the name this is actually an oil.
Isopropyl myristate is a synthetic oil made from the combination of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid, a fatty acid derived from plants or animals. It's commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products as an emollient, thickening agent, and penetration enhancer.
These properties make it perfect in its raw form as a strong but gentle remover for SFX makeup and especially prosthetics. Although it’s an oil it has a lightweight non-greasy feel and as an emulsifier effectively dissolves adhesives and makeup.

*Please Note This is NOT recommended as an everyday makeup remover as it can potentially clog pores and cause breakouts in some individuals.

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See you soon,

The Kryolan Education Team