Isopropyl Myristate and Cleansing Balms: What You Need To Know

Let’s face it, at the end of a long, stressful day, the last thing your customers want to do is stand in front of the mirror and spend a lot of time removing the day’s accumulation of makeup, sunscreen, and grime. But those few minutes they spend cleansing their faces aren’t just about hygiene; they invest in skin health and well-being.

This blog expands on cleansing balms, why a proper cleanse is crucial, and how special formulations containing Isopropyl Myristate can enhance these cleansing products.

What is a Cleansing Balm?

Unlike traditional cream or gel cleansers, cleansing balms aren’t heavily diluted with water or fillers, so they can be used minimally to achieve desired results. They’re not formulated with surfactants, which means they can remove residue and grime from your customers’ faces using body heat rather than a water-induced lather.

In higher concentrations, Isopropyl Myristate in skin care products, like cleansing balms, reduces the greasy, oily feel one might experience with a lighter product, such as a facial cleanser. It’s also a suitable alternative to liquid carrier oils, making for a lighter, faster-absorbing finished product.

Benefits of Cleansing Balms Containing Isopropyl Myristate

• ✔  Gentle on Skin

Cleansing balms melt away everything from long-wear foundation to waterproof mascara. And the best part? No harsh rubbing is required. They’re especially effective at dissolving stubborn eye makeup without the tugging and pulling that causes premature wrinkles. 

• ✔  Easy Oil Removal

Remember in science class when we learned that like attracts like? Cleansing balms put this principle to work. The oils in the balm attract the oils on the skin and in makeup, sweeping them away effortlessly. Despite being oil-based, cleansing balms are balanced by isopropyl myristate, which works hard to reduce their heavy, greasy feel.

• ✔  Ideal For Sensitive Skin

Cleansing balms clean without stripping — no aggressive scrubbing needed — making them ideal for even the most sensitive skin types. Your customers simply need to check your ingredient label for any personal allergens or irritants. Because of its relatively neutral pH, Isopropyl Myristate works well with most other ingredients.

• ✔  Ultra Hydration  

Unlike some cleansers that leave skin feeling tight, many cleansing balms are packed with emollients — including Isopropyl Myristate. This means they not only clean your customers’ skin but also leave it feeling soft, supple, and hydrated.

• ✔  Mess-Free Cleansing 

Unlike other formulations, cleansing balms are neat. Their solid-to-oil formula means less mess and more control. Isopropyl Myristate uses its emollient properties to lock in hydration and thicken formulas for improved spreadability.

Formulation of a Cleansing Balm Containing Isopropyl Myristate

Cleansers, in general, are formulated with active and inactive ingredients. Active ingredients are those that deliver the balm’s intended benefits — in this case, its cleansing properties. Inactive ingredients, on the other hand, handle the assist and help deliver those properties while providing additional formulation perks. 

In addition to Isopropyl Myristate,  Tocopherol, is another inactive ingredient commonly used in cleansing balm formulations. Tocopherol is more commonly known as Vitamin E, and it helps your skin maintain moisture. 

Isopropyl Myristate, on the other hand, provides several different formulation benefits that we’ve already touched upon, primarily due to its emollient properties.

Why is Isopropyl Myristate the Main Ingredient in Cleansing Balm Formulations?

With so many uses, Isopropyl Myristate is the Swiss Army knife of skincare ingredients. It can be hot or cold-processed and should be added to the oil phase of your finished product.

Here’s why formulators like you love Isopropyl Myristate for skin care:

• ✔  It’s an Emollient 

First and foremost, Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient. It moisturizes and softens your customers’ skin without leaving them feeling like they’ve been dipped in olive oil. 

• ✔  Solvent Solution

As a solvent, this ingredient helps break down makeup, sunscreen, and other oil-based impurities on your customers’ skin. 

• ✔  Reduces Greasiness 

Isopropyl Myristate reduces the greasy feel of other ingredients, giving cleansing balms that perfect, luxurious texture your customers will love.

• ✔  High Absorption 

Isopropyl Myristate is easily absorbed by the skin, which means it can help carry other beneficial ingredients along with it. 

• ✔  Shelf-Life Extender

Isopropyl Myristate is resistant to oxidation, which means the cleansing balm you’ve worked so hard to perfect is less likely to go rancid on store shelves. Shelf-stable skincare means your customers will get to enjoy every last drop before it goes bad.

• ✔  Spreadable 

Isopropyl Myristate also enhances the spreadability of products. This means your cleansing balm will glide smoothly onto your customers’ faces without the mess.

Other Facial Cleansing Products Containing Isopropyl Myristate

• ⦿ Face Masks
• ⦿ Cleansing Oils
• ⦿ Makeup Removers
• ⦿ Skin Polishers
• ⦿ Cleansing Milk
• ⦿ Flavor & Fragrance

Your Skin-Safe Solvent Solution

It might not be the easiest ingredient to pronounce on your cleansing balm label, but Isopropyl Myristate works hard — while wearing many hats — to make your customers’ cleansing routine effective and enjoyable. This means personal care professionals like you will enjoy incorporating Isopropyl Myristate in skin care product formulations as much as your customers will enjoy incorporating it into their daily cleansing routines.