A fragrance-free solid cleansing balm that utilizes Safflower Seed Oil to effortlessly dissolve stubborn makeup, sunscreen, and impurities while maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier.
This formula represents a high-performance cleansing balm. It utilizes Ethylhexyl Palmitate and Safflower Seed Oil as primary solvents, which are excellent for dissolving heavy makeup, waterproof mascara, and sunscreen. The inclusion of effective emulsifiers like Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate and PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate ensures the balm emulsifies instantly with water, rinsing off cleanly without leaving a greasy residue. The Polyethylene acts as a thickener to create the solid-to-oil texture, providing a luxurious user experience.
The safety profile for skin health is excellent. It is completely fragrance-free and free of essential oils, drying alcohols, and harsh sulfates, making it ideal for sensitive skin and the eye area. Tocopherol (Vitamin E) adds a layer of antioxidant protection. While Polyethylene is inert and non-irritating to human skin, it is a microplastic, which raises environmental safety concerns rather than dermal toxicity concerns. Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be comedogenic, but the risk is minimal in a wash-off product that emulsifies well.
This is a top-tier formulation for a makeup remover. It effectively balances powerful cleansing capability with gentle, non-stripping ingredients like Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride and Safflower Oil. It serves as a perfect first step in a double-cleansing routine. Its lack of irritants makes it a safe staple for almost all skin types, deducted slightly only due to the environmental implications of the synthetic wax thickener.
This formulation represents a classic, highly effective cleansing balm designed to act as the preliminary step in a skincare routine, specifically known as the “first cleanse.” At the heart of the formula is Ethylhexyl Palmitate, a texture-enhancing ester that provides a luxurious slip, combined with Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil. Safflower oil is particularly notable because it is rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that helps maintain the integrity of the skin’s barrier and can be beneficial for breaking down hardened sebum plugs.
The texture of this product is unique due to the inclusion of Polyethylene. This ingredient acts as a thickening agent, keeping the product solid in the jar but allowing it to melt instantly into a fluid oil upon contact with the warmth of your skin. This “melt-on-contact” mechanism ensures that the cleanser can penetrate deep into pores and dissolve waterproof mascara, long-wear foundation, and mineral sunscreens without requiring harsh scrubbing or tugging, which is vital for preventing premature aging.
Crucially, the presence of Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate and PEG-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate turns this oil blend into a hydrophilic mixture. This means that once you introduce water, the oil emulsifies into a milky white fluid that rinses away cleanly. This is a significant advantage over straight oils, which can leave a heavy, greasy film that requires scrubbing to remove.
From a safety and sensitivity perspective, this list is minimalistic and devoid of potential irritants. There is no fragrance, no essential oils, and no drying alcohols. This makes it an exceptional choice for sensitive skin types or those who wear contact lenses, as it is unlikely to cause stinging or irritation around the delicate eye area. Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is included as an antioxidant to preserve the stability of the oils.
However, a note of caution is necessary for those with severe congestion. Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be moderately comedogenic for certain skin chemistries. While the emulsifiers ensure it mostly rinses off, those prone to cystic acne should be diligent about following this product with a water-based cleanser to ensure no residue is left behind. Furthermore, eco-conscious consumers may wish to avoid Polyethylene, as it is a microplastic. In summary, this is a utilitarian, high-performance makeup remover that prioritizes efficacy and gentleness.
🧪 Ethylhexyl Palmitate / 棕榈酸乙基己酯
Purpose: Emollient, solvent
Concerns: Highly comedogenic (rating 4/5). May clog pores and cause acne in prone individuals.
Notes: Provides a ‘dry-slip’ feel and helps dissolve makeup.
🧪 Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil / 红花籽油
Purpose: Emollient, plant oil
Concerns: Generally safe.
Notes: Rich in linoleic acid, good for moisturizing and skin barrier repair.
🧪 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride / 辛酸/癸酸甘油三酯
Purpose: Emollient, dispersing agent
Concerns: None.
Notes: Derived from coconut oil and glycerin; excellent skin tolerance and stability.
🧪 Polyethylene / 聚乙烯
Purpose: Viscosity controller, film former
Concerns: Environmental concern (microplastics).
Notes: Used in cleansing balms to provide structure and solidity to the oils.
🧪 Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate / 山梨醇聚醚-30 四油酸酯
Purpose: Emulsifying agent, surfactant
Concerns: None significant.
Notes: Allows oil-based formulas to mix with water and rinse off cleanly.
🧪 Peg-5 Glyceryl Triisostearate / PEG-5 甘油三异硬脂酸酯
Purpose: Emulsifying agent
Concerns: PEG compounds have a low risk of contamination depending on manufacturing purity.
Notes: Helps solubilize oils and rinse them away.
🧪 Water/ 水
Purpose: Solvent
Concerns: None.
Notes: Likely present in very low quantities if this is an oil balm.
🧪 Tocopherol / 生育酚 (维生素E)
Purpose: Antioxidant
Concerns: None.
Notes: Prevents the oils in the formula from going rancid.
🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇
Purpose: Preservative
Concerns: Can be irritating to sensitive skin in high concentrations, but generally considered safe.
Notes: Prevents microbial growth in the product.