Redefining Clean

Mild yet powerful: facial cleansers, make-up removers and scrubs with proven effectiveness

Facial cleansing is an essential step in consumers’ daily skin care routines. While this is a well-established practice, the market is evolving, and a new generation of facial cleansing formats is emerging in Europe, taking today’s consumer needs for mildness and efficacy into account.

Get in touch with our experts

More about Evonik's Face Cleansing portfolio

Cleaning with purpose – consumer needs

Mildness is key for facial cleansing! Facial skin, especially around the eyes and cheeks, has a thinner epidermis and dermis compared to most areas of the body, making it more prone to irritation and damage. Additionally, products can be drawn into the eyes during facial cleansing. This might be why 69% of German female consumers say it is important to use gentle beauty products in their routines.¹

Besides mildness, effective make-up removal is crucial for consumers, especially since certain product types, such as waterproof make-up, can be challenging to remove.

For consumers seeking new experiences, the range of product formats is expanding. In addition to established formats like foams, micellar waters, and cleansing creams, new formats such as milky toners have made their way onto the shelves.

Ideally, all these consumer needs should be combined with a sustainable approach.

Mild cleansers, make-up removers & scrubs with proven efficacy

Taking these consumer needs in mind, we developed different formats that offer gentle cleansing and effective make-up removal, all while embracing sustainability.

Easy-to-Rinse Cleansing Milk (GM 1/7)

A biosurfactant-containing formula featuring RHEANCE® D50 (INCI: Glycolipids) that enhances rinseability. It contains SKINLIPIX® HydraShield (INCI: Ceramide NP; Ceramide NG; Sorbitol; Aqua; Betaine; Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate; Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate), a water-dispersible, unique product combination of plant-oil-based ceramides and moisturizers that ensures moisturization and hydration. Also included is TEGO® Natural Betaine 2.0 (INCI: Betaine), an amino acid derivative that acts as an instant hydro-regulator.

GO TO FORMULATION

Exfoliating Foamy Cleansing CREAM (KM 4/1)

The formulation is based on ECOHANCE® Remo XP (INCI: Sorbityl/Xylityl Pelargonate), an enzymatically produced hydrophobic rheology modifier that enables structured surfactant system to stabilize high oil levels. This structured surfactant system also stabilizes Novascrub® Arroz (INCI: Oryza Sativa Powder; Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract), a natural exfoliating ingredient that fuses rice and kiwi fruit for effective chemical and physical exfoliation.

The creamy texture, enriched with these fine scrub particles and with surprising foaming properties, leaves the skin feeling smooth and soft. It also protects the skin barrier to maintain moisturized skin while providing an intensive refatting effect.

GO TO FORMULATION

Exfoliating Cleansing GEL (KM 1/2)

It is a very mild, sulfate- and PEG free almost clear formula that contains air bubbles and natural peeling particles, such as Novascrub^® Arroz (INCI: Oryza Sativa Powder; Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract), for a dual exfoliation effect. The biosurfactant SOPHANCE® LA-A (INCI: Glycolipids, Sodium Lactate) supports the very mild cleansing effect of this formulation.

GO TO FORMULATION

Gentle Milk Top Biphasic Cleansing Foam (GM 3/11)

A 2-in-1 format that combines a caring milky layer with a cleansing surfactant phase. Sulfate- and PEG-free, it includes RHEANCE® D50 (INCI: Glycolipids), a very mild biosurfactant and TEGOSOFT® BC MB (INCI: Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate), a highly pure cosmetic wax ester with good pigment wetting properties for efficient make-up removal.

GO TO FORMULATION

Cleansing Oil Gel (KM 5/7)

A clear, viscous O/W emulsion oil gel that efficiently removes make-up, including waterproof products. It contains RHEANCE® D50 (INCI: Glycolipids), a very mild biosurfactant that helps improve rinseability. The Cleansing Oil Gel features TEGOSOFT® BC MB (INCI: Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate), an enzymatically produced cosmetic wax ester with good pigment wetting properties for efficient make-up removal.

GO TO FORMULATION

Moisturizing Milky Toner (GM 4/7)

Inspired by K-Beauty, this emulsion-based toner hydrates and nourishes the skin while effectively removing residues of cleansing products and make-up. The formulation contains TEGOSOFT® BC MB (INCI: Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate), an enzymatically produced cosmetic wax ester with good pigment wetting properties for efficient make-up removal.

The active ingredient SKINLIPIX® HydraShield (INCI: Ceramide NP; Ceramide NG; Sorbitol; Aqua; Betaine; Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate; Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate), a water-dispersible, unique product combination of plant-oil-based ceramides and moisturizers, supports the skin barrier.

Milky Toner for blemished skin (GM 4/8)

This Milky Toner, inspired by K-Beauty, includes TEGO® RenewHA Mandelic (INCI: Mandelic Acid) which shows antibacterial benefits for reducing the appearance of skin blemishes and provides exfoliation benefits that promote a renewed skin appearance. It also features SKINLIPIX® HydraShield (INCI: Ceramide NP; Ceramide NG; Sorbitol; Aqua; Betaine; Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate; Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate),

a unique combination of plant-oil-based ceramides and moisturizers that offers a skin barrier, moisturization and hydration boosting effect.

GO TO FORMULATION

Ready to explore?

Whether you're developing for blemished skin, waterproof make-up removal, or sustainable facial cleansing, our formulations offer versatile solutions tailored to modern consumer needs. Explore the full collection on intoBeauty® and discover how our ideas can inspire your next product.

Find this concept on intoBeauty®

¹Mintel: The Future of Skincare – Facial Cleansing 2025