Make Off Remover

Natural moisturizing factor (NMF). One of the primary elements in keeping skin healthy is making sure the structure of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) is intact. The components that do this are often called natural moisturizing factor (NMF) or ingredients that mimic the structure and function of healthy skin. While the oil and fat components of skin prevent evaporation and provide lubrication to the surface of skin, it is actually the intercellular matrix, along with the skin’s lipid content, that gives skin much of its surface texture and feel.

The intercellular matrix is the skin’s first line of defense against water loss. When the lipid and NMF content of skin is reduced, we experience surface roughness, flaking, fine lines, and a tight, uncomfortable feeling. The longer the skin’s surface layer (stratum cornea) is impaired, the less effective the skin’s intercellular matrix becomes. (Sources: Skin Research and Technology, August 2000, pages 128–134; and Dermatologic Therapy, 2004) Moreover, the skin’s healing process is impaired.

Concept Origination

What if you could achieve this natural moisturizing factor in a product? We’ve done – we own it! It was specifically developed to replicate the natural oils found in the preening glands of the swan. The swan uses these oils to coat and protect its feathers as it floats in the water. Our ingredient is “porous,” moisturizing and protecting the skin while still allowing it to “breathe.” This is a self-emulsifying formula that only needs to be rinsed off with water.

An emulsion is a mixture of two or more immiscible liquids, one being present in the other in the form of droplets. In the classic emulsion, the oil may either be dispersed in the water or the water dispersed in the oil. This terminology is important because of the external phase, a key factor in emulsion formulation and design.

In emulsion formulation, the goal is to achieve the best combination of emulsion properties to fulfill the application needs and stability requirements. The key or active ingredients may or may not be the major ingredient. The main ingredient is most frequently the continuous phase and this dictates the type of emulsion. For economic as well as technical reasons, most commercial emulsions are oil-in-water and have low oil (internal) phase levels. The use of the least amount of emulsifier is possible when a choice is made that most nearly matches the requirements for ionic type, HLB(hydrophile-lipophile balance), and the emulsifier chemical type.

The choice of ionic type: anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic, will influence many properties of the final emulsion. The HLB is an expression of the relative simultaneous attraction of an emulsifier for water and oil (or for the two phases of the emulsion system being considered). It is determined by the chemical composition and the extent of ionization of the emulsifier. For example, ionic emulsifiers change HLB values radically with change in pH and/or salt content of the formula whereas nonionic emulsifiers exhibit a more constant HLB under these circumstances.