Makeup Removal: A $3 BN Opportunity with Glycolic Acid
February 11, 2020
Long-lasting makeup is beloved by consumers, until it’s bedtime. Then, waterproof eyeliners, heavy foundations, and pigmented lip colors become problems, not points of pride.
Luckily for consumers who love makeup, effective and affordable makeup removal products can get a hyper-boost of efficacy with the exfoliative superhero ingredient, glycolic acid.
Makeup removal: it’s critical for healthy skin
Makeup removal is crucial for maintaining healthy, vibrant skin for two key reasons. The top reason? The skin heals and regenerates over the course of the night, in part by naturally sloughing off dead skin cells.
This natural exfoliation process helps remove dead, dry skin cells from the surface of the face which helps to even out skin tone, heal blemishes, and contributes to an overall more radiant complexion.
However, when makeup is left on the skin during the night, the skin’s natural exfoliation process is slowed, thanks to congestion in pores. Over time, if makeup is consistently not removed, dead skin cells, debris (like old makeup), and excess sebum can build up, and the chances of breakouts, acne, redness, and uneven skin tone and texture skyrocket.
Remove makeup, look younger?
Additionally, nighttime makeup removal is critical to healthy skin because the night is a power-hour time slot for the body to focus on regenerating collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are the two key proteins that build and maintain supple, younger-looking skin, and are vital to combatting the signs of aging. But, sleeping in makeup can also slow down this important protein-regenerating process.
By trapping dirt and environmental pollutants inside the skin, makeup can create environmental stress. That, in turn, can generate free radicals causing DNA mutations, collagen degradation, and, in time, premature aging.
“Free radicals cause the breakdown of healthy collagen, which results in fine lines on the skin,” according to dermatologist Dr. Eric Schweiger. “Additionally, makeup can clog the pores while you sleep, resulting in the development of acne.”
Bottom line? Sleeping in makeup wrecks havoc on the skin, but many consumers still do it.
Consumer holdups: no time, no energy
Despite the importance of removing makeup before bed, time-strapped consumers count lack of energy as the top reason for sleeping in makeup. However, formulators can help solve this routine consumer complaint by offering makeup removal formulations that deliver on two key claims: fast and effective.
And the absolute best product to help tired, time-crunched consumers remove their makeup fast? Swipeable, liquid glycolic acid-based makeup removers.
Superpowered glycolic acid makeup removers
Glycolic acid is the key ingredient to include in makeup removal products, thanks to its stellar exfoliative capabilities.
Makeup removal products work by breaking down the makeup and oil leftover on the skin at the end of the day. As the smallest molecule in the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family, glycolic acid is the best ingredient to sweep away daily makeup, as it can best penetrate the skin cell and melt away even the most heavy-duty makeup applications.
Melting away even heavy-duty makeup.
Another benefit to a glycolic acid makeup remover? In addition to virtually erasing the daily makeup away, glycolic also works double duty by shedding off dead, dry skin cells from the surface of the face. For time-crunched consumers looking to minimize their nightly routine, a liquid glycolic acid-based complexion is the perfect one-two combination to keep their skin healthy.
Wiping away the competition
The global makeup remover market expected to witness over $3 billion USD in sales by 2026, thanks to a growing inventory of innovative formats and formulations. Glycolic acid-based products can shine clear among the rest thanks to their efficiency and plethora of other skin benefits.
