A REVIEW ON RHEOLOGY OF FACE CLEANSER

Skin, the largest organ of the human body, serves as a protective barrier and plays a vital role in maintaining physiological balance. To preserve its health, cosmetic products are widely used with facial cleansers being one of the most essential categories. A cleanser is a topical formulation developed to clean the skin surface without causing irritation or disrupting the natural moisture barrier. An ideal cleanser should balance cleaning efficiency with skin compatibility, ensuring it removes impurities while maintaining hydration and pH balance. Rheology, the science of flow and deformation of materials plays a crucial role in the development and performance of face cleansers. Rheological behavior determines the product’s viscosity, spread ability, stability, and user sensory perception. Parameters such as shear-thinning behavior, thixotropy, and viscoelasticity influence how the cleanser is dispensed, how it spreads on the skin, and how easily it can be rinsed off. Understanding rheology also assists in optimizing formulation components such as surfactants, thickeners, humectants, and preservatives to ensure both physical stability and desirable texture. In this review, we primarily focus on the rheology of face cleansers and its significance in developing formulations that offer effective cleansing, enhanced stability, and improved consumer acceptance.