Epilatory compositions may be formed from: 40 to 80 wt % water; 5 to 30 wt % of a mixture of at least one polyvinyl alcohol and at least one polyvinyl alcohol copolymer; 1 to 15 wt % plasticizer, where the plasticizer is a linear or branched composition having from 3 to 15 wt % OH; and up to 40 wt % of one or more additives. Pore strip, keratonic plug removal, and other cosmetic applications may be formed from a similar composition, where the plasticizer is a linear, cyclic, or branched composition having greater than 25 wt % OH; and up to 40 wt % of one or more additives. The adhesive properties of the formulations may be tailored, where a low OH content may result in increased adhesion relative to plasticizers having a high OH content.