Poloxamer 217 is a block copolymer of ethylene and propylene glycols. It is a white solid in the form of small pastilles soluble in water.
Polymers
Polymers are long-chain molecules, an essential part of many formulas, playing different roles such as pH adjustment, viscosity control, sensory profile, etc. Some natural polymers can form a protective network covering the skin, guarding against UV exposure, pollution, and transdermal water loss. Others have mechanical lifting properties, allowing instantly lift and firm the skin's surface and exposing exceptional results.
Depending on requirements, polymers can also thicken, stabilize, emulsify, and texturize formulations, so those functional ingredients found their unique niche in the cosmetic industry.
Poloxamer 338 is a surfactant block copolymer of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. It is a white solid in the form of small beads, soluble in water.
Poloxamer 338 is used as a solubilizer, emulsifier (HLB of this ingredient is greater than 24), and a gelling agent.
Poloxamer 407 is a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer used in the cosmetic industry as a thickener and gelling agent due to its low skin and eye irritation. The mass fraction of polyoxyethylene is ca. 73 %. It is known under the trade name Lutrol® F 127.
Polyamide-2 is a unique polymer developed to provide broad-spectrum UV protection in leave-on and rinse-off hair care applications. It represents a quantum leap in effective UV protection for hair.
Polyamide-5 is a synthetic polymer in a fine powder form that has similar properties to Nylon-12 and is used as a softening and texturizing agent, performance enhancer, and oil (sebum) adsorbent.
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide has been a widely utilized antimicrobial agent for many years, providing reliable preservation of a diverse range of cosmetic and personal care applications.
Polyester-8 (trade name Polycrylene®) is a cosmetic-grade polymer that improves sunscreen performance by enhancing photostability and substantivity. It works synergistically with Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate to photostabilize Avobenzone via a triplet quenching mechanism.
High and low-density polyethylenes are polymers usually used for packaging purposes, but its powder with a particle size range of 50-600 microns can serve as a mild mechanical exfoliating agent. Narrow particle size distribution and smooth edges enable mild exfoliation without scratching.
Polyglycerin-3 is a water-soluble polymer with 3 glycerol units. It has a high refractive index making this ingredient extremely useful in the aqueous phase of transparent emulsion applications.
Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate (Decaglycerol Decaoleate) is a deca-ester of oleic acid and a glycerin polymer containing an average of 10 glycerol units. It is a yellow liquid used in pharmaceuticals and personal care products.
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate is an ester of myristic acid with polyglycerol that contains ten glycerin units, a light yellow to brown past. The molecule combines hydrophilic and lipophilic parts and acts as a potent solubilizer and emulsifier with an HLB value of 16.7.
Polyglyceryl-3 Caprylate is a clear, odorless, viscous liquid, a co-emulsifier with proven anti-microbial properties. It has been shown to reduce the concentration of the odor-causing bacteria Corynebacterium xerosis at use concentrations as low as 0.05%.
Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate is an ester of naturally sourced polyglycerol (containing three glycerin units) with fatty acids derived from coconut oil. Derived from all-natural raw materials, it is a pourable liquid oil-in-water emulsifier compatible with many oils that enable cold processing.
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate is an emulsifier also known under the trade name ISOLAN® GPS for formulating low-viscosity water-in-oil lotions with an exceeding light skin feel.
It is a multifunctional ingredient in skincare applications used as a dispersant for pigments and UV-reflecting minerals, emulsion stabilizer, thickener, and film former.
Polyquaternium-10 is a cationic, water-soluble conditioning polymer that is widely used in a variety of hair and skin care products. It is highly cationic over the entire useful pH range and substantive to both hair and skin.
Polyquaternium-11 is a Quaternized copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate that forms clear, non-tacky, continuous films. Its cationic nature substantively benefits hair, providing conditioning and bodying effects with minimum build-up.
Polyquaternium-16 is a quaternary compound, a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone (VP) and quaternized vinylimidazole (QVI). Its 40% solution in water is a clear, yellow, viscous liquid.
Polyquaternium-22 is a highly charged cationic co-polymer that is capable of demonstrating both anionic and cationic characteristics. This co-polymer demonstrates excellent pH stability and is ideal for use as a conditioning polymer in hair and skin care applications.
Polyquaternium-39 is an amphoteric terpolymer, a conditioning polymer that is compatible with anionic and amphoteric surfactants. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild aldehydic odor especially useful in natural soap-based formulations. It has a wide pH stability range of 3-12.
Polyquaternium-44 is a branched Vinylpyrrolidone/quaternized Vinylimidazole Copolymer. It is an almost clear and colorless, viscous liquid. It is known under the trade name Luviquat® UltraCare.
Polyquaternium-46 is a quaternary compound, a copolymer of vinylcaprolactam (Vcap), vinylpyrrolidone (VP), and quaternized vinylimidazole (QVI). Its 20% solution in water is a light yellowish, viscous liquid.
Polyquaternium-47 is a proprietary non-animal tested, ampholytic terpolymer also designed for superior wet hair combing and detangling properties. It is used in both skin and hair care applications.
Polyquaternium-5 is a conditioning polymer, a dry, cationic copolymer consisting of 4 mole % methacryloyloxethyl trimethyl ammonium methylsulfate (METAMS) and 96 mole % acrylamide. It is a white powder with a mild odor, and pH stability in the 3.0 – 7.0 range.
Polyquaternium-59 is an amber liquid with a characteristic odor. It is an active, EINECS-exempt, polyester polyquaternized UV absorber for hair.
Polyquaternium-6 is a conditioning polymer that is an aqueous solution of the highly charged cationic homopolymer of diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DADMAC). It is a clear, light yellow viscous liquid with a mild aldehydic odor.
Polyquaternium-7 is a highly charged cationic co-polymer ideal for use in hair and skin care applications. This copolymer is highly water soluble, compatible with anionic systems, and provides clarity in the formulation.
Polyquaternium-71 is a synthetic, highly ionized, hygroscopic, water-soluble polymer that effectively binds water molecules and delivers an intensive hydration effect for both skin and hair applications.
Polysorbate 20 is an ethoxylated sorbitan ester, a popular non-toxic hydrophilic oil-in-water emulsifier, and solubilized, allowing the dissolution of oils into water-based formulations without alcohol.
Polysorbate 40 is a polyethoxylated sorbitan ester based on a palmitic acid (natural fatty acid) free of animal derivatives.