How is cosmetics related to chemistry

He started writing fiction and non fiction in His work has appeared in "The Nervous Breakdown" magazine and a number of other literary journals. He also writes online book reviews. The Chemistry of Hair Coloring. The Chemistry of Makeup. Skin Care and Chemistry. Cosmetology Breakthroughs. Tips on Learning About Chemistry.

Writer Bio Hugh Patterson started writing poetry in How to Use Lightening Activators. How to Make Homemade Beeswax for Dreads. After several minutes the moisture level will be reduced due to the natural tendency of the skin to release moisture over time. Ingredients that can maintain a high level of moisture in the upper layers of the skin for several hours can reduce the rate at which water is lost. Glycerin is a very cost-effective ingredient used to help reduce TEWL.

Sorbitol, sucrose, glucose, and other sugars are also commonly used to hydrate the skin. Aloe, which contains a mixture of polysaccharides, carbohydrates, and minerals, is an excellent moisturizer. As skin becomes drier in the winter months, it may be necessary to incorporate materials that better seal the moisture in the skin. Waxes are composed primarily of long-chain esters that are solid at room temperature.

Anyone who has ever dipped a finger in molten wax has experienced its sealing properties. Some common waxes used in cosmetics are beeswax, candelilla, carnauba, polyethylene, and paraffin. The melting points of waxes vary widely depending on their unique composition and chain lengths.

Commonly used in lip balms and sticks, waxes function as structuring agents, giving the stick enough rigidity to stand up on its own, as well as barrier properties. By combining waxes with different properties such as high shine, flexibility, and brittleness, optimal cosmetic performance can be achieved.

Often waxes are combined with compatible oils to achieve the desired softness. Compatibility is generally determined by gauging the turbidity and degree of separation of two materials mixed together above their melt points.

Waxes are particularly useful in hand creams and mascara emulsions for their thickening and waterproofing properties. By incorporating enough wax into a thin lotion, a thick cream can be formed. Many thickeners are polymers. Cellulose, a fine powder polymer of repeating.

Figure 6. Cellulose and carbopol. D-glucose units, swells in hot water creating a gel network. Carbopol, a polyacrylic acid, swells when neutralized See Figure 6.

Bentone clays swell when their structure, resembling a stack of cards, is opened up through mechanical shear. Carrageenan, pectin, and locust bean gum are all examples of cosmetic thickeners that are also used in some of our favorite foods such as jellies, salad dressings, and pie fillings. Materials that work physiologically within the skin or aid in protecting the skin from insult are also called active ingredients.

The term "cosmeceuticals" coined by famed dermatologist Dr. Albert Kligman, refers to a product that is in-between a cosmetic and a drug. Although a cosmetic, by legal definition, can only serve to beautify and protect the surface of the skin, many cosmetic products can be shown to penetrate the dermal layers of the skin to exact a physiological change. Fruit acids are an example of an active material.

Also called alpha hydroxyacids or AHAs, they have the ability to penetrate the skin, where they can increase the production of collagen, elastin, and intracellular substances thus improving the appearance of the skin. Thousands of cosmetic actives are used to affect the skin in a variety of ways. They are used to lighten, tighten, and firm the skin.

They can be used to suppress perspiration as in the case of aluminum chlorohydrate. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are important ingredients because of their anti-acne activity See Figure 7. Some active materials are added to skin treatments to protect the skin from the environment. Dimethicone and petrolatum are examples of skin protectants. Sunscreens are a class of compounds that protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation.

Wavelengths between nm and nm are particularly damaging to the skin. Sunscreens' ability to absorb or reflect these damaging wavelengths are rated by their SPF or sun-protection factor. For instance a person protected with a factor sunscreen will be able to stay in the sun fifteen times longer than if unprotected.

Octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salycilate, titanium dioxide, and avobenzone are some important topical sunscreens. Benzophenone 4, a water-soluble UV filter, is commonly used to protect the color of cosmetic products. Figure 7. Structure of Benzoyl peroxide. Pigments and dyes are used in products to impart a color.

Titanium dioxide TiO 2 is a white pigment that is mined. In combination with natural mined and synthetic iron oxides, which range in color from red, yellow, black and brown, depending upon the degree of oxidation and hydration, a range of color can be produced that will be suitable for almost every skin tone. Face powders are produced by blending inorganic oxides and fillers. Fillers are inert, generally inexpensive materials such as kaolin, talc, silica, and mica that are used to extend and fully develop colors.

Pressed powders like eyeshadows and blushers are prepared by blending additional binding ingredients such as oils and zinc stearate and pressing the mixture into pans. This results in a substance that is stiff, but will spread easily on your lips. Mascara is one of the most popular cosmetic products on the market. The main ingredients of mascara are pigment, such as carbon or iron oxide to create the colour, polymer to create a film that coats the lashes, preservatives to extend the life of the product, and a thickening agent such as wax or oil.

Mascara can come in a water-free formula, which makes it waterproof and smudge proof, but more difficult to remove. Oil-water emulsion formulas are also used, which can smudge and run more readily, but are easier to wash off. The basic ingredient of eye shadow is base filler or diluent, like mica, talc or sometimes kaolin clay. To make the eye shadow stick to your skin, binders such as magnesium or zinc compounds are added. Silica, nylon, dimethicone, boron nitride or bismuth oxychloride can be included to make the eye shadow easier to apply to the eyelids.

Preservatives, such as glycol or tocopherol are also added. Then, of course, there is the pigment — eye shadow comes in a huge variety of colours.

Foundation can come as a loose powder, pressed powder or liquid. Whichever type you use it will generally contain a moisturiser, a colourant and a filler, which dilutes the pigment and also is supposed to fill in any fine lines or wrinkles. Various chemicals such as iron oxide, and titanium dioxide are used as pigments. Talc, a soft mineral made from magnesium, silicon and oxygen, is a commonly used filler. Bismuth oxychloride is another common ingredient in foundation, used for the shimmering glow it gives to the wearer.

Talc can also cause skin irritation, and there has been some concern that it is also a carcinogen. This is however, regarded as a myth albeit one with a foundation pardon the pun in truth; prior to the regulation of talcum powder in , talc could contain asbestos which might have contributed to an increased cancer risk. Some doctors advise checking to see if diazolidinyl urea or imidazolidinyl urea has been used as a preservative in foundations, as this can give off formaldehyde, which can irritate the skin of some people.

The typical Western ideal of beauty includes glowing, rosy cheeks. In the Victorian era the mid and late s make-up was frowned upon and so women resorted to biting their lips and pinching their cheeks to get a bit of colour. These days, rouge, or blush is commonplace, and can come in many different forms—powder, gel, cream or liquid. A typical blush will contain a filler such as talc or stearic acid, and of course different pigments to provide the rosy complexion. Other concealing pigments can also be added to the mix to block the natural skin colour so the blush will appear stronger.

These additives can include mica, zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Fake tans change colour on contact with skin. The active ingredient in most fake tans is dihydroxyacetone, a colourless compound that darkens when it reacts with the amino acids in the top layer of skin. The colour change is permanent, but because skin cells are constantly being shed the tan is usually gone after about a week.

It is important to note that fake tans do not provide any sun protection, so individuals will still have to apply sun cream. Shampoos and soaps clean by the use of surfactants surf ace act ive a ge nts. Surfactant molecules have both fat soluble lipophilic and water-soluble hydrophilic parts.

The lipophilic part of the molecule sticks to oil and dirt, and the hydrophilic part allows water to then carry away the otherwise water-insoluble grime. Common surfactants come from a class of chemicals called straight-chain alkyl benzene sulphonates. Tetrasodium EDTA is a chemical that is added to strip away metals like calcium Ca and magnesium Mg found in water which can affect the effectiveness of the surfactants.

Other chemicals, called cocamides are added to make the foamy lather we expect from our shampoo. Cocamides can also act as emulsifiers. Cocamidopropyl betaine is added to get the thickness of the shampoo right. It is also an anti-static agent, and a humectant, which means it helps the hair to retain moisture.

Video: Is makeup bad for you? The chemistry of cosmetics Expert reviewers. Cosmetic chemicals interactive Select the beauty products you use below and find out how many chemicals they contain!

Nail polish. Eye liner. What is a cosmetic? What do cosmetics contain? Water If your product comes in a bottle, chances are the first ingredient on the list is going to be water. Emulsifiers The term emulsifiers refers to any ingredient that helps to keep unlike substances such as oil and water from separating.

Emulsifiers are used in creams and lotions to give them an even texture. Preservatives Preservatives are important ingredients. Thickeners Thickening agents work to give products an appealing consistency. They can come from four different chemical families: Lipid thickeners are usually solid at room temperature but can be liquefied and added to cosmetic emulsions. Emollient Emollients soften the skin by preventing water loss.

Emollients help to prevent water loss. Beeswax can be used as an emollient, as can many other natural and artificial chemicals. A toner pigment is an organic pigment that has not been combined with any other substance.

Are cosmetics dangerous? Aluminium Concerns regarding cancer are also linked to the use of aluminium in deodorants and anti-perspirants. Triclosan Triclosan was originally developed as an anti-bacterial agent for use in hospitals, primarily as a surgical scrub. Triclosan is an anti-bacterial agent, found in a range of products such as soap. Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is an organic compound with a wide variety of uses.

Phthalates Phthalates pronounced THAL-ates are another group of chemicals found in some cosmetics that have been red-flagged by environmental groups. Lead in your lipstick? Impurities in lipstick are normal, but what's important, as with all chemicals, is the level of impurity.

Sun creams While sun creams are not officially cosmetics they are considered to be therapeutics , we will include them here as their use is so common, particularly in Australia. Conclusion While the current scientific thinking on many of these chemicals is that they are safe to use, it is up to each consumer to make their own decision as to whether they purchase and use a product containing certain ingredients or not.

Mascara Mascara is one of the most popular cosmetic products on the market. Eye shadow The basic ingredient of eye shadow is base filler or diluent, like mica, talc or sometimes kaolin clay. Foundation Foundation can come as a loose powder, pressed powder or liquid.

Blush The typical Western ideal of beauty includes glowing, rosy cheeks. Fake tans Fake tans change colour on contact with skin. The Adobe Flash Player is required for video playback. Cosmetics are an excellent example of how discoveries in chemistry are part of our day-to-day lives. In fact, just reading the composition of any common cosmetic can become a chemistry class: water, emulsifiers, preservatives, thickeners, pH stabilizers, dyes and fragrances, combined in different ratios, for different purposes.