The role of primary alkanolamines in cosmetic formulation

Abstract

Synopsis Alkaline products are commonly used in cosmetic preparations as neutralizing agents for acid-functional raw materials. Primary alkanolamines can provide positive attributes in such cases. The properties of nitroparaffin-derived primary alkanolamines are compared here with the general requirements for cosmetic-type acid-neutralizing materials. Acid-functional copolymers, used as hair fixatives in both aerosol and non-aerosol products, are efficiently solubilized by neutralization with 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (amino-methylpropanol) in a variety of aqueous and non-aqueous systems. The effects of such neutralization on resultant film properties which influence product performance are discussed in detail. Upon neutralization, crosslinked acrylic-acid polymers of varying molecular weights (carbomers) provide significant benefits when used as thickeners, gellants or emulsifiers in cosmetic products. New data are added to previous knowledge on the use of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (tromethamine) as a neutralizing agent for three resins, especially in gelled formulations. Alcohol compatibility, pH behaviour, and viscosity characteristics of such formulations are described. In addition, toxicological considerations of primary alkanolamines are addressed. Further to the above applications, nitroparaffin-derived primary alkanolamines can be effectively used as cosmetic emulsifiers (in the form of their fatty-acid soaps), dispersants or co-dispersants for particulate-containing products, and pH buffers/stabilizers.