Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating General why avoid these ingredients?

  • why avoid these ingredients?

    Posted by sandydijon on December 20, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Why some “organic people” avoid these ingredients?

    Silicones - some people claim it causes breakouts on their skin after using dimethicone?
    PEG
    phenoxyethanol

    and many?

    Microformulation replied 7 years, 6 months ago 5 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • OldPerry

    Member
    December 21, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    I think people avoid silicones in organic products because the only way you can make them is through synthetic processes.

    Silicones do not cause breakouts.
  • RobertG

    Member
    December 22, 2015 at 2:31 am

    Poly(ethylene glycol) is made from ethylene oxide, in the process of which some 1,4-dioxane is produced as byproduct, some of which, more or less, must find its way into the product as a contaminant.  1,4-dioxane has recently been determined by the Int’l Ass’n for Research on Cancer to be a possible human carcinogen based on animal experiments.  (As time goes on, we’re finding weaker & weaker carcinogens, because the stronger, more definite ones were evident first.)  If it does have an effect in humans, it would probably be by inhalation.

    Phenoxyethanol gives some people a rash, “burn”, or tingle at concentrations which don’t bother most people, and which are used for effective antimicrobial preserv’n.

  • Microformulation

    Member
    March 7, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    The concentrations of 1,4 dioxane in ethoxylated products have been greatly reduced through new processing methods and are in the ppm range.

    Phenoxyethanol issues have also been mitigated as well through the combination of the preservative with other products and better guidance. An experienced Formulator can practically eliminate this as an issue through proper use.

    Much like most of the “maligned” raw materials, the Science behind the “bans” is spotty and weak.

    Now, does that eliminate the issue as a factor we can ignore? Certainly not! Marketers will still put great emphasis in some cases on avoiding these materials. Fortunately, we have many alternatives.

  • johnb

    Member
    March 7, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    This is a very old thread which was brought to the fore by a troll advertising anti-cancer something or other and which I complained about. The post from markfuller must have been made just before the troll post was deleted.

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