how much ethanol results in a dangerous good for cosmetics

cossci21cossci21 Member
in General
Hi,
I am making a cosmetic gel with 15% denatured ethanol. Is this classified as a dangerous good?
I tried to look up GHS guidelines but I cant measure flash point etc.
Thanks in advance

Comments

  • BelassiBelassi Member, PCF student
    Frankly, I would not be wanting to use such a product. On the skin, it's going to evaporate the alcohol forming a cloud of vapour and I bet the gel itself is inflammable. Of course it may be that:
    "When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire."
    Cosmetic Brand Creation. Concept to name to IMPI search to logo and brand registration. In-house graphic design inc. Pantone specs. Cosmetic label and box design & graphics.
  • em88em88 Member
    It depends on where you cosmetic gel is applied. Normally 15% ethanol is fine.
  • PerryPerry Administrator, Professional Chemist
    You should check the CARB regulations related to VOCs in cosmetics. I think 15% in a gel is over the limit.
    Learn to formulate cosmetics
  • GuntherGunther Member
    Lots and lots of perfumed body splashes and body mists contain alcohol and they aren't too iritating or dangerous (always add a flammable sign in the label, just in case)

    You can estimate the flash point by looking at some charts like
    https://dl.uctm.edu/journal/node/j2010-1/2_Mariana_19-24.pdf
    but keep in mind that many fragrance ingredients are flammable too.

  • em88em88 Member
    In europe there are no restrictions http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details_v2&id=74174 
  • ozgirlozgirl Member, PCF student
    The GHS regulations allow for the flash point to be calculated and if the calculated flash point is more than 5 C away from the flash point limits it needs not be determined experimentally. This might be a good start to work out if your product is likely to be classified as flammable.

    However, this calculated method may not be acceptable for transporting dangerous goods.You would need to check the DG regulations. There are also provisions for substances that do not sustain combustion in the DG regulations.

  • GuntherGunther Member
    What about the flammable label?
    How low is the flash point allowed to be as long as you display FLAMMABLE in the label?
  • cossci21cossci21 Member
    Hi Everyone,
    I had a laugh at some of these comments.

    Whats in a alcoholic hand sanitiser? I dont see flammable on those labels? Do you think they just have a tiny but of alcohol in there to have the sanitising effect?

    Thanks ozgirl I will try work out the flashpoint and also try to reduce the amount of ethanol in the formula.

    Also thanks Gunther i agree that perfumes also have ethanol in them. Does anyone know how much %? Does their skin catch on fire and burn when they use a perfume spray? Or cologne?

    Cheers



  • BelassiBelassi Member, PCF student
    edited March 2019
    Perfume has a mixture of about 10–20% perfume oils mixed with alcohol (acting as a diffusing agent delivering the fragrant odor) and a trace of water. Colognes have about 3–5% perfume oil mixed with 80–90% alcohol with about 5 to 15 percent water in the mix.
    Highly inflammable.
    Cosmetic Brand Creation. Concept to name to IMPI search to logo and brand registration. In-house graphic design inc. Pantone specs. Cosmetic label and box design & graphics.
  • cossci21cossci21 Member
    Thanks Belassi
    Dangerous goods makes it tricky for transport of products! or expensive really
  • ozgirlozgirl Member, PCF student
    @cossci21 Alcoholic hand sanitisers contain about 60% ethanol and are definitely flammable.

    Here is a link to one of Australia's most popular alcoholic hand sanitisers that you can clearly see the dangerous goods flammable label on the back.

    If possible formulate your product to be non-flammable just to save on shipping.



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