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Polyisobutene & Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
I am new to the cosmetics industry and am looking to start a clean, natural, non toxic cosmetics line. I have been working with a lab to develop a few products and 2 ingredient came up which I am not 100% sold on as being clean or non toxic; polyisobutene & hydrogenated polyisobutene. From my research they appear to be petroleum derived ingredients yet the lab insists that its not a bad ingredient. Can someone who is familiar with these ingredients clarify this for me? How bad or clean is it really? I am learning so much through this process and appreciate the help.
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6 Replies
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What makes you think polyisobutene is bad? Just because it’s a petroleum derivative? What’s wrong with that?
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There’s a lot of information out there about this and its a bit confusing. While I found most research to say that its safe and FDA approved, I’ve also found that petroleum derived ingredients can be a carcinogen with possible endocrine-disrupting potential.
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I would avoid the term “non-toxic” since you are using it incorrectly. Almost any substance is toxic at the correct dose. Toxicity is not a binary condition but rather directly dosage related. Also, from recent FTC statements, if you label your final retail product as “non-toxic”, someone could request actual testing results conducted specifically by you on the final retail product.
It is simply better to either refer to a third party Natural standard or to set a defined standard (XYZ Cosmetics avoids {insert the standard materials that we all get scaremongered against such as parabens, etc.) AND uses naturally occurring plant and mineral material minimally processed to create SAFE and effective products.
Likely if you are new to the Cosmetic Industry, you are not a Toxicologist as well.
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See link. The material is safe for use however depending on your definition of clean/non toxic you may have a different conclusion. I see no issue with petroleum derived ingredients when they are cleaned up for the personal care business. The formulas I develop have the material and are perfectly safe, even lipsticks which people consume.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d040/e4b6d61b9b4995f38345cf40872686f313cf.pdf
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You’re asking a question that doesn’t have an exact answer. Whether something is “dirty, synthetic and toxic” is largely a matter of opinion.
If you believe professional toxicologists Polyisobutene & Hydrogenated Polyisobutene are clean, safe and non-toxic in cosmetics. You can read all the safety testing that has been done on the ingredients here. Note, this includes animal testing. https://online.personalcarecouncil.org/ctfa-static/online/lists/cir-pdfs/FR687.pdf
But if you find the opinions of scaremongering groups, bloggers, and sensationalist journalists more credible, then the ingredients would not fit your requirement of “clean, natural, and non-toxic.”
There is a lot of BS and non-science based opinions about cosmetic ingredients out there. None of the legitimate products on the market represent any significant cancer risk for the vast majority of consumers. NONE of the “all natural, non-toxic” products on the market are more safe than standard, synthetic products. That’s what the science says. But fearmarketing is compelling and effective. Do you want to believe science or marketers? It’s really up to you.
I should mention that no one wants to sell a product line that is “dirty, synthetic, and toxic.” You’ll need a better point of differentiation than that to be successful.
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Is there an actual definition of “clean”?
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