Description

Isostearyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimethicone is a cosmetic ingredient predominantly used as an emulsifier and conditioning agent in skincare and makeup products. It is formulated by the reaction of isostearyl alcohol with polyglyceryl-3 and dimethicone. This component is noted for its ability to enhance the texture and stability of cosmetic formulations while providing a silky, non-greasy feel to the skin.

Chemical Composition and Structure

This ingredient is a silicone-based polymer modified with polyglycerin-3 and isostearyl, a fatty alcohol. This combination offers excellent emollient and moisturizing properties, contributing to a luxurious texture and enhanced skin feel. The inclusion of dimethicone provides a protective barrier on the skin, helping to retain moisture and improve product spreadability.

Physical Properties

Isostearyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimethicone typically appears as a clear to slightly opaque viscous liquid. It is known for its excellent solubility in oils and its compatibility with a wide range of cosmetic ingredients, making it effective in both water-based and anhydrous formulations. Its sensory profile is highly valued, providing a smooth, velvety texture without a heavy or sticky residue.

Production Process

Synthesis: The synthesis involves the esterification of isostearyl alcohol with polyglyceryl-3 and subsequent reaction with dimethicone. This process requires precise temperature control and catalysts to ensure proper bond formation and high product purity.
Purification: Following synthesis, the compound undergoes a series of purification steps to eliminate any unreacted components and impurities, ensuring the quality and safety of the ingredient.
Quality Control: Extensive quality control tests are conducted on the final product to assess its purity, stability, and performance in various cosmetic formulations. These tests might include viscosity measurements, stability tests under various conditions, and compatibility tests with other cosmetic ingredients.

Applications

Cosmetic Products: Widely used in creams, lotions, sunscreens, and makeup products, where it functions as a versatile emulsifier and enhances the sensory experience of the product.
Skin Care: Especially beneficial in moisturizing products intended for dry or sensitive skin, where it helps to lock in moisture and soothe the skin.
Makeup: Ideal for use in foundations and primers due to its ability to improve application smoothness and extend wear while providing a soft-focus effect.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Isostearyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimethicone is considered safe for use in cosmetic products and is generally well-tolerated by the skin. It is non-irritating and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Its silicone base is stable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly under normal usage conditions. Usage within recommended concentrations is crucial to ensure safety and optimal performance.

INCI


Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and are used to soothe or soften the skin and emulsify, so they need a specific, stabilising ingredient. This ingredient forms a film, lowers the surface tension and makes two immiscible liquids miscible. A very important factor affecting the stability of the emulsion is the amount of the emulsifying agent. Emulsifiers have the property of reducing the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improving the stability of the emulsion and also directly influencing the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating the filmometric performance.

Surfactant - Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.

Surfactant - Foam booster. It has the effect of introducing gas bubbles into the water and affects the cleaning process by helping to spread the cleanser. Since sebum has an inhibiting effect on the bubble, more foam is produced in the second shampoo.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
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