Description

Poloxamine 908 is a nonionic surfactant and polymer used in various cosmetic and personal care formulations. It is a member of the Poloxamine family, known for its amphiphilic properties that enable it to function as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and stabilizer in a range of products.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Poloxamine 908 is composed of:

Block Copolymers: It consists of blocks of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO), structured as a triblock copolymer with alternating EO and PO units.
Chemical Formula: Typically expressed as (EO)x(PO)y(EO)z, where x, y, and z represent the number of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units.
This structure allows Poloxamine 908 to exhibit both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, making it effective in stabilizing emulsions and enhancing the performance of other ingredients.

Physical Properties

Appearance: Generally a clear or slightly cloudy liquid or a solid, depending on the formulation and concentration.
Odor: Typically odorless or has a faint chemical smell.
Solubility: Soluble in water and a variety of organic solvents; effective in both aqueous and non-aqueous formulations.
pH: Stable across a wide pH range, making it suitable for various formulations.
Stability: Generally stable under recommended storage conditions; should be kept away from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.

Production Process

Polymerization: Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are polymerized to form the block copolymer structure.
Purification: The polymer is purified to remove any unreacted monomers or by-products.
Formulation: The purified Poloxamine 908 is incorporated into cosmetic and personal care products.
Quality Control: It is tested for purity, efficacy, and safety to ensure high quality.

Applications

Cosmetics: Used as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and stabilizer in creams, lotions, and serums.
Personal Care: Incorporated into shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care products to improve texture and stability.
Medical: May be used in certain medical and pharmaceutical formulations as a stabilizer or delivery agent.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Poloxamine 908 is generally considered safe for use in cosmetic and personal care products when used according to recommended guidelines. It is important to follow formulation guidelines to ensure safety and efficacy. The production process should aim for minimal environmental impact and ensure that the final product is free from contaminants.

Studies

Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Rey-Rico A, Sosnik A, Taboada P, Concheiro A. Poloxamine-based nanomaterials for drug delivery. Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2010 Jan 1;2(2):424-40. doi: 10.2741/e102. PMID: 20036890.

Abstract. Poloxamines (Tetronic) are X-shaped amphiphilic block copolymers formed by four arms of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) (PEO-PPO) blocks bonded to a central ethylenediamine moiety. Such a structure confers multi-responsive behaviour, namely temperature and pH-sensitiveness. At relatively low concentrations but above the critical micellar concentration (CMC), poloxamines generate polymeric micelles. Due to the presence of a hydrophobic core, these nanocarriers are useful in the solubilization and stabilization of poorly water-soluble drugs. Moreover, chemical modification of the micellar core is feasible. These remarkable and unique features, compared to the well-known linear poloxamers, have motivated an increasing interest in the study and application of the branched derivatives in different emerging disciplines. The present review concisely overviews the most important developments comprising the application of poloxamines in drug delivery, mainly as micellar carriers capable of enhancing drug solubility and stability, and also as surface modifiers in the technology of stealth polymeric nanoparticles. Their potential for the administration of drugs by different routes and the improvement of the drug bioavailability and therapeutic effect are discussed.

INCI Functions:


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.
Synonyms:

CAS: 11111-34-5