Description

oloxamine 704 is a nonionic surfactant and polymer used in various cosmetic and personal care formulations. As part of the Poloxamine family, it serves as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and stabilizer due to its amphiphilic nature, which allows it to effectively interact with both water and oil-based ingredients.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Poloxamine 704 is composed of:

Block Copolymers: It includes blocks of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) arranged in a triblock copolymer configuration with alternating EO and PO units.
Chemical Formula: Typically expressed as (EO)x(PO)y(EO)z, where x, y, and z denote the number of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units in the polymer.
This structure provides Poloxamine 704 with both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, making it effective in stabilizing emulsions and improving the performance of other ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

Physical Properties

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

Production Process

Polymerization: Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are polymerized to create the block copolymer structure.
Purification: The polymer is purified to remove unreacted monomers and by-products.
Formulation: The purified Poloxamine 704 is incorporated into various cosmetic and personal care products.
Quality Control: Subjected to testing 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 hair care products like shampoos and conditioners to improve texture and stability.
Medical: May be used in some medical and pharmaceutical formulations as a stabilizer or delivery agent.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Poloxamine 704 is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetic and personal care products when used according to recommended guidelines. It is essential to adhere to 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.
Synonyms:

CAS: 11111-34-5