Description

Poloxamine 901 is a nonionic surfactant and polymer used in various cosmetic and personal care formulations. As part of the Poloxamine series, it is recognized for its amphiphilic properties, which make it effective as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and stabilizer.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Poloxamine 901 consists of:

Block Copolymers: It features blocks of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) arranged in a triblock copolymer structure with alternating EO and PO units.
Chemical Formula: Typically denoted as (EO)x(PO)y(EO)z, where x, y, and z represent the number of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units in the polymer.
This block copolymer configuration imparts both hydrophilic and lipophilic characteristics to Poloxamine 901, making it highly effective in stabilizing emulsions and enhancing the performance of other ingredients in various formulations.

Physical Properties

Appearance: Usually a clear or slightly opaque liquid, or a solid depending on concentration and formulation.
Odor: Typically odorless or with a faint chemical odor.
Solubility: Soluble in water and many organic solvents; suitable for both aqueous and non-aqueous formulations.
pH: Stable across a broad pH range, making it adaptable to different 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 create the block copolymer structure.
Purification: The polymer is purified to remove any unreacted monomers and by-products.
Formulation: The purified Poloxamine 901 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 hair care products such as shampoos and conditioners to improve texture and stability.
Medical: Can be used in certain medical and pharmaceutical formulations as a stabilizer or delivery agent.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Poloxamine 901 is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetic and personal care products when used according to recommended guidelines. Proper formulation practices should be followed to ensure safety and efficacy. The production process should aim to minimize 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