Hydrogenated coco-glycerides: properties, uses, pros, cons, safety

Hydrogenated coco-glycerides is a chemical compound that is extracted from coconut, other plant sources such as glycerine and contains hydrogenated saturated fatty acids.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Hydrogenated indicates that the coco-glycerides have been subjected to a process of hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is a chemical process that adds hydrogen atoms to oils, making them more solid or semi-solid at room temperature and improving their stability.
• coco refers to coconut oil, a vegetable oil extracted from the flesh of the coconut. Coconut oil is known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties.
• glycerides refers to fatty acid esters of glycerol. Glycerides are common components of fats and oils.

Raw Materials and Their Functions

Coconut Fatty Acids (C12-C18). A mixture of medium-chain fatty acids derived from coconut oil. These fatty acids are used for their ability to form esters with glycerol.

Glycerol. A polyvalent alcohol that reacts with fatty acids to form esters, known as glycerides.

Hydrogen. Used in the hydrogenation process to saturate the double bonds in the fatty acids of glycerides, improving stability and altering the physical properties of the compound.

Industrial Chemical Synthesis of Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides

• Esterification. Reaction of coconut fatty acids (C12-C18) with glycerol to form coco-glycerides. This esterification reaction involves the formation of ester bonds between the fatty acids and glycerol
• Hydrogenation. After the formation of coco-glycerides, the compound undergoes hydrogenation. During this reaction, hydrogen is added to the unsaturated double bonds of the fatty acids, making the product more stable and less prone to oxidation.
• Reaction Control. The esterification and hydrogenation reactions are monitored to ensure they occur correctly and the final product has the desired properties.
• Purification. After hydrogenation, the hydrogenated coco-glycerides are purified to remove impurities and by-products.
• Quality Control. The purified hydrogenated coco-glycerides undergo quality checks to ensure they meet the required standards. After quality control, they are packaged for use in cosmetic and personal care products, where they utilize their properties as moisturizing, emollient, and stabilizing agents.

Form and Color 

Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides is  typically solid at room temperature and range in color from white to pale yellow.

What it is used for and where

Hydrogenated coco-glycerides is commonly used in cosmetic and skincare products, such as creams, lotions, lip balms, and makeup products. They are valued for their emollient and moisturizing properties, as well as contributing to the stability and consistency of products. Hydrogenated coco-glycerides help to form a protective barrier on the skin, keeping it soft and hydrated.

Cosmetics

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

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.

Thickening and emollient agent, improves product viscosity.

The main characteristic of Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, a plant chemical compound used in cosmetic products, is its stability at room temperature.

CAS   91744-42-2

EC number   294-604-3

Safety

Hydrogenated coco-glycerides Is considered a safe compound as a cosmetic ingredient (1).

Synonyms: Softisan 100, Witepsol  

References________________________________________________________________________

(1) Burnett, C. L., Bergfeld, W. F., Belsito, D. V., Klaassen, C. D., Marks, J. G., Shank, R. C., ... & Andersen, F. A. (2011). Final report on the safety assessment of Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil and related ingredients. International journal of toxicology, 30(3_suppl), 5S-16S.

Abstract. Cocos nucifera(coconut) oil, oil from the dried coconut fruit, is composed of 90% saturated triglycerides. It may function as afragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, or skin-conditioning agent and is reported in 626 cosmetics at concentrations from0.0001% to 70%. The related ingredients covered in this assessment are fatty acids, and their hydrogenated forms, correspondingfatty alcohols, simple esters, and inorganic and sulfated salts of coconut oil. The salts and esters are expected to have similartoxicological profiles as the oil, its hydrogenated forms, and its constituent fatty acids. Coconut oil and related ingredients aresafe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.