BUTYL METHACRYLATE

Substance information

"Butyl" normally refers to butanol (1-butanol or n-butanol) as an alcoholic component or generally a saturated hydrocarbon chain with 4 carbon atoms. Methacrylates are polymers or copolymers based on methacrylic acid and / or its esters.

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

FILM FORMING

Produces a continuous film on skin, hair and / or nails

FRAGRANCE

Enhances the smell of a product and / or perfumes the skin

VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetic products

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Origin

synthetic (Information may exclusively reflect the status at initial entry of this ingredient into the relevant INCI dictionary; technological progress may have added new manufacturing options based on substances of different origin)

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Background information on use in cosmetics

Fragrances or mixtures of fragrances are often referred to in the cosmetics area as "perfuming agents" or "perfume oils" or "parfum oils". On the cosmetic products they are declared with the INCI name "PARFUM". These are undiluted individual substances or their mixtures which originate from natural raw materials or can be produced (semi-) synthetically. They are starting materials for the production of perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne and other perfumed cosmetic products. The average content of fragrances amounts in perfume to 15-30 %, in eau de parfum to 10-14 %, in eau de toilette to 6-9 %, in eau de cologne to 3-5 % as well as in skin creams, shampoos, hair and deodorant sprays to approximately 0.2-1 % and approximately 1-3% in deodorant sticks. The perfume oils include essential oils, resinoids and absolutes. The sources are, amongst others, flowers, leaves and stems, fruits and fruit peels or roots of plants; woods, grasses or herbs, needles, resins and balsams. Moreover, compounds isolated from natural products such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols etc. are used (geraniol, citronellal, citral, eugenol, menthol). Semi-synthetic (citronellol, geranyl acetate, jonone) and synthetic scents (eg phenylethyl alcohol and linalool) are used too. Scents of animal origin such as musk and ambra are only rarely used.

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Why are we talking about it?

Acrylates and methacrylates are suspected of being irritants and inducing/eliciting allergies (sensitisation). The facts: Exposure of consumers to acrylates and methacrylates has steadily increased, due to their increasing use in artificial nails and the appeal of semi-permanent nail polishes. Acrylates and methacrylates are neither sensitising nor irritating if used correctly (1). Indeed, they do not penetrate the nail plate and should not come into contact with the skin around the nail. Studies show that it is the subunits of acrylates and methacrylates (monomers) that can cause allergies and irritations, as well as respiratory and ENT problems in nail care professionals. These monomers aggregate to form the resin of the artificial nail or varnish (polymerisation). The final polymerised resin is neither sensitising nor irritating. If the polymerisation is not complete, residual monomers may persist. It is therefore essential to meticulously follow the instructions for use of the products (in particular the polymerisation time) and to check their quality (2). Key points to take away: Acrylate and methacrylate monomers may cause allergic or asthmatic symptoms or breathing difficulties when inhaled. Nail care professionals, who have the highest exposure to acrylates and methacrylates, should take every precaution to minimise their exposure to acrylate and methacrylate monomers. These precautions include wearing protective gloves as well as ensuring adequate workplace ventilation and exhaust systems. In order to limit exposure to acrylates and methacrylates, consumers should choose professionals who are competent and careful in the way they apply the products. In case of skin lesions around the nail, it is recommended to postpone the application of artificial nails or semi-permanent varnish. Sources: (1) Opinion of the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety SCCS/1592/17: https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_214.pdf (2) French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES/ ex-AFSSA-AFSSET): Risk Assessment for professionals exposed to products used in nail care and decoration, 2017: https://www.anses.fr/fr/system/files/CONSO2014SA0148Ra.pdf; https://www.anses.fr/en/content/professionals-working-nail-care-and-decoration-exposure-multiple-chemical-substances

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Belongs to the following substance groups

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Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.