COCOA BUTTER GLYCERYL ESTERS

Substance information

This ingredient contains glycerol as alcohol component in esters or condensed with other (poly) alcohols or sugars. "Ester" or "esters" refers to an esterification product (condensation product of alcohol and acid) or a trans-esterification product obtained through direct reaction of fats (mostly triglycerides) with alcohols.

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

EMULSION STABILISING

Supports emulsion formation and improves product stability

HAIR CONDITIONING

Leaves the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and / or imparts volume

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Softens and smoothens the skin

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Allows the formation of finely dispersed mixtures of oil and water (emulsions)

VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetic products

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Origin

(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

Cocoa is obtained from cocoa beans and is a popular foodstuff which contributes to our wellbeing in the form of chocolate or drinking chocolate. Mainly the theobromine contained in it can create a mood-lifting effect. The most well-known product from cocoa production is cocoa butter. In some cosmetic products cocoa is also included in the form of cocoa butter (INCI: THEOBROMA CACAO SEED BUTTER). Because of the skin caring properties, cocoa butter is used in lipsticks and as a caring addition to lotions, bath additives, skin creams and for body butter, here often in combination with shea butter. Emulsifiers are often used in cosmetics as excipients. They allow actually unmixable components like oil and water to be brought in a permanently stable emulsion. In this way both aqueous and oily care and active ingredients can be used in one and the same product in cosmetics. Emulsifiers are able to do that since their molecules consist of a lipophilic and a hydrophilic part. In this way they can reduce the interfacial tension which actually exists between two incompatible substances like fat and water. Emulsifiers are, more particularly, used for creams, lotions and cleansing agents. At present emulsifiers are, however, more than only excipients which keep an emulsion stable. Fatty acid esters on the basis of sugar, lecithin or glycerin monodistearate contribute, for instance, to improving the moisture balance of the skin and are, therefore, also considered as cosmetic active ingredients.

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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.