COCONUT OIL POLYGLYCERYL-6 ESTERS

Substance information

Ingredient on the basis of coconut oil (cocos nucifera oil). This ingredient contains polymerised glycerin (as alcoholic component). The number behind "polyglyceryl-" refers to the average number of glycerin units. "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.

---

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Softens and smoothens the skin

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

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

---

Origin

plant/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)

---

Background information on use in cosmetics

Coconut oil (INCI: cocos nucifera (coconut) oil) is obtained from the pulp of the coconut. Since coconut oil is solid at ambient temperature, it is frequently also referred to as coconut fat. Coconut oil contains many substances which make it particularly suited as a natural moisturiser in skincare. Because of its high share of unsaturated fatty acids, it is particularly well suited for dry skin. Moreover, it contains Vitamin E, an antioxidant which supports the skin in its fight against premature skin ageing. Furthermore, coconut oil also contains lauric acid which has antimicrobial properties. Hair, too, can benefit from coconut oil since it ensures even more gloss and calms a sensitive scalp. Based on these many skin and hair caring properties, coconut oil is used both as a pure oil and also as an active ingredient in many cosmetic products such as facial creams, body lotions or shampoos. Moreover, coconut oil is (like for instance also palm kernel oil) an important natural raw material for the production of other oleochemical products which are likewise broadly used as cosmetic ingredients. 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.

---

Belongs to the following substance groups

---

Regulating cosmetics

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