Ingredient
JOJOBA OIL PEG-8 ESTERS
Substance information
Ingredient on the basis of jojoba oil (simmondsia chinensis seed oil). "PEG" refers to a PEG-(polyethylene glycol-) derivative. The number behind "PEG-" (or the first number behind "PEG/...-") refers to the average number of molecular units -CH2-CH2-O-. "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
HAIR CONDITIONING
Leaves the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and / or imparts volume
SKIN CONDITIONING
Maintains the skin in good condition
Background information on use in cosmetics
Jojoba oil (INCI name: simmondsia chinensis seed oil) is obtained from the seeds of the jojoba shrub growing in the deserts and semi-deserts of North and Central America and is actually no oil. It is rather a wax which is liquid at ambient temperature. Liquid waxes are esters from unsaturated carboxylic acids and / or unsaturated alcohols. They are characterised by a very good spreading ability, ie they have the ability to spread very well and rapidly on the skin. They can be well distributed, they penetrate well and cause a pleasant feeling on the skin; moreover, they can also be used as solvents for lipophilic (lipo-soluble) substances. Jojoba oil is very similar to the skin’s own waxes and is, therefore, combining very well with the latter. It increases the elasticity of the skin and protects it against the loss of moisture. Moreover, jojoba oil contains Provitamin A and Vitamin E, which has an antioxidative effect. As a result of the large number of fatty acids, jojoba oil has a caring and smoothing effect. Because of the moisture binding properties it is highly appreciated, more particularly, for more mature and dry skin. Despite its many active ingredients, care products with jojoba oil are not oily but are rapidly absorbed. In haircare, jojoba oil ensures intensive care and an easier combability. Polyethylene glycols (INCI: PEG-...) are poly condensation products of ethylene glycol, or polymerisation products of ethylene oxide. The number added to the name refers to the mean number of ethylene oxide units in the substance. The consistency of the PEG derivatives is increasingly solid with a growing degree of polymerisation. PEGs with a mean molar mass of up to 600 g/mol are liquid, up to 1,000 g/mol wax-like and from 4,000 g/mol solid wax-like substances. By mixing solid and liquid components, products of a creamy consistency are obtained which are used as water-free and water rinse-off bases. With growing molar mass water solubility and hygroscopicity (ability to absorb moisture) of the polyethylene glycols decrease. Polyethylene glycols and their derivates are preferentially used in cosmetic products since they have a broad spectrum of viscosity and solubility properties and have a very good skin tolerance. As water soluble, non-greasy substances polyethylene glycols are suitable for many cosmetic purposes. The liquid PEGs serve, eg, as glycerol substitute in facial, shaving and hair lotions, as solubilisers and solvents.
Information on safe use
Claudia Fruijtier-Pölloth: Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products. In: "Toxicology" (2005), No. 214, P. 1-38. Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
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.