Coacervates as a Modern Delivery System of Hand Dishwashing Liquids

Abstract

Hand dishwashing liquids can be produced in a coacervate form. Such a delivery system can be readily mixed with water and, in the initial dilution stage, may exhibit a high viscosity. This makes it feasible to formulate concentrated products which can be diluted by consumers. The surfactant concentration in the starting formulation is found to affect the possibility of producing hand dishwashing liquids in coacervate form. Hand dishwashing liquids in coacervate form are produced by the separation of the upper phase under the effect of sodium chloride, whose concentration is a key parameter. An increase in the concentration of anionic surfactants in the starting formulation, requires a slight increase in the concentration of sodium chloride to start coacervation and this results in an increase in coacervate volume. The properties of the coacervate, i.e. viscosity, washability, emulsifying power and foamability, are reported and found to be similar to those of typical commercial products.

Role of macromolecules in the safety of use of body wash cosmetics

“…Body wash cosmetics are formulated with approx. 10-20% of washing agents [5][6]. At such concentrations, the CMC is exceeded and, consequently, surfactants are present in the form of spherical micelles.…”

“…They are used, for example, in the detergent, cosmetics, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries, in agriculture and in medicine [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Surfactant molecules consist of two parts: hydrophilic (showing affinity to polar substances) and hydrophobic (having affinity to non-polar substances).…”

“…It is due to these properties that surfactants have a broad array of applications in cosmetics and household chemicals [1][2][3][4]. The main activity of surfactants in these products is the washing effect [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”

“…Body wash cosmetics and detergents are typically aqueous (10-20%) solutions of surfactants enriched with various substances in order to enhance the washing effect, achieve an appropriate consistency (viscosity), colour, fragrancy or product preservation [4][5][6]. Despite a number of benefits, surface active agents also possess a range of unfavourable characteristics.…”

“…With respect to cosmetics and detergents that are in frequent contact with the skin, one of the greatest disadvantages of surfactants is their potential to cause skin irritations and allergies [7][8]. The literature data [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] suggest that the highest irritant potential is associated with ionic surfactants which are used in many products as the primary washing agent [2][3][4][5][6].…”