ETHOXCARE^® Personal Care Technology by Ethox Chemicals

A unique set of ingredients are used when developing personal care products because they are designed to interact directly with skin and hair and require excellent stability and preservation. These ingredients—such as surfactants, emollients, humectants, preservatives, and sometimes fragrance components—are distinct from those found in other product categories. Additionally, the regulatory environment for personal care products allows for different ingredient considerations compared to, for example, food or pharmaceuticals.

Functional Requirements

Personal care products are designed to cleanse, moisturize, protect, and enhance the appearance of skin and hair. This requires specific ingredients like surfactants (for cleansing), emollients (for softening), and humectants (for hydration). 

Personal care products need to be stable over time, resisting microbial growth and maintaining their texture and efficacy. This often involves preservatives, which may not be necessary in other product types. 

FDA Regulation

While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has some regulatory power over cosmetics and personal care products, it's less stringent than for food or pharmaceuticals. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C) defines cosmetics by their intended use, as products ‘intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body...for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.’ 

Ingredient Categories

• Surfactants are key ingredients in cleansers that remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin. Formulating gentle yet effective cleansers that do not strip the skin of its natural oils is vital.
• Emollients soften and smooth the skin. They play a crucial role in personal care formulations. They help blend oil- and water-based ingredients to achieve desired consistencies and finishes. Using multifunctional emulsifiers and rheology modifiers also allows for more extraordinary product formulation and customization flexibility.
• Humectants attract and retain moisture helping to hydrate and moisturize the skin, hair, or nails. They work by drawing water from the air or deeper layers of the skin to the surface, preventing dryness and promoting a supple feel. 
• Preservatives are essential for preventing microbial growth and ensuring the safety and shelf-life of personal care products. Selecting effective preservatives that maintain product integrity without causing irritation or sensitization is essential. 

ETHOXCARE^®

Ethox Chemicals offers an extensive line of technology specifically for use in personal care products. Our ETHOXCARE^® line of emulsifiers, surfactants, and opacifiers are designed to create high-performing, cost-effective, and visually appealing formulations.

While some overlap exists with other product categories, the unique demands of skin and hair care necessitate a specific set of ingredients designed for efficacy, stability, and user experience. ETHOXCARE^® Personal Care Technology is specifically formulated to meet these demands including RSPO, 1,4-Dioxane, and ISO certification. 

RSPO

ETHOXCARE^® Personal Care Technology that contains palm is available as RSPO certified. Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Certification signifies that our palm oil was produced responsibly—protecting biodiversity, respecting indigenous rights, and ensuring fair labor practices. Ethox utilizes Mass Balance to track and claim sustainable content. More detailed information about our approach is available upon request. 

1,4-Dioxane

1,4-Dioxane is a trace contaminant that can be found in some personal care and cleaning products. It's not intentionally added but can form as a byproduct during the manufacturing process of certain ingredients. You might find it in products like shampoos, body washes, and detergents. To address this, some regions, such as New York, have established limits on the permissible amount of 1,4-dioxane in products. Ethox closely monitors these evolving regulations and requirements and can offer products adhering to these regulations.

ISO Certification

Included in ETHOXCARE^® Personal Care Technology is a Natural Product Line. Our Natural Product Line utilizes the ISO 16128 certification method—the industry standard for calculating natural content of ingredients and products—to calculate the Naturally Derived content of our products. Naturally Derived Ingredients originate from natural ingredients which have undergone allowed chemical or biological reactions and have a Natural Origin Index based on their natural content. Natural Origin Index represents the fraction of naturally derived content. A Natural Origin Index of ‘1’ is 100% naturally derived. 

Contact Ethox

Contact Ethox to learn more about how ETHOXCARE^® Personal Care Technology meets the distinct requirements needed in personal care product formulation including how the technology addresses specific functions, the regulatory landscape, and potential health considerations.