by theglamscientist | | emollient, hair care, humectant, moisturizer, pantene, panthenol, pantothenic acid, skin care, vitamin B5 |
I’ve often seen panthenol in the ingredients of shampoos, conditioners and moisturizing facial products. Panthenol can be classified as a humectant, emollient and moisturizer. A humectant draws water to a surface (for our purposes hair and skin) thus increasing hydration. An emollient makes skin soft and supple and generally results in a soothing sensation.
Panthenol easily binds to the hair follicle and seals the surface which increases shine (Remember the post about shine and scatter?). This is the ingredient that Pantene capitalizes on… I’ve seen it in every one of their products that I’ve tried (thats almost all of them! I love Pantene). In hair treatments it is used in a concentration of 0.1-1%. The skin can absorb panthenol rather easily and effectively. It can be used to treat sunburn, minor burns and certain skin conditions. I found it in my moisturizing toner (I swear by toner!).
I guess after all that I should tell you guys exactly what it is. Panthenol is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (also known as vitamin B5!). In lay-man’s terms, a piece of the B5 chemistry has been replaced with an alcohol. So they’re kind of like cousins. Panthenol has passed the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) for safety in concentrations up to 25%. I haven’t read any negative press about this ingredient, but if I find any, rest assured I’ll report it.
by theglamscientist | | chemicals, cosmetics, emollient, lubricant, moisturizer, polypropylene glycol butyl ether, polypropylene glycol stearyl ether, PPG-11, PPG-15, propylene glycol, stearyl alcohol |
Polypropylene glycol stearyl ether is mainly found in ‘moisturizing’ personal care products. It is written as PPG-11 or PPG-15 stearyl ether in the ingredients lists. This ingredient is made by the reaction between propylene oxide and stearyl alcohol. Stearyl alcohols come from animal fats and oils (vegans beware!). The 11 or 15 designation is based on the ‘units’ of propylene glycol produced in the reaction.
PPG-11/15 stearyl ethers are known lubricants meant to give the skin a moisturized look and feel. They are also classified as skin conditioning agents and emollients. The chemicals have been deemed safe at the concentrations typical of most cosmetic applications they are found in. Even concentrated, these chemicals did not irritate the eyes. A related chemical, PPG butyl ether was found to be slightly irritating to the eyes and skin. It is absorbed very slowly-if at all- into the digestive tract where it is easily metabolized and eliminated as waste in the urine.
As time progresses and my knowledge increases, I’m becoming more compelled to make the switch to all natural personal care products. I currently use over the counter products, all of which contain the ingredients I’ve reviewed thus far. I have not experienced any known irritation to the products I use daily and I am satisfied (most of the time) with the results— I have very tempermental skin! I just can’t help but wonder what long term effects my drug of choice may be having on my well-being. Think about it for yourself.
