Poloxamer 101
What is it?
Poloxamers (Poloxamer 101, Poloxamer 105, Poloxamer 108, Poloxamer 122, Poloxamer 123, Poloxamer 124, Poloxamer 181, Poloxamer 182, Poloxamer 183, Poloxamer 184, Poloxamer 185, Poloxamer 188, Poloxamer 212, Poloxamer 215, Poloxamer 217, Poloxamer 231, Poloxamer 234, Poloxamer 235, Poloxamer 237, Poloxamer 238, Poloxamer 282, Poloxamer 284, Poloxamer 288, Poloxamer 331, Poloxamer 333, Poloxamer 334, Poloxamer 335, Poloxamer 338, Poloxamer 401, Poloxamer 402, Poloxamer 403, Poloxamer 407, Poloxamer 105 Benzoate, Poloxamer 182 Dibenzoate) are polymers made of a block of polyoxyethylene, followed by a block of polyoxypropylene, followed by a block of polyoxyethylene. The average number of units of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene varies based on the number associated with the polymer. For example, the smallest polymer, Poloxamer 101, consists of a block with an average of 2 units of polyoxyethylene, a block with an average of 16 units of polyoxypropylene, followed by a block with an average of 2 units of polyoxyethylene.
Poloxamers range from colorless liquids and pastes to white solids. In cosmetics and personal care products, Poloxamers are used in the formulation of skin cleansers, bath products, shampoos, hair conditioners, mouthwashes, eye makeup remover and other skin and hair products.
Poloxamers range from colorless liquids and pastes to white solids. In cosmetics and personal care products, Poloxamers are used in the formulation of skin cleansers, bath products, shampoos, hair conditioners, mouthwashes, eye makeup remover and other skin and hair products.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Poloxymers on its list of indirect food additives. These ingredients are permitted for use in sanitizing solutions that have incidental contact with food. Poloxamer 188 is also approved for use as an antibacterial agent in Over-the-Counter (OTC) skin wound cleanser drug products.
The safety of Poloxamers has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Poloxamer 101, 105, 108, 122, 123, 124, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 188, 212, 215, 217, 231, 234, 237, 238, 282, 284, 288, 331, 333, 334, 335, 338, 401, 402, 403, 407, Poloxamer 105 Benzoate and Poloxamer 182 Dibenzoate were safe as cosmetic ingredients.
The safety of Poloxamers has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Poloxamer 101, 105, 108, 122, 123, 124, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 188, 212, 215, 217, 231, 234, 237, 238, 282, 284, 288, 331, 333, 334, 335, 338, 401, 402, 403, 407, Poloxamer 105 Benzoate and Poloxamer 182 Dibenzoate were safe as cosmetic ingredients.
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Poloxamers help to form emulsions by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified and help other ingredients to dissolve in a solvent in which they would not normally dissolve. They also clean the skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away. Poloxamer 188 kills microorganisms, or prevents or inhibits their growth and reproduction. Poloxamer 182 Dibenzoate acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance.
Scientific facts:
Many Poloxamers dissolve in water and form gels. These gels revert to liquid when the temperature is lowered and then reform as gels when the temperature is increased.
