Glycolic acid cosmetic application

Polymeric microencapsulates and lipid microencapsulates have extensive potential applications in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutics [1-5]. Microencapsulates can protect and conserve an active component until its release is desired and stimulated. Polymeric microencapsulates consist of a (biocompatible) polymer matrix in which an active component is encapsulated. Most frequently poly(lactic add) (PLA) or poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is used as the polymer [6,7], but alternatives have been investigated [8, 9]. Lipid microencapsulates, lipid vesicles and liposomes are composed of a (phospho-)lipid bilayer membrane that encapsulates an aqueous volume, thus mimicking a cell structure. 

Fatty acid ethoxylates are used extensively in the textile industry as emulsifiers for processing oils, antistatic agents (qv), softeners, and fiber lubricants, and as detergents in scouring operations. They also find application as emulsifiers in cosmetic preparations and pesticide formulations. Fatty acid ethoxylates are manufactured either by alkali-catalyzed reaction of fatty acids with ethylene oxide or by acid-catalyzed esterification of fatty acids with preformed poly(ethylene glycol). Deodorization steps are commonly incorporated into the manufacturing process. 

Surface-Active Agents. Polyol (eg, glycerol, sorbitol, sucrose, and propylene glycol) or poly (ethylene oxide) esters of long-chain fatty acids are nonionic surfactants (qv) used in foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, cleaning compounds, and many other applications (103,104). Those that are most widely used are included in Table 3. 

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is obtained by reacting purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and monoethylene glycol (MEG) and melting the reaction product to initiate the polycondensation. The molten polymer is then extruded, cut into chips and cooled. PET main use is in the soft drinks and water bottles, other applications include thick-walled containers for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. 

This group also includes the a-hydroxyacids (AHAs), which have alcohol moieties besides the acid groups (Okano et al, 2003). We should highlight glycolic, malic, dtric and tartaric acids, which have aliphatic structures and quinic, shikimic and mandelic acids, which have aromatic structures. AHAs are active compounds used extensively in the field of cosmetics because they have several applications for skin and hair products... 

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