Personal care products nonionic

The total worldwide consumption of AOS in 1990 was of the order of 85,000 tonnes [12] split between household products (55,000 tonnes) toiletries and personal care products (20,000 tonnes), and industrial and institutional uses (10,000 tonnes). The worldwide consumption of all synthetic detergents in 1990 was as follows (1) anionics (3,390,000 tonnes), cationics (815,000 tonnes), and nonionics (910,000 tonnes). From the total of 5,115,000 tonnes, AOS consumption accounts for 1.5%. 

The change in charge with pH of amphoteric surfactants affects their properties, such as wetting, detergency, and foaming. Atthe i.e.p., the properties of amphoterics resemble those of nonionics very closely, but below and above the i.e.p. the properties shift towards those of cationic and anionic surfactants, respectively. Zwitterionic surfactants have excellent dermatological properties, and also exhibit low eye irritation consequently, they are frequently used in shampoos and other personal care products (e.g., cosmetics). 

The salts of monoesters of sulphuric acid (mainly known as alkyl sulphates, alcohol sulphates or sulphated higher alcohols and ether sulphates or sulphated ethoxylated alcohols) have been proceeded for tens of years through the competition with alkylbenzenesulphonates and other anionic and nonionic surfactants with respect to the consumer s merits and cost performance. Among other surfactants, the today s world consumption share of alcohol sulphates and ether sulphates is ca. 25 % in household and laundry aids and ca. 20 % in personal care products [81]. The formers are mostly based on sulphates of petrochemical origin whereas the least are more oriented to sulphates from oleochemicals. 

As shown in Figure 22.1, 7% of total surfactants are used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, especially in personal care products such as shampoos, bath preparations or toothpastes. Surfactants are important in their function as emulsifiers in creams and lotions. A great variety of anionic, nonionic, cationic and also amphoteric surfactants are used here. 

Other applications of alcohol alkoxylates also include textile lubricants, agricultural chemicals, rinse aid formulations, and personal care products. Polyoxyethylene block copolymers exhibit properties similar to surfactants, such as the presence of micelles in aqueous solutions, micelle structure, and association number, and are therefore termed polymeric surfactants. These diverse subsets of nonionic surfactants are unique and offer several advantages in manufacturing, and they could be designed for specific uses and applications. A complete Surfactant Science Series volume dedicated to the chemistry, physicochemical properties, applications, and toxicity was published in 1996. Because of these beneficial attributes, alcohol ethoxylates and alcohol alkoxylates are the most important nonionic surfactants in terms of volume usage in consumer products. 

Amphoterics are usually used in conjunction with other surfactants (anionics or nonionics) to boost desired properties such as foam or detergency. Since the optimal surface activity of amphoterics takes place around neutral pH, they are particularly appreciated in personal care products (shower gels, foam baths, shampoos, etc.) for their mildness and skin compatibility. 

Table 5 Performance Characteristics and Application of Nonionic Surfactants in Personal Care Products...

Compositions comprising at least one nonionic gemini surfactant - is useful, e.g., in personal care compositions, household cleaning products and industrial cleaners... 

Many mixtures of surfactants, especially ionic with nonionic, exhibit surface properties significantly better than do those obtained with either component alone. Such synergistic effects greatly improve many technological applications in areas such as emulsion formulations, emulsion polymerization, surface tension reduction, coating operations, personal care and cosmetics products, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum recovery, to name only a few. The use of mixed surfactant systems should always be considered as a method for obtaining optimal performance in any practical surfactant application. 

Alkyl polyglucosides (CAS No. 110615-47-9) are a relatively new class of nonionic surfactants, fully based on renewable vegetable resources and easily biodegradable, and hence they are finding increasing applications in many industrial fields, including the personal care industry. There is a book published by VCH publishers discussing their history, production, physicochemical properties, toxicity, and applications in various industries. There is also a Surfactant Science Series... 

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