Octoxynol-70
What is it?
Octoxynols (Octoxynol-1, Octoxynol-3, Octoxynol-5, Octoxynol-6, Octoxynol-7, Octoxynol-8, Octoxynol-9, Octoxynol-10, Octoxynol-11, Octoxynol-12, Octoxynol-13, Octoxynol-16, Octoxynol-20, Octoxynol-25, Octoxynol-30, Octoxynol-33, Octoxynol-40, Octoxynol-70, Octoxynol-9 Carboxylic Acid, Octoxynol-20 Carboxylic Acid, Potassium Octoxynol-2 Ethane Sulfonate, Sodium Octoxynol-2 Ethane Sulfonate, Sodium Octoxynol-2 Sulfate, Sodium Octoxynol-6 Sulfate, Sodium Octoxynol-9 Sulfate) are a group of ethoxylated alkyl phenols. They are generally water white to light amber viscous liquids. In cosmetics and personal care products, Octoxynols are used principally in hair dyes and colors but can also be found in hair conditioners, permanent waves and other product types.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the safety of Octoxynols and approved their use as indirect food additives as components of adhesives, and paper and paperboard in contact with food.
The safety of Octoxynols has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that Octoxynol-9, -10, -11, -12, -13, -16, -20, -25, -30, -33, -40, and -70, Octoxynol-9 Carboxylic Acid, Octoxynol-20 Carboxylic Acid, Potassium Octoxynol-12 Phosphate, and Sodium Octoxynol-9 Sulfate were safe as used in rinse-off and leave-on cosmetics and personal care products. The CIR Expert Panel also concluded that Octoxynol-1, -3, -5, -6, -7, and -8, Sodium Octoxynol-2 Ethane Sulfonate, Sodium Octoxynol-2 Sulfate, and Sodium Octoxynol-6 Sulfate were safe in rinse-off products and safe at concentrations of 5% or less in leave-on products.
The safety of Octoxynols has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that Octoxynol-9, -10, -11, -12, -13, -16, -20, -25, -30, -33, -40, and -70, Octoxynol-9 Carboxylic Acid, Octoxynol-20 Carboxylic Acid, Potassium Octoxynol-12 Phosphate, and Sodium Octoxynol-9 Sulfate were safe as used in rinse-off and leave-on cosmetics and personal care products. The CIR Expert Panel also concluded that Octoxynol-1, -3, -5, -6, -7, and -8, Sodium Octoxynol-2 Ethane Sulfonate, Sodium Octoxynol-2 Sulfate, and Sodium Octoxynol-6 Sulfate were safe in rinse-off products and safe at concentrations of 5% or less in leave-on products.
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
The Octoxynols help to form emulsions by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified. Many of the Octoxynols, and the Octoxynol acids and salts, clean skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away. The longer chain Octoxynols help other ingredients to dissolve in a solvent in which they would not normally dissolve. Potassium Octoxynol-12 Phosphate has the ability to enhance the water solubility of other surfactants.
Scientific facts:
Octoxynols vary in chain length from Octoxynol-1 to Octoxynol-70. The numerical value represents the average number of units of ethylene oxide added to produce the specific Octoxynol ingredient. For example, Octoxynol-9 is made by reacting p-(1,1,3,3-tetraemethylbutyl)phenol with 5-18 units of ethylene oxide, resulting in an average value of 9. The Octoxynol salts and organic acids are then produced from these Octoxynol compounds.
