Lecithin and Phospholipids for Cosmetics Applications Beauty comes from within.
Lecithin is a natural constituent of all living cells with essential functions for humans, animals and plants. The term Lecithin describes the complex mixture of phospholipids and other natural occurring concomitant components like triglycerides, fatty acids, sterols and glycolipids. Structure Nature Polar Head Hydrophilic Glyceroll (backbone) Fatty acid Chains Lypophilic Lecithin s molecular structure makes it an effective emulsifier for the interaction of water and oil. Phospholipids, the major component of lecithin, are partly hydrophilic (attracted to water) and partly Lypophilic (attracted to Oil). It is lecithin s ability to simultaneously interact with both oil and water ( prevents oil and water separation)that makes it such an effective and stable emulsifier.
Natural emulsifier & disperser Skin-Conditioning Agent Surfactant - Emulsifying Agent Antistatic and Emollient Skin conditioning excellent water binding ability (prevents moisture loss) Antisticking Soothing and refatting controls viscosity Excellent film foaming properties Reduces irritation by other surfactants Improves tolerance of the formulation Lotions, & creams Ointments Salves & Body washes Shampoos Sun care products Body butter Makeup formulations Hydrating toner Milk and Honey Cleanser Decorative Cosmetics like Lipsticks, Eye-liner etc Skin care: As an emulsifier, 3-10% (depending on the fatty phase and the presence of gelling agent in the formulation) As a co-emulsifier/emollient: 0.8-3% As a texture improver: 0.5-1.5%, Rinse-off: As a conditioner, 0.8-1.5%.
Lecithin is extracted from Soy and Sunflower and they are useful due to their various types of phospholipids and Glycolipids and a minimum of 40% neutral lipids. Phospholipids are surfactants for the creation of cell membranes and has nature (as emulsifier, lubricants, dispersing agents and emollients) together with physiological activity. They are able to stabilize creams and lotions without irritating surfactants. They form rich gels, solubilize fats in alcoholic preparations, prevent fat crystallization or bind water in lipstick or make up formulations. The quality of Lipid membrane enhances bioavailability of other active ingredients and provide control release to skin cells.they are hydrating, restructuring, film forming, soothing and refating. Phospholipids exist in a wide variety of purity in order to obtain specific property in cosmetic formulations. The amphiphilic nature of membrane lipids allows them to act as co emulsifiers both oil in water and water in oil emulsions. They are widely used commercially as thickeners, dispersing and wetting agent. Phospholipids and glycolipids from soya, sun therefore provide rich feel to skin. Lecithin is an important source of essential linoleic acid which restores an impaired barrier function of the skin. Lecithin enhances the appearance of dry or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring suppleness. Lecithin is an excellent skin restorative agent. And moisturizer, it has ability to penetrate the epidermis and carry substance to the right cell level It can also form a cell like structure called Lyposomes. Lyposomes are formed when a group of Phospholipids are placed on the skin. They spontaneously arrange themselves to match their water loving heads together and their oil loving property together to form a microscophc sphere. These spheres are similar in construction of actual cell membrane. They are then able to pass through the epidermis and act as a carrier of substances that attach themselves Phospholipids are hygroscopic in Nature, which means they attract water from surrounding air and maintain hydration in place. They help increase hydration levels in the skin without modifying the water oil rate in the skin. Lecithin is an excellent choice for cosmetics since they are natural, toxicologically safe, and does not produce irritation effects.
Soy Lecithin- Fluid Soy Lecithin- Powder Hydrolyzed Lecithin- Fluid Instaleci is Hydrolyzed Soy Lecithin which is blended with food grade mono-diglycerides from vegetable origin. It is an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsifier with very low viscosity the product is easily spreadable, giving a more homogeneous coating and a better distribution than with standard lecithin hence also called as instant lecithin. Lecithin is a mixture of phospholipids which not only gives emulsifying properties to the formulations but also helps skin to improve texture by repairing cells whereas glycerides acts as lubricant which gives the skin soft and smooth appearance.