Chemistry Plays a Large Role in the Creation of Cosmetics.

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Chemistry plays a large role in the creation of cosmetics. There are chemistry aspects in everything from the design of the product to the packaging that holds the product inside of it. The formation of cosmetics dates back to pre ancient times where they used naturally occurring materials to make chemically based mixtures. Many mixtures are made from ingredients that are from the fatty non polar group. An example of those ingredients would be Phosphatidylcholine its abbreviation is PC. Other ingredients including C18 fatty acids are a major component of many of the fats and oils used in beauty treatments that are made in today’s industry. Things like glycerin and lanolin are also added. These are added to cosmetic emulsions for there humectant properties. Lanolin which is a grease formed from sheep’s wool has a unique composition of complex sterols, fatty alcohols, and fatty acids. They are added for thinning purposes. Cyclomethicone and Dimthicone which are complex molecules also known as silicone oils are also added in increase slip and emolliency. Cellulose which is a fine powder polymer of repeating D- glucose units is added to hot water creating a gel as they swell up. When the gel is cooled into a wax it is put into a thin lotion which creates a thick cream due to all the added polymers. Several cosmetics including anti-acne creams are created using Benzoyl Peroxide which is a compound structured molecule. This ingredient is used to dry up the pores on the skin which collects dirt and oil forming what is known as a pimple. Sunscreens are created from a group of compounds including Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Octyl Salycilate, Titanium Dioxide, and Avobenzone. These are all combined to create safe and effective sunscreens to prevent hazards to the skin. Overall, chemistry is very important to the production of cosmetics. There are several different compounds
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