Formula Anatomy Deciphered—Feminine Hygiene Products

By: Luigi Rigano, PhD, Studio Rigano Industrial Consulting Laboratories

Posted: December 4, 2012, from the December 2012 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

page 6 of 6

The most frequently used oils and fats are caprylic-capric glycerides, hydrogenated polydecenes, triethylhexanoin, shea butter and jojoba oil. They are thickened with synthetic or natural waxes, dextrin palmitate, etc.

Vegetal extracts such as thyme, sage, Eugenia caryophyllus and St. John’s wort are often used for their refreshing, soothing and mild antimicrobial actions. Either glycol or oil extracts can be used based on whether the formulation is oil-based or water/alcohol-based. Innovation The following are recent innovations in hygiene products, with more innovation to come.

Neat Feat has recently created a cream^a that fights against irritation in intimate zones, where the skin is subject to maximum chafing. The formula contains traditional emollients and claims to prevent skin rubbing discomfort and sweat-related skin disorders.

To provide deodorancy to the intimate area without traditional preservatives, a recent trial²⁰ has combined the enzymatic deviator triethyl citrate with the nontraditional preservative sodium caproyl/lauroyl lactyl lactate. In vitro tests demonstrate the combination’s antibacterial efficacy, particularly against the Candida species that cause skin disorders in intimate zones, while in vivo tests show a 24-hour lasting deodorant efficacy. Triethylcitrate^b is an enzymatic deviator, as it is hydrolyzed by bacterial enzymes, leading to the formation of citric acid that inhibits the further action of sweat decomposing enzymes.

References
Send e-mail to CTauthor@allured.com.
1. V Pybus and AB Onderdonk, Microbial interactions in the vaginal ecosystem, with emphasis on the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis, Microbes Infect 1(4) 285–92 (1999)
2. AT Gregoire and PF Parakkal, Glycogen content in the vaginal tissue of normally cycling and estrogen and progesterone-treated rheus monkeys, Biology of Reproduction 7 9–14 (1972)
3. JP Lepargneur and V Rousseau, Protective role of the Doderleïn flora, J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris) Sep 31(5) 485–494 (2002)
4. ER Boskey, KM Telsch, KJ Whaley, TR Moench and RA Cone, Acid production by vaginal flora in vitro is consistent with the rate and extent of vaginal acidification, Infect Immun 67(10) 5170–5175 (1999)
5. J Ravel et al, Vaginal microbiome of reproductive- age women, Proc Natl Acad Sci Mar 15 108 (2011) Suppl 1:4680–4687
6. MA Clarke et al, A large, population-based study of age-related associations between vaginal pH and human papillomavirus infection, BMC Infect Dis Feb 8 12:33 (2012)
7. L Delucchi, M Fraga, K Perelmuter, E Cidade and P Zunino, Vaginal lactic acid bacteria in healthy and ill bitches and evaluation of in vitro probiotic activity of selected isolates, Can Vet J 49(10) 991–994 (2008)
8. G Reid, Probiotic agents to protect the urogenital tract against infection, Am J Clin Nutr 73(2) (2001) Suppl:437S–443S
9. DW Wardell and B Czerwinski, A military challenge to managing feminine and personal hygiene, J Am Acad Nurse Pract, 13(4) 187–193 (2001)
10. L Zou et al, Life-style and genital human papillomavirus in a cross-sectional survey in Shanxi Province, China, Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 12(3) 781–786 (2011)
11. IB Engberg, M Lindell and U Nyrén-Nolberger, Prevalence of skin and genital mucous membrane irritations in patients confined to bed, Int J Nurs Stud, Jun 32(3) 315–324 (1995)
12. BS Czerwinski, Adult Feminine Hygiene Practices, Appl Nurs Res 9(3) 123–129 (1996)
13. L Rigano, R Trenti, R Guala, E Merlo, G Villa and G Gazzaniga, Selective detersion, SÖFW J 129(1/2) 52–60 (2003)
14. L Rigano and N Lionetti, Quillaja Triterpenic saponins–the natural foamers, SÖFW J 135(4) 2–9 (2009)
15. L Rigano, A Bonfigli and R Walther, Bioactivity evaluations of Quillaja saponaria (soap bark tree) saponins in skin and scalp sebaceous imbalances, SÖFW J 138(3) 14–21 (2012)
16. Sisterna L70-C, Sisterna B.V., www.sisterna.com/rheology-modifier/ (Accessed Jul 31, 2012) 17. L Rigano, G Dell’Acqua and R Leporatti, Benefits of trimethylglycine (betaine) in personal-care formulations, Cosm & Toil 115(12) 47–54 (2000)
18. www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/formulating/category/oralcare/4436186.html (Accessed Jul 31, 2012)
19. D McGinty, CS Letizia and AM Api, Fragrance material review on -pentadecalactone, Food Chem Toxicol, Dec 49 Suppl 2:S193-201 (2011)
20. www.in-cosmeticsasia.com/_novadocuments/12519 (Accessed Jul 31, 2012)