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Surfactant Concentrate for Mild, High-foam Cleansers

Colonial Chemical Inc. has introduced a biodegradable baby shampoo concentrate to its line of eco-friendly, mild products.

Comparatively Speaking: Fatty Alcohols vs. Fatty Acids vs. Esters

In the present discussion of fatty alcohols, fatty acids and esters, Tony O’Lenick recruits Ismail Walele of Phoenix Chemical to explain the differences between them.

Polymers in Personal Care

Polymer use began in the 1800s with cellulose derivatives, the vulcanization of rubber, and styrene synthesis; but in reality, it started more than four million years ago with the formation of DNA and proteins. Polymers are a diverse class of chemistry. By definition, they are large molecules made up of chains or rings of linked monomer units—simple reactive building blocks. Smaller molecules or monomers are combined to form polymers that possess a characteristic chain structure of multiple repeating units that can be related or different.

Coconut-derived Surfactant for Natural Formulations

Colonial Chemical Inc. has added a surfactant derived from coconut to its line of nature-based personal care products.

Vegetable-based Surfactant for Natural Hair Conditioning

Rhodia will introduce its vegetable-based surfactant for hair care at NYSCC Suppliers' Day 2010.

Comparatively Speaking: Natural- vs. Oxo- vs. Ziegler-derived Alcohols

Tony O'Lenick explores the difference between fatty alcohols derived naturally and those derived through the oxo process and the Ziegler process.

Mild Surfactant for Dense Foam

This mild surfactant from Innospec can be used as a primary or secondary surfactant and is designed to produce a dense, luxurious foam and an elegant after feel.

Product Benchmarking: Lip Service, Window Dressing or Competitive Advantage?

In a fast-moving marketplace, few would disagree that product performance benchmarking is critical to achieving an industry-leading position. However, is this statement just lip service in the current environment?

Comparatively Speaking: CAPB from Coconut Oil vs. Fatty Acid

Anthony J. O'Lenick, Jr., explains that CAPB can be made from two different processes, one with coconut oil and the other with fatty acid, which create two potential differences that affect how the material works in a formulation.

Formulating Conditioning Shampoos

Conditioning shampoos came into being when in order to replace hair body that had been lost by frequent shampooing and conditioning, formulators sought to introduce ingredients that would be deposited on the hair during the shampooing process. This article addresses the basics and the most recent developments in formulating conditioning shampoos.

Comparatively Speaking: Amphoteric vs. Ampholyte

Here, O'Lenick explains the terms amphoteric, which is used to describe compounds having two or more different groups with various charges, and ampholytes, which have a fully quaternized nitrogen and consequently cannot lose their positive charge.

Comparatively Speaking--Analytical Methods: The mg KOH/gm System

This is the first of several columns that will examine key analytical methods used in quality control to discuss their application to raw materials. The mg KOH/gm system is the most commonly used system to analyze surfactants and it originally was developed by chemists in the soap business.

Comparatively Speaking: Static vs. Dynamic Measurement of Surface Tension

Surface tension determines the properties of formulations. How does one measure surface tension? Since, realistically, there is more than one surface tension in a liquid, measurements can vary depending upon the method used. Here, industry expert Tony O'Lenick discusses static and dynamic approaches to measuring surface tension.

Water surface

Comparatively Speaking: Surface Tension in Water vs. in Formulation

Many published studies of surfactants use pure surfactant in distilled water. However, a formulation is almost never a single surfactant in water. Here, industry expert Tony O'Lenick compares the surface tension of a surfactant added in water with that in a formulation.

Comparatively Speaking: Aqueous Surfactant vs. Silicone Surfactant

Industry expert Anthony O'Lenick Jr. explains the difference between molecules that act like surfactants for aqueous systems versus oil systems.

Comparatively Speaking: Solubility in Surfactants vs. Compounds

Anthony J. O'Lenick provides a brief overview of solubility as the key to surfactant activity and compares it with compounds such as sodium chloride, for the benefit of novice formulators.

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Natural Surfactants for Gentle, High Foam Cleansing

Colonial Chemical has introduced natural surfactants to provide mild cleansing and high foaming properties in wash-off applications including sulfate-free products.

Amine Oxides: A Most Versatile and Underutilized Material

Amine oxides are a versatile and underutilized material. Amine oxides ahve been well-known to surfactant chemists for decades.