What are surfactants?

Do you know the surfactants ? Widely used in cosmetic products, they have different actions. They can be both detergents , foaming agents, wetting agents , dispersing agents but also emulsifiers .

Due to their many properties, they are essential but often highly questionable... So why not talk about surfactants? Do you know the surfactants that we offer for our recipes? Ultra-gentle foaming agent, smooth cream emulsifier, fluid cream emulsifier: they all come from a mixture of surfactants. And why we turned to the foaming concentrate for our homemade cosmetics recipes ?

Let's go, we tell you everything!

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Surfactants, what are they used for?

As said before, surfactants have the particularity of having several functions: detergent (to remove dirt), surfactant...

Their purpose is to solubilize two mutually immiscible phases . That is to say to allow the mixing of a cosmetic product which contains an aqueous phase and an oily phase . But it can also be between water and air, water and skin, dirt and water...

There are different types of surfactants:

  • Anionic : the hydrophilic part (known as aqueous) is negatively charged. They are reputed to be very detergents, foamers, humectants, dispersants, wetting agents and as bacteriostatic agents.

  • Cationic : the hydrophilic part is positively charged. They are particularly dispersants for solid particles. They are also bactericidal, antistatic and softening in the context of hair care.

  • ampothera : these are mild detergent surfactants. They soften the irritating effects of anionic surfactants. Possessing both positive and negative charges, they are known to be used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

  • Non-ionic : having no charge . They are detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers and sometimes foaming agents.

Are the surfactants in your cosmetics risky?

The surfactants most used by the cosmetics market are not always good for your skin. The fact is that cationic surfactants are unfortunately often irritating and not environmentally friendly .

Anionics , if they are excellent detergents and foamers, they are also irritating . Finally, non-anionics have a reputation for being endocrine disruptors... What good information on the list of our ingredients that we use.

Among these surfactants, we can cite the Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) which is particularly irritating . But also the Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), which is a strong pollutant and is allergenic . What should be remembered is that the surfactants mentioned above as well as other synthetic ones come from petrochemicals . Thus, they are responsible for various irritations or allergies . They are polluting and not very biodegradable .

Note: these risks are not valid for all surfactants!

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At BeautyMix, what ingredient do we offer?

In our homemade cosmetics recipes, we offer a foaming concentrate. This ingredient is an alliance of different natural surfactants , making it possible to fulfill these different roles, without multiplying the purchases of ingredients.

It is specially formulated to combine softness , cleansing and foaming power. Ideal as a base to create your receipts cleansing products such as shower gels, shampoos , etc.

By choosing this ingredient, you limit the number of ingredients present in your product for a 100% minimalist and controlled recipe.

To find out more about this product, you can go to the dedicated product sheet just here.

A 100% eco-responsible bathroom!