Penetration Enhancers – Formulators Mart

Dimethicone

Netlight Systems — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:02:46 +0000

Dimethicone is a silicone-based polymer that is frequently used as a skin protectant in skincare products. It’s midweight silicone oil non-volatile silicone, that is also a conditioning agent that condition the skin by improving its softness and flexibility. Adds a luxury feel, nice wonderful slip to skin and hair care products and reduce tackiness.

It helps improve spreading, reduce soaping in lotion formulations, by reducing the saponification and stickiness that may occur during the spreading of emulsions like cream and conditioner on hair and skin.
It is also an FDA approved skin protectant commonly used in baby products like diaper rash creams and to soothe irritated skin, it creates a protective barrier on the skin. It is used as emollient in cosmetics to soften skin.

It reduces hair frizziness even in high humidity and soften hair with great detangling properties and gives hair a shine.

Dimethicone increases hair combability by coating hair strands.
Solubility: oil
INCI: Dimethicone
Usage rate: 1%-30%

CAS No: 9006-65-9

Add to oil or cool down phase

Ethoxydiglycol

Netlight Systems — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:22:28 +0000

Ethoxydiglycol is a versatile ingredient widely used in cosmetic and personal care products for both skin and hair. Its primary function is as a solvent, but it offers a range of other benefits that make it highly valuable in formulations.
As a Solvent
Ethoxydiglycol is an excellent solvent and carrier. It’s a clear, odorless liquid that is miscible with water, ethanol, and various oils, making it ideal for dissolving active ingredients that might otherwise be difficult to incorporate into a formula. This property allows for the creation of stable, uniform, and aesthetically pleasing products.
For Skin
* Penetration Enhancer: One of its most important functions is boosting the efficacy of other ingredients by helping them penetrate the skin more effectively. This is why it’s a popular choice in products containing active compounds like Vitamin C, DHA (in self-tanners), and Benzoyl Peroxide.
* Humectant: It acts as a humectant, drawing moisture from the air and into the skin, which helps improve hydration and moisture retention.
* Texture and Stability: It helps to create a smoother texture in products like serums and lotions, ensuring they spread evenly on the skin. It also contributes to the overall stability of the formula.
For Hair
* Dye Carrier: In hair care, ethoxydiglycol is often used in hair coloring products (both permanent and semi-permanent). It helps the dye penetrate the hair shaft more effectively, leading to longer-lasting and more uniform color.
* Moisture and Condition: It helps to distribute moisturizing and nourishing substances evenly through the hair, which can reduce frizz and leave hair feeling soft and shiny. It’s also been noted to help prevent split ends.

In essence ethoxydiglycol is a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient that primarily serves as a solvent to solubilize and carry other ingredients. Its ability to enhance skin penetration and improve the texture and stability of products makes it a valuable component in a wide range of skin and hair care applications.

INCI : Ethoxydiglycol

Suggested Usage rate: 1-20%

CAS NO: 111-90-0

Dimethyl Isosorbide (DMI)

Netlight Systems — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:43:05 +0000

Dimethyl Isosorbide is a dimethyl ether of an anhydride of an isomer of sorbitol, it is a naturally derived 100% pure solvent and enhances the delivery of active ingredients in a formula such as anti-acne or skin whitening products. It’s the ability to penetrate deep layers of the skin enables these actives to penetrate deeper and work better.

It is used to stabilize, solvate, and deliver active ingredients into the skin for significantly better penetration and performance, it is an efficient solvent for ingredients like Azelaic acid and act as a penetration enhancer for cosmeceuticals active ingredients enhancing the skin lightening, antioxidant benefits.

It’s a viscosity decreasing (reducing thickness) agent, it also decreases the concentration of active ingredients required to produce optimal results
Applications: include creams, lotions, and sprays applied to the skin and hair loss treatment.
Dimethyl isosorbide is a clear liquid
INCI: DIMETHYL ISOSORBIDE

Usage rate- 1-50%
Solubility: soluble in water

CAS NO: 5306-85-4

Azone Oil

Formulators Mart — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 07:18:09 +0000

Azone oil refers to an ingredient known by its scientific name Laurocapram. its a synthetic compound used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals as a skin penetration enhancer.
Laurocapram (Azone oil) for skin:
What it is:
* Laurocapram is a colorless to light yellow oily liquid.
* It works by temporarily increasing the permeability of the skin’s stratum corneum (the outermost layer).
* This enhanced permeability allows other active ingredients in skincare formulations to penetrate deeper into the skin, making them more effective.
* It can enhance the penetration of both water-soluble (hydrophilic) and oil-soluble (lipophilic) substances.
* Besides enhancing penetration, it’s also reported to increase moisture content in the stratum corneum, offering some moisturizing benefits.
* It is considered to be stable, non-toxic, and generally non-irritating to the skin when used at recommended concentrations.
Benefits for Skin (as a penetration enhancer):
* Improved absorption of active ingredients: This is its primary function. It can help ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, anti-aging compounds, and acne treatments reach their target areas within the skin more effectively.
* Enhanced efficacy of skincare products: By facilitating deeper penetration, Laurocapram can boost the overall performance and results of the skincare products it’s included in.
* Potential moisturizing effect: Some sources mention it can increase moisture in the skin’s outer layer.
Usage Rate:
The typical usage rate of Laurocapram (Azone oil) in cosmetic formulations ranges from 0.1% to 5%.
*
Laurocapram’s main role is to help other ingredients work better.
* Oil-soluble: It is generally added to the oil phase of cosmetic formulations.
* Temperature sensitivity: It’s recommended to avoid temperatures above 60°C during formulation.
* For external use only