Since society has learned about the dangers of genetically modified products, additives labeled "E", and surface-active substances (surfactants) that are used in the chemical industry, people have carefully studied the composition of all goods that they have to buy in store. And not in vain, because one or more elements of a cake or shampoo familiar to us can be harmful and even fatal both for the appearance and for the body as a whole.
This article will focus on surfactants and specifically on such surfactants as lauryl glucoside. We will tell you what this ingredient of detergents and cleaning products is obtained from, what its effect on the skin is, whether it is harmful. In addition, let's talk about the real dangers of surfactants. If you are used to thinking that these indispensable ingredients of washing and caring cosmetics are harmful, then this article is intended to debunk some popular myths.
A few words about surfactants
Before we move on to defining the role played by lauryl glucoside in cosmetics, let's say a few words about surfactants. Will notthose people who obviously consider them harmful are completely wrong. Indeed, a few decades ago, surfactants that were added to cosmetics and detergents were more aggressive and had a harmful effect on the skin. But today the situation has changed for the better for the buyer, and surfactants sometimes have a rather positive effect on the appearance and quality of the dermis.
In addition, speaking of the dangers of surfactants, it means that it will not be useful to inhale them in high concentrations or use them in the form of shampoo in their pure form for washing your hair. If the surfactant is not carcinogenic, then, with a probability of nine to one, it will not cause any significant harm to your hair and skin. The only risk group is people with certain types of dermatitis.
What are surfactants for
What is in the widely advertised shampoos and shower gels? These are extracts of oils, decoctions of herbs and useful plants. But try to prepare such a shampoo yourself. Make an infusion of chamomile, thyme, sage, and then try to wash your hair with it. And what happens? Perhaps the hair from the inside will become stronger and better in quality, but you definitely won’t be able to wash off grease and dirt with such a “shampoo”. Natural ingredients, if you make a cosmetic product out of them, do not lather, do not foam, are poorly washed off, practically do not remove dirt and grease. That's what surfactants are used for in the chemical and cosmetic industries.
In addition, surfactants are necessary formake-up removers and skin creams do not break down into water and oil during storage. It would seem that what is terrible in such a decay into two phases? The fact is that microorganisms undesirable for the dermis can form on the surface of the oil.
Previously, surfactants, before the boom of the chemical industry, replaced animal fats, but using them is neither environmentally friendly nor humane. The first surfactants invented by chemists were not gentle and aggressive in terms of their effect on the skin.
After all, what are these substances for? They make the skin soapy, create foam. If you dig deeper, the top layer of the dermis under the influence of surfactants opens up, and the active ingredient of the shampoo or cream has the ability to penetrate the skin.
What is the main problem with surfactants is that they can penetrate the skin along with the active substance, and also, along with dirt or unnecessary fat, take the fat from the skin that is needed. As a result, the surface of the dermis may become dry, irritated, a rash or redness will appear.
What are the dangers of using harsh surfactants?
We got close to the issue of the dangers of surfactants. Is this true or a myth? Sometimes we blame bad nutrition, lack of sleep, lack of vitamins for the appearance of acne, pimples, dry and lifeless skin, brittle hair. However, the problem must be looked for from all sides. What we use during daily hygiene procedures can also become a source of "evil".
Our skin is a universal absorber of everything that is on itapplied. Before using an inexpensive shower product, expired cream or cosmetics, consider that the active ingredients of this product will penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. That's why it's so important to use organic cosmetics, pay attention to expiration dates and, of course, try to avoid using products with harsh ingredients.
Differences in surfactants
Chemists classify surfactants into four groups based on how they work on the skin, how they lather, and how they remove dirt in the water.
- Anionic. These surfactants are the most common, as they have the ability to wash away grease and dirt, even if the water is hard. One of the most used is sodium lauryl sulfate. Recently there has been a shift towards the use of softer and less drying surfactants in the industry. Lauryl glucoside refers just to anionic surfactants.
- Cationic - these active substances wash away dirt worse than anionic ones, and at the same time they can harm the skin to a greater extent. Cationic surfactants are little used as an additive to shampoos, but they are actively used in cosmetics to remove static electricity from clothes or hair.
- Amphoteric. They are most often used together with anionic ones in order to reduce the negative impact of the latter on the dermis. They improve the foaming of cosmetics.
- Non-ionic active substances slightly irritate the skin, give softness. Such surfactants are most often used together with anionic,for example in shampoos and conditioners to make hair silky and soft.
Dispel the myths about the harmfulness of surfactants
For more than half a century, people have been using surfactant-containing hygiene and cosmetic products. It should be noted that earlier cationic hard and anionic ones were used more in the chemical industry, but now there is a preponderance towards the use of active substances with a milder method of action.
However, it should be noted that no matter what product you use (meaning shampoo, shower gel, hygienic soap), your hair will not fall out and your skin will not peel off. The harm from the use of surfactants is largely exaggerated.
Most of all in this regard goes to sodium lauryl sulfate, this surfactant has a very bad reputation. Seeing this ingredient in shampoo, modern women and girls, having read articles about the horrors of sulfates in cosmetics, are ready to throw it in the trash.
However, the catch is that the hair, which after using shampoo or conditioner should become shiny and voluminous, will not become alive, as it already consists of dead keratinized cells. Judge for yourself, if hair or nails were really alive, then the procedure for cutting the ends of hair or nails would be hellish torture.
It turns out that hair can become silky and "live" only if it is cleaned of dirt or grease. The more foaming substance the shampoo contains, the more beautiful andclean hair will look he althier.
Another question: "Do surfactants containing sulfates really irritate the dermis?" It has been clinically proven that they will really damage the skin if the interaction lasts at least an hour. Do you imagine that you can soak your hair in shampoo for more than an hour? In addition, inhalation of surfactants in large quantities in pure form will become harmful.
It turns out that you should not trust a lot of articles that repeat one after another unverified information about the dangers of PAS. If you are really interested in this topic, then study it in detail or calmly use the usual cosmetics.
How lauryl glucoside is made
What is "surfactant", we figured it out. They can be either harmful or not have pronounced allergenic or other negative properties.
Surfactants are created by chemists from three types of raw materials. The first way to obtain them is the use of natural ingredients - fats and oils. The second way of production is the use of oil. The third way to obtain surfactants is synthesis, that is, artificial production in the laboratory from various products of natural and artificial origin. Lauryl glucoside, which is discussed in this article, belongs to the first group of surfactants according to the method of preparation. It should be described in more detail.
Let's look at how lauryl glucoside is synthesized, its harm and benefits for the skin, whether it is possible to fearlessly use cosmetics that contain it.
Formula and methodreceipt
The most popular today among the types of surfactants used are organic substances. They are cheaper and easier to obtain, they do not cause much harm to the skin and the environment, and some active substances can even be beneficial. Lauryl glucoside is used quite often in cosmetics, as it is obtained from completely natural raw materials. It can also be found in detergents.
How is lauryl glucoside chemically described? Its formula is: C18H36O6.
From coconut oil and glucose, fat is chemically isolated. Synthesize lauryl glucoside. The receipt of this surfactant is due to excellent soapiness, removal of dirt, as well as a softening effect on the dermis. Most often, lauryl glucoside is used in shampoos, shower gels. It is also added to baby detergents, creams for intimate hygiene.
Another kind of substance
Another type of very mild surfactant that has not yet been shown to cause allergic reactions is lauryl glucoside carboxylase. Description of substance: It is a mild anionic surfactant that is added to shampoos, shower gels, creams and soaps. This substance is obtained from coconut and palm oil with the addition of sugar and starch.
How strong is the allergen - sodium lauryl sulfate?
Often, users of cosmetics ask about the dangers of a substance such as sodium lauryl glucoside. There is a mistake here - most likely, sodium lauryl sulfate is meant. It is an active surfactantWidely used in shampoos due to excellent lather.
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a strong allergen, dries and weakens the hair structure, can cause dandruff. Sodium lauryl has nothing to do with lauryl glucoside.
Are sulfates bad for hair?
Sulfates are considered the most foaming active substances. These include sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauren sulfate, sodium lauryl glucoside hydroxypropyl sulfonate and others. Most buyers believe that the word "sulfate" indicates danger, and it is better not to use such cosmetics if you really care about the beauty of your hair.
But that's not quite the case. As mentioned above, such surfactants will be harmful only if they are used in large quantities and in their pure form.
Sulfate shampoos are most often used in professional cosmetics and beauty products, in salons and hairdressers, to quickly and thoroughly wash the client's hair and take care of the beautiful appearance of the hair. Such shampoos and gels form a lot of foam, are easily washed off, and the hair becomes beautiful. However, if you use such cosmetics daily, you can notice a drying effect, the hair will become brittle.
Danger of using lauryl glucoside
Does lauryl glucoside harm he alth? It is definitely not recommended to use cosmetics containing surfactants for people with atopic dermatitis. In other cases, no surfactant, even with sulfate formulas, will causesevere allergic reaction. If you notice reddening of the skin, after a shower there is a desire to itch, you should replace cosmetic preparations with others.
Summarizing
When it comes to surfactants, there is no need to fear them in shampoos, shower gels, soaps and conditioners. Only those surfactants that are derived from oil and its derivatives are dangerous.
Currently, skin care and cleaning products manufacturers most often use organic substances that are absolutely harmless in small quantities, soften the skin, quickly wash off grease and dirt, making the overall appearance of hair and skin he althy and clean. Lauryl glucoside is one of the most common surfactants in use today. Its feature is good foaming, soapiness, as well as the ability to maintain consistency. Sodium lauryl glucoside carboxylate, lauryl glucoside carboxylase are surfactants that are similar in terms of the method of obtaining and using surfactants. For the most part, they do not cause allergic reactions, but on the contrary, soften the skin and make it look he althy.
It is not recommended to long-term interaction of the skin with surfactants, as an allergic reaction may occur, inhale surfactants in their pure form. However, if you do not work in the cosmetics industry, then this is unlikely. It is recommended not to use cosmetic products containing surfactants containing sulfate for people suffering from various types ofdermatitis, as an exacerbation of the disease is possible.
