Poloxamer 101 (inci)

Poloxamers" are low-foaming and foam-absorbing, non-ionic surfactant block polymers composed of polyethylene oxides and polypropylene oxides. Poloxamers are used for dispersion and emulsification in cosmetics (also in the chemical-technical industry and medicine). The polyethylene oxide part of the polymer is water-soluble, whereas the polypropylene oxide part is not, so that this results in the special amphiphilic properties of the compounds. Depending on the degree of ethoxylation, poloxamers are liquid, pasty, solid or powdery.

Poloxamer 101 is a colorless liquid which is used in cosmetic formulations. It acts as an emulsifier (a surface-active substance used in cosmetic products as an additive to combine two immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - into one emulsion) and as a surfactant (a washing-active substance which improves the even distribution of the products during application).

1. Ammon HPT et al (2014) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary 11th Edition Walter de Gruyter Berlin-New York p. 1431
2. v. Bruchhagen F et al (1994) Hager's Handbook of Pharmaceutical Practice. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York p 282-283