ABSTRACT
A wide range of raw materials is used in the formulation of personal care products [1,2]. This chapter deals only with the most important ingredients contained in
Skin care products: Soaps, toilet bars, shower gels, bath foams Hair care products: Shampoos and conditioners Oral care products: Toothpastes
Several ingredients are common among the aforementioned formulations. Therefore, only the production of the most important ones are discussed, with the indications in which formulations they are used. The synthesis of the following ingredients are described:
Fats/oils Fatty acids Surfactants such as anionics, nonionics, amphoterics, and cationics Silicones Cationic polymers Glycerol Sorbitol Precipitated calcium carbonate Amorphous silica Zinc salts Fluorides
Fatty matter and oils, whether animal or vegetable, are made up of triglycerides. The main raw materials used in soap making include tallow from beef and sheep and coconut oil. The fruit of the coconut tree is much larger than the fruit of the palm tree. The coconut is green, which becomes brown on drying. It is the nut of the fruit that is used to make oil (Figure 25.1). Areas of cultivation are the Solomon Islands and the Philippines.
