Personal Care & Home Care
Home-care and everyday personal-care products, from surface sprays and laundry aids to hand wash, air fresheners and wipes lotions, draw on a compact set of solvents, humectants, acids, surfactants and preservatives. This hub covers those workhorse inputs; emulsifiers, emollients and actives for skin and hair care are covered in our Cosmetic and Personal Care Ingredients hub.
What the application needs. Glycols and alcohols dissolve fragrance and active ingredients, lower the freezing point and control drying. Monopropylene glycol (MPG) and dipropylene glycol (DPG) are common fragrance carriers and humectants; DPG in particular is valued for its low odour in perfumed products. Glycerine and sorbitol hold moisture in hand washes, gels and toothpaste-type formulations. Isopropanol and ethanol provide fast evaporation in sprays, glass cleaners and sanitising products. Citric acid and sodium citrate adjust and buffer pH and sequester hardness minerals, which makes them standard in descalers, fabric conditioners and eco-labelled cleaners. Alkyl polyglucoside and sodium lauryl sulfate supply cleaning and foam, polysorbate 20 solubilises fragrance oils into water-based products, sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate help protect acidic water-based products against microbial spoilage, and sodium bicarbonate and odour-control actives serve deodorising and air-care products.
Key specification parameters. For glycols, ask for assay (typically 99.5% minimum), water content, colour, odour and, for any product that touches skin, a pharmacopoeia or cosmetic-grade specification. Glycerine should be checked for assay and for diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol limits. For alcohols, agree assay, water and residue on evaporation, and remember that ethanol supply depends on duty status and denaturing requirements. For citric acid, agree particle size and whether you need the anhydrous or monohydrate form. For surfactants, confirm active matter and pH. For preservatives, the benzoates work best in acidic products, and their permitted use in cosmetics is set by the preservative annex of the cosmetics regulations, so the formulator's safety assessor should confirm levels.
Recommended product types. A typical trigger-spray kitchen cleaner combines an alkyl polyglucoside, a little ethylene glycol monobutyl ether or isopropanol, a sequestrant and fragrance solubilised with polysorbate 20. A citric acid descaler needs only acid, surfactant and water. Fragranced reed diffusers and room sprays are built on DPG or alcohol with a fragrance ingredient such as isobornyl acetate. Hand washes combine a mild surfactant system with glycerine, a thickener and a benzoate preservative adjusted to a suitable pH.
Handling notes. Isopropanol and ethanol are highly flammable liquids that need storage rated for flammables and earthed transfer equipment. Citric acid dust is irritating to the eyes, and concentrated acid and alkaline cleaners must be kept apart. Glycols and glycerine are hygroscopic, so keep containers closed. Finished household products need hazard labelling under CLP and, for detergents, ingredient labelling under detergents legislation, so ask for complete safety data sheets for every input. Samples and specifications can be requested before you commit to a production quantity.
Products for Personal Care & Home Care
MPG - Mono Propylene Glycol
Mono propylene glycol, MPG (CAS 57-55-6, EINECS 200-338-0), does much the same job as MEG but without the toxicity. That single difference is why it, not MEG, is used anywhere near food, people or animals.
DPG - Dipropylene Glycol
Dipropylene glycol, DPG (CAS 25265-71-8, EINECS 246-770-3), is the standard diluent of the fragrance industry. It is almost odourless, low in toxicity and dissolves both fragrance oils and water-soluble materials.
DEG - Diethylene Glycol
Diethylene glycol, DEG (CAS 111-46-6), is a hygroscopic solvent and polyester intermediate. It is acutely nephrotoxic, and its historical substitution for glycerine and propylene glycol in medicines has caused repeated mass poisonings.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol liquid (CAS 50-70-4) is a 70 percent solution of the six-carbon polyol. Industrially it is the starting material for vitamin C manufacture and a polyol for polyurethane, as much as a humectant.
MEG - Mono Ethylene Glycol
Mono ethylene glycol, MEG (CAS 107-21-1), is consumed in far greater volume for polyester manufacture than for antifreeze. It is the diol half of PET, the polymer in every drinks bottle and polyester fibre.
Glycerine
Glycerine (CAS 56-81-5) is a trihydric alcohol recovered as the co-product of soap making and biodiesel. Industrially it is a polyol building block for alkyd and polyurethane resins as much as a humectant.
Sorbitol Powder
Sorbitol powder (CAS 50-70-4) is the crystalline form of the polyol, used where a dry, free-flowing, directly compressible solid is required rather than a syrup. Crystallising it also makes it far less hygroscopic.
PVA 88 - Polyvinyl Alcohol
PVA 88 (CAS 9002-89-5) is polyvinyl alcohol hydrolysed to about 88 percent, leaving roughly one acetate group in eight. Those residual acetates are what make it soluble in cold water, unlike the fully hydrolysed grade.
PVA 99 - Polyvinyl Alcohol
PVA 99 (CAS 9002-89-5) is polyvinyl alcohol hydrolysed to about 99 percent. The near-complete removal of acetate groups lets the chains crystallise, giving higher tensile strength and far better resistance to oil and solvent.
Oxalic Acid
Oxalic acid (CAS 144-62-7) is the strongest common organic acid and a powerful reducing agent. It removes iron stains by chelating iron into a soluble complex, which is why it bleaches wood and cleans rust marks.
Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash)
Sodium carbonate (CAS 497-19-8), soda ash, is consumed in greater tonnage by glass manufacture than by every other use combined. It lowers the melting point of silica from about 1,700 to nearer 1,000 degrees Celsius.
Ammonium Bicarbonate
Ammonium bicarbonate (CAS 1066-33-7) decomposes completely to gas at modest temperature, leaving no solid residue at all. That makes it a chemical blowing agent for foamed rubber, plastics and ceramics.
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium dodecyl sulfate (CAS 151-21-3) is the standard laboratory anionic detergent as well as an industrial surfactant. In SDS-PAGE it denatures proteins and coats them with uniform negative charge so they separate purely by size.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate (CAS 144-55-8) is used industrially as a dry sorbent and a mild abrasive. Injected into hot flue gas it decomposes into a highly porous soda that captures sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride.
Sodium Metasilicate
Sodium metasilicate is a strongly alkaline silicate that protects aluminium while cleaning it. The silicate deposits a thin film on the metal surface, which is why alkaline aluminium cleaners contain it and plain caustic cannot be used.
Sulfamic Acid
Sulfamic acid (CAS 5329-14-6) is a solid, non-volatile strong acid used for descaling. Unlike hydrochloric acid it contains no chloride, so it can be used on stainless steel without risking chloride stress corrosion cracking.
Sodium Citrate
Sodium citrate (CAS 68-04-2) is the neutral salt of citric acid, used industrially as a sequestrant and buffer where free acid would attack the substrate. It chelates without dropping pH.
Citric Acid
Citric acid (CAS 77-92-9) is used industrially as a chelating agent rather than as an acidulant. It binds calcium, iron and copper into soluble complexes, which is the basis of its use in descaling and metal passivation.
Sodium Acetate
Sodium acetate (CAS 127-09-3) is the salt behind reusable heat pads. A supersaturated solution stays liquid far below its freezing point, then crystallises on a trigger and releases the stored heat.
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium benzoate (CAS 532-32-1) is a vapour-phase and contact corrosion inhibitor for ferrous metals. In engine coolants and hydraulic fluids it passivates steel surfaces at low dose without the toxicity of chromate inhibitors.
Benzoic Acid
Benzoic acid (CAS 65-85-0) is used industrially as a chemical intermediate and corrosion inhibitor rather than as a preservative. It is the feedstock for phenol, caprolactam and benzoate plasticisers.
Potassium Benzoate
Potassium benzoate (CAS 582-25-2) delivers the same benzoate chemistry as the sodium salt without contributing sodium. It is specified where sodium would raise conductivity or interfere with the system being protected.
Potassium Carbonate
Potassium carbonate (CAS 584-08-7), potash, is the reagent behind the hot potassium carbonate process for removing carbon dioxide from industrial gas streams at high pressure and temperature.
Sodium Propionate
Sodium propionate (CAS 137-40-6) is the more soluble propionate salt, which suits liquid dosing and spray application. It is used where a calcium contribution would be unwanted or would disturb a formulation.
Ammonium Propionate
Ammonium propionate (CAS 17496-08-1) is supplied as a solution rather than a powder because it is deliquescent. It preserves high-moisture grain while contributing non-protein nitrogen that rumen microbes can use.
Calcium Acetate
Calcium acetate (CAS 62-54-4) is used industrially as a chloride-free concrete set accelerator, a phosphate binder, and the agent that gels alcohol into the solid fuel burned in chafing dish heaters.
Calcium Propionate
Calcium propionate (CAS 4075-81-4) is used industrially as a mould inhibitor in animal feed and stored grain. It also acts as a mild set retarder and corrosion inhibitor in concrete formulations.
Potassium Acetate
Potassium acetate (CAS 127-08-2) is the standard runway and aircraft de-icer. Unlike chloride de-icers it does not corrode aluminium airframes or attack the carbon brake assemblies that chlorides destroy.
Zinc Acetate
Zinc acetate (CAS 557-34-6) is a soluble zinc salt used as a crosslinker, mordant and wood preservative. Its solubility in both water and organic solvents sets it apart from the oxide and carbonate.
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Sodium dehydroacetate (CAS 4418-26-2, INCI Sodium Dehydroacetate) is a broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative that stays active at near-neutral pH, where benzoate and sorbate have largely stopped working.
Borax
Borax (CAS 1303-96-4) is sodium tetraborate, the buffering and fluxing borate. It is classified as a reproductive toxicant in the EU, which has restricted its consumer use without affecting its industrial position.
Calcium Hydroxide
Calcium hydroxide (CAS 1305-62-0), hydrated or slaked lime, is the cheapest bulk alkali available. It is only slightly soluble, which is precisely what makes lime slurry a self-buffering pH control reagent.
Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride (CAS 10043-52-4) dissolves with a strong exothermic reaction, releasing heat rather than absorbing it. That is why it melts ice faster than salt and keeps working at far lower temperatures.
Glucose
Glucose (CAS 50-99-7) is used industrially as a fermentation feedstock and as a reducing agent. In electroless and mirror silvering it reduces silver ions to metal, depositing a coherent film without any electric current.
Caustic Soda Pearls
Caustic soda pearls (CAS 1310-73-2) are sodium hydroxide in small spherical beads at 99 percent minimum. The round form flows freely, generates far less dust than flakes and cakes more slowly on storage.
Potassium Hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide (CAS 1310-58-3), caustic potash, is the potassium analogue of caustic soda. The difference in cation matters: potassium soaps are soft and soluble where sodium soaps are hard.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin (CAS 9050-36-6) is starch hydrolysed to a dextrose equivalent below 20. Industrially it is bought as a carrier and encapsulating wall material rather than as a sweetener, because it is bland and film-forming.
Bone Glue
Bone glue is animal collagen hydrolysed further than gelatine, giving lower gel strength and a darker colour. It remains in use in furniture restoration because the joint it makes is reversible with heat and moisture.
Gelatine
Gelatine (CAS 9000-70-8) is partially hydrolysed collagen, graded by Bloom strength. Its industrial uses depend on its ability to form a thermoreversible gel and to adsorb strongly onto surfaces and crystals.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum (CAS 11138-66-2) is used industrially for its shear-thinning behaviour and its tolerance of salt. In drilling fluids it suspends cuttings at rest yet thins under the pump, which is exactly what a mud must do.
Zinc Chloride
Zinc chloride (CAS 7646-85-7) is the active ingredient of soldering flux. It dissolves the oxide film on a metal surface at soldering temperature so the molten solder can wet the bare metal underneath.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide (CAS 1314-13-2) is consumed in greater tonnage by the rubber industry than by all its other uses combined. It activates the sulphur vulcanisation system, without which accelerators barely work at all.
Alkyl Polyglucoside (APG)
Alkyl polyglucoside (CAS 68515-73-1, INCI Coco-Glucoside) is the rare non-ionic surfactant that stays effective in strong caustic. That alkali stability is why it is specified in heavy-duty and CIP cleaning formulations.
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
Polydimethylsiloxane (CAS 63148-62-9) is the basic silicone fluid, built on a silicon-oxygen backbone rather than a carbon one. That backbone is what gives it thermal stability and a viscosity that barely changes with temperature.
Isobornyl Acetate
Isobornyl acetate (CAS 125-12-2) is a terpene ester with a clean, fresh pine and camphor odour. It is the standard synthetic replacement for pine needle oil in functional fragrance, where cost and stability rule out the natural.
Calcium Fluoride
Calcium fluoride (CAS 7789-75-5) is the raw material behind essentially every fluorine compound in commerce. Acid grade fluorspar at over 97 percent CaF2 is converted to hydrogen fluoride, and everything fluorinated follows from that.
Fluorite (Fluorspar)
Fluorite, traded as fluorspar, is the mineral form of calcium fluoride. It is sold in two grades that are not interchangeable: acid grade above 97 percent for chemical conversion, metallurgical grade for steel fluxing.
Perlite Ore Sand
Perlite ore is a volcanic glass containing bound water. Heated rapidly past 850 degrees Celsius that water flashes to steam and expands the softened glass up to twenty times, producing a lightweight cellular particle.
Plasticiser
Plasticiser is a class rather than a single product, covering phthalates, terephthalates, adipates, trimellitates and bio-based esters. Selection is a trade-off between efficiency, permanence, cold flexibility and regulatory status.
Sulfur
Sulfur (CAS 7704-34-9) is almost entirely a recovered by-product now, stripped from natural gas and crude oil to meet emissions law. Around 85 percent of world output goes straight into sulphuric acid.
MEA - Monoethanolamine
Monoethanolamine, MEA (CAS 141-43-5), is the benchmark solvent for post-combustion carbon capture. It reacts chemically with carbon dioxide at low partial pressure, where physical solvents cannot absorb enough to be useful.
DEA - Diethanolamine
Diethanolamine, DEA (CAS 111-42-2), is a secondary amine used in gas treating and as a surfactant intermediate. Its position in personal care has narrowed sharply because secondary amines can form nitrosamines.
DOTP - Dioctyl Terephthalate
Dioctyl terephthalate, DOTP (CAS 6422-86-2), is the direct non-phthalate replacement for DOP. It is chemically an isomer, differing only in where the two ester groups sit on the benzene ring, but it is not a phthalate.
Isopropanol (IPA)
Isopropanol (IPA, CAS 67-63-0) at 99.9% minimum, the standard cleaning solvent of electronics manufacture and a process solvent for pharmaceuticals, coatings and inks. Diluted to about 70%, it becomes the familiar surface disinfectant.
Ethanol
Ethanol (CAS 64-17-5) in two grades: absolute, for water-sensitive chemistry and formulation, and 95%, close to the water azeotrope, for extraction, cleaning and general solvent use. Supplied in 160 kg drums or ISO tanks.
Polysorbate 20
Polysorbate 20 (CAS 9005-64-5, INCI Polysorbate 20) is a non-ionic solubiliser made from sorbitol and lauric acid. Its high HLB of about 16.7 is what lets it carry fragrance and essential oils into clear water-based products.
Plant-Based Odour Remover
Plant-based odour remover uses essential oil constituents that bind or chemically neutralise odour molecules rather than covering them with fragrance. It acts immediately, where a microbial product takes days to establish.
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