A chemically modified lecithin, used as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning ingredient.
What it is
Hydroxylated lecithin is lecithin, a mixture of phospholipids, that has been chemically modified by hydroxylation of the unsaturated fatty acid chains, which makes it more water-dispersible. CosIng lists it as an emulsifying surfactant, skin-conditioning and cleansing surfactant ingredient.
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The INCI name does not reveal the source of the lecithin, such as soy or another plant.
Functions
- Surfactant – emulsifying
- Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
- Skin conditioning
- Maintaining the skin in good condition.
- Surfactant – cleansing
- Wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils, and suspending soil (generally, such ingredients contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products).
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.