An acetylated polymer of citronellol, used as an emollient, humectant and conditioning ingredient.
What it is
Polycitronellol acetate is the reaction product of acetic anhydride with a polymer of citronellol, a terpene alcohol. CosIng lists it as an emollient, fragrance, hair-conditioning, hair waving or straightening, humectant and occlusive skin-conditioning ingredient.
Where it is used
Found in a small number of products, such as hair care and skin care 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 show the molecular weight of the polymer.
Functions
- Skin conditioning – emollient
- Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.
- Hair conditioning
- Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
- Hair waving or straightening
- Modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required (permanent waves or hair straightening).
- Humectant
- Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.
- Fragrance
- Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.
- Skin conditioning – humectant
- Increasing the water content of the top layers of the skin. Humectants are primarily hygroscopic agents drawing moisture from the surrounding air.
- Skin conditioning – occlusive
- Retarding the evaporation of water from the skin surface. Occlusives are generally lipids which tend to remain on the skin surface and thus increase the water content of skin.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.