What Is Sodium ferrocyanide?
Sodium ferrocyanide is a type of salt that has a yellow color and no smell. It can be found in different forms, such as yellow crystals or pale yellow solid. When used in cosmetics, it helps prevent clumping or sticking together of the product (also known as anticaking). Sodium ferrocyanide is also added to road and food grade salt to prevent it from getting lumpy, and it's used in photography and the pigment Prussian blue.
What is the purpose of Sodium ferrocyanide in personal care products?
It is used for its anticaking
characteristics.
Sodium ferrocyanide prevents clumping.
Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Sodium Ferrocyanide, Tetrasodium hexacyanoferrate, Tetrasodium hexakis(cyanido-kappaC)ferrate(4-), and "Ferrate(4-), hexakis(cyano-kappaC)-, sodium (1:4)".
What Are Anticaking Ingredients?
Sodium ferrocyanide has anticaking characteristics.
Anticaking ingredients are used in many cosmetic products to prevent the formation of clumps or lumps. They work by absorbing excess moisture and preventing the buildup of static electricity that can cause particles to stick together.
When powders or other dry ingredients are used in cosmetic products, such as face powders, blush, or eyeshadow, they can clump together, making it challenging to apply the product smoothly. Anticaking agents can help prevent this by coating the individual particles and creating a barrier between them. This barrier makes it more difficult for the particles to stick together, resulting in a smoother and more even application.
Types of Anticaking Ingredients
Here are some of the most common types of anticaking ingredients in cosmetics:
Minerals and clays: These ingredients absorb excess moisture, thereby preventing clumping. Examples include talc, kaolin clay, and bentonite clay.
Silica derivatives: These ingredients have a high surface area, which allows them to absorb moisture and prevent clumping. Examples include silica microspheres, silica gel, and hydrated silica.
Polymers: These ingredients work by coating particles and preventing them from sticking together. Examples include polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate.
Fatty acids and their salts: These ingredients reduce friction between particles and prevent them from sticking together. Examples include magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, and stearic acid.
Zeolites: These ingredients absorb moisture to prevent clumping. Examples include zeolite A and zeolite Y.
Starches: These ingredients work by absorbing moisture and preventing clumping. Examples include cornstarch, rice starch, and tapioca starch.
Safety
Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.