What Is ZINC carbonate hydrate?

Learn about the buffering and bulking characteristics of ZINC carbonate hydrate and its usage in personal care products.

What Is ZINC carbonate hydrate? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is ZINC carbonate hydrate?

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ZINC carbonate hydrate is a substance that can be used in cosmetics to help regulate the pH balance of a product and make it feel more substantial. It goes by other names such as tws4ux0x9i and zinc carbonate monohydrate.

What is the purpose of ZINC carbonate hydrate in personal care products? It is used for its buffering and bulking characteristics. ZINC carbonate hydrate regulates the pH balance and increases volume or weight.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: ZINC carbonate hydrate and Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide.

What Are Buffering Ingredients?

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ZINC carbonate hydrate has buffering characteristics.

Buffering ingredients helps regulate and maintain the pH balance of cosmetic products. The pH scale is a method used to determine a mixture's acidity or alkalinity level. Our skin's natural pH balance helps it stay healthy and function properly. When cosmetic products are applied to the skin, they can alter the pH balance, potentially causing irritation or other adverse effects.

Buffering ingredients neutralize or adjust the pH of cosmetic products to match that of the skin, which helps minimize the risk of irritation or damage. By maintaining a consistent pH balance, buffering ingredients can also improve the stability and effectiveness of a product's active ingredients.

Types of Buffering Ingredients

Here are some of the most common types of buffering ingredients:

  • Alkalis: These have a high pH and are used to neutralize acids. They help maintain the product's pH within a desired range.

  • Acids: These have a low pH and are used to neutralize alkalis. They help maintain the cosmetic product's pH within a desired range.

  • Salts: These are formed when an acid and a base (alkali) are mixed. They help maintain the cosmetic product's stability by preventing changes in pH caused by external factors such as heat or exposure to air.

What Are Bulking Ingredients?

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ZINC carbonate hydrate has bulking characteristics.

Bulking ingredients are substances used in products to increase their volume or weight. They are usually added to products like lotions, creams, and shampoos to make them thicker and more substantial.

Bulking ingredients can also help to stabilize the product and prevent it from separating. They may be natural, like plant-based gums, or synthetic, like polyethylene glycols (PEGs) or microcrystalline cellulose.

Bulking ingredients can sometimes dilute active ingredients, making them easier to apply to the skin. It can be instrumental in skincare products like serums or spot treatments, where high concentrations of active ingredients can be too strong for the skin.

Bulking Ingredients in Other Products

Bulking agents are also used in other products besides cosmetics. In the food industry, bulking agents increase the volume of products like bread, cakes, and sauces. They often substitute for high-calorie ingredients like sugar or fat, lowering the products' calories while maintaining their texture and taste.

In the pharmaceutical industry, bulking agents produce tablets and capsules. They help increase the final product's volume and make it easier to handle during the manufacturing process. Bulking agents can also adjust the release rate of active ingredients in the body, providing a sustained or controlled release effect.

Types of Bulking Ingredients

Here are some of the most common types of bulking ingredients in cosmetics:

  • Powders: Cosmetic powders such as talc, mica, and silica are often used as bulking agents to add volume to a product.

  • Polymers: Polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene are often used as bulking agents because of their ability to absorb water and swell in size.

  • Fatty acids: Fatty acids such as stearic and palmitic acids are used as bulking agents in cosmetic formulations to add texture and viscosity.

  • Glycerin: Glycerin can act as a bulking agent by adding volume and texture to cosmetic products.

  • Waxes: Waxes such as beeswax, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax are used as bulking agents in cosmetics to add thickness and texture.

  • Emollients: Emollients such as mineral oil, petrolatum, and lanolin can also act as bulking agents by adding volume and texture to a product.

Safety

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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.