What Is Tributylcresylbutane?

Learn about the film-forming, plasticizer, and solvent characteristics of Tributylcresylbutane and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Tributylcresylbutane? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Tributylcresylbutane?

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1,1,3-Tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane is a chemical compound that has multiple functions when used in cosmetics. It can form a film on the skin, which helps to keep other ingredients in place and protect the skin. It also acts as a plasticizer, meaning it makes other ingredients more flexible and easier to work with. Additionally, it can act as a solvent, helping to dissolve other ingredients into a liquid mixture. This chemical is available in both dry powder and liquid forms.

What is the purpose of Tributylcresylbutane in personal care products? It is used for its film-forming, plasticizer, and solvent characteristics. Tributylcresylbutane creates a thin layer on the skin/nails/hair, makes materials softer and flexible, and dissolves other ingredients to improve mixing.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Tributylcresylbutane, 4,4',4''-(Butane-1,1,3-triyl)tris(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol), 1,1,3-Tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane, and "Phenol, 4,4',4''-(1-methyl-1-propanyl-3-ylidene)tris 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-methyl-".

What Are Film-Forming Ingredients?

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Tributylcresylbutane has film-forming characteristics.

Film-forming ingredients are used in many cosmetic products, including skincare, haircare, and makeup. These ingredients can have different chemical compositions and functions, but they all share the goal of creating a film on the surface they are applied on.

In skincare products, film-forming ingredients are often used to create a barrier on the skin's surface that helps to lock in moisture. This can benefit people with dry or sensitive skin, as it can help to prevent the skin from becoming dehydrated and irritated. Some film-forming ingredients can also provide a temporary tightening or lifting effect, which can help reduce the visibility of lines and wrinkles on your skin.

In haircare products, film-forming ingredients can help smooth and protect the hair cuticle, making hair look shinier and feel smoother. Film-forming ingredients can also help to protect hair from environmental stressors like heat styling and pollution.

In makeup products, film-forming ingredients can help create a smooth, even base for additional products like foundation or powder. They can also help to improve the wear time of makeup products by creating a barrier that helps to keep them in place.

What Are Plasticizer Ingredients?

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Tributylcresylbutane has plasticizer characteristics.

Polymers are materials made up of many smaller units called monomers, and they can be found in many products we use every day, including cosmetics. However, some polymers can be stiff and difficult to work with, and that's where plasticizers come in. Plasticizers are ingredients used in cosmetic products to soften and make synthetic polymers more flexible.

Plasticizers make the polymers more supple, making it easier to spread, deform, or work with the product. Without plasticizers, some synthetic polymers would be too rigid to be used in cosmetic products, as they would not be able to spread evenly over the skin or be easily applied to the desired area. Therefore, plasticizers are an essential ingredient in many cosmetic products, helping to make them more user-friendly and effective.

Plasticizers are commonly used in products beyond cosmetics, including plastics, coatings, adhesives, etc. In these applications, plasticizers serve a similar purpose of improving the flexibility and workability of synthetic polymers.

What Are Solvent Ingredients?

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Tributylcresylbutane has solvent characteristics.

Solvents are usually liquid and can be either aqueous (water-based) or non-aqueous (oil-based). One of the main functions of solvents is to dissolve other ingredients of cosmetics, which means that they can help mix different ingredients to create a stable product.

For instance, solvents can dissolve pigments, allowing for even distribution of color in makeup products. They can also dissolve fragrances and essential oils, giving cosmetics a pleasant scent. Moreover, solvents can help improve cosmetics' texture by dissolving thickening agents, making them easier to spread and apply.

Solvent Ingredients in Other Products

Solvents are also widely used in other industries, such as pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, and paint manufacturing. Solvents are versatile substances that can dissolve or dilute other materials and make them easier to handle, apply, or mix.

In pharmaceuticals, solvents dissolve active ingredients to make them easier to administer or improve their bioavailability. In cleaning products, solvents help dissolve and remove dirt, grease, and other surface impurities. In paint manufacturing, solvents dissolve pigments and binders to create paint that can be easily applied and dries quickly. Solvents also play a vital role in the production of electronic devices, where they are used to clean and remove contaminants from surfaces.

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.