What Is Myristyl glycol?

Learn about the hair conditioning, skin conditioning emollient, surfactant foam-boosting, and viscosity-controlling characteristics of Myristyl glycol and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Myristyl glycol? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Myristyl glycol?

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1,2-Tetradecanediol, also known as tetradecane-1,2-diol, is a substance commonly used in cosmetics that has various functions. It can help to condition both hair and skin by acting as an emollient, which means it helps to soften and soothe the skin. Additionally, it can act as a surfactant to boost foaming in products like shampoos or body washes. Finally, it can also help to control the thickness of cosmetic products by serving as a viscosity controller.

What is the purpose of Myristyl glycol in personal care products? It is used for its hair conditioning, skin conditioning emollient, surfactant foam-boosting, and viscosity-controlling characteristics. Myristyl glycol improves the look and feel of hair, hydrates skin to prevent dryness, increases and stabilizes foaming, and adjusts the thickness of a product.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Myristyl Glycol and Tetradecane-1,2-diol.

What Are Hair Conditioning Ingredients?

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Myristyl glycol has hair conditioning characteristics.

Hair conditioning ingredients are used in cosmetic products to enhance the appearance and feel of hair. They leave your hair easy to comb, flexible, soft, and shiny while imparting volume, lightness, gloss, and texture.

One of the critical functions of hair conditioning ingredients is to smooth the surface of the hair strands. This makes the hair easier to comb or brush, reducing the risk of breakage and split ends. Conditioning ingredients also help to seal the hair cuticle, which helps to reduce frizz and enhance shine.

Types of Hair Conditioning Ingredients

Different conditioning ingredients work in different ways to achieve these results. For example, some ingredients, like silicones, natural oils, and fatty alcohols, help to create a protective film around each hair strand, which locks in moisture and prevents dryness.

Other ingredients, like proteins and amino acids, penetrate the hair shaft to strengthen and repair damaged hair. These ingredients work by filling in the gaps in the hair's structure, smoothing the surface, and increasing elasticity.

Hair conditioning products also often contain ingredients that provide volume and texture, such as polymers and thickeners. These ingredients can help give hair a fuller, thicker appearance, making it more manageable and easier to style.

What Are Skin Conditioning Emollient Ingredients?

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Myristyl glycol has skin conditioning emollient characteristics.

Skin conditioning emollients help improve the skin's texture and appearance while providing it with the necessary hydration to prevent dryness and flakiness. Emollients are lubricants that create a barrier on the skin's surface to trap moisture, which helps prevent dryness and dehydration.

Skin conditioning emollients are commonly found in cosmetics such as moisturizers and lotions, which significantly help maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin. Emollients are typically made from natural oils, such as coconut or jojoba, and can also contain humectants that draw moisture to the skin's surface.

What Are Surfactant Foam-Boosting Ingredients?

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Myristyl glycol has surfactant foam-boosting characteristics.

Surfactant foam-boosting ingredients improve the foaminess of cleansers, shampoos, and other personal care products. These ingredients work by increasing the capacity of the product to produce foam and stabilizing the foam generated during use. This results in a more luxurious and satisfying lather, making the product feel more effective and enjoyable.

Foam-boosting ingredients typically have a surface-active nature, meaning they can interact with water- and oil-based molecules. When added to a product, these ingredients help reduce the liquid's surface tension, allowing air to be trapped and stabilized within the product, creating a foam. In addition, they can help maintain the foam's stability by preventing the bubbles from bursting or collapsing, which would result in a less effective cleaning experience.

What Are Viscosity-Controlling Ingredients?

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Myristyl glycol has viscosity-controlling characteristics.

Viscosity-controlling ingredients increase or decrease the thickness of a product. These ingredients are essential in creating the desired texture and consistency for cosmetic products such as lotions, creams, and serums.

Increasing the viscosity of a cosmetic product can provide a thicker and more substantial texture, making it easier to apply and providing better coverage. On the other hand, decreasing the viscosity can create a lighter, more fluid consistency, allowing for quicker absorption into the skin.

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.