What Is Sodium thioglycolate?
Sodium thioglycolate is a white powder that has a slight odor and can be used for different purposes in cosmetics. It can act as an antioxidant, reduce hair and help with hair waving or straightening. This ingredient is also used in cold-waving of hair and as a depilatory to remove unwanted hair from the skin. It comes in both liquid and solid forms, which are slightly different from each other. However, sodium thioglycolate has a mild characteristic odor that may not be pleasant for everyone. When exposed to air or iron, it may become discolored but remains effective for its intended use. Overall, it's an organic sodium salt that contains thioglycolate(1-) as the counterion with some stench to it.
What is the purpose of Sodium thioglycolate in personal care products?
It is used for its antioxidant
, depilatory, hair-waving and straightening, and reducing characteristics.
Sodium thioglycolate prevents oxidation, removes surface hair from your skin, straightens or waves your hair, and stabilizes other ingredients.
Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Sodium Thioglycolate, Sodium sulfanylacetate, and "Acetic acid, 2-mercapto-, sodium salt (1:1)".
What Are Antioxidant Ingredients?
Sodium thioglycolate has antioxidant characteristics.
Antioxidants neutralize harmful molecules caused by pollution, UV radiation, and stress that can damage skin cells. Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and redness. Antioxidant ingredients are also used in skincare products to keep skin healthy and youthful, extend the shelf life of food and beverages, and prevent the breakdown of active ingredients in medications.
Types of Antioxidants Ingredients
Here are some of the most common types of antioxidants ingredients in cosmetics and other products:
Vitamins: Certain vitamins, such as vitamins C, E, and A (retinol), are known for their antioxidant properties.
Botanical extracts: Many plants contain natural antioxidants that can be extracted and used in cosmetics. Examples include green tea, grape seed, pomegranate, and chamomile.
Peptides: Certain peptides, such as glutathione, can have antioxidant properties and may be used in cosmetics.
Carotenoids: Carotenoids are pigments found in plants that have antioxidant properties. Some examples include lycopene, beta-carotene, and astaxanthin.
What Are Depilatory Ingredients?
Sodium thioglycolate has depilatory characteristics.
Depilatory ingredients break down the keratin proteins that make up the hair shaft, which weakens the hair and makes it easier to remove. They are commonly found in hair removal creams, lotions, and other cosmetic products.
Depilatory ingredients only remove hair from the skin's surface, so they may not be as sufficient as waxing to remove coarse hair or hair with deeper roots.
What Are Hair-Waving and Straightening Ingredients?
Sodium thioglycolate has hair-waving and straightening characteristics.
Hair-waving and straightening ingredients change the texture of your hair and work by modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required.
Hair-waving products contain a chemical that breaks down the bonds that hold the hair in its current shape. Once these bonds are broken, the hair can be set in a new shape using rollers or other styling tools. Once the hair has been set, a neutralizing agent is applied, which reforms the broken bonds and sets the hair in its new shape.
On the other hand, hair straightening products break down the protein bonds in the hair and then re-form them in a straight pattern. This process usually involves a straightening iron or other heat sources to help set the hair in the desired shape. The results of hair straightening products can last up to several months, depending on how well the hair is cared for after the treatment.
The chemical ingredients in these products can vary, but many contain ammonium thioglycolate, which is used to break down the bonds in the hair for waving. For straightening, sodium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide is often used to break down the protein bonds in the hair.
What Are Reducing Ingredients?
Sodium thioglycolate has reducing characteristics.
Reducing ingredients play an essential role in cosmetic products. These ingredients work by changing the chemical nature of other ingredients present in the formula. They do this by adding hydrogen atoms or removing oxygen atoms from the molecules of those ingredients. This process is known as reduction, and it alters the chemical properties of the ingredients, making them more stable and effective in the final product.
Reducing ingredients are commonly used in cosmetic products to prevent oxidation, which can cause products to spoil or become ineffective. They can also improve the texture and appearance of the product, and in some cases, they can even increase the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Reducing ingredients are used in cosmetic products and have various applications in other industries. For example, they are used in the food industry to prevent oxidation and maintain the quality and shelf life of products such as fruits, vegetables, and beverages. In the pharmaceutical industry, reducing agents are used to improve the stability and efficacy of certain drugs.
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.