What Is Butyryl-n-trihexylcitrate?

Learn about the plasticizer and skin conditioning emollient characteristics of Butyryl-n-trihexylcitrate and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Butyryl-n-trihexylcitrate? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Butyryl-n-trihexylcitrate?

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Butyryl trihexyl citrate is a liquid substance commonly used in cosmetics. It has two main functions: as a plasticiser, which means it helps make products more pliable and easier to work with, and as an emollient skin conditioner, which helps keep skin soft and hydrated.

What is the purpose of Butyryl-n-trihexylcitrate in personal care products? It is used for its plasticizer and skin conditioning emollient characteristics. Butyryl-n-trihexylcitrate makes materials softer and flexible and hydrates skin to prevent dryness.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Butyryl-n-trihexylcitrate, Trihexyl 2-(butanoyloxy)propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate, and "1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-(1-oxobutoxy)-, trihexyl ester".

What Are Plasticizer Ingredients?

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Butyryl-n-trihexylcitrate 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 Skin Conditioning Emollient Ingredients?

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Butyryl-n-trihexylcitrate 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.

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.