{"id":8724,"date":"2024-11-28T10:09:39","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T09:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sophim.com\/?p=8724"},"modified":"2024-12-20T10:17:33","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T09:17:33","slug":"purification-in-cosmetics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sophim.com\/en\/purification-in-cosmetics\/","title":{"rendered":"Purification: a green chemistry process"},"content":{"rendered":"

Squalane: a natural cosmetic ingredient derived from olives<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Squalane is a derivative of squalene<\/b>,<\/span> a lipid belonging to the triterpene class that is naturally present in humans and many animals. Certain plants, such as olives, also contain high levels of this compound. In humans, squalene is a key component of the skin’s lipid barrier, contributing its moisturizing and protective properties.<\/span><\/p>\n

Squalene: a key component of our skin<\/span><\/h3>\n

Squalene holds increasing importance in the cosmetics industry, recognized for its numerous benefits. This is attributed to its natural presence in human sebum, which protects the skin and regulates hydration. Sebum contains approximately 10\u201315% squalene in adults, making it an essential component of the stratum corneum.<\/span><\/p>\n

Extracting squalene and its transformation into squalane<\/span><\/h3>\n

Squalene (C30H50)<\/b>, due to its unsaturated structure, is slightly more prone to oxidation, limiting its direct use in cosmetic formulations. To overcome this constraint, <\/span>the cosmetics industry prefers squalane (C30H62)<\/b>, a saturated hydrocarbon obtained through hydrogenation, whose chemical stability minimizes degradation risks and ensures better product preservation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sophim\u2019s conversion of squalene into squalane (C30H62) adheres to green chemistry principles, leveraging long-standing expertise and specific innovations:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Esterification<\/b>: saponifiable molecules are combined with biodegradable glycerol, forming denser molecules called triglycerides. This initial step facilitates the subsequent separation of unsaponifiables such as squalene.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Distillation<\/b>: using volatility differences, light squalene molecules are separated from heavier triglycerides, producing a concentrate rich in squalene.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Saponification<\/b>: saponifiable residues are transformed into soap salts through a reaction with potash, yielding an oil containing 90% squalene.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Hydrogenation<\/b>: this critical step converts squalene into squalane by saturating its double bonds with hydrogen, making the compound stable and oxidation-resistant.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Purification<\/b>: this final step ensures a nearly pure product, ready to integrate into your cosmetic formulations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    By-products from various production stages are repurposed in an upcycling approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Understanding the purification process<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Purification aims to achieve an odorless and colorless product.<\/span><\/p>\n

    After hydrogenation, the product still contains impurities such as paraffins, odor molecules, and colored pigments. Sophim employs three complementary techniques to ensure their removal:<\/span><\/p>\n