Name / description
Lecithin
Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products
ANTISTATIC
Reduces electrostatic charges (eg of the hair)
FRAGRANCE FUNCTIONAL
Functional ingredient (excipient) of perfume oils and / or flavours
SKIN CONDITIONING
Maintains the skin in good condition
SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
Softens and smoothens the skin
SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
Allows the formation of finely dispersed mixtures of oil and water (emulsions)
Origin
animal/plant(Information may exclusively reflect the status at initial entry of this ingredient into the relevant INCI dictionary; technological progress may have added new manufacturing options based on substances of different origin)
Occurrence in cosmetics
Body lotions, hair conditioners, face masks, makeup and other cosmetics
Occurrence in other products
In foodstuffs: E 322
Background information on use in cosmetics
Lecithin is derived from the Greek term “lekithos” and means “yolk”. This concerns phospholipids in which the phosphoric acid is on the one hand esterified with choline, and on the other hand with glycerol, and the free hydroxyl groups of the glycerol are esterified with fatty acids. Lecithin is a fat-like active ingredient which occurs in all animal and plant cells, with a particularly high content in egg yolk and plant seeds. Soy lecithin has, for instance, a high content of essential fatty acids, in particular linoleic acid. It is a yellowish, wax-like hygroscopic mass which is swellable in water and soluble in ether and ethanol.Lecithins reduce the surface tension of the water. In cosmetic products they promote the resorption, adsorption and penetration of the ingredients, have a softening effect and act against the degreasing of the skin and the hairs. Moreover, lecithin is used at the production of active ingredient complexes such as the so-called liposomes.Emulsifiers are often used in cosmetics as excipients. They allow actually unmixable components like oil and water to be brought in a permanently stable emulsion. In this way both aqueous and oily care and active ingredients can be used in one and the same product in cosmetics. Emulsifiers are able to do that since their molecules consist of a lipophilic and a hydrophilic part. In this way they can reduce the interfacial tension which actually exists between two incompatible substances like fat and water. Emulsifiers are, more particularly, used for creams, lotions and cleansing agents. At present emulsifiers are, however, more than only excipients which keep an emulsion stable. Fatty acid esters on the basis of sugar, lecithin or glycerin monodistearate contribute, for instance, to improving the moisture balance of the skin and are, therefore, also considered as cosmetic active ingredients.
Belongs to the following substance groups
Emulsifying agents
Haircare substances / Conditioning agents
Ingredients for skincare
Perfume / Fragrances
Surfactants
Regulating cosmetics
Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.
Understanding your cosmetics
How are cosmetics kept safe in Europe?
Strict laws make sure that cosmetics and personal care products sold in the European Union are safe for people to use. Companies, national and European regulatory authorities share the responsibility of keeping cosmetic products safe.
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What should I know about endocrine disruptors?
Some ingredients used in cosmetic products have been claimed to be ‘endocrine disruptors’ because they have the potential to mimic some of the properties of our hormones. Just because something has the potential to mimic a hormone does not mean it will disrupt our endocrine system. Many substances, including natural ones, mimic hormones but very few, and these are mostly potent medicines, have ever been shown to cause disruption of the endocrine system. The rigorous product safety assessments by qualified, scientific experts that companies are legally obliged to carry out cover all potential risks, including potential endocrine disruption.
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Are cosmetics tested on animals? No!
In the European Union, testing cosmetics on animals has been fully banned since 2013. Over the last 30 years, long before a ban was in place, the cosmetics and personal care industry has invested in research and development to pioneer alternatives to animal testing tools to assess the safety of cosmetics ingredients and products.
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What about allergens in cosmetics?
Many substances, natural or man-made, have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances that are harmless to most people. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Cosmetics and personal care products may contain ingredients that can be allergenic for some people. This does not mean that the product is not safe for others to use.
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Database
Cosmetics matter to people and play an important role in our everyday life. On average European consumers use over seven different cosmetics daily. You too? It’s only natural that you want to know more about the ingredients in those products.
In the digital world we live in, there’s a deluge of information on cosmetics. However, it can be difficult to know which sources are reliable. COSMILE Europe is a European cosmetic ingredient database that offers reliable, verified and scientifically supported information on almost 30,000 ingredients used in cosmetics.
This database will help you understand why certain ingredients are in your cosmetic products; which properties they have and much more. The database is currently available in fourteen languages with more to come.
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