Personal Care

Syncrowax
Structural synthetic wax esters
Cosmetic chemists have long used natural waxes in formulating a wide range of products,
from lipsticks and make-up preparations to emulsion based creams and lotions. Although
natural waxes are versatile, they suffer a number of drawbacks. Primary among these are
their inherent variability in quality, availability and cost. The cost of natural waxes such as
beeswax will vary from year to year making realistic raw material expenditure difficult to
predict. Additionally, when formulating, natural waxes lack the necessary compatibility with
many modern cosmetic ingredients such as short chain esters and volatile silicones.

Croda's Syncrowaxes offer cosmetic chemists a desirable alternative. The Syncrowaxes are
a range of structural wax esters specifically designed to provide stable, uniform properties
in sticks and emulsion systems.

Syncrowaxes do much more than just replace the natural waxes. They make the
formulation of truly unique systems possible. The following products are available:

Product name INCI name Function

Syncrowax ERLC C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester Wax structural agent
Syncrowax HGLC C18-36 Acid Triglyceride Wax structural agent
Syncrowax HRC Tribehenin Wax structure modifier
Syncrowax BB4 Synthetic Beeswax Beeswax substitute, structural
agent

Benefits
· Structure builders
· Crystallinity modifiers
· Emulsion stabilisers
· Batch-to-batch consistency
· Broad versatility across applications
· Compatibility with a wide range of ingredients

Applications
· Lipsticks and balms
· 2 in 1, cream and stick foundations
· Eye shadow, blusher and colour pencils
· Sunscreen sticks
· Antiperspirant/deodorant sticks and soft solids
· Protective water in oil creams
· Hair styling creams

As synthetic waxes, the Syncrowaxes each have their own attributes and confer structuring
and bodying properties in varying degrees. The Syncrowaxes can be used alone or in
combination to allow the formulation of products with a wide range of physical
characteristics.

Croda Chemicals Europe Personal Care Cowick Hall Snaith Goole East Yorkshire DN14 9AA England
Tel +44 (0)1405 860551 Fax +44 (0)1405 860205 E-mail pc-europe@croda.com www.croda.com/europe/pc

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Personal Care

Syncrowax ERLC
Syncrowax ERLC is the ethylene glycol di-ester of long chain (C18-36) fatty acids. Due to
its crystalline nature, Syncrowax ERLC can be used to formulate strong, stable sticks where
it confers gloss and rigidity. When combined with Syncrowax HGLC it is particularly
recommended for use in lipsticks, providing an excellent starting point for formulation
development. It is also useful in formulating powder make-up systems. The properties of
Syncrowax ERLC are similar to Candelilla wax. Melting point is 70-75ºC; use level 2-10%.

Syncrowax HGLC
Syncrowax HGLC is the triglyceride ester of long chain (C18-36) fatty acids. It is a highly
crystalline wax and confers a high degree of rigidity to stick systems. Syncrowax ERLC and
Syncrowax HRC can be used to modify the product's crystallinity. Syncrowax HGLC has
properties similar to Carnauba wax. Melting point is 60-70ºC; use level 4-12%.

Syncrowax HRC
Syncrowax HRC is the triglyceride of behenic (C22) acid. It is the softest of the
Syncrowaxes and amorphous (non-crystalline) in nature. As such Syncrowax HRC is used
to modify the properties of other waxes by softening structure and reducing crystallinity
and rigidity. Syncrowax HRC imparts gloss to stick systems, improves pay-off, and provides
systems with a smooth application and pleasant feel. Syncrowax HRC is particularly
recommended for formulating anhydrous systems such as lip salves and soft solid
antiperspirants. It may also be used as a suspending and thickening agent. Melting point is
57-62ºC; use level 4-12%.

Syncrowax BB4
Syncrowax BB4 consists of waxes and emulsifiers specially blended to provide an alternative
to natural beeswax. Syncrowax BB4 offers an ideal choice for lipsticks where it can stabilise
colour, increase shine and facilitate mould removal. Syncrowax BB4 can be used alone or in
combination with other Syncrowaxes as a structurant for long lasting colour cosmetics
where it shows good compatibility with the high levels of volatile silicones required.

Syncrowax BB4 is also recommended as an emulsifier or emulsion stabiliser for use in

traditional water in oil creams such as cold cleansing creams and men's hair styling creams.
Its degree of crystallinity is midway between that of the other Syncrowaxes. Melting point is
62-70ºC; use level 2-15%.

Health and safety

The Syncrowaxes are non toxic on ingestion, essentially non-irritating to skin and at worst
minimally irritating to eyes. Material safety datasheets for individual products are available
on request.

Further information
If you would like any further information on functions and applications, or formulating
guidelines for cosmetic products, please contact the Personal Care sales team at the
address below.

Non-warranty
Information in this leaflet is given in good faith. Croda Chemicals Europe Ltd and its associate companies cannot assume any liability expressed
or implied in the presentation of this data, nor should information contained herein be construed as granting licence to practise any methods or
compositions of matter covered by British or other patents.

Croda Chemicals Europe Personal Care Cowick Hall Snaith Goole East Yorkshire DN14 9AA England
Tel +44 (0)1405 860551 Fax +44 (0)1405 860205 E-mail pc-europe@croda.com www.croda.com/europe/pc

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