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Body Cleanser
Cosmetic hand and body moisturizers that are of value are oil in water emulsions with a high water content, often more than 60%. Nearly all cosmetic hand creams contain substances that bind water, particularly glycerol, sorbitol and propylene glycol, as well as preservatives. Other important components are skin protection substances, especially silicone oils and substances based on them, and hydrophobic fatty acid esters. These are thought to form a protective film on the skin after the lipid component has been penetrated and the water evaporated. Petrolatum, liquid paraffin and other hydrophobic lipids would be expected to have a similar effect.
Specialized skin protection products can be either water-in-oil or
oil-in-water emulsions. Water-in-oil emulsions can be used to provide
protection against hydrophilic ('water-loving') irritants, which
include soaps and detergents, and also acids and bases, oil coolants,
and so on. They also show a good skin care effect. Their use does not
involve significant risk of lipid removal from the skin, because the
emulsifiers they contain cannot emulsify lipids in water. Unfortunately
the skin can feel sticky after their use, and they are not particularly
popular among consumers.
Even such specialized products cannot completely protect the skin against all irritants, however.
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