Analysis of 1,4-Dioxane in Cosmetics

1,4-Dioxane Test in Cosmetic Products

The 1,4-dioxane compound is a trace pollutant in some cosmetic products. It is not used as an ingredient in cosmetics, but can be found in very small amounts in some cosmetics. 1,4-dioxane is formed as a byproduct in the manufacturing process of some cosmetic ingredients.

These ingredients include certain detergents, foaming agents, emulsifiers and solvents that can be identified by the prefix "PEG", "Polyethylene", "Polyethylene glycol", "Polyoxyethylene", "-eth-" or "-oxynol-", words or syllables.

1,4-dioxane is one of the potential human carcinogens. Results from human epidemiological studies are not sufficient to assess the relationship between human cancer and 1,4-dioxane exposure. Although there was sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals exposed to 1,4-dioxane, it classified 1,4-dioxane as "likely to be carcinogenic to humans" based on insufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans.

During the production of cosmetic products, 1,4-dioxane compound emerges due to the ethoxylation process. Different methods can be used to prevent the formation of the 1,4-dioxane compound. Formation of 1,4-dioxane can be avoided by completely skipping the vacuum stripping process or the ethoxylation process.

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