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What Are Anions?
Anionic surfactants are a common type of surfactant used in cosmetics, especially in shampoos and soaps because they are effective and strong at removing dirt and oil, and they produce a good amount of foam.
Anionic surfactants can be harsh and irritating to the skin and hair. To reduce their harshness, they are often formulated with other surfactants, such as nonionic or amphoteric surfactants.
Chloride
Chloride is often used in the form of sodium chloride (table salt) as a binder, thickener and stabilizer in cosmetic and personal care products. Sodium chloride can absorb moisture and hold create a cohesive mixture, which helps the ingredients adhere to each other.
Fluoride
Fluoride is often used in the Stannous Fluoride form. It is formulated in oral care products such as toothpaste and mouthwashes. Stannous Fluoride is an anticaries agent which polish the teeth, reduce odor, and strengthen teeth enamel.
Bromide
Bromide is a halide anion that was a common ingredient in OTC products such as sedatives and headache remedies. However, due to bromide toxicity, it was withdrawn from OTC products.
Nitrate, nitrite
Nitrate and nitrite are commonly used in the form of sodium nitrate, potassium and sodium nitrite as a preservative. They can inhibit bacterial growth and maintain color; however, because of potential health concerns, they are limited and restricted.
Phosphate
Phosphates are used as dietary supplements for people who are deficient in phosphorus in their regular diet. Phosphate also helps to treat urinary tract infections and prevent calcium stones formation in the urinary tract.
Sulfate
Sulfates are mostly used in shampoos, body washes, and personal care items as a surfactant or foaming agent, which helps to clean dirt and oil. The common sulfate form used is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). SLS may lead to dryness and irritation for some people.
Consumer products that commonly contain anions
- Too many to list; nearly all consumer products contain anions.
Instruments used to detect, measure, and analyze anions in consumer products
- Ion Chromatography (IC)
- Capillary Electrophoresis (CE)
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for specific anions like chloride
Testing for anions with Microchem
Microchem tests personal care products, OTC drugs, and dietary supplements for the strength, purity, and identity of anions. Contact the lab today for a free consultation or quote.
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