Technical Information Cremophor® RH Grades

May 2010

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® = Registered trademark of BASF group

Personal Care
Ingredients
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Chemical nature The Cremophor RH Grades are non-ionic solubilizers and emulsifying agents obtained
by reacting hydrogenated castor oil with ethylene oxide.

The main constituents of both Cremophor RH Grades are glyceryl polyethylene glycol
oxystearate, which, together with fatty acid glyceryl polyglyceryl esters, form the
hydrophobic part of the product. The hydrophilic part consists of polyethylene
glycol and glyceryl ethoxylate.

Grades Cremophor RH 40 conforms to the current Ph. Eur./USP requirements, whereas the
Cremophor RH 60 conforms to the Ph. Eur. requirements. The Cremophor RH 410
is a cosmetic grade.

Product INCI name CAS No. PRD No.*

Cremophor RH 40 PEG-40 61788-85-0 30035134
Surfactant Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Cremophor RH 410 PEG-40 61788-85-0 30035135
Surfactant Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Cremophor RH 60 PEG-60 61788-85-0 30035153
Surfactant Hydrogenated Castor Oil

* BASF´s commercial product numbers.

Properties The undiluted Cremophor grades are white to yellowish soft or flowing pastes at
23 °C. The diluted Cremophor grade RH 410 is a colorless to yellowish, slightly
cloudy, viscous liquid at 23 °C.

All Cremophor grades have the outstanding feature that their aqueous solutions
have a very faint odor.

The information in the following table is correct at the time of going to press. It
does not necessarily form part of the product specification.

Cremophor Unit RH 40 RH 410 RH 60

Density at 23 °C g/cm³ approx. 1.04 approx. 1.07 approx. 1.04

Viscosity at 23 °C – approx. 2100 –

mPa·s
at 60 °C approx. 195 approx. 250 approx. 200

pH value, 5 % aqueous – 6–8 6–8 6–8

Concentration % 100 90 100

Solidification point °C approx. 10 <5 approx. 15

Melting point °C approx. 20 <5 approx. 27

Dropping point °C approx. 28 <5 approx. 32

Surface tension, 1g/l at 23 °C mN/m approx. 41 approx. 42 approx. 40

HLB value – 14 – 16 14 – 16 15 – 17

Molecular weight g/mol approx. 2500 approx. 2500 approx. 2800

Specification See separate document: “Standard Specification” available via BASF’s WorldAccount:
https://worldaccount.basf.com (registered access).

Solubility Cremophor grades form nearly clear solutions in water, ethanol and iso­propanol,
and in essential oils and other hydrophobic compounds, e.g. vitamins and
alpha-bisabolol.

Cremophor grades can be mixed with other Cremophor grades. With gentle heating,
they form clear mixtures with fatty acids and fatty alcohols.
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Stability Non-diluted Cremophor grades are chemically very stable. Prolonged exposure to
heat can cause phase separation once the product cools down. But the product
can be restored to its original form by homogenization.

The Cremophor grades are stable in aqueous-alcoholic solutions. They are also
largely stable in purely aqueous solutions within a pH range of 4 to 8. The use of
strong bases or acids should be avoided due to saponification of the esters.

Cremophor grades in formulations can be sterilized by heating to 120 °C. Allowance

must be made for the fact that this can cause a slight decrease in the pH value.
The aqueous solution can be stabilized by common cosmetic preservatives.

Cremophor Grades are largely insensitive to water hardness.

Shelf life The Cremophor grades are stable for at least 2 years if stored in the original sealed
containers in a dry place at room temperature.

Storage a) The Cremophor grades should be stored indoors in a dry place. Storerooms
must not be overheated.
b) The Cremophor grades are hygroscopic, and care needs to be taken to exclude
moisture. Drums must be tightly resealed each time they are opened.
c) The storage temperature should not be allowed to fall below the melting point
if at all possible.
d) Drums that have solidified or that have begun to precipitate should be reconstituted
by gently stirring and heating, preferably in a heating cabinet. The temperature
must not be allowed to exceed 60 °C. This also applies if drums are heated by
external electric elements. Internal electric elements should not be used because
of the localized anomalies in temperature that they cause.
e) The method for production of the Cremophor grades ensures that they are
practically sterile. If the containers are repeatedly opened, microorganisms
may grow in the product, particularly if the equipment used is not sterile.

Application The Cremophor grades are used to solubilise ethereal oils, perfume compositions,
vitamins and hydrophobic active substances in aqueous- alcoholic and purely
aqueous solutions. The finished preparations are particularly stable.

The Cremophor grades show little tendency to foaming, which is particularly

important for solutions in aqueous ethanol. Further foam suppression can be
obtained by adding a small amount of defoamer.

As an example of the solubilising capacity it is given for Cremophor RH 40 in the

table below. The table is a rough guide, showing the content of Cremophor RH 40
needed to solubilize 1 g of essential oil in 30 g ethanol or isopropanol.

1 g of essential oils and Content of Content of

perfumery synthetics Cremophor RH 40 Cremophor RH 40
in 30 g ethanol in 30 g isopropanol
Bergamot oil 2.5 1.1
Geranium oil, African 1.4 1.4
Eucalyptus oil 1 a extra rect. 80/85% 0.6 0.5
Lavender oil 1.5 1.2
Patchouli oil, Singapore 2.5 1.1
Peppermint oil, double rect. 1.1 1.2
Vetiver oil, Reunion 1.6 1.5
Isophytol 2.1 1.5
Linalool 1.5 1.5
Linavi acetate 2.0 1.1
Nerolidol 2.1 2.1
Methyl anthranilate 2.1 0.9
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The following two diagrams demonstrate the concentrations of Cremophor RH 40

which are needed to solubilize vitamin A palmitate and vitamin E acetate in a clear
aqueous solution.

40

Cremophor RH 40, %
30

20

10

0
0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000

Vitamin A, I.U./ml

Fig. 1 Solubilization of vitamin A palmitate 1.7 million I.U./g

40
Cremophor RH 40, %

30

20

10

0
0 50 100 150 200

Vitamin E acetate, mg/ml

Fig. 2 Solubilization of vitamin E acetate

Processing notes Before use the product should be homogenized by heating to max. 60 °C and
stirring.

The general use of Cremophor as solubilizer is as followed:

Mix the fragrance with the solubilizer and dissolve this mixture in the alcohol before
adding the specified quantity of water. With very low alcohol concentrations, and
particularly with purely aqueous preparations, it is recommended to add the water
very slowly with vigorous stirring at 35 – 40 °C. The viscosity initially increases, as
a result of hydration, reaching a maximum at approx. 40 % of water. The
viscosity then decreases as further water is added.

If water is initially added too quickly, a turbid solution may result.

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Typical formulations Skin conditioning gel with vitamins No. 62/00099 V003

% Ingredients Supplier INCI name

A 4.00 Cremophor RH 410 (1) PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
15.00 Ethanol Alcohol
0.10 Bisabolol rac. (1) Bisabolol
0.50 Vitamin E-Acetate (1) Tocopheryl Acetate
Care
q.s. Perfume
B 3.00 D-Panthenol USP (1) Panthenol
0.60 Carbopol 940 (6) Carbomer
Polymer
76.00 Water dem. Aqua dem.
C 0.80 Triethanolamine Care (1) Triethanolamine

Production: Dissolve phase A clearly.

Allow phase B to swell and neutralize it with phase C.
Stir phase A into the neutralized phases B + C and
homogenize.
Properties: Viscosity: 57,600 mPa.s Brookfield RVD VII+
pH value: 7.7

Sun protection cream, SPF 20 No. 53/00484 V001

% Ingredients Supplier INCI name

A 7.00 Uvinul MC 80 (1) Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
4.00 Tinosorb S (1) Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol
Methoxyphenyl Triazine
4.00 Cremophor RH 40 (1) PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor
Oil
0.40 Cremophor WO 7 (1) PEG-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
4.00 Cetiol B (27) Dibutyl Adipate
4.00 Cosmacol ESI (11) Tridecyl Salicylate
2.00 Lanette O (27) Cetearyl Alcohol
B 4.00 T-Lite Max (1) Titanium Dioxide, Dimethoxydi-
phenylsilane/ Tricrosspolymer
C 0.20 Edeta BD (1) Disodium EDTA
3.00 Glycerin 86 – 88% (20) Glycerin
0.80 Keltrol (66) Xanthan Gum
62.10 Water dem. Aqua dem.
D 3.00 Xiameter PMX-0245 (16) Cyclopentasiloxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
1.00 Euxyl K 300 (42) Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben,
Butylparaben, Ethylparaben,
Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben
0.50 Vitamin E-Acetate (1) Tocopheryl Acetate
Care

Production: Heat phase A to 80 °C, add phase B and homo­genize

for 3 minutes. Heat phase C to 80 °C and stir it into
combined phases A + B while homo­genizing. Cool
to 40 °C while stirring, add phase D and homogenize
again.
Properties: Viscosity: 4,350 mPa·s Brookfield RVD VII+
pH value: 5.7
Sun Protection
Factor: 20
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Hair tonic No. 03/00019 V001

% Ingredients Supplier INCI name

A 1.50 Cremophor RH 40 ®
(1) PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
q.s. Perfume
0.10 Bisabolol rac. (1) Bisabolol
73.90 Water dem. Aqua
B 2.00 D-Panthenol 50 P (1) Panthenol, Propylene Glycol
2.00 Luviquat FC 550
®
(1) Polyquaternium-16
0.50 Luviskol K 30
®
(1) PVP
20.00 Ethanol 96% Alcohol

Production: Solubilize phase A. Weigh phase B into phase A

and dissolve clearly.
Properties: pH value: 7.0

Bath oil No. 57/00014 V000

% Ingredients Supplier INCI name

A 10.00 Luvitol EHO (1) Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
30.00 Cremophor RH 410 (1) PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
1.00 Pine Oil (212) Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) Oil
2.00 Sweet Almond Oil Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis
(Sweet almond) Oil
1.00 Vitamin E-Acetate (1) Tocopheryl Acetate
Care
0.20 Bisabolol rac. (1) Bisabolol
0.20 DL-alpha Tocopherol (1) Tocopherol
Care
25.60 Cetiol HE (27) PEG-7-Glyceryl-Cocoate
B 30.00 Texapon WW99 (27) MIPA-Laureth Sulfate,
Laureth-3, Cocoamide DEA

Production: Mix the components of phase A.

Add phase B into phase A.

Safety An investigation of the raw material gave no indication of harmful effects to health
if the substance is used for the stated applications and concentrations. Due to
large variety of applications and possible combinations with other products, users
are responsible for their own safety assessment of their products.

Please refer to the latest safety data sheets for detailed information on classification,
labelling and product safety.

Supplier 1. BASF SE
67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
Tel.: +49(621) 60-0
Fax: +49(621) 60-42525
www.basf.com
6. Noveon Inc.
9911 Brecksville Road, OH 44141 Cleveland, USA
Tel.: +1(216) 447-5000
Fax: +1(216) 447-5250
www.noveon.com
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11. Sasol Germany GmbH – Witten

Arthur-Imhausen-Str. 92, 58453 Witten/Ruhr, Germany
Tel.: +49(2302) 925-537
Fax: +49(2302) 925-358
www.sasol.com
16. Dow Corning Corporation
2200 West Salzburg Road, MI 48686 Midland, USA
Tel.: +1(517) 496-6000
+1(800) 248-2481
Fax: +1(517) 496-6974
www.dow.com
20. Merck KGaA
Frankfurter Straße 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
Tel.: +49(6151) 72-7869
Fax: +49(6151) 72-8333
www.merck.com
27. Cognis Deutschland GmbH – Care Chemicals
Henkelstraße 67, 40191 Düsseldorf-Holthausen, Germany
Tel.: +49(211) 7940-2289
Fax: +49(211) 798-2016
www.cognis.com
42. Schülke & Mayr GmbH
Robert-Koch-Str. 2, 22851 Norderstedt, Germany
Tel.: +49(40) 52100-0
Fax: +49(40) 52100-238
www.schuelke-mayr.com
66. CP Kelco
8355 Aero Drive, CA 92123 San Diego, USA
Tel.: +1(800) 535-2687
+1(858) 292-4900
Fax: +1(858) 292-4901

212. Symrise GmbH & Co. KG

Mühlenfeldstrasse 1, 37603 Holzminden, Germany
Tel.: +49(5531) 90-0
Fax: +49(5531) 90-1649
www.symrise.com

Note This document, or any answers or information provided herein by BASF, does
not constitute a legally binding obligation of BASF. While the descriptions, designs,
data and information contained herein are presented in good faith and believed
to be accurate, it is provided for your guidance only. Because many factors may
affect processing or application/use, we recommend that you make tests to
determine the suitability of a product for your particular purpose prior to use. It
does not relieve our customers from the obligation to perform a full inspection of
the products upon delivery or any other obligation. NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE REGARDING PRODUCTS
DESCRIBED OR DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION SET FORTH, OR THAT THE
PRODUCTS, DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION MAY BE USED WITHOUT
INFRINGING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS. IN NO CASE
SHALL THE DESCRIPTIONS, INFORMATION, DATA OR DESIGNS PROVIDED BE
CONSIDERED A PART OF OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.

May 2010
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BASF SE - Care Chemicals Division - Personal Care Ingredients - 67056 Ludwigshafen - www.personal-care.basf.com