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Wax, Nonionic Emulsifying

    Synonyms: Collone NI; Crodex N; Emulgade 1000NI; Esterwax NF; Lipowax P; Masurf Emulsifying Wax NF; Permulgin D; Polawax; Ritachol 2000; T-Wax.

    Description: Nonionic emulsifying wax is a white or off-white waxy solid or flakes which melt when heated to give a clear, almost colorless liquid. Nonionic emulsifying wax has a faint odor characteristic of cetostearyl alcohol

    Chemical Name: 

    Emulsifying agent; solubilizing agent; stiffening agent.

    • Emulsifying agent Nonionic emulsifying wax is used as an emulsifying agent in the production of oil-in-water emulsions that are unaffected by moderate concentrations of electrolytes and are stable over a wide pH range.

    • The concentration of wax used alters the consistency of a product owing to its ‘self-bodying action’; at concentrations up to about 5% a product is pourable.

    • Concentrations of about 15% of nonionic emulsifying wax are commonly used in creams, but concentrations as high as 25% may be employed, e.g. in chlorhexidine cream BP.

    • Nonionic emulsifying wax is particularly recommended for use with salts of polyvalent metals and medicaments based on nitrogenous compounds.

    • Creams are susceptible to microbial spoilage and should be adequately preserved.

    • Nonionic emulsifying wax is also used in nonaqueous ointment bases, such as cetomacrogol emulsifying ointment BP, and in barrier creams.

    Nonionic emulsifying wax is incompatible with tannin, phenol and phenolic materials, resorcinol, and benzocaine. It may reduce the antibacterial efficacy of quaternary ammonium compounds.

    Nonionic emulsifying wax is used in cosmetics and topical pharmaceutical formulations, and is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material

    Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Eye protection is recommended.

    Cationic emulsifying wax; cetostearyl alcohol; polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers; wax, anionic emulsifying. It should be noted that there are many similar nonionic emulsifying waxes composed of different nonionic surfactants and fatty alcohols.