Ceresin

Synonyms:  Cera mineralis alba; ceresine; ceresine wax; ceresin wax; cerin; cerosin; Cirashine CS; earth wax; GS-Ceresin; Koster Keunen Ceresine; mineral wax; purified ozokerite; Ross Ceresine Wax; white ceresin wax; white ozokerite wax.

Description:  Ceresin is a white-to-yellow waxy mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by purification of ozokerite. It occurs as odorless, tasteless, amorphous (noncrystalline) brittle, waxy cakes or pastilles.

Chemical Name: Ceresin

Coating agent; opacifier; stabilizing agent; stiffening agent.

• Ceresin is used as a stiffening agent in creams and ointments, and as an emulsion stabilizer, opacifier, viscosity control agent, and thickener in pharmaceutical protective, topical, and vaginal creams.

• It is also used in cosmetics and personal care products.

• Ceresin is often used as a substitute for ozokerite wax due to its similar properties, and also as a substitute for beeswax and paraffin wax.

• It acts as a rheological modifier at low concentrations (2–3%) and has the ability to create very small crystallites, which crosslink and establish a network structure that does not allow flow in practical conditions.

• Ceresin produces stable mixtures with oils and prevents bleeding or sweating of oil, and it produces a lighter cream that is less greasy.

• Ceresin is also used for pharmaceutical coating applications of medicaments, for example, protective coatings, enteric coatings, and sustained-release coatings.

• It has been used in the formulation of multivesicular emulsion topical delivery systems

Ceresin is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. It is compatible with most animal, vegetable, and mineral waxes, as well as mineral oil and petrolatum.

Ceresin is nontoxic, nonhazardous, and safe for use in personal care and cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of concentration and use. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded that ceresin does not result in dermal sensitization. When formulations containing these ingredients were tested, they produced no skin irritation and the formulations were not phototoxic.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of the material handled. Ceresin should be handled in areas with adequate ventilation. Inhalation of vapors and contact with eyes, skin, and clothes should be avoided. Eye protection and gloves are recommended. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Wax, microcrystalline; wax, white; wax, yellow.