Chemistry Of Commercial Products
Household Cleaning Products
Cleaning products contain substances that remove dirt, stain, and bad smell. There are different cleaning
products, and some of them are used to clean surfaces such as bathroom tiles, floors, sinks, and drains. Others
are used to clean clothing, blankets, and curtains.
Cleaning products include detergent, bleach, air freshener or purifier, and disinfectant. What are the cleaning
products you use at home?
Detergent
A detergent contains surfactants, which are substances with cleaning properties. Surfactants have long water-
insoluble hydrocarbon tail and water-soluble polar heads. When these molecules are placed in water, they
form micelles. They orient themselves with the hydrocarbon tails, sticking to one another while the polar heads
are pointing outwards and into the water.
A mixture of detergent and water is a colloid. Micelles are dispersed throughout the water, so the mixture
appears cloudy. When oil or grease is present, the micelle disperses and entraps the grease. When the
detergent is rinsed out, the grease comes with it.
Bleach
Bleach is a household cleaning agent used to remove dyes and whiten clothing. The color that stains white
fabrics typically arise from organic dyes and pigments. For example, when carrot juice spills on your white
garment, the pigment beta-carotene binds with the fabric.
Chlorine-based bleach is used to break the chemical bonds of the pigment. The pigment is changed to a different
substance that do not absorb visible light. Hence, the stained garment appears white again.
Air freshener or Purifier
Air freshener or purifier is used to emit fragrance in different spaces at home, especially in restrooms. It can be
in the form of spray, candle, oil, bead, or gel. Its main purpose is to eliminate or mask unpleasant odors. Its name
is misleading though because it does not really freshen or purify the air.
Solid or liquid air fresheners (candle, oil, bead, or gel) have volatile fragrant molecules. These molecules easily
change from solid or liquid into gas, even at room temperature. When they mix with air, they move via
diffusion. Diffusion is the movement of particles from higher concentration to lower concentration. Hence, the air
freshener molecules spread out across the room.
Spray air fresheners are aerosols. Aerosols are colloids of solid or liquid particles in gas. The fragrant molecules
dissolve in air. When these molecules are allowed to escape their spray containers, they mix with air, and the
fragrant smell spreads.
Disinfectant
A disinfectant is an antimicrobial household product. It kills microorganisms on surfaces of inanimate objects.
Note that it is different from antiseptics, which are used on living things to kill microorganisms. The effectiveness
of a disinfectant depends on the number of microorganisms, environment (temperature), time of exposure, and
nature of microorganisms.
Most disinfectants, such as alcohol and chlorine, work by denaturing proteins of microorganisms. When their
proteins are damaged, metabolic processes are disrupted, causing death.
Cleaning products contain substances that remove dirt, stain, and bad smell. They come in different
physical forms such as solids, liquids, and aerosol.
Cleaning products include detergents, bleaches, deodorizers, and disinfectants.
Active Ingredient in Product Labels
The active ingredient is the compound that acts to fulfill the function of a said product. A finished household
product is usually a mixture of many different compounds.
All products have an active ingredient that enables it to work. Some products only have one active ingredient
while others may have more than one. Here are some important pointers in determining the active ingredient.
The active ingredient can be classified as acidic, basic, or neutral.
The determination of its acidity or alkalinity often dictates how the product will work.
The active ingredient must always be labelled in consumer goods.
Importance of an Active Ingredient
Knowing the active ingredient in certain products will tell you what function they can serve. Product
labels are required to put down their active ingredients. Some of these ingredients may be toxic to the
user or even to the environment. In some cases, a few household products will share the same active
ingredient, allowing them to be used for different purposes. While other products may have the same
function, they have different active ingredients.
The table below contains different cleaning products with specific active ingredients and their specific
functions.
Different active ingredients have different modes of action on how they are able to clean certain materials. The
basic idea for most of these ingredients is to convert a “dirt” substance into something that is soluble in water.
The active ingredient determines the mode of action of a specific product.
Dissolution - A common mode of action based on the principle of like-dissolves-like and the concept of
solvent – solute interactions.
Acid–Base - Certain substances are either acidic or basic. An acid will react with a base, or vice versa,
allowing it to be dissolved or carried away by water.
Reduction – Oxidation - Oxidizing agents work to convert certain substances into water-soluble ions.
Surfactants - Detergents and soaps can be classified as surfactants. They form tiny vessels known as
micelles that carry away the undesired material.
Disinfectant - The reagent targets a biological or
ganism responsible for an undesired effect.
Micelles form from amphiphatic molecules. Amphiphatic molecules are molecules that have polar and non-
polar regions in their structure. This amphiphatic nature allows them to form micelles.
The micelles are soluble in water due to the polarity of the head, and the nonpolar tail interacts with oils and
greases that allow it to be carried in a vessel that can dissolve in water.
Product development is an essential part of the industry. A little knowledge in chemistry is a useful skill in finding
alternative products because active ingredients may share similar properties. These ingredients can be found in
everyday materials. Homemade cleaning materials using similar ingredients can be made from common items
such as vinegar, citrus fruits (lemons and calamansi), and baking soda.
Active ingredient is the reactive and functional ingredient of a household product.
An active ingredient may have several mechanisms where it can remove stains, ranging from acid-base,
oxidation – reduction, disinfectants, surfactants, and dissolution (via solvent – solute interaction).
Two different products can have similar modes of action as long as their active ingredients have similar
properties.
Other Uses of Ingredients in Cleaning Agents
Active ingredients are only a part of the entire mixture that we call the product or in this case, the cleaning agent.
For all cases of practicality, the product cannot be sold as a pure active ingredient for commercial and practical
reasons. Other components of the mixture have specific purposes in making the cleaning agent.
A cleaning agent is a mixture of many compounds. They are considered as additive ingredients. These
additive ingredients have some functions in the product. Some ingredients are added to mixtures while others
have more complex mechanisms.
Some functions if additive ingredients include: solvents, fragrance enhancers, masking agents, builders,
preservatives, antimicrobial agents, and bubble enhancers.
Solvents
A solvent is often used to increase the quantity of the cleaning agent. The solvent is used to dilute the cleaning
agent to its minimum functional concentration. For instance, ethanol which is used as a disinfectant is functional
at 40% solution while bleach can be functional as low as 5% solution.
Fragrance enhancers
In other cases, fragrance enhancers are added to products to mask a more putrid smell. Particularly, bathroom
cleaners use these added fragrances. Fragrances often come in the form of essential oils.
Masking agents
A scent of a product is often underestimated in terms of its toxic effects. Some cleaning agents have masking
agents to remove fragrance for chemically sensitive users or people who present with allergies. However, the
molecule of fragrance still remains in the product.
Builders
The term 'builders' is something used in discussing surfactants. In the case of cleaning agents, these builders are
often present in detergents. Builders are substances that prevent other contaminants from reacting with the
active ingredient in the detergent.
Preservatives
Cleaning agents that are stored for long term periods need some sort of preservative to keep the active
ingredient functional. These may come in the form of salts, organic reagents, or buffers that maintain pH balance
Antimicrobial reagents
Microbes are often the cause of infection or cause some products to degrade. The purpose of a cleaning agent is
to maintain the appearance or use of a certain material. Therefore it would make sense for antimicrobials to be
present in cleaning agents.
Bubble enhancers
Adding bubble enhancers to allow detergents to do their job more effectively by enhancing the covered area of
the surfactant. The formation of foam/bubbles facilitates the surfactant by aiding in the accumulation of unwanted
particles.
To summarize, the functions of additive ingredients are (but not limited to the following):
serve as disinfectant for hygienic purposes and to prolong the shelf life of the product
enhance or mask a specific property; and
protect the active ingredient from attacking other molecules
Additive ingredients are not innate, and they have a specific function in making the product what it is.
There is a variety of additive ingredients with a variety of functions such as masking agents, enhancing
agents, or preservatives.
Personal Care Products
There are numerous personal care products you can find in grocery stores and shopping malls worldwide. What
are these personal care products? And why do people use them?
Personal care products are consumer products used in personal hygiene and for beautification. These products
have two classifications, personal hygienic items and cosmetics though there is only a small distinction between
the two. Personal hygienic items are the products people use to keep themselves clean while cosmetics are
often described as luxury products used for enhancement of physical beauty.
Products for Personal Hygiene
Shampoo and Conditioner
Shampoo and conditioner are both haircare products. They are viscous liquids used to clean hair. They are used
by applying them to wet hair, massaging them into the scalp, and rinsing them.
Shampoos are particularly used to remove the unwanted buildup of dust and other particles on the hair without
stripping out sebum. Sebum, a mixture of triglycerides, wax, and fatty acids, is secreted by the sebaceous
gland in humans. The main function of sebum is to lubricate the hair and keep it manageable.
Hair conditioners are used to change the texture and appearance of hair. When shampoos strip out much
sebum, hair conditioners provide the oils (EFAs - essential fatty acids) which function as natural sebum. These
EFAs keep the hair softer and more pliable. Conditioners also often contain moisturizers, which hold moisture in
the hair.
Soap
Soap is a personal care product used for bathing and cleaning the skin. It can remove the oil and dirt particles
adhered to the skin. These particles are often insoluble in water so they cannot be washed off by water alone.
Soap breaks up these particles into smaller sizes and mixes them with water.
How does soap mix the insoluble particles with water?
Soap is made up of fatty acids, which are molecules with two different ends – hydrophobic and hydrophilic ends.
When mixed with water, the soap molecules form a micelle. The hydrophobic ends attach to the unwanted
particle while the hydrophilic ends are attracted to water. So when water is used to rinse off the soap, dirt
particles are washed away.
Facial Cleanser
Have you ever wondered why there are marketed cleansers especially made for the face? Is there really a
difference between the facial cleansers and body soaps?
The skin on your face has more sebaceous glands than most parts of the body. Sebaceous glands produce
sebum which lubricates the skin and protects it from bacteria. Sebum reaches the surface of the skin through the
hair follicles. When sebaceous glands become overactive, too much sebum is produced. The sebum is combined
with dead cells (keratin) which are naturally present in the skin, and their combination results in a plug. Because
the follicle is plugged, the bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes present in the skin proliferate. The bacterial
growth causes acne, the painful inflammation and swelling of the facial skin. Acne and other facial skin diseases
are often prevented using facial cleansers.
Facial cleansers remove makeup, dead skin cells, and dirt that can clog the pores. Best facial cleansers should
have a pH near 4.7, the average pH of the skin’s surface. Bar soaps with high pH (9 to 10) can disrupt the pH
balance of the skin and favor the overgrowth of P. acnes. Also, the cleanser should not have thickeners which
are present in bar soaps. These thickeners allow the soaps to form a rigid bar shape, but they can clog the pores
resulting in acnes. Lastly, bar soaps may remove natural oils from the facial skin and cause sebaceous glands to
overproduce sebum, which eventually lead to clogged pores. Deodorant and Antiperspirant
Deodorant and Antiperspirant
Deodorant and Antiperspirant
There are two types of sweat glands found in the skin, eccrine and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands can be found
on almost all over the body, with the highest density in palms and soles. They produce sweat, an odorless
substance comprised mostly of water and sodium chloride. They are active in thermoregulation because the
evaporation of sweat has a cooling effect on the body. On the other hand, apocrine glands are found only in
certain areas of the body, including armpits and some parts of external genitalia. These glands secrete an oily
fluid which is odorless before microbial activity. The oily fluid is comprised of fats and proteins which are broken
down by bacteria into certain acids with bad smell. The bad smell in the armpits is often masked using personal
care products such as deodorant and antiperspirant.
The terms deodorant and antiperspirant are often used interchangeably, but they actually
differ. Antiperspirants control sweat and body odor by preventing sweat to reach the skin surface and by
reducing the bacteria that cause body odor. Deodorants only contain antimicrobial agents to prevent body odor,
but they do not control sweat. However, both of these products contain fragrances that mask the smell of body
odor.
Toothpaste
When you eat, some food stays on your teeth. This food can be broken down by mouth bacteria to form a sticky
film called dental plaque. When plaque builds up and hardens, it forms tartar. Tartar is a crusty deposit that
traps stains on the teeth and causes discoloration. When tartar forms, bacteria will build up and damage the
gums. Pockets between gums and teeth will form when the gums are infected with the bacteria. So to prevent the
formation of plaque and occurrence of gum disease, teeth must be cleaned by brushing. Plaque begins forming 4
to 12 hours after brushing so it is important to brush teeth at least twice a day.
Toothpaste is a paste or gel used with a toothbrush to remove food from the teeth and kill the bacteria which
cause bad breath. It contains abrasives which scrub away stains and plaque on your teeth. Abrasives also
polish the teeth so they look fresh and clean after brushing.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are substances or products used to enhance the appearance or scent of the body without affecting
the body’s structure and functions. Common cosmetics include facial makeup and fragrances.
Facial Makeup
Generally, women use more cosmetics than men. Many women apply facial makeup to enhance their facial
features or cover imperfections of the skin. They use products such as foundation, concealer, lipstick, lip gloss,
lip balm, blush, eyeshadow pencil, mascara, and eyeliner.
Foundation is used to cover blemishes and even out skin color. When extra coverage is needed to conceal acne
and undereye circles, a concealer is used. A concealer is often thicker and more solid than foundation so it can
provide longer lasting coverage of skin imperfections.
Lipstick is intended to add color and texture to the lips. It is different from a lip gloss which is intended to add
shine to the lips. Lip balm is also used to add color, but its main purpose is to moisturize and protect the lips
from chapping.
Blush or rouge is used to add color to the cheeks to make them look more defined. Different colors of blush
compliment different skin tones.
Eyeshadow, eyebrow pencil, and mascara are all used to accentuate the eyes. The eyeshadow is used to add
color on the eyelids and under the eyebrows to make the eyes more attractive while eyebrow pencil is used to
darken the eyebrows to make them more defined. Mascara is applied to darken the eyelashes and make them
appear longer and thicker.
Fragrances
Have you ever flipped through a catalogue of beauty products and found different names for fragrances?
Cologne, eau de toilette, and perfume are the common names of fragrances. They all contain essential oils, such
as vanilla, rosehip, and peppermint oils, that are diluted with a solvent such as ethanol, propylene glycol, and
water. The difference among these fragrances is the concentration of the essential oil.
Cologne is a shortened version of “eau de Cologne.” Eau is the French word for water while Cologne came from
the French city “Koln” where a particular scent was first made. Cologne is the most diluted fragrance, with about
2 to 5% essential oils. It often smells sweet and fruity. Because it has less essential oils and higher percent
alcohol, its smell do not last very long compared to other fragrances. It is not viscous so it is often applied by
“splashing” it in the body.
Eau de toilette or toilet water has more concentration of essential oil compared to cologne. It has about 5 to
15% oil. Because it has more oil compared to alcohol, it is more viscous and is often sold in spray bottles.
Perfume is the most concentrated of all the fragrance options so it is also the most expensive. It has about 15 to
40% essential oils. It has thicker and oilier consistency so it is often in stopper bottles.
Personal care products are consumer products used in personal hygiene and for beautification.
Personal care products include shampoo, hair conditioner, soap, facial cleanser, deodorant,
antiperspirant, toothpaste, facial makeup, and fragrances.
The Major Ingredients of Personal Care Products
Personal care products are products that people use for personal hygiene and beautification.
Different personal care products that we usually use are listed below as well as their active ingredients.
Deodorants
The major ingredients of deodorant include aluminum-based compounds such as aluminum chloride, aluminum
chlorohydrate, and aluminum zincronium.
A complex coordination compound involves a central atom (usually a metal ion) and ligands that share its
electrons with the electropositive central atom.
In deodorants, the aluminum compound usually forms a complex coordination compound. Aluminum
chlorohydrates is a general group of compounds that have coordinate covalent bonds. These compounds block
pores and the sweat glands in the armpit.
Body Lotions
Body lotions can be classified as emulsions. Emulsions are dispersions of fine particles that do not dissolve in a
medium. An emulsifier is a class of surfactant that is usually added to make two immiscible substances miscible.
Cetearyl alcohol is an example of an emulsifier.
The ability of a certain molecule to attract atmospheric moisture or moisture, in general, is
called hygroscopicity. Compounds such as glycerol are added to products that are meant to be retained on the
skin.
The structure of glycerol makes it a very viscous substance due to very strong intermolecular forces.
Furthermore, it is also a polar molecule which allows it attract water molecules. The glycerol molecule is also the
backbone of a triglyceride molecule. A triglyceride molecule, upon hydrolysis, will release one molecule of
glycerol and three molecules of fatty acids.
Perfume
A perfume will contain essential oils and glycerol as its major components. Essential oils are naturally extracted
oils from plant or animal sources that have a strong fragrance. You will notice that most of these compounds are
organic by nature, and will require an organic solvent.
Essential oils are a group of volatile organic compounds. In contrast to glycerol, they have relatively weak
intermolecular forces, allowing their scent to be easily dispersed. As with most organic compounds, essential oils
can be classified as alcohols, aldehydes, esters, and others. Unsaturated molecules generally have weaker
intermolecular forces compared to their saturated counterparts.
Shampoo/Conditioner
Major ingredients of shampoos include surfactants that form micelles. These shampoos usually use ammonium
compounds due to their high versatility to function as a surfactant and thickening agents.
Ligands such as EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid) is added to help preserve the shampoo from
reacting with metals which can ruin the quality of the product. EDTA is a commonly used chelating agent with a
high affinity towards most metals
Soaps
Specialized soaps for skin are still made of surfactants that act the same way as detergents. The application of
surfactants can also be found in hand lotions, shampoos, and conditioners.
Make-ups
Make-ups are usually made up of colored pigments and/or metal oxides.
Pigments and metal oxides give color due absorption of visible light at a certain wavelength. This absorption is
possible due to certain structural configuration or electronic transitions.
Electronic transitions are made possible by movement of electrons to empty orbitals as with the case of
adjacent double bonds (conjugation) or transition metals.
The realm of cosmetics is not an invention of the 20th century due to fashion and a high standard of living.
Cosmetics has been in practice as early as the time of the Greeks, all the way to modern civilization.
Furthermore, not all cosmetic practices today have been modernized, more than beautification, cosmetics have a
cultural impact. What are some examples of ancient cosmetic products that have their closest modern day
contemporaries
Personal care products are products that people use for personal hygiene and beautification.
Cosmetic products can have more than one major ingredient that works hand in hand to make a certain
product functional.
Active ingredients have multiple mechanisms such as surfactants, coordination complexes,
moisturizers, emulsions and special receptor interactions. Others work due to their natural properties
such as scent and color.
The Precautionary Measures Indicated in Various Cleaning Products and Cosmetics
You often choose a cleaning or personal care product based on its effectiveness, popularity, and price. Have you
also considered its effect on your health and on the environment?
Effects on Human Health
Personal care products are applied on the body, so there is a possibility that their ingredients enter the body
through skin absorption or by ingestion. Therefore, it is important that these products are healthy and nontoxic.
When choosing a personal care product, learn to read the labels. Be aware of toxic substances that may be
found in the product you want to buy. Below are some of the substances you have to avoid.
Poisonous heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury can be found in a wide range of personal
care products. When these heavy metals enter the body, they can accumulate and replace the metals
that are normally present for specific functions in the body. They can often be found in products such as
whitening toothpaste, lipstick, sunscreen, and concealers.
Hydroquinone is often found in skin lighteners and facial cleansers. This substance has been reported
as a cancer-causing agent and respiratory tract irritant. It has been banned in Europe and restricted in
Canada. However, many products sold in Asia still contain hydroquinone.
Phthalates are substances often found in color cosmetics, fragrance lotions, and hair care products.
They are linked to endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity. They are often written in labels as
phthalate, DEP, DEHP, or DBP. Choose products labelled "phthalate-free," but consider their other
ingredients.
Nitrosamines are substances produced by diethanolamine (DEA) and truethanolamine (TEA) which
are both found in nearly every kind of personal care product. They cause organ system toxicity and
endocrine system disruption. It is safe to avoid products containing DEA and TEA.
Effects on the Environment
Cleaning products are often disposed in the environment. For instance, detergents are mixed with water that
goes down the drain. Hence, the detergent may find its way into the ground and into bodies of water. It is
important that these products are safe for the environment. Below are some properties you need to consider in
buying products.
Corrosive
These corrosive products are often presented in dilute amounts, some, may not be even harmful upon acute
exposure. However, prolonged exposure (if not immediately washed and rinsed with water) can lead to corrosive
burns.
These also serve as a warning to keep away from the eyes and nose. Aerosolized products once dispersed can
be light enough to linger in the air. These molecules can then make contact with the eye, or be inhaled.
Poison/Toxic
As mentioned in previous topics, certain products are really meant to act as a poison. A pesticide is harmful
towards certain organisms. But remember, toxicity is a function of concentration. If you are exposed constantly,
certain toxins may accumulate.
More than symbols, product labels provide certain information that is essential for the product’s use and
maintenance.
Storage Instructions
Products contain information about specific storage instructions to keep their functionality.
Directions for Use
Products such as pesticides have specific instructions to better use the product while maintaining the health of
the user and the materials which these household products are applied to.
Manufacturing and Expiration Date
Keeping track of the expiration date has obvious reasons. You would not want the product to be expired before
using it. However, the manufacturing date is also important to keep track of. In the event of an incident
(poisoning, etc.), manufacturers can track the product down in order to make sure that the batch of products is
recalled for further testing and analysis. This is a process called quality assurance wherein products are
randomly tested for the concentration of their ingredients and other parameters.
Cleaning products and cosmetic products have various warning hazards that include flammability,
corrosiveness, toxicity, and harmful to the environment.
Important details to note in a product label are (but not limited to) the following: storage, directions, and
manufacturing and expiration dates.
