General Analysis of Various Natural Waxes in Cosmetics

Systematic detection and determination of natural waxes, paraffin, microcrystalline wax, ceresin, bees wax (high acid value), candelilla wax, carnauba wax, lanolin, spermaceti and Japan wax in cosmetics have been established as follows.The natural waxes which were extracted from cosmetics under benzene reflux, were separated into five fractions by Florisil column chromatography; n-hexane fraction (hydrocarbons), 20% diethyl ether in n-hexane fraction (esters of higher alcohol and fatty acid), 60% diethyl ether in n-hexane fraction (triglycerides and free alcohols), 5% dichloromethane in diethyl ether fraction (mono- and diglycerides) and 5% acetic acid in diethyl ether fraction (free fatty acids). The components of each fraction were identified by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography. The specific peaks of gas chromatograms of sample were compared with those of standard natural waxes, and then natural waxes contained in cosmetics were determined.This procedure is useful for rapid and simple components analysis of natural waxes as quality control of starting materials for cosmetics.The analyses of natural waxes in lip stick, hair stick and cream were obtained more than 75% for prepared content.