Organic ingredients

The course aims at providing an overall view on the main classes of organic ingredients employed in cosmetic industry (e.g. lipids, emulsifiers, surfactants, organic colorants...), paying particular attention to the INCI nomenclature and to their function in a cosmetic formulation. Each class of organic ingredients will be described in terms of physicochemical properties and compatibility with other ingredients, with references on the interactions with skin physiology, potential toxicity and environmental impact. During the laboratory experiences, techniques commonly employed in synthetic chemistry will be showcased, with focus on the preparation of organic ingredients of cosmetic interest.

At the end of the course, the students will have acquired extensive knowledge of the main classes of organic ingredients employed as raw materials in cosmetic industry. They will develop methods to correlate the relevant physicochemical properties with the applications, and to critically evaluate the interactions and compatibility of the main classes of organic compounds. The students will be able to extract information from the INCI nomenclature on the label of a cosmetic product. Moreover, they will have the chance to build practical skills during laboratory experiences.