Edward Walker
Weber State University, USA
Title: Direct determination of dimethicone in skin protection products by FTIR
Biography
Biography: Edward Walker
Abstract
Dimethicone is a mixture of fully methylated linear siloxane polymers of various molecular weights. This water-insoluble material provides unique skin protection and lubrication when incorporated into skin care products. At concentrations of 1-30%, the US Food and Drug Administration allow skin protection drug claims as per 21CRF347. Hence, it is important to have dependable methods of analysis for dimethicone in topical skin care products. Since dimethicone is often emulsified in aqueous solutions, current analytical methods required extensive sample preparation such extraction or ashing and subsequent dissolution. We present a new rapid analytical method based upon Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), utilizing an Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) cell to determine concentrations of dimethicone directly in aqueous skin lotions and creams, without any sample preparation. This simplified method provides accurate results across a wide range of concentrations while reducing analysis time and minimizing potential sample preparation errors.