I hadn't planned on posting about humectants but since the subject has sort of come up I guess that I will mention a little that I've learned. I first looked into them when Brooks posted the CS/DMSO/glycerin recipe. And I find them quite interesting.
As mentioned below, glycerin can aid in transdermal penetration of other substances. So I wondered if in some applications if glycerin or other humectants can be used in place of DMSO since my wife objects to my body odor when I use DMSO (even in small amounts). While I do not believe that humectants can match DMSO it appears that they are useful in many cases. Of the humectants listed the previous post, three humectants in addition to glycerin appear to have very interesting properties. They are urea, propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol. All are safe for oral and topical use and all act as transdermal penetration enhancers. Propylene glycol even appears to be a better transdermal penetration enhancer than glycerin. Urea and propylene glycol are readily available and lower cost than glycerin. Urea can cost much less. Some comments on each of the three: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol ** High-molecular-weight PEG, e.g., PEG 8000, has been shown to be a dietary preventive agent against colorectal cancer in animal models.[11] The Chemoprevention Database shows it is the most effective agent to suppress chemical carcinogenesis in rats. Cancer prevention in humans has not yet been tested in clinical trials.[12] ** The injection of PEG 2000 into the bloodstream of guinea pigs after spinal cord injury leads to rapid recovery through molecular repair of nerve membranes.[13] The effectiveness of this treatment to prevent paraplegia in humans after an accident is not known yet. ** PEG is being used in the repair of motor neurons damaged in crush or laceration incidence in vivo and in vitro. When coupled with melatonin, 75% of damaged sciatic nerves were rendered viable.[14] ** PEG is also used in lubricant eye drops. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propylene_glycol ** As a solvent in many pharmaceuticals, including oral, injectable and topical formulations. ** As an emulsification agent in Angostura and orange bitters ** As a moisturizer in medicines, cosmetics, food, toothpaste, mouth wash, hair care and tobacco products ** As a carrier in fragrance oils ** As an ingredient in massage oils ** In hand sanitizers, antibacterial lotions, and saline solutions ** As the main ingredient in deodorant sticks. ** Studies conducted in 1942 by Dr. Oswald Hope Robertson of University of Chicago's Billings Hospital showed vaporized propylene glycol inhalation in laboratory mice may prevent pneumonia, influenza, and other respiratory diseases. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urea ** A component of animal feed, providing a relatively cheap source of nitrogen to promote growth. ** An ingredient in some skin cream[6], Moisturizer, hair conditioners, . ** Certain types of instant cold packs (or ice packs) contain water and separated urea crystals. Rupturing the internal water bag starts an endothermic reaction and allows the pack to be used to reduce swelling. (Make your own ready-to-use cold compresses!!) ** An ingredient in many tooth whitening products. ** An ingredient in dish soap. ** Along with ammonium phosphate, as a yeast nutrient, for fermentation of sugars into ethanol. ** Urea in concentrations up to 10 M is a powerful protein denaturant as it disrupts the noncovalent bonds in the proteins. This property can be exploited to increase the solubility of some proteins. (Can this be used to denature whey protein??) ** Urea is used in topical dermatological products to promote rehydration of the skin. ** Urea is the main component of an alternative medicinal treatment referred to as urine therapy. Urea is perhaps my favorite of the three. It is very low cost (animal feed quality). Urea fertilizer can be used in a pinch. Urea is believed to be the primary active component in urine therapy. Many protocols used only urea and not urine. http://cancerresourcecenter.com/articles/alt114.html http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_268/ai_n15893086/ It is also combined with other substances for various uses. Wound healing - http://www.ehow.com/about_5065905_papain-urea.html Acne - http://www.drugs.com/mtm/zoderm.html http://www.acne.org/zoderm-reviews/273/page1.html Skin inflammation - http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000432.html It is also used in body washes and shampoos. In addition to moisturizing the skin, it removes chlorine from the hair and skin. - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4295985.html And there are many more. It would be worth your time to do some googling on the various humectants. Regards, Steve N -----Original Message----- From: Norton, Steve Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 10:22 AM To: silver-list@eskimo.com Subject: RE: EXTERNAL:Re: CS>2 items ( skin problems--Thanks to Brooks Bradley & Mike Glycerin and other have been shown to act as transdermal penetration enhancers. Some possible alternates for glycerin are glyceryl triacetate, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polysaccharides (such as fructose, glucose, maltose, etc.), corn syrup, polyols, urea and derivatives and natural honey. See references below. - Steve N http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a777711685 Moisturizing Lotions can Increase Transdermal Absorption of the Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxacetic Acid Across Hairless Mouse Skin http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/4950475/description.html Novel film-forming gels with high concentrations of humectants and emollients http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20080286349 SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR PASSIVE TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY OF ACTIVE AGENTS TO A BIOLOGICAL INTERFACE From: needling around [mailto:ptf2...@bellsouth.net] Sent: Monday, July 05, 2010 1:46 PM To: silver-list@eskimo.com Subject: EXTERNAL:Re: CS>2 items ( skin problems--Thanks to Brooks Bradley & Mike Thanks Lois, Unfortunately I am sensitive to glycerin. Any thoughts? I will check for Brooks skin recipe! PT -- The Silver List is a moderated forum for discussing Colloidal Silver. 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