Database/Absorbent/Corn Starch Modified
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Corn Starch Modified natural?

Mostly. Anhydroglucose units come from corn starch and calcium is mineral, while the dodecenyl succinate substituent comes from propylene tetramer and maleic anhydride (petrochemical).

INCI nameCorn Starch Modified
FunctionAbsorbent · Film Forming
FeedstockDominant route is reaction of native corn starch…

How we scored it

AGU C6H10O5 162.1 natural. DS 0.03 of dodecenylsuccinate (petrochemical, 266.4 Da) as Ca salt: Ca 20.0 natural, anhydride 265.4 petro. Natural 162.1+0.6 = 162.7; total 170.7; 162.7 / 170.7 = 0.95.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Dominant route is reaction of native corn starch with dodecenyl succinic anhydride in alkaline water, then calcium salt formation. Octenyl succinate analogues use the same petrochemical anhydride chemistry; no bio-based anhydride is in volume supply.

In plain English

Corn starch chemically modified with a dodecenyl succinic group and neutralised with calcium, used to absorb oil and moisture, add slip, thicken and form light films. It is mostly corn starch with a small water-repelling side group.

CosIng definition: Corn starch, reaction products with 3-(dodecenyl)dihydro-2,5-furandione, calcium salt, degree of substitution per glucose unit less than 0.1

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References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2CORN STARCH MODIFIED. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3CORN STARCH MODIFIED. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=CORN%20STARCH%20MODIFIED