Lecithin

The Basics On Lecithin

What is Lecithin?

Phospholipid found in egg yolks and may be plant or animal derived.

What are other names for Lecithin?

EGG YOLK LECITHIN, EGG YOLK LECITHINS, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) LECITHIN, GLYCINE SOJA LECITHIN, LECITHIN, LECITHIN, SOYBEAN, LECITHINS, LECITHINS, EGG YOLK, SOYBEAN LECITHIN, and SOYBEAN PHOSPHOLIPID

What is Lecithin used for?

In cosmetics and personal care products, lecithin functions as an emollient, an emulsifier, and as a penetration enhancer. As an emollient, topically applied lecithin has the ability to soften and soothe the skin. … An emulsifier is needed for products that contain both water and oil components.

How Lecithin is classified

Emollients, Skin-Replenishing

Recommendations for using Lecithin during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Lecithin During Pregnancy

What we know about using Lecithin while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

In a teratogenicity study, phosphatidylserine derived from bovine cerebral cortex was administered by gavage to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (CD strain; number not stated) at doses of 0, 10, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day on days 6 through 18 of gestation.58 The animals were killed on day 20 of gestation, and litters were examined for skeletal and visceral abnormalities. At terminal necropsy, there were no treatment-related gross changes. Additionally, the following litter values were not affected by treatment with phosphatidylserine: litter size, post-implantation loss, litter and mean fetal weights, and embryonic and fetal development. Phosphatidylserine derived from bovine cerebral cortex was also administered by gavage to pregnant New Zealand White rabbits (number not stated) at doses of 0, 50, 150, and 450 mg/kg/day on days 6 through 18 of gestation.58 On gestation day 29, the animals were killed and litters subjected to gross examination. Fetuses were examined externally and internally for evidence of visceral and skeletal malformations. There was no evidence of systemic effect, and neither pregnancy nor mortality was affected by treatment. At the highest dose, mean fetal weights were slightly lower when compared to control values, but the difference was not statistically significant. Additionally, there were no treatment-related effects on embryonic and fetal development. Lysophosphatidic Acid Lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1-phosphate are both lysophospholipids. 65 Because lysophosphatidic acid promotes prostaglandin synthesis, mediators in the lysophosphatidic acid pathway may also play a significant role in implantation and parturition. Sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling is thought to be essential in vascular formation within the uteroplacental unit and in fetomaternal immunologic interactions. Derangements in either one of these lysophospholipid signaling pathways could result in pregnancy complications that may include implantation failure, preeclampsia, and preterm labor. Immature germinal vesicle stage oocytes from 5- to 6-week-old female BDF-1 mice were incubated for 17–18 h in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium containing 0, 1, 10 or 30 µM lysophosphatidic acid and then either fertilized in vitro with epididymal sperm or assessed for spindle morphology or mitochondrial membrane potential. 66 Chromosomal aneuploidy in the resultant blastocysts and the production of normal pups were not assessed. The fertilized embryos were grown in vitro to assess blastocyst-formation rates, differential cell counts and apoptosis. The supplementation of IVM with 30 µM lysophosphatidic acid enhanced the maturation and developmental competence of mouse oocytes. Rates of maturation, fertilization and blastocyst formation and hatching were significantly higher in the 30 µM lysophosphatidic acidsupplemented group (94.3%, 96.3%, 79.1 and 51.3%, respectively) than in the unsupplemented control (0 mM) group (80.5%, 87.5%, 61.3% and 37.8%, respectively), and more comparable to that of the in vivo matured oocytes (100%, 96.5%, 95.3% and 92.9%, respectively). Lysophosphatidic acid did not adversely affect mitochondrial activity, spindle integrity, or blastocyst cell number. The results of this study imply that the supplementation of IVM medium with 30 µM lysophosphatidic acid may enhance the developmental competence of mouse oocytes without affecting apoptosis, spindle normalcy or mitochondrial integrity.

General safety info about Lecithin from CIR

The phosphoglycerides considered in this safety assessment function mainly as skin and hair conditioning agents, emulsifying agents and surfactants in cosmetic products, and are used up to a maximum reported concentration of 50%. Although phospholipids exert physiologic effects, these are not reproduced by application of phospholipids to the skin. Given the possibility that lecithin may be derived from animal sources, it should be noted that the Food and Drug Administration does not permit the use of ingredients made from bovine specified risk materials in cosmetic products. The Panel concluded that the 17 phosphoglycerides are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, as described in this safety assessment. This conclusion supersedes the 15% concentration limit on lecithin and hydrogenated lecithin for leave-on products specified in the 2001 Cosmetic Ingredient Review final report on the safety assessment of these two ingredients in cosmetic products.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Lecithin

Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate; Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores; Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores Mini