Analysis of creams

The possibilities of the gas-liquid chromatographic analysis with flame ionization detection of creams of the o/w emulsion type were investigated. Interferences by cream base components in the determination of the active compounds were studied. It appeared to be possible to determine active compounds with a retention index lower than 1900 onov-17 (e.g. methyl salicylate, menthol, thymol, camphor) without clean-up of the cream samples; for the determination of compounds with retention indices between 1900 and 3700, a simple clean-up step suffices.The possible analysis of some of the cream base components together with the active compounds of the creams was investigated as well. Cetomacrogol emulsifying wax, lanette wax sx and cetiol v could be determined easily, whether or not a sample clean-up step was incorporated.