FEATURE ARTICLES

In recent years, the world has faced many environmental, political and economical challenges, that cause stress and anxiety, affecting people’s mental wellbeing and, in turn, their skin. Stress can cause and exacerbate skin imperfections such as rashes, acne, and eczema, which can lead to personal discomfort and further impair emotional wellbeing.

Erika Milczek is founder and chief executive of Curie Co, a US industrial biotech outfit that develops engineered enzymes to displace petrochemical-based preservatives. As part of this issue’s focus on preservatives, Erika discusses the potential of engineered enzymes in personal care

Personal care companies that use traditional quality control microbiological methods, also known as compendial or pour plate methods, spend more time testing their products than it takes to make them. It does not need to be that way, as Charles River Laboratories explains

After ‘hiding in plain sight’ for decades, retinol is experiencing a renaissance and a surge in demand - with good reason. BASF explains why consumer demand for retinol continues to surge, what makes retinol such a powerful ingredient, and how to choose the right retinol for your formulation

By activating the skin’s bitter taste receptors and encouraging calcium influx, personal care products can now alleviate the previous skepticism around neurocosmetics. This development is not merely fascinating for contemplation in a research lab, but now a readily applicable sensory experience for the skin which combines science, innovation, and efficiency into one solution, as Active Concepts explains

Greenpharma believes we are close to personalized cosmetics using data about which ingredients can produce which metabolites to be applied to which skin conditions to have desired appearances. The company has developed tools to perform phytochemical profiling. The goal is to offer a global insight on molecules that can be contained in an extract

Tanvi Gavankar, manager of scientific business development at Mumbai, India-based VAV Lipids, takes a look at how phospholipids are advancing the boundaries of skin restoration therapy

Lubrizol has developed a bio-emollient as a sustainable solution to those consumers who are looking to replace volatile silicone-based products but do not want to lose performance. It offers the same benefits as volatile silicones such as Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), but without non-biodegradable and bioaccumulative drawbacks

TRI-K has developed novel technologies, which consist of hydrolyzed rice protein, Adansonia digitata seed extract and Amaranthus caudatus seed extract, which are specifically designed to overcome pollution in hair and to increase shine and moisturization of hair fibres damaged from UV radiation

While many hair care consumers may find frizzy hair annoying, it is far from a permanent or unsolvable hair problem. Natura Aeropack explains how products formulated with coconut-powered active ingredients, paired with healthy hair care practices, can prevent unwanted frizz and help human hair stay in excellent condition for the long term

Dr. Ankita Chavan, an Ayurvedic consultant of the Ayusparsh Clinic in the Indian city of Gandhinagar in Gujarat, details a study that assessed the dermatological qualities of a chickpea flour paste

Dwiti Gaggar, associate consultant of strategic research and consulting chemical experts ChemBizR, takes an in-depth look at emulsifiers in personal care products.

Clariant has used its expertise in rheology modifiers and innovate to create ingredients that thicken formulations according to consumer needs without compromising on biodegradability. The Swiss firm’s Aristoflex Eco T is a new class of readily biodegradable modified biopolymer with thickening abilities comparable to a synthetic polymer

CLR discusses the role of CB2 (Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2) in skin health and how it is feasible to have a true ‘neurocosmetic’ effect when the possibility exists for a cosmetic active ingredient to act as an agonist to CB2 on the outermost skin cells, the keratinocytes. The German firm has developed a cherimoya-based active to achieve this

French speciality chemicals maker Greentech has developed a COSMOS-certified organic upcycled active ingredient obtained from a double extraction of organic wild yellow gentian roots and enhanced by fermentation with S. faeni. It has been found to boost HA synthesis and protection against free radicals’ degradation, both in the epidermis and the dermis

Editor Tim Probert takes a look back at this year’s NYSCC Suppliers’ Day, which attracted 10,362 registrants from 73 countries and 546 exhibiting companies covering around 100,000 net square feet of expo space. With travel restrictions fully lifted and a welcome return of many more Asian visitors than last year, the 2023 edition was busy, buzzy and bustling

Earlier this year, Sharon Laboratories became Sharon Personal Care after expanding its technology base and formulation capabilities with the acquisition of RES Pharma and the cosmetic ingredient and R&D units of B&C. CEO Naama Eylon talks about the Israeli firm’s corporate strategy with editor Tim Probert

Encapsulation of cosmetic active ingredients in skin-friendly particles potentiates their skin interaction and results in a superior and long-lasting cosmetic effect. LIPOID Liposome C Eco is an innovative natural product containing ascorbyl glucoside (2-O-alphaD-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid), a derivative of Vitamin C.

Signs of photoageing, such as lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation are both known to be caused mainly by UVA radiation. To bring maximum flexibility to formulators in meeting both regulatory stipulations and consumer needs, DSM has introduced a new UVA filter to its portfolia

In recent years, the concern about the film former impacting the environment has pushed the personal care industry for natural water resistance. Bis-octyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate/ Propanediol Copolymer (BODP) is a naturally derived film former utilized in inorganic sunscreen formulations to provide water resistance