FEATURE ARTICLES

Adipocytes hold the main source of energy stored in the body in the form of triacylglycerols (TAG). It is known that the hydrolysis of TAGs and the release of nonesterified free fatty acids and the resulting glycerol can be regulated by a process which depends on a lipolysis reaction messenger molecule, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP).

There was a time when a chemical distributor could be considered simply a trader. A demand was identified, a supplier was found, material was purchased and sold. Life was simple.

The organisers of the SEPAWA/EDC conference from 12-14 October 2011 are expecting more than 1600 trade specialists to come to find out about the latest cosmetics, washing, detergents and cleaner trends.

Contemporary knowledge regarding the structural behaviour of soaps and surfactants is indebted to the research work conducted during the second and the third quarters of the last century by McBain, Luzzati, Lloyd, Rosevear etc.

The skin plays an integral role in personal wellbeing and has a number of functions, e.g. protection, sensation and communication. It is also the organ that is most exposed to external stress factors, such as UV irradiation, temperature extremes, dry air and xenobiotics.

For the first time in the history of the show, in-cosmetics Asia has collaborated with the International Federation of the Societies of Cosmetics Chemists (IFSCC) partnered with the Society of Cosmetic Chemists Thailand (SCCT) to create “Beauty Week in Bangkok”.

Wrinkles can sometimes be considered as “charming” but only a few find them attractive per se. The most obvious proof of this universal fight against wrinkles is the consistent increase in revenue performed by anti-agers over the last five years, despite of the recession.

In the heart of the rural Limousin region of France on 23-24 June, cosmetic ingredient manufacturer, Silab, held its third “Silab Days” event.

The economic downturn posed significant challenges to beauty and personal care players, but they now appear to be overcoming these as the economy shows signs of recovery.

The UK Society of Cosmetic Scientists devised SCS Formulate to offer a meeting with enhanced content – from seminars to technical presentations to an exhibition – that provides formulators and others involved in the development of personal care products access to practical information and expertise that they can apply.

Ensuring that products remain stable, safe and suitable for use on skin is a highly important consideration for cosmetics manufacturers and the decision on how to preserve a product now requires searching through an increasingly wide range of ingredients.

During the last few years, more advanced technologies have been set up and more sophisticated formulations have been developed to obtain the so-called “elixir of long life”, since everyone wishes to live as long a time as possible but without the visible signs of passing time.

Formulators of modern sunscreen products are required to meet ever-increasing demands in terms of product efficacy, both for SPF claims and broad spectrum (UVA) protection.

At the current rate of innovation, it can seem impossible to keep up with the pace of change. Advances in medical research, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence will make the 21st century a period of explosive growth.

A series of formulation workshops are set to give manufacturers a practical insight into how they can tackle common obstacles and improve their formulations at this year’s in-cosmetics Asia.

Three major themes have emerged over the last twelve months in hair care with claims promoting organic, convenience, and enhancement, dominating new hair care variants.

Plants contain a number of chemicals based on simple sugars and carbohydrates. These include fatty acids, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, nucleic acids and proteins, etc. Some chemicals act as primary metabolites which are vital to a plant’s life and survival or act as precursors for secondary metabolites and are concerned with the plant’s interactions with the surrounding eco-system, principally acting as deterrents and attractants to pathogens.

An aesthetically pleasing skin appearance is highly desirable; in Western culture a bronze tan is desired while in Eastern culture a lighter complexion is regarded as a sign of youth and beauty.

The delivery of cosmetic actives to the right place is of great importance in order to increase their activity. Through encapsulating, we can modify their physicochemical properties, or increase for instance, their stability, or their penetration.

Stem cells are unspecialised cells with the capacity to self-renew over the whole life period of the organism. When needed, stem cells produce cells that undergo differentiation to specialised tissue cells.