RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

In today’s fast-paced and competitive personal care market, fashion and good looks increasingly depend on evolving, high-performance technology, while consumers also look for ways to soothe, pamper and protect their bodies and their appearance.

The market for personal care and home care products is a very complex and saturated one in which efficacy claims, unique packaging or colour are some of the first elements influencing consumers in making purchasing decisions.

Dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis have in common that they are distinguished by excessive flaking. Differentiation between them sometimes is ill-defined. Species of Malassezia (and other germs) are considered to be involved as a cause or as a consequence in these skin conditions.

Lipotec has launched Vilastene, a product which provides higher resiliency to the skin helping the obtaining of a younger and healthier appearance.

During recent decades, nanotechnology has become an integral part of research and development activity for cosmetic applications such as emulsions and sun care products. Investigations in the field of nanoparticle assembly as well as efforts in the development of their industrial fabrication processes allowed for the emergence of various new types of cosmetic applications.

Surfactants are of widespread importance in the detergent industry as well as in the cosmetic industry. Additionally they are used for lubrication, catalysis, and in drug delivery. Common synthetic surfactants can have negative effects, such as skin irritation.

The interest surrounding “green” continues, whether it involves reducing food miles, recycling packaging, sharing cars or turning to all things natural. Many people are caught up in the whirlwind of going green.

Ageing of the skin involves complex processes in which both genetic (intrinsic) and environmental (extrinsic) factors play essential roles.

The author gained his training in the science of hair colouring at Clairol and during that time it was emphasised that “dyes” were used to colour the hair and that hair was never “dyed”.

The focus of this article is an evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of Rosa damascena extract using peripheral blood lymphocytes in a model system. Rosa damascena today is highly cultivated all over the world for its visual beauty and scent.

Synthesis of aroma chemicals (= aroma molecules) on an industrial scale dates back to the middle of the 19th Century with the introduction of inter alia methyl salicylate (1859), benzaldehyde (1870), vanillin (1874) and coumarin (1878). Today, approximately 5,000 different aroma chemicals are available on the market including synthetic and natural products.

Campaigners for the use of sun protection products to reduce the incidence of UV-induced skin damage (including skin cancers) are no doubt used to encountering the same objections time and again. Some desire the healthy look of a bronze tan and are prepared to run the risk of over-exposure.

In Asia, lighter skin is a desirable feature and it is considered a symbol of beauty and femininity. The use of skin brighteners is widely extended by traditional beliefs. In Western countries, skin brightening agents are applied for the treatment of irregular pigmentation such as age spots and the creation of a more even skin tone. Skin brightening products have a worldwide market, and, beyond the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders, they are powerful candidates for active ingredients in anti-ageing and beauty-enhancing products.

Plant extracts have been identified since ancient times. They have been used in the past, and are still used, in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and homeopathic medicine. Natural medicine is the oldest form of medical treatments. Examples of phytoactive ingredients are ginkgolides and flavone glycosides from Ginkgo biloba, bioflavonoids from citrus fruits and oleuropein/hydroxytyrosol from olives.

Merck has launched a new effect pigment called Colorona Precious Fine Gold. It exhibits an exceptionally warm gold tone with a silky sheen, and this is achieved by a special structure of metal oxide layers in combination with the particle size of 5 µm to 25 µm.

Qenax AG, a new supplier of active ingredients, has launched a product named Cayoma Grapefruit.

Symrise is sponsoring the international “Six Scents” project in which six perfumers from the global fragrance manufacturer have worked with renowned fashion designers to create six exclusive fragrances.

Among new products being promoted by Evonik is TEGO Betain C 60, a very mild amphoteric surfactant for use in skin and hair cleansing products such as shampoos, shower and bath foams, and liquid soaps.

Interpolymer, the product portfolio of which covers multifunctional water-based specialty acrylic polymers for personal care formulations such as SYNTRAN opacifiers, film formers, olefin-graft polymers for hair and sun care products, and bimodal polymers for hair and skin car products, is drawing attention to its latest offerings.

Indena has announced that the Ecocert organisation has validated its products Opextan and Zanthalene for use in cosmetic formulations.