AAK Personal Care launched an innovative new ester last month. The eco-designed ester, called Lipex SheaLight, is an extension of the company’s Lipex line of shea-based functional emollients, and is intended as a generalpurpose emollient in a wide range of cosmetics.
In response to the global trend towards making skin care products lighter, particularly body lotions and facial care products, the new ester targets cosmetics brands that want to develop safe, stable formulations combining light, dry sensorial properties with a better sustainability profile. To produce esters requires an alcohol, and AAK has developed the new ester using alcohol made from renewable vegetable sources. In addition, the AAK esterification process uses less energy and more environmentally friendly catalysts than conventional direct esterification. From a safety standpoint, Lipex SheaLight has been successfully tested for eye and mucous membrane irritation, as well as for skin irritancy and sensitisation potential. It has also been found to be readily biodegradable. Regarding sensory properties, an evaluation by a trained sensory panel confirms that Lipex SheaLight imparts a light and silky skin feel. Lipex SheaLight can be used alone or in combination with other esters, vegetable oils, shea butters, silicone oils and synthetic emollients.
