The product, to be launched at the International Federation of Society of Cosmetics Chemists (IFSCC) later this month, enables the effective thickening of crystal clear gel formulations and emulsions commonly used in the cosmetics industry.
Ciba claims that the new product - Tinovis GTC - offers "exceptional gel clarity at the industry top standard," and is available for application in a number of cosmetics products, including high-viscosity products such as sculpting lotions, as well as lower-viscosity products like face and body gels, lotions and sunscreen gels.
Cosmetics manufacturers claim that there is a burgeoning trend, particularly in the European market, for transparent cosmetics products, for instance those which use "clear" formulation techniques in their gels and emulsions.
Speaking to CosmeticsDesign.com, Catherine Ehrenberger, head of business line for head and personal care at Ciba Speciality Chemicals, said, "the trend in cosmetics is for clear gel forms in transparent packaging. Ciba Tinovis GTC helps cosmetic marketers to maximize this trend and to meet the consumers' expectations in terms of appearance, consistency and ease-of-use of the end product."
"Many consumers feel that clear products will promote shiny hair. This applies especially to dark hair," she added.
Ciba claims that the new product is of benefit to cosmetics manufacturers as it can be added at any stage during the manufacturing cycle, is suitable for cold processing, and it enables a shortening of batch cycle times.
The product is also available in liquid format, which offers increased flexibility during the production process. "The liquid format is easy to handle, as well as being hygienic in industrial processes. The easy dispersion of the product during manufacture also results in a more efficient production process," said Ehernberger.
She went on to say, "Tinovis GTC allows formulators to develop the desired product viscosity with no need for heating, or long periods of stirring to ensure proper dispersion of the modifier in their product. This helps to reduce energy costs as well as to increase throughput in processing equipment."
Independent tests have established that the Tinovis GTC product provides a gel network with excellent flow and suspension properties over a wide pH range (5.5 - 12.0), which, according to Ehrenberger, "opens up more applications in the personal care market," she also added that the product can be "used in skin care products with a pH of around 5.5, as well as in hair colourants with a pH around 10."