The traditional waterless process used for hot pour functions works well but is often greasy and unappealing to use. In contrast the latest technology had led to undiluted hot pour bases that penetrate, hydrate and protect skin using formulations that simply look better.
"Butters, balms and rubs are an expanding category for bath and personal care companies," said Pat Campbell, executive vice president of Coughlan Products.
"Just check the skin care counters and isles, upscale or mass, and you can't help but notice the increasing number of products in tins, pots, tubes and sticks, instead of bottles. With these products water is no longer the first ingredient!"
In response to this the company has increased the depth of its technical staff and installed a separate hot pour manufacturing area in its plant. The new capabilities mean that the facilities have the capability to fill balms, thickened scrubs and lip glosses into collapsible tubes, jars, tins or pots, together with molding of soaps and other bar products.
Of equal importance is the fact that the new hot pour method allows for the better delivery of functional ingredients, allowing for the better efficacy of this category.
"Water-based products can carry ingredients too quickly through the skin," said Dr. Laura Spaulding, Coughlan R&D vice president. "Overly greasy products can prevent vitamins, extracts and other additives from ever reaching the skin. Our new, non-greasy hot-pour bases strike just the right balance."
Spaulding went on to say that with customers asking for hot pour skin care products containing protein-rich marine extracts and vitamin extracts such as E, K and H, these non-diluted bases offer versatility and increased functionality.