Called Lipomulse, it is described by the company as a unique blend that provides soft skin feel combined with a long lasting touch that can also add to the efficacy of skin care formulations.
It contains non-ionic surfactants that have been designed to help simplify the emulsion formulating process and is especially suited to providing stability because of its high oil phase capabilities, the company claims.
Formulations that contain up to 30 per cent oil phases often provide formulators with significant challenges because they are very difficult to stabilise in an oil-in-water emulsion.
Crystals help stabilise formulations However, the combination of surfactants and the formulation of 'unique' crystals in Lipomulse is said to help overcome this stumbling block.
In fact it is the crystal structures within the ingredient that serve to increase the long term emulsion stability as well as providing stability under increased temperatures, the company claims.
The even distribution of the crystals and their proliferation also helps to act as a dispersal of active ingredients, allowing them to be delivered to the skin more effectively.
The company claims that the emulsion provides stability in formulations within a wide pH range, namely pH 3 to 12, as well as a broad range of viscocities, including everything from flowing fluids to thick creams.
Compatible with a range of modifiers and stabilisers Likewise, it can be used with polymeric thickening agents, natural gums and other viscocity modifiers and stabilisers.
US-based Lipo Chemicals has just announced its distribution agreement for the new ingredient in the UK with Adina Cosmetics and will also be using other distributors in continental Europe.
As skin care formulations become increasingly complex, sourcing effective and multi-functional emulsifiers has become more and more important for formulators, in turn leading to the development of more sophisticated products.
Other companies that have launched multi-functional emulsifiers for the cosmetics industry recently include Croda, Karlshamn, Degussa, Eastman Chemical and Cognis.