John Paro, the CEO of Chicago-based HallStar explained that the company wanted to establish a co-operative development agreement in order to create organo-modified silicones for skin and sun care products.
“Personal care formulators are looking for multifunctional molecules which deliver utility to a finished product while maintaining (or simplifying) the manufacturing requirements,” he told CosmeticsDesign.com USA.
According to Paro, combining Surfatech’s expertise in silicone-based technologies with HallStar’s expertise in ester technology (specifically in photostabilizing technologies) allows the parties to combine ‘the best of both worlds in a single ingredient’.
Photostabilizing technologies
HallStar said that initial research will focus on way to ‘derivatize its photostability technologies’ in order to create ingredients that improve the effectiveness and skin feel of sunscreen and sun-protection product formulations.
According to the company, its patented technology photostabilizes the UV-filter Avobenzone (stops it breaking down when exposed to sunlight) and other active ingredients in order to ensure long lasting protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
“I predict that we are going to see some cutting edge technologies emerge from this agreement, which will really benefit formulators, and ultimately consumers,” said Paro.
Development of new products
According to Paro, the first product to arise from the agreement, has been commercialized and is now available to formulators.
HallBrite PSF is an organo-modified silicone that enhances the photostability of Avobenzone, claims the company, as it “combines the aesthetic characteristics and velvety skin feel of silicone with HallStar’s unique triplet-quenching photostabilizing technology,” he said.
Paro added that there are currently several ingredients in development, and that in time, the alliance may develop products beyond the current focus of silicones and photostabilizing technologies.