Natural Starch featured Naviance Certified Organic Bio-polymers, a new series of functional biopolymers, as alternatives to synthetic and conventional natural ingredients. The series follows in the footsteps of its Amaze XT polymer, a natural ingredient with styling, skin and sun care applications. In the last six years, more than 85% of National Starch Personal Care technology introductions have been in the bio-polymer, an indication that demand for nature-based solutions in personal care is strong. Naviance features two ingredients based on waxy maize (corn) and two based on tapioca. According to the company, the Naviance organic polymers present no compatibility issues and may be used in almost any type of organic or natural personal care product. www.personalcarepolymers.com
Natural Sourcing offered certified organic beeswax, suitable, according to the company, for cosmeceutical applications. The properties allow the ingredient to be used as a humectant, emulsifying agent, emollient and to lend rigidity to cosmetics and soaps. www.naturalsourcing.com
Dow Chemical presented ZinClear IM Zinc Oxide dispersions, which are being marketed and distributed by Amerchol (a business unit of the Dow Chemical Company) as an alternative in sun care protection. ZinClear is said to deliver enhanced photostability and compatibility with other sun care ingredients, can be used at hugher concentrations (improving SPF ratings) and enable broad-spectrum UV protection without the whitening associated with zinc oxide-based products. The ingredient has been certified as a raw material in compliance with the standards for Ecological and Organic Cosmetics by Ecocert, the European certification body. www.dow.com
Beraca launched a new organic active for hair care. Beracare BBA (BioBehenic Active) is a conditioning agent certified by Ecocert, and is rich in behenic acid extracted from Pentaclethara Macrolaba Will (found in the Amazon Rainforest). The oil is traditionally used by the local population for hair and body treatments. According to the company, it promotes conditioning, facilitates compatability and increases shine with a continuous film formation. Beraca also offered natural bioscrubs, designed to improve circulation and rejuvenate the skin. Ingredients in these scrubs included açaí, andiroba and buriti. www.beraca.com
Cognis and Laboratoires Sérobiologiques supported its “green and beautiful life” efforts with the introduction of a number of products designed to appeal to the environmentally conscious consumer. Euperian Green, marketed as a “green” ethylene oxid and amine free pearlizing wax dispersion, is intended for use in hair and body cleansing formulations. In addition, Cognis presented the “Ageless Beauty” range, in conjunction with its active ingredients division, Laboratoires Serobiologiques. Cetiol Sensoft, “the happy emollient,” contains a selection of natural oils and waxes, and “Litchi Pure Cleansing Milk,” with Moringa proteins, is said to protect the skin from environmental toxins. www.cognic.com
Botaneco featured its Hydresia ingredients, aqueous dispersions of intact oleosomes isolated by a solvent process from the seeds of the safflower. Oleosomes are natural oil storage reservoirs found in every type of seed that preserve and protect seed oil from rancidity and oxidation. Hydresia ingredients are said to offer versatility, simplified formulation and improved efficiency in formulating at room temperatures. www.botaneco.ca
Rhodia featured Miracare Plaisant, a natural plant-based surfactant system for cleansing in personal care solutions. The plant-based ingredients are, according to the company, sulfate-free and VOC-free. www.rhodia.com
The McIntyre Group, Ltd. offered paraben-free and formaldehydr-free preservatives and antimicrobial emollients, including Mackaderm GCP and Mackstat GCM. The ingredients are formulated to combine the antimicrobial functionality of the glyceryl ester with a broad spectrum antimicrobial, and exhibits an excellent environmental profile, according to the company. www.mcintyregroup.com
Presentations included a discussions on active plant Ingredients by Tom Gianfagno, PhD, Rutgers; active fragrance technology by Stephen Dente, VP, R&D, Robertet Fragrances; the "greening" of the beauty Industry by Michael Balick, PhD, The New York Botanical Garden; and on-shelf cosmeceutical products by Karen Young, The Young Group.