The new Emogreen range came first for functional ingredients at in-cosmetics Asia’s Best Ingredient Awards Innovation.
After many years of R&D, specialty chemical producer Seppic Asia’s Emogreen launched at in-cosmetics Paris, in April 2016.
At the event, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2016, the judges said that the bio-based emollients product, which is fully biodegradable, is “innovative and really needed by the market”.
Made from traceable vegetable oil, “Emogreen is compliant with all kind of applications, including skincare, haircare, make up, suncare, cleanser, make up remover, depilatory, deodorant and hair colour,” emphasised Marty Lumain, Asia Pacific Beauty Care Marketing Manager at Seppic.
Unlike silicone oils, Emogreen products are made from sustainable palm oil origin, are readily biodegradable and environmentally-friendly.
“The production process uses less energy than that of silicones: the carbon footprint is 0.88kg CO2eq/kg of Emogreen versus 6.31kg CO2eq/kg for silicone, which is a reduction of 86%,” added Lumain.
Extreme formulations
As Emogreen contains 100% bio-based oil and has an alkane structure, it is not sensitive to oxidation or colouration throughout time, which simplifies the production process.
“Its ultra fluid texture makes it really easy to handle and not sensitive to cold. Compliant with all kinds of applications it’s also compatible with all kind of oily phases, like esters, mineral, silicone and vegetable,” commented Lumain.
Highlighting that plant origin is a proven and effective ingredient to use, Lumain went on to say that “due to its inert and non-polar structure, Emogreen can be easily formulated and stabilised in very extreme conditions such as pH and oxidising/reducing media.”
“They can feature in the hardest formulations like depilatories or hair colour bases.”
Environmental care
Sustainability and protecting the environment remain strong concerns for consumers and this is demonstrated by purchasing preferences in APAC’s cosmetics and beauty sector.
As increasing numbers of R&D initiatives and product launches feature personal care items that aim to reduce this consumer worry, the skin protection sector has significant potential to expand further throughout APAC and the globe.
Seppic sought inspiration from this growing sustainability trend when it started to develop the Emogreen range: “We have identified the market need to have a natural, biodegradable and affordable emollient with an exceptional sensorial effect that could be an alternative to silicone oils (inert structure),” said Lumain.
Developing biodegradable product lines remains an ongoing priority for established and emerging skin care protection brands.