FEATURE ARTICLES

Solar radiation is essential for life on Earth from photosynthesis in plants to vitamin D generation in humans.1 However, excess sun exposure causes various damaging effects in human beings.2,3 The Sun emits radiation in a wide spectrum of wavelengths (see Fig. 1).

Before skin care or hair care, colour cosmetics were probably the first type of cosmetics to be used by human beings, with proof that ingredients such as kohl and henna were used by the Ancient Egyptians.

Sopharcos has developed two new carrier systems that penetrate into the skin and which are formed by an edible, plantderived emulsifier based on sunflower. Thus these carrier systems can immediately be used in natural cosmetics.

Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions (RSE), the organiser of PCHi, has announced that PCHi 2013 welcomed the most number of delegates in the show’s six-year history, an indication of the annual trade event’s growing importance.

Minerals are essential for physical and mental wellbeing, in that they constitute the whole tissue structure and fluids of the human body. They play an important role in the production of hormones and antibodies, thus keeping the delicate hydric structure in balance.

Silanol technology results in a family of cosmetic compounds in which all members share a core of organic silicium (silicon). The role of this organic silicium is to ensure an optimal skin architecture by interacting with structure proteins (collagen and elastin fibres, GAGs…) within the dermis tissue.

The demand for natural and green beauty products continues to grow, as do consumer expectations for effective results. The trend towards natural ingredients is growing with nature-derived surfactants becoming increasingly more desirable by both the formulator and the end user.

Cyanidium caldarium is an amazing type of micro alga. Evolved approximately 1.3 billion years ago, these algae represent one of the oldest forms of life on our planet.

Smoothing out cellulite consists of deflating the adipocytes by activating lipolysis, and firming up the underlying tissues by stimulating collagen synthesis. These two processes are connected to the integrity, vitality and thus energy reserves of the adipocytes and fibroblasts: ATP which is synthesised by the mitochondria.

Ever since the inclusion of boric acid and sodium borates on the candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) in June 2010 these substance have been the subject of greater attention in a host of industries.

Recently, there has been a great potential to use nanotechnology in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. In many cosmetic products including moisturisers, hair care products, make up and sunscreen one can find the traces of nanotechnology.1

Skin is the largest organ of the human body, and the one most visible to other people. Its appearance reflects not only the outside damage and topical care, but the general health and wellbeing of the person.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is an inflammatory skin disease that is pruritic and recurrent. Since the 2000s, the discovery of a preventive treatment for this severe dermatosis has been a special line of research in the dermatological industry.

The effective protection of cosmetic formulations with safe and reliable preservation systems is an important responsibility of the formulator. This selection has to account for criteria such as consumers’ desires, country regulations, formulation type, as well as technical and company requirements.

Marine ecosystems are a valuable source of diversity at all levels, as they cover a vast area of our planet containing almost all its total water content.

Modern society endeavours to discover the next breakthrough – the leap to a higher level of understanding which transforms science, healthcare, manufacturing or transportation.

The choice and application of effective preservation technology is an essential part of R&D work during the development of cosmetics. It is not only a disaster for the image of a brand if the finished product is found to be contaminated on the market.

Hair products currently on the market are based on increasingly specialised, innovative and high-tech formulations and product ranges - similar to products launched on the skin care market in recent years.

Despite the increasing usage of silicone polymers in personal care products, the selection of the proper polymer for a particular application remains somewhat elusive. This directly results in inefficiency of formula development.

Increasing demands from consumers requiring enhanced sensorial feel from their products have proven challenging for sun care formulators. Advances in silane coating technology for inorganic filters has led to the development of a new titanium dioxide (TiO2) dispersion with a novel skin feel.