FEATURE ARTICLES

Although the safety of cosmetic products in Europe is closely controlled by European legislation, the emerging question is how safe for the consumer are they really?

The prefix ‘nano’ is one of those terms that polarises opinion. Advocates of nanoscale materials point to their many advantages and applications, while on the opposite side are those who feel that nanotechnology per se carries unknown risks to human health and should be avoided at all costs.

The need for innovative and biodegradable controlled delivery systems, as nanoparticulates, has been and is still today a necessity for continuously ameliorating the efficacy of drug and cosmetic products.

Infinitec Barcelona and Biomar Microbial Technologies have combined their expertise to set up a cosmetic blue technology discovery platform. Floating on the surface of the ocean without shade and not getting sunburnt, or being immersed in a high salt environment without losing moisture are some of the achievements of marine microorganisms that could be translated into very attractive cosmetic ingredients.

This paper is intended to introduce a new type of biodegradable suspension-aid known as microfibrous cellulose or MFC. MFC is produced by the fermentation of the bacterium, Acetobacter xylinum.

By Nica Lewis, Mintel, UK - Whitening skincare is a key segment of the Asian beauty market. The claim is well established in facial skin care, with one in four new products offering whitening benefits, but it is increasingly appearing in body care too.

When considering hair, moisture is a double-edged sword. Everyone strives to achieve healthy looking, moisturised hair; shiny and strong. Dry hair, on the other hand, is associated with damage and brittleness.

The various skin hues all over the continents are due to mechanism variations linked to skin types. It should be noted that whatever the typology is, skins all have an identical number of melanocytes, but the difference remains in the synthesis and diffusion towards the keratinocytes.

The best hair styling products require superior form and function. In the quest to create hairstyles that look good, last long and feel great, consumers are becoming increasingly demanding when it comes to the products they use.

The re-scheduled in-cosmetics Asia 2011 took place between December 14 and 16 at the BITEC centre in Bangkok. Despite the disruption caused by the terrible floods in Thailand, the event proved to be a success.

At a time when many markets are reaching saturation point, Muslims are becoming much more concerned consumers, creating some of the fastest growing consumer segments in the world. This represents a major growth opportunity for cosmetic and personal care companies.

This article continues to profile the members of ACA (Asean Cosmetics Association). To date two other member organisations have been highlighted, Singapore and Malaysia. This edition features the CCIP. The Philippines is a paradise of islands.

The 21st IFSCC Conference in Bangkok was originally due to be held between 31 October and 2 November 2011 but was postponed due to the flooding throughout Thailand that eventually hit parts of the capital.

This two-part article will outline the basic problems in getting an active ingredient to enter the skin via topical absorption through the epidermis. I will detail the physical problems preventing this associated with the skin’s natural barrier system, the rate of absorption and how we can modify this process to enhance absorption for skin rejuvenation or reduce absorption in the case of sunscreens.

Silicones have been a foundation ingredient in the personal care sector and across many industries for decades, delivering the performance and effectiveness that both manufacturers and consumers are looking for in modern cosmetics.

With a worldwide recession looming, the Halal sector is one of the few industries bucking the trend fuelled by savvy consumers increasingly demanding purity of ingredients in their personal care products.

Making Cosmetics is everyone’s chance in the personal care market to get up-to-the-minute information and advice direct from leading experts, manufacturers, suppliers and industry figures in sourcing, manufacturing and outsourcing personal care products from start to finish and taking them from concept to consumer.

By: C. Gondran, C. Meyrignac, A. Perrin, S. Ratz, J.M. Botto, N. Domloge – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, France

16. Mouser, C. Dal Farra – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, US.

Oxidative stress is a leading cellular ageing mechanism generated by a multitude of endogenous reactions and environmental factors. Even if the hair follicle (HF) is not directly exposed to environmental stress at the same level as the superficial layer of the skin, it can nevertheless exhibit signs of alteration that affect its function.

It is time to take another hard look at the use of chelating agents, used in a wide range of wash-off personal care products, as claims of biodegradability and environmental responsibility in many personal care products still currently fall short of what could simply and cost-effectively be achieved.

The formulation of ‘green’ emulsions using natural origin ingredients often tests the nerves of formulators, particularly when they need to satisfy organic or natural labels with a limited choice of ingredients.