Natural/Botanical
Corrections Regarding NPA Standards: Letter to the Editor
Aug 3, 2014
After reading this article, I found inaccuracies in some of the statements regarding the Natural Products Association (NPA) Natural Standard.
New Ranges Leverage Botanical/Microorganism Synergy
Jun 6, 2014
Greentech has developed new actives from the synergies between botanicals and microorganisms. At in-cosmetics in Hamburg, the company introduced two ranges of actives: Probiophytes and Ferment’Actives.
Organic Monitor Addressing the Challenges That Come with Green Active Opportunities
May 7, 2014
According to Organic Monitor, the growing array of green actives is spurring innovation in the beauty and cosmetics industry, and the organization is finding that novel green ingredients also are bringing fresh technical challenges with them.
Challenges in Creating NPA- and WFM-compliant Natural Formulations
Jan 14, 2014
Where does the formulation chemist begin when facing a marketing request for a product stamped with a “natural” label claim? The first step is to identify the certifying organization or government under which the formulation is to be sold, followed by the choice of preservatives. The basic approach to composing natural products is outlined here.
Sabinsa Introduces Dermaceutical Composites for Personal Care
Dec 17, 2013
Sabinsa Corp. has introduced a line of dermaceutical composites that have a broad range of effects in personal care formulations.
Sustainability Push from Consumers Required for Manufacturers to Respond
Dec 3, 2013
At recent European and Asia-Pacific events, a number of speakers suggested that consumer behavior was becoming a major barrier to sustainable development in the beauty industry.
Challenges Persist in Working with Green Materials in Beauty Product Development
Oct 1, 2013
Organic Monitor tracks the continuing issues in green ingredients and product development techniques for the beauty industry.
Consumer Perspective—Skin Care From Nature
Aug 1, 2013
In Europe, the natural and organic cosmetics market has grown despite the economic downturn. Consumers are increasingly concerned about skin care ingredients they see as posing potential health risks, due in large part to media hype. This has led many to look for natural ingredients on product labels.
What it Means to be 'Green'
Aug 1, 2013
Formulators of natural personal care products have the same lament as Kermit the Frog—i.e., “It’s not easy being green.” So before proceeding into the ever-unpredictable product development process, claims must be established as to what the final product aims to fulfill—especially in order to direct efforts toward the desired “green” claim for sustainable, natural, organic, etc.
All 'Green' To Me
Aug 1, 2013
What a “green issue” we have! This goes not just for Cosmetics & Toiletries but the industry and world in general.
Sustainable Ingredients Science: Natural Oils
Jun 1, 2013
However, the growing market demand for natural alternatives to synthetic is pushing brands to continue to consider the use of natural oils in their formulations.
Formulating Hair Conditioners With Naturals
Dec 12, 2012
This column proposes that the current natural and organic hair conditioner market can de divided into two types—those that are effective but use technology considered suspect under most natural certifications, i.e., “greenwashed,” and those that are more compliant with natural and organic certification but are found by consumers to have performance gaps
Formulating Sun Care with Naturals
Sep 1, 2012
The industry continues to seek protection from the sun without chemical reactions on the skin, in the body or in the environment.
Alternative Ingredients for Sustainable Shampoo Development
Aug 1, 2011
In this article, several ingredients are reviewed for development of sustainable shampoo formulations. Some of the functional ingredients reviewed are plant-based alternatives to existing, petro sourced ingredients while others are mild, sulfate-free and/ or ethoxylate-free alternatives to existing surfactant systems, thickening solutions for challenging media based on naturally derived polymers and efficacy boosters that reduce the use of non-renewable actives with equal benefit for the consumer.
A Protein Approach to Solvent-free Extraction
Aug 1, 2011
Nearly a year and a half ago, Ilya Raskin, PhD, a professor II in the department of plant biology and pathology at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, stumbled upon a possible solution to creating an efficacious, cost-effective natural product using plant proteins commonly found in food when he isolated the beneficial compounds in blueberry juice while leaving out ancillary materials.
Formulating Natural Hair Care
Apr 1, 2011
Today, hair care formulators aiming to formulate for the natural market are in a quandary as the performance of modern products is driven more and more by the use of innovative new synthetic materials.
Sizing Things Up
Apr 1, 2011
There’s been a lot of talk lately about particle size, especially in reference to nano. On the consumer front, medical advances based on nano-sized tools regularly appear in the news.
Formulating Natural Skin Care
Feb 1, 2011
When formulating skin care with natural ingredients the first question to ask is: With which definition of natural will the product conform? The definition might be significantly different for the general public than for consumers following lifestyles of health and sustainability (LOHAS) philosophies.
Building Natural Products
Oct 1, 2009
Since the cosmetics and personal care industry is not regulated, various organizations have offered conflicting positions on standardized guidelines for natural and organic claims. To improve communication on this topic, it will therefore become important to dissociate claims regarding the naturalness of ingredients from the perception of safety.
Vernix Caseosa: The Ultimate Natural Cosmetic?
Sep 1, 2009
The present review summarizes the current knowledge of vernix caseosa and discusses the underlying principles by which vernix caseosa operates; this can be applied in moisturizing and barrier-enhancing products, although the proteolipid biofilm itself cannot be used directly on the human body. The most important characteristic of vernix caseosa is its controlled degree of occlusivity—neither too much nor too little.