Energizing and Invigorating Formulations With Caffeine Spheres

Pelletech has introduced cellulose-based beads loaded with 30% caffeine for energizing and invigorating personal care products. Cosmospheres BRC-M (INCI: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) Caffeine (and) Mannitol (and) Microcrystalline Cellulose) are reddish-brown spheres that soften when applied to skin for easy spreadability and the release of their caffeine content.

These caffeine spheres vary from 1–1.5mm in size. They can be suspended in formulations to give products a visually unique and playful look. They do not contain preservatives. The spheres are recommended at 1–5% in lotions, creams, gels, shampoos and toothpastes. 

The spheres should be added at the last step of formulation development. To prevent damage to the beads from shear forces, stirring and filling should be performed with special care. Since the spheres swell in an aqueous environment and become soft within hours, immediate filling of the finished product is strongly recommended. Sedimentation of the spheres in cosmetic products can be prevented with the addition of a viscosity enhancer such as xanthan gum or carbomer. The spheres are often incompatible with w/o emulsions, and lab-scale compatibility tests are strongly recommended. The spheres are distributed in the United States by Presperse.

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