Berg & Schmidt has introduced a range of phosphatidylcholine (PC) fractions of lecithin from either soy or sunflower that can be used to manufacture liposomes, nanoemulsions, oleogels or formulations that are physiologically related to skin.
Both BergaSom Soy and BergaSom Sun are comprised of PC, a natural and fundamental part of all cell membranes. The linoleic acid and choline it contains are substances that the human body cannot synthesize on its own.
The range includes: hydrogenated (BergaSom Soy 75H and 90H (INCI: Hydrogenated Lecithin)) and non-hydrogenated (BergaSom Soy 50, 75 and 90 (INCI: Lecithin)) fractions from soy and hydrogenated (BergaSom Sun 75H and 90H (INCI: Hydrogenated Lecithin)) and non-hydrogenated (BergaSom Sun 50, 75 and 90 (INCI: Lecithin)) fractions from sunflower.
The non-hydrogenated versions of the range contain a high proportion of linoleic acid, making them beneficial for skin damage such as acne. This acid is needed to produce liposomes that enable active ingredients to penetrate the skin. The non-hydrogenated lecithins can also be used to make nanoemulsions and lipogels without emulsifiers. The hydrogenated fractions allow formulators to make products that maintain the skin barrier and prevent TEWL.
