Meeting stringent clean beauty expectations while maintaining high performance, robust stability and premium textures presents a daily technical challenge for cosmetic formulators. To resolve this technical puzzle, Seppic expands its hybrid polymer portfolio with Sepilife™ NEOS (INCI: Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (and) Squalane (and) Polyglycerin-6 Laurate), a patented, squalane-based liquid polymer engineered with a unique sensory signature and optimized rheological properties.
Squalane-Infused Innovation and Clean Beauty Expectations
Squalane is the stable form of squalene that naturally occurs in the skin's hydrolipidic layer. Recognized for its skin biocompatibility as a hero ingredient present in 11% of skincare launches – with an average increase of 9% over six years – it helps prevent moisture loss while restoring skin suppleness1. By embedding natural-origin squalane directly into liquid polymer technology via inverse latex polymerization, Seppic offers a solution perfectly aligned with clean beauty expectations:
- Natural Origin Content (NOC): 65% assessed according to ISO 16128 norm, offering the highest NOC within the Seppic’s Sepilife™ hybrid polymers range.
- Clean Beauty Profile: EO-free, acrylamide-free, preservative-free, non-microplastic2 and free of mineral oil.
- Regulatory Information & App Friendly: Halal certified, Vegan suitable, RSPO MassBalance certified and IECIC listed in China. It is also suitable for Sephora-List, EWG and Meilixiuxing apps.
- Skin Tolerance: A clinical test conducted on 100 volunteers, including 50% with sensitive skin, demonstrated good skin tolerance at 5% concentration.
Figure 1 - Visual aspect of Sepilife™ NEOS in various galenics.Courtesy of Seppic
Robust Rheology and Formulating Versatility
Sepilife™ NEOS is a pre-neutralized, ready-to-use liquid polymer designed for cold processing with a very fast inversion time under 20 seconds. It provides an energy-saving processing solution at both laboratory and industrial scales. Formulators can easily adjust viscosity to craft infinite textures, from fluid sprays to rich emulsions suitable for a wide range of applications:
- Dosage & pH Range: Recommended use levels range from 1% to 5%, maintaining stability across a broad pH range of 3 to 11.
- Thickening Efficiency: Incorporating 2% in water achieves an aqueous gel viscosity of approximately 50,000 mPa.s, while 3.5% yields approximately 100,000 mPa.s.
- Oil Phase Stabilization: Holds up to 35% oil phase without requiring additional emulsifiers or neutralization in both gel creams and emulsions.
- Compatibility: Features broad compatibility with high amounts of solvents like glycerin, propanediol and ethanol, as well as various preservatives, AHA and polar to apolar oils.
Sensorial Signature with Unique Freshness
Powered by the silky feel of squalane, Sepilife™ NEOS textures melt on the skin delivering an immediate "quick-break" effect upon application. The polymer network collapses under friction and natural skin salts, releasing its aqueous phase for a cooling burst of freshness. It transforms into a soft, non-tacky finish without any balling-up effect.
Figure 2 - Sensory analysis of Sepilife™ NEOS in an aqueous gel.Courtesy of Seppic
References
Mintel study 2025
According to the Draft restriction of synthetic polymer microparticles proposal published by the European Commission on 30 August 2022.
Disclaimer:
The above paid-for content was produced by and posted on behalf of the Sponsor. Content provided is generated solely by the Sponsor or its affiliates, and it is the Sponsor’s responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and validity of all information included. Cosmetics & Toiletries takes steps to ensure that you will not confuse sponsored content with content produced by Cosmetics & Toiletries and governed by its editorial policy.
