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Skin Care & Cleansing

Evonik’s silica and silicate solutions to improve skin care formulations

  • Rheology adjustments
  • SPF boost effect
  • Emulsion stabilization
  • Anti-caking and free flow
  • Powder-to-cream and dry liquid concept
  • Matting, sensory and optical blurring effect
  • Carrier and release properties
  • Scrubbing effects
  • Nature-identical ingredient

Consumers generally expect skin care products to be convenient to dose, good to apply, and quickly absorbed, and to feel light on the skin. Our broad range of silica products offers solutions to fulfil all these demands.

AEROSIL® fumed silica is an efficient and reliable rheology controller for oil-based systems, generating a shear-thinning effect.  Selected hydrophobic AEROSIL® types are especially suitable for both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions, helping to formulate creams and emulsions with perfect viscosity and stability. An outstanding advantage of AEROSIL® grades is that they are ready to use: neither an activator nor heat is required. Therefore, they are suitable for cold processing at room temperatures, although elevated temperatures are no problem either.  This makes them compatible with a wide range of ingredients and processes.

SPHERILEX® hydrated silica, a silica grade with smooth, spherical particles of uniform size, improves the look and feel of skin care products. As a sensory additive, it provides a silky-smooth, non-drying skin feel. By absorbing excess sebum, it makes the skin appear velvety and matte. As a compacting aid for pressed powder, it improves the cake strength and prevents it from flaking.

 

SIPERNAT® PC grades for cleansing skin care formulations

Tailor-made silica types are available in different particle sizes and hardnesses, be it for gentle cleansing lotions or rough scrub products. In exfoliating products such as shower gels, facial cleansers, peeling products or body scrubs, SIPERNAT® hydrated silica is an eco-friendly ingredient for microplastic-free products.

 

SIPERNAT® as a versatile carrier

Evonik’s carrier solutions such as selected SIPERNAT® grades have a microsponge-like structure that carries a wide range of liquids into the formulation. These loaded carriers are used in formulating powder-to-foam concepts or compacted powder because the liquids are released again easily under pressure or upon contact with water.

 

Evonik solutions  state-of-the-art powders

In powders for personal care, precipitated silica SIPERNAT® and AEROSIL® fumed silicas allow the flow properties of powders to be configured perfectly, ensuring effective industrial processing of powdered products. Various factors can cause powders to flow poorly or cake, including van der Waals forces between the particles, and the particle size and shape.

 

Ultra-hydrophobic silica for enveloped droplets

Silica allows advanced formulations that appear as a powder but have a high liquid content.  Humectants such as glycerin, water or diluted aqueous solutions, which contain vitamins or plant extracts, for example, serve as liquid components. With the help of ultra-hydrophobic AEROSIL® grades, the liquids can be converted into a dry powder. Under mechanical stress – when the powder is rubbed onto the skin – liquid is released.

The silica powder-to-cream concept takes advantage of the moisturizing properties of this dry liquid effect and couples it with carrier technology. This enables unique properties in personal care formulations, for example introducing a second component or adding active ingredients.

 

Evonik silicas and silicates for sustainable skin care formulations

Silicas and silicates are multi-purpose raw materials with a limited impact on the environment through sourcing and production. They are naturally derived mineral ingredients that comply with ISO 16128 and are ideal for organic and natural cosmetics. Once a sun care product is rinsed from the skin, it is not harmful to aquatic environments or wastewater plants. Silica simply joins the geological cycle of minerals.

Special silica grades enable manufacturers to create water-free or low-water skin care products. Less volume and weight compared to liquid products reduces the transportation weight and therefore the overall ecological footprint of a personal care product. Hydrophilic grades also come with COSMOS certification. In addition to that, silica allows for vegan formulations.