Seppic develops new polymer for cosmetic formulations

Speciality chemical products designer and supplier Seppic has developed a new Solagum Tara polymer for cosmetics use, which aims to answer whether the natural ingredients are more efficacious than the synthetic ones.

The France-based firm’s new polymer is a natural gum polysaccharide derived from Tara seeds and is designed to thicken and stabilise emulsions and cream gels, besides acting as a texturising agent, reports cosmeticsdesign.com.

Seppic product manager Florence Rodenas told the website that being green is very important, but the product can be easy to formulate.

"It is also a big challenge for formulators to make natural products that are effective and have a good on-skin feel," Rodenas added.

According to the firm, the natural polymers can compare to synthetic ones, as far as thickening properties are concerned.

The firm said synthetic polymers may brace oils in a better way, which sometimes makes synergy a better option to reach a satisfying balance.

Seppic said it has used the product in tests to thicken in synergy with its synthetic SepiMax Zen product in a cream gel, to improve and smooth the product’s texture.

Certified natural by Ecocert and Cosmos, the firm’s new polymer was designed initially for skin care products, prior to its being tested in wash-off applications.

The new product comes in powder state, which hydrates in water, and can be added to the oily or aqueous phase in either hot or cold conditions.

The new polymer when used in the hot process improves its stabilising effect.