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Emollients

Feeling is Believing! Emollients, including emollient esters and emollient ethers, can be extremely versatile, with their chemistry groups offering variation in:

  • Chain length
  • Degree of branching 
  • Level of unsaturation 
  • Molecular weight 
  • Polarity of the acid and alcohol building blocks

All these elements can have a dramatic effect on the sensory and functional properties of the resulting emollient and as such, on the resulting personal care formulation.

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Skin Migration 

Skin migration defines the ester's natural propensity to spread independently. Skin migration values are calculated based on the extent of spreading of the emollient on skin. A low skin migration value may be beneficial in all areas of colour cosmetics, whereas a high skin migration value indicates emollients more suited to formulations such as self-tanning where enhanced coverage is required.  

Skin Play 

Skin play defines how easily and for how long an ester can be massaged over the skin. It is assessed using a panel of sensory evaluators. High skin play means that the material will move freely over the skin's surface during application and will remain on the skin long enough to facilitate even spreading and coverage, this is important in many skin care applications. On the other hand, low skin play means that a material will not move freely over the skin and could be either a highly tenacious emollient that does not spread readily or a light emollient that is quickly absorbed into the skin. 

Refractive Index 

Refractive index can be used to indicate an emollient's propensity to convey shine on skin or hair. Emollients with high refractive indexes will impart glossing benefits and are incorporated into various colour cosmetics and hair care products. Emollients with low refractive indexes can be used to impart a mattifying effect for colour cosmetics and skin care applications. 

Tack 

Many emollients are classed as low tack and this would be considered beneficial in most applications. However, in some applications, a degree of tack can be advantageous. For example, esters with high tack can be used to enhance pay-off in stick applications, like deodorants, and enhance film durability in lip products. 

Skin Feel 

Skin feel comprises of two parts: emollience and afterfeel. Emollience can be classified as low, medium or high and afterfeel can be classified as silky or cushiony.

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Featured Emollients

Arlasense™ V5

Arlasense™ V5

Arlasense V5, with its vegan suitable* credentials, can deliver functionality, aesthetics and ethics all in one ingredient. It has an appealing sensory, high degree of skin spreading and wide pH...

Crodabond™ CSA

Crodabond™ CSA

This 100% naturally derived film-former and adhesive polymer that provides multiple benefits for both hair care and colour cosmetic applications. It is able to smooth and seal lifted cuticles, repair...

Crodamol™ SFX

Crodamol™ SFX

Crodamol SFX is a patented emollient ester possessing many of the sensory benefits of cyclomethicone D5. Crodamol SFX can be used to enhance the aesthetics of a wide range of cosmetics and toiletries...

Crodamol™ SSA

Crodamol™ SSA

Discover a sensory alternative to Squalane with Crodamol SSA, designed to meet the needs of the formulator looking for an elegant skin feel. 100% naturally derived, Crodamol SSA delivers a soft,...

Cromollient™ DP3A

Cromollient™ DP3A

Rich emollient and skin care delivery system

Sensasil™ PCA

Sensasil™ PCA

Oil soluble organosilicone that offers outstanding emolliency and conditioning.

SP Supermol B MBAL

SP Supermol B MBAL

As a 100% non-animal derived alternative to lanolin, this versatile emollient is suitable for use in a variety of personal care applications.

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Emulsifiers

Innovative emulsifier technology

Discover how our innovative range of emulsifiers can assist in creating formulations with the unique and pleasurable sensory. 
 
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