Now is a fascinating time to be involved in the world of ingredient technology. As the movement toward all-natural products picks up steam, researchers and formulators are being constantly tasked with applying their ingenuity to new challenges.
Fortunately, they’re equal to the task. We discovered another example of that at In-Cosmetics 2017 recently, and it’s one we’re happy to bring to our customers: Sharomix™ AMPLIFY, a big step forward in solving the preservatives problem for formulators.
Delivering preservatives that are free of formaldehyde or other artificial ingredients, yet deliver comparable efficacy against bacteria, yeasts, mold and other hazards, is one part of the challenge. Another? Some non-traditional approaches take much longer to work: it may take up to a week for current naturally-sourced preservatives, such as a paraffin oil, to kill off an intruder like e coli, for example.
One compound that has offered improved efficacy is ethyl lauroyl arginate, a cationic surfactant derived from lauric acid, L-arginine and ethanol patented by Grupo Lamirsa. Previously approved for use in food preservation, the obstacle to using it as a personal care product ingredient has been the difficulty of solubilizing ELA in solution. Up until now, that is.
A breakthrough in alternative preservatives
Sharon Laboratories solved that challenge, delivering a real breakthrough with the Sharomix™ AMPLIFY lineup, where broad-spectrum efficacy is combined with lower levels of use in finished products. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) needed to double or even triple its efficacy against microbial contamination is only 3% of the final blend, providing a “less is more” answer, where less preservative can deliver significantly more protection.
Sharon verified its efficacy by testing it in two of their blends, with and without ELA:
Determinations of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)
MIC Comparisons: Impact of Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate
Addition of ELA in the AMPLIFY line reduced microbe counts by 75% in most instances, and can do so far more quickly than previous preservatives.
Since the ingredient is 100% free of formaldehyde, Parabens and CIT/MIT, it gives formulators a new tool that solves the chronic issues of alternative preservatives, while allowing them to satisfy consumer desires for products free of artificial ingredients.
That’s a big win-win for all concerned, and another example of the innovation we saw on display at this year’s In-Cosmetics conference. Plus, it’s a technology we’re able to bring to customers right now.
Interested? Contact us to find out more.
