Syntopix identifies two 'green' surfactants in latest research

The UK-based company was undertaking the challenge into formulation design for healthcare and cosmetics products when the finding was made.

Dr. Steve Jones, CEO of Syntopix Group plc said: "The work Syntopix has done to characterise surfactants is a benefit not only to the Group but also to the wider scientific community.”​

“The project will help define the parameters for successful formulations and we hope that it will encourage surfactant suppliers to measure and provide Cc values to aid their customers in formulation design.”​

Syntopix, along with international chemistry experts, investigated how to rationally design cosmetic and personal care formulations containing novel surfactants.

Used to create emulsions and microemulsions, surfactants help the water and oil components to hold together in stable formulations.

Fueled by consumer demand​

This particluar project focused on surfactants to satisfy the growing consumer demand for natural, environmentally friendly and biodegradable ingredients that are used to formulate cosmetic products.

The team were successful in measuring a characteristic known as the "Cc" (characteristic curvature) for a range of green surfactants with different properties.

According to Syntopix, the Cc value gives information about how useful the surfactants will be in forming microemulsions and using measured Cc values makes it much easier to identify which surfactants are likely to match well to typical oils and formulation conditions.

Specialist computer software can then help scientists to adjust and improve the formulations and the combined approach saves time, money and resource in the development of formulations.

Syntopix has placed all Cc values from the project in the public domain and it is hoped the resultant data will assist scientists to formulate new cosmetic, pharmaceutical and personal care products.

"From our own perspective, we now have new chemical information on two environmentally friendly surfactants that we can incorporate into our own formulations,”​ Jones said.

“Following our recent acquisition of Leeds Skin, we now also have the capacity to test our formulations in house using our unique human skin model, LabSkin. As consumers demand more natural ingredients in their personal care products, this will give our products a real edge over competitors,"​ he added.