Natural and organic trends so far in 2012 ...

Growing trend towards natural ​

With the sector poised for further rapid growth, demand for organic and natural cosmetic products as well as ingredients is prompting formulators and brands alike to keep working on the definition of what is ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ to offer the consumer the best and unique of ingredients.

Earlier in the year Natural Sourcing added a pressed Organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil to its growing line of natural specialty oils to accomodate various anti-aging, hair, nail and skin care products with its vitamin E, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Meanwhile international company DevaCurl further developed its hairspray product line, comprised of botanical ingredients and free of sulfates, silicones or parabens. Specifically designed for curly hair, the sprays infused with wheat protein condition the hair while styling polymers look after humidity and style retention.

US based company Wai Hope launched its complete line of skin care products featuring twelve different types of seaweed, free of parabens, ethanolamines (MEA, TEA, DEA), sulfates, formaldehydes (BHT, DMDM Hydantoin), hydroquinone, butylene and propylene glycols.

According to the founder, the seaweed infused line repairs, replenishes and restores the complexion in extremely sensitive skin conditions.

Hair and skin care formulators are no stranger to the benefits of egg yolk oil, however in March this year VAV Life Sciences took it to a whole new level with OLEOVA, declaring that the oil would be suitable as a penetration enhancer, an important ingredient in sun-screen products.

Trending in the male grooming sector... ​

Moving on to the finished goods area, male grooming specialist Bulldog has introduced its new natural ingredient-based product ‘Original Eye Roll-On’ containing avocado, borage, and cucumber oils. According to its CEO; “consumers switching into natural skin care will be the biggest trend in men's facial skin care in 2012. Any retailer that is serious about men's skin care will need to offer naturally formulated options in 2012.” ​

Developments ​

Elsewhere, researchers at cosmetics company Kao demonstrated that a eucalyptus extract has the ability to improve the skin function on the outer layer in dry skin by increasing ceramide levels in the stratum corneum, in the epidermis and in keratinocytes - ideal for further use in topical skin creams or formulas.

The scientists from the Japanese firm found the plant extract may have a therapeutic effect on dry skin by increasing its content of ceramide (lipid molecules), and improving its water-holding and barrier functions.

“These results indicate that the ceramide increase in keratinocytes elicited by the eucalyptus extract plays an important role in recovering stratum corneum dysfunctions and that may underlie the therapeutic effects of the eucalyptus extract,”​ noted the researchers.