Sugar-based surfactant development gains ground, riding on the success of growing demand for APG (excerpt from Doris de Guzman’s excellent overview on the future of carbohydrate based surfactants. Read Doris de Guzman’s green chemicals blog for the latest news on green surfactants) Growing demand for alkyl polyglucoside (APG) – a non-ionic surfactant made from vegetable […]

The Cancer Prevention Coalition and Organic Consumers Association warn of major risks to health from the great majority of cosmetics and personal care products.

Neem oil and Neem leaf extract [INCI: Melia azadirachta] The neem tree is traditionally labelled The Village Pharmacy because of its multifaceted healing properties. These range from immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects to antimicrobial and pesticidal attributes. The leaves and seeds of neem yield limonoids with wide biological applications. These have antibacterial, antiviral, insect repellant, anti-protozoal […]

Kaempferia galanga [INCI: Kaempferia galanga root extract] Kaempferia is a genus in the Zingiberaceae family found in southern & southeastern Asia. These gingers grow from small globular rhizomes which grow fleshy roots. Most are low growing with colorfully marked foliage. Flowers either emerge in the spring just prior to the foliage or with the foliage […]

The green movement continues to grow as more consumers are becoming aware of the impact that the products they use have on themselves, society and the environment. This new green consciousness is making consumers change their consumption habits and thus their purchasing criteria. In concrete terms, consumers are increasingly interested in products that contain natural ingredients and respect the environment.

ScienceDaily (Nov. 7, 2008) — Scientists in Italy have found bacteria in the root of a tropical grass whose oils have been used in the cosmetic and perfumery industries. These bacteria seem to promote the production of essential oils, but also they change the molecular structure of the oil, giving it different flavours and properties: […]

With sustainable packaging rapidly becoming a priority for cosmetics companies, the buzz is around renewable and eco-friendly materials like bioplastics. However, Sterling Anthony, a packaging consultant who gave a presentation  this month’s HBA conference in New York suggests that just because bioplastics are deemed to be biodegradeable does not make investment in them automatically a […]