Betaines are amphoteric surfactants with broad application in cosmetic products. They act as foaming agents and foam stabilizers, rheology modifiers, and also mitigate the irritating effect of the anionic surfactants contained in cosmetic formulations. Manufactured with the use of high-quality raw materials of natural origin, they are ideal ingredients for various types of cosmetics, especially personal care products.
Compounds known for over 100 years
Betaines belong to a group of organic chemical compounds with properties that are primarily desirable in the cosmetics industry, as well as in other fields of industry. Their name derives from Beta Vulgaris, the sugar beets where Trimethylglycine was discovered – the first substance from the betaine group. This discovery was made in the 19th century. Since then, many new compounds from the betaine group have been identified. Most of them have been widely used in the cosmetics industry. Betaines are obtained both from synthetic and natural raw materials. Some of the unique products from this group of compounds include bio-betaines. They are manufactured on the basis of raw materials of natural origin, and therefore they fit perfectly into the trend of dynamically developing bio- and eco-cosmetics sectors.
A common and safe raw material
Betaines are amphoteric surfactants, which can be very often found in the composition of cosmetics used as personal hygiene products. They demonstrate a very good conditioning effect on the skin and hair. They also have antistatic properties, preventing hair from picking up static. This makes the hair smooth and shiny. They are most often used in skin care and hair care products. They can be found in:
- bath and face gels and lotions,
- shampoos and hair conditioners.
Cosmetic products that contain betaines may be used by people with sensitive skin prone to irritation. They are also safe for children and infants. Apart from the positive effect on the skin and hair, betaines also have properties which are desirable from the point of view of the quality of cosmetic formulations. They increase the quality and volume of the produced foam and improve its stability. They also mitigate the irritating effects of other ingredients on the skin.
As consumers become more aware of the impact the products they choose have on their health and the environment, natural, organic, vegan and GMO-free formulations gain in popularity. Manufacturers of cosmetics increasingly offer their clients products made of carefully selected raw materials of natural origin. Therefore, with the dynamically developing market of eco-cosmetics in mind, the manufacturers of ingredients for their production are developing new methods of obtaining modern, ecological and natural raw materials from the betaine group.
PCC Group – eco-innovations for health and environment
The BioROKAMINA products mentioned in the article are currently unavailable for purchase.
One of the innovative methods of obtaining ecological amphoteric surfactants from the betaine group is the inclusion in their composition of not only natural fatty amines of plant origin, but also monochloroacetic acid produced on the basis of natural acetic acid formed in the process of plant fermentation. An example of such a raw material is Greenline MCAA 80% UP Solution. The obtained betaines, BioROKAMINA K30B, K30B MB, K40HC and K40HC MB, have a very high natural origin index (according to ISO 16128). In addition, the palm oil derivatives present in the surfactants of the BioROKAMINA range are additionally certified by the RSPO in the MB variant (Mass Balance – www.rspo.org). New BioROKAMINA products are 100% ecological and safe not only for people but also the environment. This is confirmed by the prestigious international ECOCERT COSMOS label. This is the most important and most recognised certificate of quality and environmental safety in Europe. BioROKAMINA products are highly biodegradable, which makes them completely safe for the environment. Their unique composition also allows them to be used in Eco, Organic, Vegan, Paraben Free and GMO Free products.
One product, many benefits
Due to their unique composition of raw materials and their exceptional properties, bio-betaines from the PCC Group are the best ingredient for natural, ecological cosmetic formulations. Their soothing, softening and smoothing properties have a positive impact on the skin and hair. On account of their properties, bio-betaines significantly improve the quality of the final cosmetic formulation, having an impact on the production of delicate, dense and stable foam. The very good foaming properties of bio-betaines improve product efficiency, which reduces the use of surfactants in the production of cosmetics. Innovative production methods and the unique compositions of the raw materials make the bio-betaines offered by PCC Group an excellent choice for the production of ecological natural cosmetics.
More ecological products for the cosmetics industry may be found on the PCC Group Product Portal.