Personal care products – the first step in daily care

Due to direct contact with the skin, the market of personal hygiene and body care products is characterized by high requirements imposed by a number of regulations. The basic components of cleaning agents are foaming and foam stabilizing substances, as well as those improving foam quality. The product’s high quality is associated with good foaming properties. Consumers are looking for the preparations with the best cleaning properties, and at the same time ensuring mildness to the user.

The range of products that are available on the cosmetics market is still being developed. Manufacturers offer new types of agents that are distinguished by even better properties than those of standard liquid soaps, bath lotions or shower gels. The production of cosmetics based on natural ingredients is the trend continued over the last few years. Modern consumers pay more attention to ecological aspects, origin of base ingredients, and production method.

Surfactants

Surfactants are surface active agents that are the basic components of body care and personal hygiene products. The PCC Group offers a whole range of raw materials and additives dedicated to the cosmetics industry. The company’s products have ECOCERT and ECOCERT COSMOS certificates. They meet the requirements of NordicEcolabeling, EcoLabel, and Nordic Swan certification. All production plants in which manufacture surfactants are covered by the certified GMP EFfCI Good Manufacturing Practices system. This allows the company to provide its customers with high quality and safety of the products manufactured.

Foaming ingredients

The key ingredients of cleaning products are foaming and foam stabilizing substances, as well as those improving foam quality. The PCC Group offer includes such products as SULFOROKAnols, i.e. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and ROSULfans, including Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which are distinguished by a different range of active substance concentrations. Currently, on the cosmetics market, consumers are looking for foaming agents to create SLES Free formulations. In response to the demand of the market Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), trade name ROSULfan A., was created. Another popular product among anionic surfactants is ROKAtend GL. It is an amino acid surfactant with mild properties. It is distinguished by its exceptional cleaning properties and reduction of irritating properties of other surfactants contained in the cosmetic formulation.

Among the amphoteric surfactants, we can find the so-called betaines. They are distinguished by very good thickening properties, but above all, excellent foaming properties. Betaines perfectly stabilize foam, and soothe the irritating properties of other formulation ingredients, especially SLESs. The PCC Group offer includes Cocamidopropylbetaine with a concentration of 30% and 40% (ROKAmina K30, ROKAmina K40 and Rokamina K40HC), and Coco Betaine (ROKAmina K30B), which has a lower CLP classification, and is dedicated especially to high-quality cosmetic formulations.

Skin friendly surfactants

When creating cosmetic formulations, great consideration is given to the fact that the product does not cause an allergic reaction, and is mild for the skin. For this purpose, thickeners and substances that modify rheological properties are used. The fact enables to limit the salt addition, and obtain the desired consistency of the final product. The PCC Group has in its offer surfactants performing these functions, and these include alkanolamides, i.e. Cocamide DEA (ROKAmid KAD) and Oleamide DEA (ROKAmid RAD), as well as fatty alcohols with a low level of ethoxylation, and betaines.

Additives improving the quality of cosmetics

Emulsifiers are a necessary addition in cosmetic products. As part of its portfolio, the PCC Group offers emulsifiers in the form of ethoxylated fatty alcohols that differ in chain length. These include Ceteareth-20 (ROKAnol T20) and Ceteareth-25 (ROKAnol T25). The ROKAcet series is ethoxylated fatty acids that provide effective emulsifying ability. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil – ROKAcet HR40 is a representative of this series. This product is an emulsifier of fragrances and essential oils, as well as other oil substances. POLIkols can also be found in the PCC Group catalogue. These are polyethylene glycols (PEG), which are also used as additives in cosmetics. Their functions depend on the length of the polyethylene chain. They can act as emulsifying, wetting, dispersing agents, and also appear as emollients, solubilizers or humectants. The use of alkoxylated fatty alcohols with reduced foaming properties also improves the wetting properties of cosmetic products.

For customers who are looking for an economical and universal component of the cosmetic formulation, the PCC Group has developed a surfactant blend under the name EXOcare PC60. It has exceptional thickening, cleaning and foaming properties. With the right selection of ingredients, it works as an ideal component for the production of shower gels, bath foams and shampoos.

Basic raw materials

In the PCC Group catalogue, customers can also find chemical products that constitute the so-called base raw materials for the cosmetics industry. These are, among others, flaked caustic soda, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. They are used in the production of soap, as well as other substances that are part of personal hygiene products and cosmetics. The PCC Group has one of Europe’s most modern membrane installation for the manufacture of sodium hydroxide. Whereas the products that are produced in the hydrochloric acid synthesis installation are distinguished by unique concentrations on a European scale, and exceptional purity.

Ready-to-use products

In addition, the PCC Group has a portfolio of finished cosmetic products. B2B customers are offered the Roko Hygiene line. This is, among others, a series of liquid soaps, but also foam soaps. These products are intended for versatile application, and can be used in various types of dispensers. Finished products regularly undergo microbiological and dermatological tests. Ready-to-use formulations from the PCC Group offer do not cause irritation, have a neutral pH, and are mild for the skin. The Roko Hygiene product line is distinguished by the content of the highest quality surfactants, as well as enriching additives, e.g. aloe vera extract, glycerine, collagen with elastin, lanolin, and natural lipids.

We would also like to recommend the latest edition of the Cosmetic Formulation Book, which was developed by PCC EXOL SA experts – a manufacturer of surfactants for the cosmetics industry.