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The essential connection between healthy scalp & healthy hair

Embedded in the scalp are hundreds of thousands of microscopic hair follicles, that surround the bulbous root of the hair and the lowest part of the hair shaft. They’re important because they generate the hair shaft, at a rate of about 10 mm a month. The foundation of strong, healthy hair begins at the root - making follicle and scalp health essential to overall hair vitality.

The health of follicles – and scalp health in general – depends on various factors, but one of the most important is the level of oxidative stress. This is caused by the build-up of reactive oxygen species, which can directly damage the cellular machinery in the follicles, preventing them from carrying out their hair-building function properly. This damage gradually accumulates over time, ultimately leading to thinner, weaker hair as we get older.

To support scalp health at the source, Elkem has developed a silicone featuring a specially designed hindered-amine side chain. This innovation offers impressive free radical protection - up to 97% for hair follicles and 100% for skin explants. It's a powerful solution for those looking to care for their hair more holistically, focusing not only on the hair shafts but also on the health of the follicles that generate them.

Explore the most popular ingredients to explore in this segment.

Bonus: Here’s a recipe for a detox shampoo and conditioner:

The most obvious problem posed by aging hair is color loss caused by a decline in the number of special cells (melanocytes) that produce the pigment melanin. The most obvious solution is to obscure the grayness with dyes. However, coloring treatments can damage the waxy cuticle – the outer protective layer of the hair shaft. This leads to frizzy, dull, unmanageable hair. 

This is where silicones can play the hero! Silicones offer a range of benefits for hair of all types, but they are particularly important for managing mature hair. Here’s their action on the hair:

• Smoothing the cuticles & restore shine
• Reducing friction between hair strands so they are easy to comb and less prone to breakage
• Guard against humidity and prevent frizz
• Minimize dyes to leach out so the color stays longer
• Protect hair from damage caused by use of hair styling appliances

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With a clear understanding of the advantages of Elkem Silicones in hair care, we will now transition to the equally important aspect of skin care and the contributions these ingredients offer.

Sebum is a natural, oily or waxy substance composed of triglycerides, wax esters, squalene, and free fatty acids. It covers most of the skin’s surface, playing a key role in maintaining skin hydration and barrier function. It is secreted by the sebaceous glands, which are usually (but not always) attached to hair follicles.

Sebum has an important role in moisturizing the skin, protecting the body against bacterial and fungal infections, and guarding against damage from UV light. However excess sebum can combine with dead skin cells to block the sebaceous gland duct or the whole hair follicle, leading to the condition known as acne. This can take the form of whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules or (in the worst case) cysts, which can lead to permanent scarring of the skin.

The most effective strategies for preventing issues related to sebum buildup include avoiding oil-based (comedogenic) products and incorporating regular use of mild cleansers that gently remove excess sebum without disrupting the skin barrier.

While silicones are typically used in liquid form and are prized for improving application, blurring imperfections, and delivering a silky, moisturized feel - they can also be engineered to help regulate sebum production.

How do silicones act on sebum?

Silicone elastomer powders act like micro sponges, soaking up sebum. This results in a gradual reduction in sebum levels. Unlike acne treatments that use active ingredients like salicylic acid to dry out the skin and eliminate acne, silicone elastomer powders manage oil without causing dryness.

Additionally, these powders are small and spherical, providing a smooth, silky, and cushiony feel. They offer a soft-focus matte effect upon application and are easy to formulate with humectants and other cosmetic ingredients, optimizing moisture levels simultaneously. Silicone elastomer powders, like other silicone ingredients, are non-comedogenic and backed by a well-established history of safety and performance in personal care formulations.

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Finally, we will examine the significant contribution of Elkem’s silicones to sun care products, highlighting their ability to enhance protection and wearability.

In recent decades, the harmful effects of UV exposure on skin health – and particularly its ability to result in premature aging – have become more prominent. The industry has witnessed a shift in active ingredients used in sunscreens. Whereas the main UV filters used to be organic chemicals such as avobenzone and oxybenzone, these days inorganic minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide being used.

Another trend we see nowadays is that of ‘natural beauty’. While silicones are not considered ‘natural’ due to the chemical processes involved in their production, they are largely derived from the naturally occurring mineral silica.

Silicones are key to elevating the performance of sun protection products, particularly those with inorganic UV filters - by improving spreadability, minimizing the white cast typical of mineral sunscreens, and delivering a more enjoyable, elegant application.

Why choose silicones in sunscreens with inorganic UV filters:

• Smooth, even coverage: Silicones spread effortlessly on the skin, helping to deliver fast, uniform application, essential for reliable sun protection.
• Lightweight sensory experience: Unlike heavier sunscreen ingredients, silicones offer a non-greasy, silky feel that enhances user comfort and encourages daily use.
• Efficiency: Silicones help efficiently disperse mineral (inorganic) UV filters, improving formulation performance and stability.
• Skin-friendly ingredient: Known for being hypoallergenic, silicones are well-suited for sensitive skin types.
• Regulatory compliance: Elkem’s silicones comply with all the relevant safety and environmental regulations.

Explore popular grades in this segment and get access to samples.

Bonus: Here is your recipe of Sun Butter by Elkem Silicones

Continued innovation from Elkem Silicones, with a growing emphasis on bio-based and sustainable alternatives, signals a positive trajectory for the personal care industry. With their demonstrated versatility and ongoing commitment to advancement, they are key players in shaping the future of personal care. By embracing the potential of their silicones, we can unlock a new level of efficacy and performance expected from personal care rituals.

The primary role of color cosmetics or makeup products is to provide pigmentation. However, their sensory characteristics also contribute significantly to their appeal.

Silicones are widely used in color cosmetics due to their hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic properties. They are safe to use in the beauty industry. While silicone-free products have their own appeal, silicones excel in optimizing ease of application, coverage, appearance, and wear time. They are accessible, affordable, and their performance is tough to match. 

You can choose the right silicones based on the desired performance: 

• Easy to apply: Depends on the spreadability and glide of the formulation. Very low surface tension silicones enable eyeliners and lip products to look smooth and effortless.
• Even coverage and natural finish: Silicones play a crucial role in dispersing and spreading pigments, which helps to avoid a heavy or cakey appearance and ensures even coverage.
• Silky, soft texture: Silicone elastomer gels are known for their smooth, flawless look and comfortable feel.
• Improve durability: Silicone film formers contribute to the durability of makeup by resisting the degrading effects of water, sebum, and transfer.

Bonus: View all 13+ formulations used in decorative cosmetics

Silicone in cosmetics offer various forms and functions, such as volatile and non-volatile liquids, low and high viscosity fluids, elastomer gels, resins, and film formers.

• Volatile silicones lower the foundation's viscosity. They allow fast spreading, quick drying, and sufficient playtime resulting in perfect coverage.
   

• Silicone elastomer gels impart a healthy skin sensation, smooth out natural unevenness, and soft focus through light scattering, offering an immediate enhancement in appearance and feel. 

   

   

• Silicone film formers are essential for creating high-quality, long-lasting, and visually appealing color cosmetics.

   

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