HydroSal® represents a technology platform based on a liquid polymeric structure that encapsulates active ingredients and is used in topical products.
Purpose & Key Features of HydroSal® Systems
The technology platform offers several features contributing to its effectiveness in skincare formulations. Here are some key features of such a system:
- Enhanced Ingredient Stability: Polymeric encapsulation HydroSal® provides a protective barrier around the active ingredients, shielding them from environmental factors such as light, air, and temperature changes. This helps maintain the stability and efficacy of the active ingredients over time.
- Controlled Release: HydroSal® system allows for controlled and sustained release of active ingredients. This ensures that the ingredients are released gradually onto the skin, providing a prolonged effect and avoiding overwhelming the skin with a sudden influx of actives.
- Improved residence time: HydroSal® encapsulation can enhance the residence time of active ingredients on the skin.
- Reduced Irritation: Some active ingredients can be irritating when applied directly to the skin. HydroSal® can help mitigate this issue by reducing direct contact between the ingredient and the skin's surface, minimizing potential irritation.
- Versatility in Formulations: Liquid polymeric encapsulated systems can be incorporated into various formulations, including serums, lotions, creams, and masks. This versatility allows formulators to create products that cater to various skincare needs.
- Compatibility with Different Actives: HydroSal® encapsulation system can be customized to suit the characteristics of different active ingredients, whether hydrophilic (water-soluble) or lipophilic (oil-soluble). This makes it possible to encapsulate a diverse range of actives in the same formulation.
- Unique Sensory Experience: The encapsulated system can enhance the sensory experience of the product. When encapsulated particles burst upon application, users might experience a pleasant texture and perceive the active ingredients released onto the skin.
- Innovation and Marketing Appeal: HydroSal® is a liquid polymeric encapsulation technology that is an innovative approach to skincare formulations. Brands can highlight this advanced delivery system as a unique selling point, appealing to consumers seeking cutting-edge solutions.
HydroSal® Structure
There are two models of HydroSal®, distinguished by names, HydroSal® and Natural HydroSal®; both are made of vegan ingredients.
The core of the sub-micron sphere is made of structured polymer used to concentrate the active ingredients. Structured polymers are often used for encapsulating active ingredients in skincare formulations due to their ability to provide protection, controlled release, and targeted delivery. These polymers are designed to have specific architectures and functionalities that suit the encapsulation requirements.
The shell is typically made of hydrophilic, film-forming polymers. Film-forming polymers are crucial in encapsulating active ingredients for topical skincare products. These polymers create a protective layer that encapsulates and entraps the active ingredients, enhancing their stability, controlled release, and extend the residence time of the ingredients on the skin and hair.
The features and benefits of the HydroSal® technology platform for topical applications:
- Barrier Protection: HydroSal® creates a barrier that shields encapsulated active ingredients from external factors such as air, light, moisture, and temperature changes. This protection helps preserve the integrity and efficacy of the ingredients over time.
- Controlled Release: HydroSal® can control the release of active ingredients onto the skin. Depending on the polymer's properties and thickness, the release can be gradual, providing a sustained effect over an extended period.
- Enhanced Residence time: HydroSal® can enhance the residence of active ingredients into the skin by promoting their adhesion. HydroSal® helps keep the encapsulated ingredients in close contact with the skin's surface, facilitating their entry into the epidermis and even deeper layers.
- Versatility: HydroSal can work with various active ingredients, both hydrophilic and lipophilic. This versatility makes them suitable for encapsulating various actives used in skincare products.
- Cosmetic Benefits: HydroSal® can also provide cosmetic benefits, such as creating a smooth and even surface on the skin. This can enhance the appearance of the skin and serve as a base for makeup application.
- Improved Texture and Feel: HydroSal® can improve the product's texture by imparting a silky, velvety, or non-sticky feel upon application. This enhances the overall user experience.
- Customizable Properties: HydroSal offers various properties, such as flexibility, thickness, and adherence. Formulators can choose HydroSal®-based products that align with the specific requirements of the product and the desired skin feel.
- Compatibility with Formulations: HydroSal® can be incorporated into various skincare formulations, including serums, lotions, creams, and masks, making them versatile for different product types.
Mechanism of Action
HydroSal® employs a distinctive in-situ encapsulation method, capturing active ingredients directly at the application site as water evaporates. This technique enhances stability, enables controlled release, and facilitates targeted delivery in skincare and cosmetics. Here's how HydroSal® works and its applications in skin care:
In-situ encapsulation involves the creation of encapsulated structures right at the moment of application. This can occur through physical processes, like water evaporation, that result in the formation of micro-sized carriers that contain the active ingredient. These carriers can be lipids, polymers, or other materials.
Benefits of HydroSal®
Enhanced Stability: Active ingredients can be vulnerable to degradation due to factors like light, air, and temperature. In-situ encapsulation protects these ingredients at the time of application, maintaining their stability and efficacy.
Controlled Release: The encapsulated structures can release the active ingredients gradually over time, ensuring a sustained effect and minimizing potential irritation from rapid delivery.
Targeted Delivery: In-situ encapsulation enables precise targeting of active ingredients to specific skin areas or concerns. This ensures that the ingredients reach their intended destination for optimal efficacy.
Customizable Formulations: Formulators can easily use HydroSal for various formulations, such as serums, lotions, creams, and masks, to address specific skincare needs.
Synergistic Formulations: In-situ HydroSal® encapsulation can combine multiple active ingredients that work synergistically, allowing for a multifunctional skincare product.
Unique Texture and Sensory Experience: Depending on the carrier material, HydroSal can provide unique textures and sensory experiences during the application, enhancing user satisfaction.
The release mechanisms of active ingredients from HydroSal
The release of encapsulated active ingredients in skincare formulations depends on crucial factors, determining efficacy, controlled release, and targeted delivery. Here are some key release mechanisms:
- Diffusion Release: In case HydroSal® forms a solid sphere, the release can be controlled by diffusion. The encapsulated active ingredient gradually diffuses through the carrier material, moving from an area of high concentration (within the carrier) to an area of low concentration (the skin or external environment). The rate of diffusion depends on factors such as the size of the active molecule and the permeability of the carrier material.
- Matrix Erosion: HydroSal® can undergo a matrix erosion release. The carrier material gradually degrades or erodes over time due to contact with the skin's moisture or other environmental factors. As the carrier degrades, it releases the encapsulated active ingredient. The release rate is influenced by the properties of the carrier material, such as its solubility or degradation rate.
- Swelling-Controlled Release: Some HydroSal® systems, like hydrogels, can absorb moisture from the skin or environment, causing them to swell. This swelling creates pressure within the encapsulated structure, leading to the release of the active ingredient. The release rate is influenced by the degree of swelling and the porosity of the encapsulated material.
- Enzyme-Mediated Release: Enzymes in the skin can interact with the HydroSal® material, causing it to degrade and release the active ingredient. This mechanism can be useful for targeted delivery to specific areas of the skin.