Platform 01 · Liquid · Lipid-core microspheres
Puts active ingredients where they need to work, and keeps them there.
A water-dispersible suspension of microspheres. A solid, hydrophobic lipid core holds the active ingredient. A hydrophilic shell keeps the microspheres suspended in water and helps them adhere to skin and hair. The result is targeted deposition, on the surface or into deeper layers of the stratum corneum, followed by sustained release.
The goal
Applying an active ingredient is not the same as delivering it. Much of a free active ingredient rinses off, evaporates or sits where it cannot act. SalSphere® is designed for deposition: getting the active ingredient onto skin or hair, into the right layer, and keeping it there.
The core
A hydrophobic core of natural waxes and lipids acts as a reservoir. Its composition is optimized product by product for compatibility with the active ingredient, payload and release profile.
The shell
Each core is surrounded by a hydrophilic shell. It keeps the microspheres evenly suspended in water-based formulas, including clear ones, and through electrostatic interactions helps them adhere to skin and hair.
The deposition
Depending on the design, SalSphere® can concentrate an active ingredient on the skin surface, for exfoliation for example, or carry it into deeper layers of the stratum corneum and along the follicle, where ingredients such as peptides need to work.
The release
Once deposited, the lipid core releases the active ingredient gradually. In SalSphere® Even Skin, the core softens with skin sebum, so release is faster in oil-rich areas. Skin gets the full dose a little at a time, which helps reduce irritation from acids.
The format
SalSphere® is supplied as a liquid micro-suspension of spheres that disperses into water-based serums, gels, lotions and cleansers.
Why SalSphere®
SalSphere® is a delivery system first. It deposits active ingredients where they are needed, holds them there and releases them gradually. Protection and easier formulating come with it.
Delivers active ingredients to the skin surface, deeper layers of the stratum corneum or the follicle, by design.
The hydrophilic shell helps microspheres adhere to skin and hair, so more of the active ingredient stays where it was applied.
The full dose is applied and released gradually, which helps skin tolerate acids such as salicylic acid.
Keeps insoluble active ingredients evenly suspended in water-based formulas, including clear ones.
The lipid core shields sensitive ingredients, such as natural extracts prone to oxidation.
Core composition, shell charge and release profile are adjusted for each active ingredient and application.
From our webinars
Our webinars walk through how SalSphere® deposits, retains and releases active ingredients, with real formulation case studies.
Dr. Sam Shefer on the six jobs of a delivery system: protection, compatibility, deposition, retention, release and bioavailability.
Watch on YouTubeHow delivery systems help active ingredients deposit on skin and hair, and stay there.
Watch on YouTubeReady-made active ingredients
SalSphere® Apple (NHGP)
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SalSphere® Salicylic Acid
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SalSphere® Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO)
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SalSphere® Light
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SalSphere® Anti-Aging Lift
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SalSphere® Severe Acne Relief
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SalSphere® Even Skin
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SalSphere® Hair Stimulator
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SalSphere® Aqua Skin
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SalSphere® Style Protector
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SalSphere® Skin Repair
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Typically natural ingredients such as waxes and lipids. The composition is optimized product by product for compatibility with the active ingredient, payload and release profile.
No. The shell is part of each microsphere: a hydrophilic layer around the lipid core that keeps the microspheres suspended in water and helps them adhere to skin and hair through electrostatic interactions. It can be cationic or non-ionic.
That depends on the design. SalSphere® can be built for retention on the skin surface or to carry active ingredients into deeper layers of the stratum corneum and the follicle. It is designed for topical delivery.
The lipid core can be formulated to soften at a chosen temperature. Ask us about heat-activated designs for your application.
We tune the core, the shell and the release profile to your active ingredient, where it needs to go and the format you are making.
