IPD is a safe and effective solubilising alternative to PEG and ethanol
Ethanol and PEGs are increasingly questioned in cosmetics due to their potential to irritate the skin, their synthetic origin, and concerns over impurities or sustainability. At the same time, consumer demands for gentler and “cleaner” formulations has made ethanol-free and PEG-free claims highly valued in the beauty market.
Developers of cosmetics are therefore increasingly challenged to remove ethanol and PEGs from their formulations. At the same time, they need to look for ways to incorporate higher levels of functional yet poorly soluble ingredients, such as ceramides, salicylic acid, and tocopherol, while maintaining product stability, effectiveness, and sensory appeal.
Smart solubilisation for clean and effective cosmetics
A solution that can respond to all these demands is IPD (isopentyldiol) which enables formulators to design ethanol-free and PEG-free cosmetic products without sacrificing solubility or stability of functional ingredients. Kuraray’s multifunctional solubiliser and solvent provides a versatile, safe and efficient option for applications ranging from skin care and exfoliating serums to fragrances. Thanks to its strong solubilising capacity and superior sensory profile, IPD supports the creation of advanced, consumer-friendly cosmetic formulations.
IPD’s excellent ability to not only solubilize poorly soluble actives, but also improve formulation clarity, stability and skin retention is demonstrated in a technical case-study conducted by Kuraray:
- Ceramide: IPD improved solubilisation of ceramide in PEG-free systems using polyglycerin-based surfactants. This allows higher ceramide content, enhancing moisture efficacy.
- Menthol and tocopherol: IPD boosts solubility of menthol and tocopherol in PEG-free bases, enabling stabile incorporation of these actives without ethanol.
- Salicylic acid: IPD significantly enhances the solubilisation of salicylic acid, supporting its use in higher concentrations.
- Fragrance: IPD has proven effective in solubilising various fragrances in ethanol-free and PEG-free formulations, including γ-Undecalactone, α-Pinene, and Citronellol.
Kuraray technical case study
Kuraray has conducted a technical case study that demonstrates how IPD enables stable solubilisation of poorly soluble actives such as ceramides, salicylic acid, tocopherol, menthol, and perfume while improving formulation clarity, stability, and skin retention. The case study can be downloaded here (SpecialChem).
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