64 HAIR CARE
replace several with one high-performing, naturally derived option. This not only helps streamline development and reduce complexity in formulations, but also resonates with consumers seeking simpler labels.
An innovative ingredient that does a lot, without doing much to the planet. The personal care industry is riddled with ingredients derived from petrochemicals or that take a huge amount of resources and energy to produce. As scientists, we think it is our responsibility to be just as interested and
passionate about ecological systems as we are about innovating skincare and hair care ingredients. That is why we have ensured that
Hydrogels have these credentials baked in by being NATRUE approved, biodegradable, upcycled, sustainable (supportive of 14 of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals), supportive of a circular economy, made with renewable energy, cruelty-free, and non-GMO. Furthermore, they do not use PEG
or palm oil, they are safe for sensitive skin/ hypoallergenic, and are Halal and Kosher certified.
Plus, Hydrogels are sold and shipped as dry proteoglycans to our customers to reduce CO2
from shipping, reduce
plastic packaging, and to forgo preservatives. Formulators can then simply add water to create the hydrogels.
Why hair care needs a new approach We have established that the hair care market is in flux — consumers are demanding products that provide visible results, but that are also made with more mindful
ingredients to be environmentally friendly and safe for sensitivities. At the same time, formulators are
seeking multifunctional ingredients that can streamline INCI lists and enhance efficacy
Figure 1: Proteoglycan structure
Split end repair for hair care Lasting split end repair at multiple weeks, high humidity.
SPLIT END CLOSURE AT 25°C/60% RH
SPLIT END CLOSURE AT 40°C/90% RH-18HR Split-end hair treated with Hydrogel:
across product lines. Hydrogels meet these various needs head on, whether used as a standalone treatment or within shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, or emulsions, this ingredient delivers clinically proven performance that help brands build trust and differentiation.
Split-end hair treated with water: Untreated Post-treated 18hr
N=20 were tested. Post-treated photo is representative of all 20 strands.
Untreated Post-treated 0 min Split-end hair treated with 1% Hydrogel: Post-treated 30 min
Science-driven benefits for hair health 1. Split end repair and long lasting sealing Hydrogels provide split end repair that lasts weeks, even after exposure to high humidity, washing, and heat styling. Split ends are among the most visible signs of hair damage, and one of the most difficult to reverse, yet Hydrogels provide a breakthrough solution. In a study, 75 split end hair samples were
Untreated Post-treated 24hr Post-treated 4 weeks
Split end repair for hair care Even after rinsing and ironing.
SPLIT END REPAIR SURVIVAL FOLLOWING SHAMPOO AND RINSING
Conditions:
• 1% Hydrogel solution was applied on spit end • Hair was conditioned for 4 weeks at 25°C, 60%RH • Rinsed with tap water for 5 seconds while gently rubbing with fingers • Garnier Frucis Shampoo applied and gently rubbed for 5 seconds • Rinsed with tap water for 5 seconds while gently rubbing with fingers
SPLIT END REPAIR SURVIVAL FOLLOWING HAIR IRON TEST
Conditions:
• 1% Hydrogel solution was applied on spit end • Hair was conditioned for 4 weeks at 25°C, 60%RH • Hair was ironed at 232°C (450°F) for 10 seconds
collected from various donors. A single drop of a 1% Hydrogels solution was applied to each split end sample and gently rubbed in for five seconds. After treatment, the hair samples were placed in a temperature and humidity controlled chamber. What we found was that Hydrogels demonstrated an excellent ability to seal split end hairs. In an atmospheric environment, hair strands treated with Hydrogels remained sealed for up to four weeks. Additionally, hair treated with Hydrogels
showed exceptional durability under harsh conditions, including high humidity, high temperatures and rinsing with shampoo and water.
This performance rivals or exceeds leading
market products, with the added advantage of being biodegradable and free from silicone additives.
Untreated Untreated Post-shampoo @ 4 weeks
Post-shampoo and rinsing @ 4 weeks
N=10 were tested. Post-treated and rinsing photos are representative of all 10 strands.
N=10 were tested. Post-treated and post-shampoo and ironing photos are representative of all 10 strands.
Figure 2: Split end hair treated with Hydrogels and water as control; split-end hair treated with Hydrogels followed by harsh conditions survival testing of high humidity, 18 hours at 40°C, 90% RH, iron test 450 F for ten seconds and shampoo and rinsing survival test versus untreated hair
PERSONAL CARE September 2025 Post-shampoo @ 4 weeks
Post-shampoo and rinsing @ 4 weeks
2. Hair binding and penetration Hydrogels have keratin binding and cuticle penetration properties for efficacy on both the surface and inner structure for stronger, more resilient hair and long lasting benefits even after rinsing. In microscopy studies, hair treated with
a 1% Hydrogels solution resulted in a visibly smoother hair surface with the flattened cuticle nearly eliminated. This shows the exciting result
www.personalcaremagazine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
