Editorials

Get an overview by SpecialChem experts on the latest "Industry Discussions" with our Hot-Topics!

Apr 3, 2008 - Aromatherapy Trends - Whats New and some issues by Vispi Kanga

Vispi KangaAromatherapy is the use of naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote complete health...
Feb 20, 2008 - SpecialChem: Interview with Lara Deutsch, co-founder, Stem Organics by Imogen Matthews

Imogen MatthewsLast year, niche organic brand Stem Organics entered the Australian market with a launch in Myer department stores. Following a SpecialChem interview with founder Lara Deutsch last year, Stem Organics was contacted by a number of stockists asking to sell the range. One year on, Stem Organics is gaining international recognition and was one of the lucky few to have its products featured in the sought-after celebrity gift bags at the 65th Annual Golden Globes...
Jan 17, 2008 - Mineral make-up: the natural alternative by Imogen Matthews

Imogen MatthewsMineral make-up is not a new trend, but it has received a fresh make-over and new natural positioning. Previously, mineral make-up was a niche category, with lesser-known brands sold outside the main retail arena...
Dec 19, 2007 - Still Fighting for Survival by Nick Morante

Nick MornateThere are some things that seem to linger in this industry of ours. They just don't seem to go away like we hope they would. This could be good or it could be bad. It all depends on what side of the fence you happen to be standing on. For instance, there has been no let up on the number of natural and organic products coming on the market. This is probably because there is so much money in this product segment...
Dec 5, 2007 - Exotic Plant Oils by Pr. Marie-Claude MARTINI

For the last few years it seems that there has been some new plant oil appearing for use in cosmetics every day. They can be European or exotic. This is because of both the trend towards all that is "natural" and "organic", which tends to prefer ingredients of natural origin at the expense of synthetic products; and scientific work on the cutaneous barrier which has confirmed the need for the presence of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids to maintain skin homeostasis...
Oct 29, 2007 - The Himalayan Inspiration of Forest Essentials by Ritu Jha

Mira Kulkarni founded Forest Essentials in 2000, following her passion to create natural Ayurvedic cosmetics. The brand started out making soaps made by hand with oil from a cold-press process that leaves nutrients intact. Later, it added steam-distilled essential oils used for fragrances, herbal infusions, organic whole fruits and vegetables, which have quickly sold. Next came an entire range of skincare and hair products developed in association with Ayurvedic physicians based in the Himalayas...
Aug 3, 2007 - Ingredients with Bad Press - LANOLIN by Nick Morante

Lanolin is a by-product of wool grease. It is extracted from the wool after the sheep has had its wool removed resulting in no harm to the animal.
Jul 20, 2007 - Trends – Is Organic Really Better by Nick Morante

Is Organic Really Better? I've been waiting for this day for over a year now. Cosmetic & Toiletries has just published an article asking just that question. I have been interviewed by many beauty magazines asking me about natural products and mineral makeups and I always raise this question and ask that it be put in the article...
Jul 6, 2007 - Ingredients with Bad Press - MINERAL OIL by Nick Morante

Mineral oils are aliphatic hydrocarbons and are the product of the petroleum distillation process. They are available in many grades differing mainly in viscosity. Essentially they are liquid paraffin waxes and the higher molecular weight varieties are called petrolatums...
Jun 22, 2007 - Organic Panic by Nick Morante

On my recent 2-day visit to this year's Suppliers' Day I was astonished to see just how many companies are marketing natural ingredients...
Apr 13, 2007 - What's New in Naturals and Fragrance Cosmetics 2007 – Part 2 by Vispi Kanga

Victoria Secret Beauty introduced Exotic Nectars, the new island-inspired fragrant body care line consisting of 3 nectars, Tahitian Vanila flower, Bali Orchid, and Moorea Passion Fruit. The line has exotic perfume extract rollerball, silk body lotion, body butters, body polish (scrubs) and body mists...
Apr 11, 2007 - New Products – Natural and Preservative-Free by Nick Morante
Apr 9, 2007 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 12 by Nick Morante

In the continuation of this series, I feel is very important for people to know and understand some of the things that the United States Food and Drug Administration watches out for which could cause harm to the consumer...
Mar 26, 2007 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 11 by Nick Morante

I want to continue on the subject of potential irritants and allergens on the skin. It is a serious subject that the Food and Drug Administration warns us about every day. Of the many ingredients used in cosmetics to fight the visible signs of aging, none see more use today that alpha hydroxy acids, or AHA's...
Mar 12, 2007 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 10 by Nick Morante

The Food and Drug Administration certainly does care about the consumer. They are not the type of regulatory agency that just wants to shut cosmetics manufacturers down. But if the FDA sees that some danger will come to the consumer, it is their responsibility to step in...
Mar 2, 2007 - Naturals Way Back When by Nick Morante

A few years ago, when I was still a lab manager at Estée Lauder, some of my job responsibilities were to evaluate the formulations of some of the brands that Estee Lauder had acquired when it went public...
Mar 1, 2007 - What's New in Naturals and Fragrance Cosmetics in 2007 Part - 1 by Vispi Kanga

Researchers admit that sophisticated consumers have raised the bar on R&D, but they're not fazed. It'd be nice to slow down and catch our breath, but speed-to-market has become absolutely critical. R&D has shifted from prestige marketers to a diversified field of players...
Feb 23, 2007 - Why Naturals? by Nick Morante

Naturals, naturals, naturals. That's all I (we) hear about. I hate to beat a dead horse but this subject will never go away. I started contributing technical articles and editorials for SpecialChem in August of 2006...
Feb 16, 2007 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 9 by Nick Morante

In the continuation of this series, this article involves the use of cosmetic ingredients and the control the FDA has on the drug and cosmetics industry...
Jan 26, 2007 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 7 by Nick Morante

As well as seeing the FDA send out warning letters to potential violators of the US cosmetics laws and regulations, cosmetics and personal care companies do at times request product recalls when they feel that harm may come to the consumer...
Jan 19, 2007 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 6 by Nick Morante

On August 29, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban on over-the-counter sales of cosmetic products containing hydroquinone (1,4-Dihydroxybenzene; CAS Number: 123-31-9; EINECS No: 204-617-8) a skin lightening ingredient for cosmetics and personal care products...
Jan 12, 2007 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 5 by Nick Morante

Color additives are subject to a strict system of approval under United States Law. Except in the case of coal-tar hair dyes, failure to meet U.S. color additive requirements causes a cosmetic to be adulterated...
Jan 5, 2007 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 4 by Nick Morante

The FDA does send out warning letters to individuals who either knowingly or by accident place a product on the market that either contains a prohibited ingredient, makes a claim that cannot be substantiated or makes a drug claim without proper registration, testing, labeling or advertising...
Jan 3, 2007 - Aromachology and Aromatherapy by Vispi Kanga

Aromachology and Aromatherapy and are two terms that are widely used today. However, they do not mean the same thing. Aromachology is the study of the effect of aroma / fragrances on the human being's state of mood, mind and behavior...
Dec 29, 2006 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 3 by Nick Morante

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting the public to a number of reported adverse reactions associated with individuals who have undergone certain micropigmentation procedures, a form of tattooing, used to apply "permanent makeup" for lip liner, eyeliner, or eyebrow color...
Dec 22, 2006 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 2 by Nick Morante

Many people are aware of some of the most common and best known sources of lead poisoning, such as lead paint and fumes from leaded gasoline...
Dec 15, 2006 - FDA Concerns Regarding Cosmetic Ingredients - Part 1 by Nick Morante

As of January 30, 2006, The Food and Drug Administration is proposing to revise its requirements for cochineal extract and carmine by requiring their declaration on the label of all food and cosmetic products that contain these color additives...
Oct 17, 2006 - PYCNOGENOL®
Skin Care Applications by Vispi Kanga

Pycnogenol® is the registered trademark for the unique extract from the bark of French maritime pine trees which are cultivated in forest of millions of acres in South-West France near the famous Bordeaux region...
Apr 4, 2006 - Organic and Natural Cosmetics - An Overview by Patricia Lemann

Patricia LemannToday we are aware of the growing consumer interest for products which preserve health and well-being. Ecologists, consumer protection associations relayed by the media, nourish this passion as well as suspicion relating to certain synthetic ingredients, like some preservatives (paraben) or the use of mineral oils (derived from hydrocarbons)...

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