The France-based division of the chemicals giant has launched Sphingosomes Moist LS 9871, which, it claims, can cleanse without over drying.
"Sphingosomes Moist not only offers a mild cleansing but also helps restore the skin’s protective barrier, ensuring optimal skin tolerance," LS communications manager Anne-Laurie Rodrigues told CosmeticsDesign.
LS refers to the new ingredient as a ‘next generation micellar solution’ as it contains mild surfactants and a natural moisturising factor that mimics the structure and function of healthy skin.
According to the company, micellar systems, which are collections of surfactant molecules dispersed in a liquid, are an increasingly popular cleansing solution as they do not contain aggressive surfactants that can dry out the skin and interfere with its barrier properties.
Additional moisturizers
With Sphingosomes Moist the company is offering a micellar system containing mild surfactants with additional moisturisers.
“It turns cleansing from an additional stress factor for the skin into something that cares and protects it while helping it to strengthen its natural defences,” said Rodrigues.
According to the company, both lipophilic (oil loving) and hydrophilic (water loving) ingredients are contained in Sphingosomes Moist, which help to keep the skin moisturised.
According to Rodrigues, ex vivo efficacy studies have highlighted strong and long-lasting moisturising properties of the system, up to 24 hours, and its ability to strengthen the stratum corneum while increasing its thickness by 19%.
In addition to being milder on the skin, the company is also positioning the ingredient to fit into the trend for multifunctional products for a consumer always on the move.
The new ingredient can be incorporated into no-rinse cleansers and make up removers for dry and sensitive skins as well as moisturising face sprays for use in dry environments such as aeroplanes.
Another plus point for Sphingosomes Moist is that it can be incorporated into clear formulations so can be used for cleansing waters, claimed the company.