The first natural salicylic acid hits the market

Salicylic acid is a multifunctional ingredient that addresses many of the systemic causes of blemishes, and is particularly used in acne-treating skin care products and related cosmetics.

Alban Muller’s new ingredient, ‘Amiperfect ER’, is a purified wintergreen extract according to the company, offering a natural alternative to synthetic versions of the acid, and so tapping into the huge consumer demand for natural cosmetics ingredients.

The global market for salicylic acid is posed to reach $426.8 million by 2020​, with its projected growth of 8.6% CAGR largely driven by the hair care and skin care market.

Uses​

Alban Muller states that its new Amiperfect ER salicylic acid ingredient will have multiple skin benefits, including anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities, a purifying effect on the skin to reduce excess sebum, and a wrinkle-smoothing impact.

These benefits make is a suitable ingredient for various applications, the company states, including purifying and soothing care for oily skin, resurfacing care, perfecting care (i.e. BB creams), anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle care, and also hair care applications, tackling oily or dandruff-prone hair.

Naturals and multifunction​

Along with its traditional function of tackling acne, Alban Muller’s new salicylic ingredient appears to be designed to tap into two key major trends: anti-ageing and naturals.

This multifunction approach is a savvy one, particularly in the Asia region, where brands are seeing the ever-increasing consumer demand for products which address more than one skin care issue. Formulators, in turn, are demanding ingredients that can offer multiple benefits, and it seems suppliers are making moves to respond.

Speaking recently at the in-cosmetics Korea event, Kunal Mahajan, market researcher from Kline Group, noted that the “increasing usage of innovative multifunctional ingredients​” was one of the top five personal care ingredients demands emerging in the Asia region.