The natural cosmetics market has seen remarkable growth, as consumers become more conscious of the ingredients they choose for their skincare. This shift towards cleaner beauty products presents a challenge to the industry—how can products be made to last while maintaining their natural integrity?
Natural antioxidants in cosmetics, such as Bioxan® from BTSA, offer an effective solution, ensuring product stability and performance without compromising purity.
Why Natural Antioxidants are Essential in Clean Beauty Formulations
Natural antioxidants in cosmetics play a crucial role in protecting cosmetic formulations from oxidative damage. Oxidation can lead to the degradation of vital ingredients, such as essential oils, active compounds, and carrier oils, resulting in the loss of their efficacy, aroma, and color. Certain oils, like those from lemon and orange, are especially vulnerable to this process due to their high levels of unsaturated compounds. Specifically, lemon oil’s key components such as citral, d-limonene, γ-terpinene, and α- and β-pinenes are particularly affected by oxidation, which can alter their aroma and overall effectiveness [1].
Using natural antioxidants in cosmetics helps to preserve these essential oils and prevent oxidation, maintaining the quality, aroma, and appearance of the product. Unlike synthetic preservatives such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), natural antioxidants in cosmetics provide a cleaner, safer preservation solution that aligns with the principles of natural cosmetics. They help prevent rancidity and deterioration, ensuring products remain safe and effective throughout their shelf life. Additionally, natural antioxidants in cosmetics are often derived from plant-based sources, making them suitable for brands emphasizing sustainability and eco-consciousness.
Bioxan® is a Superior Choice
Bioxan® by BTSA is a top-tier natural antioxidant designed for use in natural cosmetics. Crafted from high-quality tocopherols derived from vegetable oils and enriched with complementary natural ingredients, it offers exceptional protection against oxidative damage. Additionally, Bioxan® boasts excellent emulsifying properties and ensures optimal dispersion throughout the formula, enhancing product stability and performance.
Its formulation is specifically tailored for natural cosmetics certification standards, ensuring it meets the strict requirements of clean-label products. It is certified by Ecocert & Ecocert Cosmos. By choosing Bioxan®, cosmetic manufacturers can enhance both product stability and consumer trust.
Bioxan®’s Effectiveness Confirmed by RapidOxy Testing
To confirm the antioxidant effectiveness of Bioxan®, BTSA conducted thorough testing using the RapidOxy method, a state-of-the-art tool for accelerated oxidation. RapidOxy simulates long-term oxidation processes by exposing samples to pure oxygen under controlled conditions, such as elevated temperature and pressure. This method allows for quick evaluation of an antioxidant’s performance, providing precise, reproducible results that help manufacturers understand the efficacy of preservation strategies. Click here to learn more about the RapidOxy method.
Samples of lemon and orange essential oils were treated with Bioxan®, Bioxan® SF, and Bioxan® T90, at dosages of 500 ppm and 1000 ppm.
The use of Bioxan® improved oxidative stability in all cases, reaching an astonishing increase of 996,8% in the case of Bioxan® T90 at 1000 ppm for lemon essential oil. In the case of orange essential oil, the increase for the same natural antioxidant was even higher, reaching 1121,2%. These results revealed a significant delay in oxidation, confirming Bioxan®’s efficacy.
The samples analyzed were:
- Lemon Essential Oil 10%
- Lemon Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan 500 ppm
- Lemon Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan 10000 ppm
- Lemon Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan SF 500 ppm
- Lemon Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan SF 10000 ppm
- Lemon Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan T90 500 ppm
- Lemon Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan T90 10000 ppm
- Orange Essential Oil 10%
- Orange Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan 500 ppm
- Orange Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan 10000 ppm
- Orange Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan SF 500 ppm
- Orange Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan SF 10000 ppm
- Orange Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan T90 500 ppm
- Orange Essential Oil 10% + Bioxan T90 10000 ppm
The Importance of Antioxidants in Skincare
These results underscore the importance of selecting the right antioxidants in skincare to maintain the quality of essential oils in natural cosmetic products. Oxidized oils not only lose their beneficial properties but can also develop unpleasant odors and discoloration, negatively impacting the overall user experience. Furthermore, oxidation can lead to the formation of free radicals, which may diminish the skin health benefits of the cosmetic product.
Bioxan®’s proven ability to delay oxidation positions it as a powerful solution for preserving the integrity of essential oils. By incorporating Bioxan® into their formulations, cosmetic manufacturers can ensure the creation of high-performance, long-lasting natural cosmetics that meet consumer demands for purity, quality, and sustainability. Bioxan® not only enhances product stability but also aligns with the clean-label principles of eco-conscious cosmetics, making it an essential ingredient for any brand committed to providing safe, effective, and eco-conscious beauty solutions. As the demand for natural cosmetics continues to rise, innovative antioxidants in skincare like Bioxan® will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of sustainable skincare.
Sources
- Zhang H, Wu J, Guo X, Wang J, Chen Q, Liu C, et al. Effects of drying methods on the antioxidant activities of polysaccharides extracted from Ganoderma lucidum. Food Chem. 2009;113(1):57–62. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.05.090
