Isostearate Esters are Valued Cosmetic Ingredients

The unprecedented growth and expansion of the biosciences industry have benefitted many other industries. Today, Oleochemical companies are responsible for sustainable and healthy versions of many of the world’s ingredients in cosmetics, toiletries, food, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, and metal working fluids, among many other products. Isostearate esters, in particular, are highly valued ingredients in hand creams, lipsticks, and other cosmetic products.

These esters are fatty acids that are formed when acid is combined with glycerin or alcohol. They work to enhance the rich feel of cosmetics that are directly applied to the skin.

Esters are temperature stable, meaning they remain at the same consistency and feel whether the ambient temperature is hot or cold. This makes them particularly valuable in applications such as sunscreen and lip balm which are often applied outdoors and are meant as protection against the weather.

Each Ingredient Has a Purpose

In the world of cosmetic manufacturing, every ingredient serves a purpose. If you look at the ingredients on a bottle of skin cream, for instance, you’ll see a list of ingredients and chemicals that may make no sense to you, but they all serve a specific function in the product.

Chemistry is the science of creating a desired reaction or purpose. While certain chemicals can help create one part of a desired outcome, they may also create an undesirable side effect. The chemist trying to achieve a specific outcome for the product may add another chemical that neutralizes the unwanted side effect.

By adding ingredients that work together to produce only the desired outcome, you create a product that may contain ingredients that make other chemicals harmless and neutral without directly contributing to the product’s purpose.

The Benefits of Oleochemicals

One of the many benefits of oleochemicals over petrochemicals derived from fossil fuels is that they need much less neutralizing as they are relatively harmless, to begin with.

Manufacturers started experimenting with oleochemicals back in the 1970s as a result of the oil shortage and the rise in prices that went along with it. Oils produced from palm, coconuts, and soy were much less expensive and relatively plentiful.

Manufacturers soon found that these natural ingredients also contained no cancer-causing ingredients, which made them valuable in the cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

Switch to Sustainable Ingredients

Among the list of benefits of these oleochemicals was that oleochemical ingredients were sustainable. The prices may go up or down to reflect their availability, but they are ultimately sustainable by simply growing more of the source crops when the need arises.

Today Malaysia and Indonesia, with their widespread palm oil plantations, are two of the world leaders in oleo production.

Introducing KLK Oleo

KLK Oleo is one of the world’s leading oleochemical companies. They’re committed to furthering the sustainable development of oleochemicals to help the world wean itself away from petrochemicals.

Contact them directly to find out more about KLK Oleo and their range of products.