Syntopix makes green breakthrough

The Bradford-based group, which was spun out of Leeds University, completed the healthcare and cosmetics challenge which was backed by Intelligent Formulation.

Syntopix, along with international chemistry experts, studied how to design cosmetic and personal care formulations containing novel surfactants, which lower the surface tension of a liquid.

Surfactants help the water and “oil” components to hold together in stable formulations.

The research project focussed on surfactants to satisfy the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly and biodegradable ingredients used to create cosmetic products.

Dr Steve Jones, chief executive of Syntopix Group, said: “The work Syntopix has done to characterise surfactants is a benefit not only to the group but also to the wider scientific community.

“The project will help define the parameters for successful formulations and we hope that it will encourage surfactant suppliers to measure and provide Cc values to aid their customers in formulation design.

“From our own perspective, we now have new chemical information on two environmentally friendly surfactants that we can incorporate into our own formulations.

“Following our recent acquisition of Leeds Skin, we now also have the capacity to test our formulations in house using our unique human skin model, LabSkin. As consumers demand more natural ingredients in their personal care products, this will give our products a real edge over competitors.”