Cosmetics Processing

Cosmetics processing industry

The demand for cosmetic products is growing thanks to new markets and customer groups. As a result, new players are entering this competitive environment.

In this race for market share, time-to-market and flexibility in manufacturing are decisive factors. This calls for modern fully automated processing technology that takes advantage of the latest digital technologies as well.

The cosmetics processing industry exhibits a high degree of innovation, particularly within organic and prestige product lines.

Cosmetic powders

Cosmetic powders have been used since ancient times, for example as make-up. The role of powders as and in cosmetics has developed from crudely pulverized natural powders to highly sophisticated nanomaterials, with powder manipulation processes developing in their complexity and sophistication.

An important advantage of cosmetic powders is the many stability-related benefits they bring to the final product.

Cosmetic powders are usually marketed as loose (flow) powders or compacted (pressed) powders.

They are used to provide adhesiveness, slipperiness, adsorbance, smoothness, and the bloom effect they provide to the skin or hair.

Technical scientific knowledge brings big advantages to the formulator in the increasingly competitive and technological area.

Types of cosmetic powders

Most cosmetic powder products are similar and standardized with regards to their ingredient composition.

Typically, cosmetic powders contain these ingredients:

• Fillers, for example, talc, kaolin, calcium and magnesium carbonate, metallic stearates, silica, and silicates,
• Colors, for example, pigments, lakes, mica, bismuth oxychloride,
• Preservatives,
• Perfume,
• Binding agents, for example, mineral oils, fatty esters, lanolin and derivatives, gums, emulsifying agents.

The composition of these ingredients, along with their particle size and physical properties, has an impact on the technical quality of the final powder formulation.

Cosmetic powders processing

As the global cosmetics industry continues to evolve and grow with new styles, trends, and innovations, the way in which cosmetic products are processed must also be modernized.

Powders form a substantial part of the base materials needed for cosmetics. Cosmetic powders processing requires screening, mixing, milling, drying, and agglomeration technology.

In cosmetic powders processing, it is of particular importance to effectively and cost-efficiently achieve superior hydrophobic (waterproof) and other material properties, along with better distribution of active ingredients.

Specialized process equipment is also crucial to effectively blend cosmetic powder and enrobe it in a hydrophobic coating.

While hydrophobic materials are not new in the cosmetics and personal care industry, optimizing the process is essential to create high-performance, powder-based products ranging from makeup, and mascara to sunblock.

In manufacturing cosmetic products, precision drying is often required as well.

Process equipment that is used for the formulation of powdery cosmetics

A cosmetic powder not only has the effect of improving the appearance of the skin, but also increases the softness and smoothness.

Important process equipment for the formulation of powder cosmetics includes:

• Grinding and milling systems,
• Mixers and blenders,
• Screening and separation systems,
• Dyers and thermal solids processing systems.

Trends and innovations in the cosmetics processing industry

Even during a financial crisis, the global cosmetics industry continued to grow. This is partly because of substantial innovations in all aspects of this industry, including the use of powders and powder-based cosmetic products.

Improved coating technology, such as fluid bed coating, helps to avoid pigment degradation and improves resistance to interaction with naturally present skin oiliness, extending product efficiency.

There is also an increasing development of microspheres with a soft-focus effect and coated and micronized pigments that help to provide good skin coverage.

The powder presence in cosmetic formulations can grant a perfect finish to make-up products and provide good sensorial properties.

Innovations in the cosmetics industry are not short-term. It can take over 5 years of innovative research and formulation to bring a new product to the market.

Innovations are also not static. Every year, a quarter of all cosmetic products on the market are improved or are completely new.

Although innovation in our industry is a constant process, revolutionary breakthroughs are rare.