Cosmetics Processing

Cosmetics-processing-industry-cosmetics-manufacturing-powder-bulkinside

The cosmetics industry is a global powerhouse, encompassing an expansive array of products designed to enhance beauty, promote skin care, and provide personal care solutions. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the cosmetics sector is a dynamic and rapidly evolving industrial domain with a profound impact on economies, research and development, and manufacturing.

The cosmetics manufacturing industry can be described as an industry that manufactures cosmetics.

These cosmetics include:

  • Color cosmetics, for example, mascara and foundation,
  • Skincare cosmetics, for example, cleansers and moisturizers,
  • Haircare products, for example, shampoos, conditioners, and hair colors,
  • Toiletries, for example, soap and bubble bath.

A small number of multinational corporations dominate the cosmetics manufacturing industry.

The cosmetics manufacturing industry is a science-driven and highly innovative sector. Research and Development programs delve into all imaginable aspects of beauty and well-being, from investigating consumer behavior and beauty aspirations, the biology of skin, hair, teeth, and oral cavity, to new innovative technologies and bettering sustainable development methods.

Thanks to new markets and customer groups, the demand for cosmetic products is growing. 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 also takes advantage of the latest digital technologies.

The cosmetics processing industry exhibits high innovation, particularly within organic and prestige product lines.Cosmetics Processing and Manufacturing - Cream manufacturing

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

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

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

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

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

Most cosmetic powder products are similar and standardized concerning 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 include mineral oils, fatty esters, lanolin and derivatives, gums, and emulsifying agents.

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

GEMCO-Tumble-Blender-with-Pneumatic-Conveying-VAC-U-MAX-Cosmetics
Picture: GEMCO Tumble Blender with VAC-U-MAX Pneumatic Conveying System

As the global cosmetics industry evolves and grows with new styles, trends, and innovations, processed cosmetics 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 crucial to effectively and cost-efficiently achieve superior hydrophobic (waterproof) and other material properties and 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.

A cosmetic powder improves the appearance of the skin and increases the softness and smoothness.

Essential process equipment for the formulation of powder cosmetics includes:

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 avoid pigment degradation and enhances 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 makeup products and provide good sensorial properties.

Innovations in the cosmetics industry are not short-term, and it can take over five 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 entirely new.

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

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Articles about Cosmetics Processing

Experts for Cosmetics Processing

Carrie Hartford is the Director of Business Development and Senior Project Engineer in Jenike & Johanson’s office in California. For nearly 2 decades, she has been solving challenging bulk material flow related problems around the world. Typical projects include the analysis and design of bins, hoppers, feeders, and transfer chutes. Previously, she opened and established an engineering office and laboratory facilities in Perth, Western Australia. Internationally she publishes and presents technical papers, participates in conferences, and presents numerous short courses in the field of bulk solids flow. Carrie has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MBA from Azusa Pacific University in California. She is a licensed Professional Mechanical Engineer in the State of California.
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More than 35 years’ experience in development and realisation projects as a project manager for feed, aqua feed and petfood. Working at Dinnissen for 25 years as account manager in feed, aqua feed and petfood division. Specialist in developing major projects with added value focussing on pneumatic conveying, mixing, drying, grinding and coating with liquid and powder systems.
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Tim Porco is the the President of Erie Technical Systems Inc. He oversees the company’s day-to-day operations, ensuring top-notch solutions for customer needs. He holds a Chemical Engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University and is an active member of the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Filling Association (FIBCA). With an extensive background in technical sales, product management, and sales management within the powder solids handling industry, Tim applies his diverse skills to develop economical solutions for clients. Tim is committed to listening carefully to customer requirements and translating them into effective applications of Erie Technical Systems equipment.
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Since 2016, David Hyer has served as the President and General Manager of Thayer Scale and is responsible for daily operations. In 2013, he rejoined the company after serving as the division manager of the circuit-board test and inspection business at Teradyne. His professional experience includes senior management positions in sales and business development at Teradyne and two venture capital-backed startups. His first position was with Thayer Scale in 1985 as a college student writing machine-level code for the PI-164 instrument. David has expertise in the design and manufacture of market-leading conveyor belt scales and gravimetric feeders. With an unyielding focus on product line specialization and quality, the company’s portfolio of products and customized solutions are tailored to the unique requirements of its three key segments; Food, Energy & Building Products, and Chemical & Industrial. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University. He is married with three children and enjoys tennis, golf, and spending time on his boat.
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Tim Llewellyn is the Global Projects & Applications Engineering Manager at Flexicon Corporation, a world leader in the design and manufacture of bulk handling equipment and custom-engineered systems. He has over 20 years of experience managing and delivering complex global projects within the bulk material handling industry, including expertise across multiple sectors, including food, chemical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and plastics. Tim has a proven track record of building and managing teams focused on helping clients solve their powder handling challenges. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University.
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Sylvain Bellamy is currently the Commercial Director for Powder Process and Technology at Tetra Pak, based in France. With over 25 years of specialized experience in powder processing, handling, and packing, Sylvain has held various roles across the Americas and Europe, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the global market. Sylvain’s robust background in the food processing industry has sharpened his powder expertise during his years at Tetra Pak, where he contributed to developing innovative powder processing solutions. He leverages his extensive experience to drive strategic growth and operational excellence, always ensuring the delivery of cutting-edge technology and solutions that bring innovations to the market. Contact: Sylvain.Bellamy@tetrapak.com
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Emre Ergun is the Head of Sales of IEP Technologies Europe. He brings over 24 years of experience in the industrial explosion protection and prevention field, specializing in explosion suppression & isolation systems, venting (including flameless venting), and spark detection & extinguishment solutions. He is also experienced on dust explosibility testing methods, applications and relevant standards. He holds BS Chemical Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Ankara, MS Engineering Management from Northeastern University Graduate School of Engineering, Boston MA and MBA from Babson College, F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Wellesley MA USA. Mr. Ergun is a certified safety auditor (CSA) by the National Association of Safety Professionals, NASP.
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Chris Nawalaniec is President at Stedman Machine Company, the Aurora, Ind.-based manufacturer of size reduction equipment and systems, founded in 1834. Nawalaniec graduated from the University of Cincinnati (BSME, MBA) and has more than 30 years professional experience in size reduction and particle size separation.
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Robert brings over 25 years of experience for bulk material handling and material processing equipment to Material Transfer. At MTS, he is responsible to fostering new business opportunities while nurturing account relationships. His depth of experience and industry knowledge allows our Team to meet the growing needs of our customers as we continue to provide the highest quality systems to the marketplace.
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Nathan Grube is Regional Vice President of Sales for BinMaster covering the central United States including a ten-state area stretching from North Dakota to Texas. He joined BinMaster in 2001, already equipped with five years of experience in agricultural equipment. Grube has worked with end users, distributors, and OEMs across the US. His vast expertise covers many industries including agriculture, aggregates, cement, plastics, and mining, among others.
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