SUMMARY
AKYPO® FOAM LM 25 is the latest anionic sulfate-free surfactant, launched by Kao Chemicals Europe. This surfactant (INCI name: Potassium Laureth-4 Carboxylate) was developed with the aim of obtaining a special texture. The product has been designed to achieve luxurious foam, with a very small bubble size and high foam consistency. Despite being an anionic surfactant, it is mild to the skin and eyes. When used as a secondary surfactant, it reduces irritation and improves the foam quality of the formulation. Easy to thicken surfactant and specially designed for sulfate-free formulations.
AKYPO® FOAM LM 25 (INCI: Potassium Laureth-4 Carboxylate) from Kao Chemicals Europe was developed to provide luxurious lather in sulfate free detergents. It’s no secret that the development of shampoos and shower gels without classic anionic surfactants such as sodium laureth sulfate or ammonium laureth sulfate is a very difficult task for the developer. It is necessary to solve the issues of not only obtaining a sufficient amount of foam, but also the ease of foaming the surfactant composition, adequate thickening in terms of cost, etc. The new alkyl ethoxycarboxylate from Kao makes these challenging tasks easier.
AKYPO® FOAM LM 25 is anionic and, even when used as the sole surfactant, provides all the properties required for sulfate-free cosmetic detergents. The structural formula of surfactants and the main advantages are presented below:
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Even though Akypo® Foam LM 25 is an anionic surfactant, it is exceptionally soft to the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes (fig. 1, 2). When using Akypo® Foam LM 25 as a co-surfactant, the overall irritant potential is reduced and the foam quality of the formulation is improved.
AKYPO® FOAM LM 25 provides micro-bubble foam that increases active surface area, helping to improve both cleaning performance and foam stability. fig.3 shows the data obtained on the Krüss foam analyzer, showing the difference between the bubble size obtained when foaming a 1% solution of the composition SLES:CAPB and Akypo® Foam LM 25: CAPB at a ratio of 15:5 .
While testing the properties of the new alkyl ethoxycarboxylate on a texture analyzer, foam consistency/density was evaluated compared to traditional sulfate-free surfactants. Foam was obtained by hand washing a strand of European hair (30 sec) in running water at T:20-25ºC, surfactant:CAPB (15:5), pH=5.5, 4% a.c. As you can see from Fig.4 AKYPO® FOAM LM 25 delivers significantly denser foam, with a difference not only apparent in instrumental evaluation methods but also in respondent testing. In a panel comparison of foam performance of 2% solution of AKYPO® FOAM LM 25 and cocoyl isothionate sodium at equal foaming rate and foam volume, a statistically significant superiority of Akypo® parameters such as creaminess and foam density.
Undoubtedly, one of the most attractive properties of this surfactant is its ability to thicken with salt, unlike conventional sulfate-free anionic surfactants substances (Fig.5).
AKYPO® FOAM LM 25 is recommended for use in sulphate-free detergents both as a base surfactant and as a co-surfactant. The scope of this product is practically unlimited. These range from standard shampoos and shower gels to baby cleansers, facial cleansing products, dermatologically mild cosmetics for atopic skin care, etc. The use of this component in traditional formulations based on SLES gives a significant improvement in foam characteristics and improves the profile of dermatological softness.
For more information and samples, please contact Revada LLC.
Julia Popova, head of technical service
and consulting support of REVADA LLC
