The hair care market is mainly dominated by silicon-based products. Effectively, silicones show outstanding performances when it is time of hair styling (i.e. hair makeup):
silicones actually make dry and damaged hair look and feel healthier. However, many concerns have been raised up lately about the prolonged used of silicones and their long-term effects on hair. More in detail, silicones have been accused of giving the illusion of a healthier and shiner hair, by forming a film on it, while the truth is that this film works as a sealant against water and air, and is likely to prevent moisture and nutrients from penetrating the hair shaft becoming a magnet for dirt, and finally, hair is not repaired nor nourished but weaker and breakable. Environmental concerns have been also raised up and the final outcome of this bad press has been orienting the Hair Care Research towards silicone-free and more natural products.
Many products have been developed lately, however most of them do not present a performance as good as the silicon-based ones. At Infinitec labs, NOSILFIX technology, a natural-based and silicon-free, active delivery system for hair care has been developed. NOSILFIX consists of actives-enriched, natural silica microparticles dispersed in a natural polymer-based molecular film. In particular, silica microparticles have been prepared using diatom silica, a natural mineral, widely available in the form of diatomaceous earth or diatomite (DE) and easy to engineer. These microparticles show unique and tunable features, such as controllable pore structure, high loading capability, sustainable release, chemical resistivity and mechanical rigidity. Moreover, in terms of environmental impact (carbon dioxide fingerprint, toxic materials, waste) and energy consumption, natural DE silica is a low cost and environmentally friendly material.
By NOSILFIX technology, various hair-active ingredients (also simultaneously more than one, achieving multiple or tandem functionality) can be loaded into silica micro-pores, achieving brilliant performances. In fact, because of the combination of its constituents, NOSILFIX creates a lightweight, invisible film on hair fibers protecting them from external damages, while silica particles progressively release the loaded active(s). Performances are comparable to those of silicon-based products, without common silicon drawbacks. NOSILFIX is able to (i) increase active ingredients’ penetration within hair fibers, (ii) protect and repair hair upon oxidative damage, (iii) as well as moisturize it. Moreover, when Chondrus Crispus extract, a marine algae rich in sulphated polysaccharides, generally labeled as “vegetal silicon” and “hair-food”, is encapsulated in NOSILFIX, we also achieve outstanding antifrizz performances at extreme conditions (steam, 30 min, 100% humidity and 40ºC). All the gathered results (available in the Results paragraph) show that NOSILFIX is an innovative hair care delivery system, able to potentially encapsulate any active ingredient and boost its performance. Because of its mechanism of action, hair is moisturized and nourished, turning NOSILFIX into a perfect ally for hair wellness, health and styling; hair is protected and reinforced, showing a healthier and vibrant looking.