Lignopure “revolutionizes” cosmetics industry with upcycled LignoBase line for multifunctional formulations

06 Sep 2022 --- The consequences of environmentally unsustainable skincare and sunscreen products are compelling the development of eco-friendly alternatives. PersonalCareInsights speaks with an executive from Germany-based Lignopure who spotlights the company’s LignoBase line and what impact it will have on the cosmetic industry.

“Upcycled ingredients like LignoBase and environmentally concerned companies like Lignopure are ready to revolutionize the beauty and cosmetic industry,” says Gabriela Meza Armenta, marketing and business development manager at Lignopure.

“By maximizing the use of our natural resources, cosmetic companies can help reduce negative environmental impact enabling a more sustainable and circular economy,” Armenta details, regarding how upcycled ingredients and formulations will impact the industry.

“Each manufacturer and consumer can contribute to the global effort of going from a linear economy that depletes non-renewable resources and has poor waste management that pollutes our soil, air and water to a circular economy that takes into account all the steps of a product’s cycle promoting efficiency and sustainability.”

Polymer from renewable resources
The company details that LignoBase’s main ingredient is lignin, a natural polymer from renewable sources that gives plants their strength but also has UV protection and antioxidant properties.

“Even with these properties, 97% of the lignin from the biorefinery and pulp industry is simply burned or goes to waste,” says Armenta.

“Lignopure is now ready to change this by bringing the natural multifunctional properties of lignin for the first time in a line of ready-to-use powder ingredients for cosmetic formulations.”

LignoBase’s multifunctional properties, like antioxidant and SFP boosting capacities, can fit well in a vast catalog of cosmetic products (Credit: Lignopure).According to Lignopure, each LignoBase is not only upcycled but also GMO-free and suitable for vegan formulations and has full traceability while offering antioxidant and SPF-boosting capacities to cosmetic formulations.

“Another particularity of the LignoBase line is their natural brown tone, which facilitates the color formulation for products that have or need a skin tone. In short, we are very excited about the positive impact that LignoBase can have on cosmetic formulations and to start working with brands that want to increase their sustainability goals while giving effective natural options to their customers,” she adds.

LignoBase for cosmetic formulations
LignoBase’s multifunctional properties, like antioxidant and SPF boosting capacities, can fit well in a vast catalog of cosmetic products. The company details that its natural color gives LignoBase the perfect opportunity to be included in formulations where color is desired.

“Depending on the intended coverage, LignoBase can replace or diminish the number of conventional iron oxides used to achieve skin-like tones,” says Armenta.

“By varying the concentration, it is possible to create tones that go from light skin to dark skin for products like BB creams, CC creams, tinted sun care or makeup in different presentations.”

“Additionally, LignoBase can be used in decorative cosmetics like compact makeup, eye and eyebrow shadows, color eyebrow gels and powder bronzers. Another interesting use is to decrease the white cast effect of mineral sunscreens while supporting and boosting its SPF agents,” she adds.

The LignoBase line is currently unavailable to purchase. However, Armenta explains that the company is working on the final steps to launch LignoBase, planned to go out in 2023.

The LignoBase line is a natural brown tone, which facilitates the color formulation for products that have or need a skin tone.“Nevertheless, some international brands and formulators have received samples and have started to review LignoBase for either their existing formulations or to develop new ones for future product launches.”

Upcycled ingredients proliferate
Using upcycled ingredients in cosmetics is expected to keep growing as the demand and technical innovation develops, facilitating the insertion of materials considered waste- or by-products from different industries in producing natural and more sustainable cosmetics.

“The upcycled ingredient space consists mainly of scrubs or peelings and oils, meaning that the upcycled material scene is dominated nowadays by food-waste materials,” says Armenta.

“However, the thriving demand from customers is pushing the industry for more upcycled alternatives and specifically for more active and multifunctional ingredients, which is also a growing trend, so it is safe to say that upcycled ingredients (upcycled beauty) are part of the farm-to-face, the clean and the responsible beauty movement.”

“We are trying to open the segment of non-food upcycled ingredients that we believe will have great growth in the next years,” she continues.

Upcycled beauty: Natural renewable sources
Lignopure notes that the critical aspect of upcycled materials is that it maximizes the use of already exploited resources, having a less negative impact on land use to produce renewables.

“The increasing consumer awareness and demand for more sustainable products from natural renewable sources, together with the sustainability strategies from companies and governments around the world, have created the perfect opportunity to bring natural upcycled ingredients to cosmetic products,” Armenta explains.

“Lignopure believes that natural resources are precious and must be used responsibly and with intelligent practices. This includes using all parts of the materials nature has to offer.”

Following years of research, Lignopure gathered vast knowledge on lignin, resulting in Lignopure’s patented particle technology.

“This technology allows us the production of natural lignin-based ingredients that retain its natural properties and have an optimized particle size, shape and surface for its use in cosmetic applications,” she concludes.

By Nicole Kerr

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