Next Generation BioBased multifunctional ingredients for Clean and Responsible Beauty
As consumers increasingly demand natural, sustainable, and high efficiency cosmetic products, the industry is rapidly shifting away from petrochemical multifunctional ingredients. Among these, diols play a central role as humectants, solvents, texture enhancers, and preservative boosters. Today, biobased diols are emerging as a key solution to combine environmental responsibility with uncompromised performance.
Why Bio‑Based Diols Matter
Traditional diols are derived from crude oil or natural gas and require energy‑intensive industrial processes. Their dependence on fossil resources contributes to environmental pressure and fuels growing concerns among consumers who increasingly avoid petrochemical ingredients. In parallel, the market for bio‑based cosmetic ingredients is expanding rapidly, driven by the demand for formulas that are both clean and responsibly sourced.
Bio‑based diols respond directly to these expectations. Produced from renewable plant‑based materials, they offer a significantly lower environmental footprint while maintaining the purity and safety levels expected in cosmetics. They deliver excellent hydration and sensorial effects, blend seamlessly into natural or minimalist formulations, and provide an effective alternative to their synthetic equivalents.
Green Chemistry Driving Sustainable Innovation
Adopting bio‑based multifunctional ingredients fits squarely within the principles of green chemistry. These ingredients enable manufacturers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, generate fewer hazardous by‑products, and improve overall process efficiency. They also allow the creation of safer ingredient profiles, better aligned with the clean beauty movement.
For instance, bio‑based caprylyl glycol demonstrates a carbon footprint 19% lower than its synthetic counterpart, illustrating how renewable manufacturing pathways can significantly reduce environmental impact without affecting ingredient efficiency.
Performance That Matches Synthetic Diols
One of the most compelling advantages of bio‑based diols is their performance parity with synthetic versions. With a purity level exceeding 99%, they provide the same functional benefits while supporting the transition to cleaner, more sustainable formulations.
These ingredients enhance hydration over time, strengthen preservation systems by boosting antimicrobial efficiency, and deliver improved sensorial profiles by reducing stickiness and refining texture. They also support viscosity regulation and pigment dispersion, making them highly versatile across a wide range of applications. Owing to this versatility, bio‑based diols are ideal for serums, lotions, creams, gels, and the rising category of “skinimalist” formulations that rely on short, transparent ingredient lists.
Meeting Consumer Expectations for Clean & Responsible Beauty
Modern consumers are attentive to the origin, safety and environmental impact of cosmetic ingredients. They increasingly prefer products that are naturally derived, respectful of sensitive skin, and formulated with a minimalistic approach. Bio‑based diols answer these expectations by providing strong hydrating and emollient performance while contributing to lower carbon footprints and supporting clean‑label claims.
Microbiological testing demonstrates that bio‑based diols deliver antimicrobial benefits equivalent to synthetic versions, especially when incorporated into multifunctional blends. This makes them ideal for brands seeking to maintain high preservation efficacy in formulations that avoid traditional preservatives.
A Patented Technology for 100% Renewable Diols
SEQENS has developed a proprietary and patented manufacturing process enabling the production of 100% bio‑based, high‑purity diols, including long‑chain diols that play a crucial role in cosmetic formulation. This innovation reduces carbon emissions by up to 20% compared with petrochemical routes, without compromising stability, clarity or performance. It represents a major step toward a new generation of sustainable multifunctional ingredients for the beauty industry.
AdvensProtect Green: SEQENS’ 100% Bio‑Based Multifunctional Range
Building on this technology, SEQENS has developed AdvensProtect Green, a COSMOS‑approved portfolio of multifunctional ingredients entirely sourced from renewable carbon. This range includes bio‑based ethylhexylglycerin, pentylene glycol, 1,2‑hexanediol and caprylyl glycol, as well as several multifunctional blends specifically designed to enhance hydration, sensorial experience, and preservation while offering a significantly reduced carbon footprint. These solutions are particularly well‑suited for brands aiming to create high‑performance natural formulations that meet the expectations of clean and responsible beauty.
