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Solid Cosmetics are Here to Stay: Zschimmer & Schwarz Sets New Standards with Its Multifunctional Syndet Bases
Interview with Stefano Ferrigato, Global Director Personal Care Division,
Zschimmer & Schwarz
Solids bars have become a staple in the bathrooms of environmentally conscious users. What makes this trend so special?
The use of solid cosmetics has recently gained popularity in the Beauty & Personal Care industry – in line with trends such as “waterless”, “zero waste” and “clean beauty”. Solid cosmetics, traditionally in the form of body and facial cleansers, represent an environmentally conscious approach to beauty by minimising the use of water, plastic and packaging. So, as a logical progression, this trend is now being applied to other products in the care and beauty industry.
The challenge, however, is to ensure that solid formulations, especially solid cleansing bars, give you the familiar pleasure of your regular product, especially in the case of hair care products like shampoos and conditioners. The demand for solid cosmetics is on the rise and new products with improved properties are constantly appearing on the market. At Zschimmer & Schwarz, we truly believe that this is a trend worth pursuing.
In your opinion, this trend is here to stay. How is Zschimmer & Schwarz adapting to this development, and which of your products cater to this trend?
Zschimmer & Schwarz offers various tailor-made syndet bases, the ZETESAP series, which are perfect for any requirement. All ZETESAP types have a balanced composition and are suitable for almost all applications in the rinse-off area: from shampoo bars to hand cleansing to shower products. There is a diverse mix of formulation options that can be combined with many different additives and perfumes due to their balanced composition.
With our latest product, ZETESAP 915 CS, we focus heavily on sustainability. It is based entirely on renewable raw materials, meets the requirements of natural cosmetics and is COSMOS-certified. A mixture of sodium coco-sulfate and sodium cocoyl glutamate creates a rich, creamy foam that is gentle on the hair and scalp.
By simply adding perfumes and conditioning agents, our ZETESAP bases can easily be used to create solid shampoo bars that offer excellent performance in terms of wet and dry combing and smoothness of the hair. Additionally, the adjustable pH of ZETESAP eliminates the need for an acidic rinse after shampooing.
What is the difference between traditional soap bars and syndets developed by Zschimmer & Schwarz?
Traditional shampoos contain a lot of water in addition to the cleansing surfactants, conditioners and other nourishing ingredients. With ZETESAP, unnecessary water transport can be reduced to a minimum and the pieces based on ZETESAP are an economical solution. This makes ZETESAP products more environmentally friendly compared to traditional shampoos.
The balanced composition of the surfactants helps to avoid skin irritation. Soaps are made by mixing alkali with fats in the saponification process. The word syndet is a blend of the terms “synthetic” and “detergent”, a detergent being a surfactant. While the higher pH value of soaps has no harmful effect on healthy skin, it can be different for sensitive or damaged skin. In such cases, mild cleansing is important to avoid further irritation of the skin. Syndets are also better suited for cleansing sensitive skin and even baby skin because of their lower pH compared to conventional soaps.
This lower pH, from neutral to slightly acidic, offers another advantage in terms of fragrances. Some fragrances are not suitable for soaps as they are unstable in a high-pH environment. In products formulated with Zschimmer & Schwarz syndet bases, we found no change in odour even after several years.
What makes the syndets based on ZETESAP special?
Syndets based on ZETESAP are characterised particularly by their uniformly homogeneous appearance and smooth surface. They offer excellent foam formation and foam volume even in hard water, and the use of additional chelating is not necessary. An important product aspect, the sensory experience, can be adapted to the formulation concept with the help of additives such as other surfactants, active ingredients, extracts or conditioners.
Imagination is the limit when it comes to our ZETESAP product range. It enables our customers to offer their end consumers a beauty routine that is 100% responsible and thus not only good for their skin, but also for the planet.
The development of the ZETESAP line shows that sustainability is an important topic for Zschimmer & Schwarz: what are the company’s main actions in the field of
environmental protection and resource conservation?
At Zschimmer & Schwarz, modern security measures as well as internal and external monitoring ensure that our work processes protect the environment. We reduce emissions and clean our wastewater. Our products, including the ZETESAP line, are checked for their environmental compatibility at every stage – from production to further processing.
As a member of Responsible Care, we strive for constant improvement in the areas of environmental protection, safety and health, regardless of legal requirements. With the RSPO certification, we also commit ourselves voluntarily to the use of sustainably grown palm oil. For us, protecting the environment is not a burden, but part of acting on our sense of responsibility.
