Eastman has expanded its Esmeri personal care portfolio with the launch of Esmeri SK1N10, a readily biodegradable, non-nano cellulose ester micropowder designed to improve skin feel, control shine and boost sunscreen performance.

 

The new ingredient aims to address a persistent challenge for the personal care industry: delivering high-performance skincare and sun care formulations without compromising on sustainability.

 

Designed for aqueous and oil-in-water systems, Esmeri SK1N10 delivers an immediate soft-focus blurring effect, faster dry-down, reduced tackiness and a soft, powdery matte finish. Its applications span serums, creams, moisturisers, sprays, eye treatments and sunscreens, including formulations containing commonly used active ingredients such as retinoids.

 

The ingredient also offers potential benefits for sun protection formulations. By enhancing UV scattering, it can improve the performance of both organic and inorganic UV filters, creating an SPF-boosting effect that could allow formulators to reduce UV-filter concentrations while improving product feel.

 

Eastman's launch comes amid growing demand for biodegradable personal care ingredients, although formulators continue to face limitations in the available market offerings.

 

In a survey of 150 research and development professionals at personal care consumer packaged goods (CPG) and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies across 11 countries, nearly half expected biodegradability to become mainstream in their region within two to five years. However, only 52% said they were satisfied with current market offerings.

 

Consumer expectations present another challenge. Eastman's research involving 6,000 women and girls aged 12–70 across six countries found that 45% struggled to find facial skincare products that met all their needs.

 

Sticky textures, greasy residue after application and a lack of visible results emerged as common frustrations, highlighting opportunities for ingredients that combine a better sensory experience with effective performance.

 

“Consumers increasingly expect skin care and sun care products to deliver sustainability benefits and strong performance,” said Lauren Leonard, global market development manager at Eastman. “Formulators need ingredients that can help them balance these priorities and navigate changing regulations. Esmeri SK1N10 offers a multifunctional, high-performing biodegradable solution.”

 

Esmeri SK1N10 is not considered a synthetic polymer microparticle under EU Regulation 2023/2055, according to Eastman, as it meets the regulation's biodegradability criteria and is sourced in accordance with the company's wood pulp sourcing policy.

 

The ingredient offers a readily biodegradable, non-nano alternative to conventional microparticles such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and nylon-12. It also gives formulators another high-performance option when assessing alternatives to silica and traditional cellulose powders.