Assessing haircare performance using texture analysis

'A new polymer generation offering truly multifunctional performance' is an article published by BASF in Germany.
After decades of development and improvement of hair styling polymers there is still room for improvement. Many generations of polymers have been developed over the years, starting from the first synthetic styling polymer – Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) – in the 1950s, based upon a patent from W. Reppe. 

Today’s styling formulations are further optimised by the use of polymer combinations. This is especially true for styling gel and wax formulations.

Whats the big idea?
Combinations of styling polymers and polymeric thickeners are used to achieve the right balance of rheology profile, setting performance and humidity resistance without sacrificing sensory properties, e.g. peaking, gel structure and clarity. Many of those formulations still contain PVP-based polymers, acrylic-based polymers and Carbomer-based thickeners. 

Formulations with a new multifunctional performance polymer offer an opportunity to go the opposite way, reducing the complexity of styling gel and wax formulations by the use of only one polymer. In addition, this polymer has the potential to be used in combination with non-ionic, cationic and anionic polymers to give the formulator the necessary flexibility to develop variants for differentiation of styling performance and level of hold. 

The TA.XTplus Texture Analyser is used to characterise the physical performance of the polymer formulations. 

What are the testing solutions for haircare products?
The following are typical examples of tests performed on hair and haircare products:

1: Assessment of combability; 2: Assessment of extrudability; 3: Assessment of consistency
and adhesiveness; 4: Assessment of film strength

If you would like to know more, please request either (or both) of our articles on Hair and Haircare product testing... 

Using Texture Analysis in Haircare Formulation and Packaging Selection
Using Texture Analysis to substantiate claims in Haircare 

... or visit our Hair and Hair Products Testing pages...
 

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These haircare applications give an idea of the wide range of industries in which Texture Analysis is becoming an indispensable aid to research and development. For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.

The TA.XTplus texture analyser is part of a family of texture analysis instruments and equipment from Stable Micro Systems. An extensive portfolio of specialist attachments is available to measure and analyse the textural properties of a huge range of food products. Our technical experts can also custom design instrument fixtures according to individual specifications.

No-one understands texture analysis like we do!

To discuss your specific test requirements click here...