Solvay introduces Polycare Heat Therapy, a new functional active ingredient that protects hair from thermal damage due to repeated use of hair styling appliances operating at very high temperatures.
Indeed, heat is a powerful hair styling tool, but it can also cause severe damage, such as dehydration and delipidation, brittleness, porosity, reduced surface and loss of softness. When hair is damaged by heat, restoring its healthy physical integrity and sensory qualities is difficult. Thus, it is advisable to protect it when using high-heat styling appliances by providing a thermal shield and minimizing its thermal stress to avoid further damage.
An active ingredient derived from guar
According to Solvay, the double-derivatized cationic guar active ingredient advances the global trend of bio-based, non-ecotoxic and silicone-free solutions in hair care and delivers excellent thermal protection in transparent formulations.
“Our new Polycare Heat Therapy addresses the challenge of protecting hair against thermal damage caused by high-heat devices such as flat or curling irons and hair dryers,” explains Stephanie Neplaz, Global Innovation Marketing Director, Hair care, at Solvay. “As the market’s best naturally-derived performer in this segment, it helps brand owners in the industry replace incumbent silicone and other synthetic polymers, and complements our broad portfolio of bio-based beauty care ingredients.”
In hair care formulations, Polycare Heat Therapy forms an invisible and imperceptible barrier on the hair surface. According to Solvay, this multi-functional ingredient adds discipline, straightens effect and softness, and also improves detangling and wet combability without build-up in multiple applications.
Reduction of thermally induced hair damage
Comprehensive testing at Solvay has demonstrated that this silicone-free solution can reduce thermally induced hair damage by up to 30%. As a result, the hair is less exposed, less damaged and more protected.
Polycare Heat Therapy extends the range of Solvay’s active ingredients promoting hair health, which also include Polycare Split Therapy to repair and care and Polycare Frizz Therapy to style and protect. Polycare Heat Therapy is ethically sourced from renewable sources through the company’s Sustainable Guar Initiative program in India and serves as a role model of sustainable development in line with the Solvay One Planet roadmap.
Solvay will present Polycare Heat Therapy during in-cosmetics in Barcelona from March 28 to 30, 2023, at booth V10.
