Skin Care Actives: Spotlight Ingredients

We’re proud to offer a huge range of sustainable and effective skin care actives from world leading suppliers. From skin brightening to anti-aging, and from barrier repair to anti-inflammatory, our powerful ingredients are ready to transform your next formulation. Continue reading

Goldbrew Phyto-Mucin by LABIO: Nature-Derived Hydration & Elasticity

Goldbrew Phyto-Mucin is a premium, plant-derived alternative to animal mucin, created from the nutrient-rich Golden Hibiscus. LABIO’s innovative cold-brew extraction and fermentation technologies are used to produce a low-molecularised phyto-mucin ingredient that provides deep hydration and enhances inner skin elasticity through 10 layers of the stratum corneum.

 

The Science: A Superior Plant-Derived Alternative

INCI: Glycerin, Bacillus Ferment, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract

Plant-derived mucin from the Golden Hibiscus offers equivalent functionality to snail mucin, with superior safety and higher production efficiency. The Golden Hibiscus, a flower that is rich in plant mucilage and minerals, has been used in food and medicine since the early 4th century. 

LABIO’s process utilises two key technologies: 

  1. Cold Brewing Extraction: this eco-friendly method optimises the extraction of mucin from the flowers, ensuring an efficient and stable acquisition of the active ingredients. 
  2. Fermentation (Bio-Conversion): The fermentation system converts high-molecular-weight mucin into low-molecularised mucin. This bio-converted form is more easily absorbed into the skin, maximising its efficacy deep within the epidermis.

 

Key Benefits and Proven Efficacy

Goldbrew Phyto-Mucin is a high-performance, hybrid ingredient that delivers powerful results, backed by clinical testing:

  • Enhanced Skin Elasticity: Improves inner skin elasticity across 10 layers of the stratum corneum, with clinically proven results of up to +15.77% improvement compared to placebo.
  • Deep Hydration & Moisture Retention: Offers deep skin firming and moisturising effects, improving moisture retention with up to +45.95% improvement in inner hydration compared to placebo.
  • Anti-Aging Potential: Shows superior inhibition of the collagen-degrading enzyme MMP-1 (at concentrations above 2.5%) and enhances skin regeneration (cell proliferation at concentrations above 0.5%) compared to Golden Hibiscus extract alone.
  • Superior Absorption: The low-molecular, bio-converted structure ensures active ingredients penetrate effectively for maximum benefit.
  • Eco-Friendly Sourcing: Developed using sustainable cold brewing and fermentation-based bio-conversion technology.

 

Key Applications

  • Skin care
  • Body care

 

What’s Next?

We’re excited to see what formulators will create with this exciting new ingredient. If you’d like to find out more about Goldbrew Phyto-Mucin, request a sample, or discuss your next formulation with our knowledgeable technical team, please get in touch. 

PromaCare-PDRN: Advanced Regenerative Skincare from Uniproma

The skincare industry continues to evolve with ingredients that deliver genuine regenerative benefits, and PromaCare-PDRN from Uniproma is capturing attention across the UK and Ireland market. This polydeoxyribonucleotide ingredient offers formulators a scientifically backed solution for creating high-performance skincare products that address multiple skin concerns.

 

What is PromaCare-PDRN?

PromaCare-PDRN is a purified polydeoxyribonucleotide (sodium DNA) ingredient that works at a cellular level to support natural skin regeneration processes. Extracted from salmon milt through a rigorous purification process, PDRN boasts 98% structural homology with human DNA, which is key to its exceptional compatibility and efficacy in skincare applications.

The ingredient functions by stimulating fibroblast growth and activating A2A adenosine receptors. This activation triggers the release of key growth factors including EGF, FGF, IGF and VEGF. The result is a cascade of beneficial effects that support skin health and appearance.

 

Key Benefits for Formulation

PromaCare-PDRN brings several proven advantages to personal care formulations including effectiveness for anti-aging applications, helping improve skin elasticity and firmness and accelerating wound healing and skin repair. It also provides UV protection benefits while offering anti-inflammatory and brightening effects.

 

Applications

The versatility of PromaCare-PDRN makes it suitable for various skincare categories:

  • Anti-aging creams and serums targeting wrinkles and loss of firmness
  • Repair-focused treatments for damaged or sensitive skin
  • Acne care products that support healing and reduce inflammation
  • Medical-aesthetic skincare for post-procedure recovery
  • Brightening formulations that address uneven skin tone

 

Product Specifications

PromaCare-PDRN is available in multiple formats to suit different formulation needs:

Product Format Concentration Efficacy Recommended Dosage
PDRN-P White or light yellow powder solid – Anti-inflammatory repair 0.01–2%
PDRN-10000L Liquid (polyol system) 10,000ppm Anti-inflammatory repair 0.01–2%
PDRN-5000L Liquid (polyol system) 5,000ppm Anti-inflammatory repair 0.01–2%

 

Ready to Explore PromaCare-PDRN?

HARKE UK supplies PromaCare-PDRN across the UK and Ireland. Whether you need technical data sheets, formulation support or samples to trial, our team is here to help you bring innovative skincare solutions to market.

Contact HARKE UK today to discuss how PromaCare-PDRN can enhance your next formulation.

 Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants

A technical overview of quaternary ammonium surfactants by Norman Lowe, Senior Technical Consultant HPC and Industrial at HARKE UK & Ireland.

Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants are a class of cationic surfactants, commonly abbreviated as Quats. Chemically, they are defined by the structure R4>N+, where R is any carbon chain. 
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Neolone® PH Max: A Novel Preservative Blend for Personal Care

We’re pleased to showcase Neolone® PH Max, an innovative preservative from LANXESS, as our first Product of the Month for 2026. Neolone® PH Max is a novel preservative blend of Phenoxyethanol and Pelargonic acid, a naturally derived multifunctional ingredient from sunflower oil. It offers outstanding broad-spectrum efficacy against bacteria and fungi for various rinse-off and leave-on personal care products. Continue reading

Carob in Focus: Three Naturally Effective Ingredients from Sinerga

We are pleased to showcase three carob-derived ingredients from Sinerga this month, each supporting a different formulation need while sharing the same natural, sustainable origin: Natifeel®, Natirheo® and Carobsoothe®. 

As the clean beauty movement continues to grow, and the personal care market moves towards silicon-free, microplastic-free and naturally-derived formulations, these three ingredients are ready to shine. 

 

Why Carob? 

Personal care products are under increasing scrutiny, as consumers and regulators turn their attention to microplastics and synthetic polymers. Carob is an ideal part of the solution, as consumers and formulators alike focus on silicon-free and microplastic-free products. 

The carob used for Natifeel® and Natirheo® has traceability of origin (carob is commonly found in the Mediterranean area, especially southern Italy). The extraction process is a thermo-mechanic process through heat only, without additional chemicals – this is a key differentiator in colour and purity compared to chemically treated gums.

For Carobsoothe®, Sinerga upcycle carob pods that would otherwise become waste, contributing to reduced emissions and supporting circular economy principles.

 

Natifeel®: Active Texturiser with Extraordinary Sensoriality

INCI: Ceratonia Siliqua Gum

Natifeel is an active texturiser with 100% natural origin, giving a modern silicon-like feel to formulations while also delivering hydrating, moisturising, firming and anti-wrinkle properties. It is compatible with the majority of cosmetic ingredients.

Key Features

  • 100% natural origin with traceability of the origin of carob
  • Eco-sustainable process: thermo-mechanic, without additional chemicals
  • Confers extraordinary sensoriality, comparable to formulations with silicones
  • Fast and homogeneous hot dispersion in the water phase
  • Good tolerance to electrolytes (1%) and stability from pH 4–10
  • High versatility and compatibility with emulsifiers, surfactants, humectants, solubilisers, rheological agents and UV filters

Efficacy Highlights

Clinical testing on 20 subjects demonstrated that Natifeel:

  • Reduces roughness (Ra) by -6% after 15 minutes and -5% after 2 hours.
  • Increases compactness (R0) by +10% after 15 minutes and +4% after 2 hours.
  • Increases elasticity (R2) by +8% after 15 minutes and +5% after 2 hours.
  • Decreases TEWL by -13% after 15 minutes and -8% after 2 hours.
  • Increases hydration by +16% after 15 minutes and +7% after 2 hours.

Results were similar to (and in several metrics better than) the benchmark Sodium Hyaluronate.

Applications

Natifeel is suitable for serums, emulsions, body milks and silicone-free haircare, as well as any formulation requiring improved spreadability, softness and an elegant, modern sensorial profile.

 

Natirheo®: Innovative Active Jellifying Agent

INCI: Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sclerotium gum

Natirheo® is an innovative and synergistic blend of carob gum and sclerotium gum that acts as an active jellifying and rheological agent, offering a completely green alternative to synthetic polymers.

Key Features

  • Innovative blend, 100% natural origin
  • Gives higher viscosity than traditional natural rheological agents
  • Adds excellent sensoriality to formulations
  • Provides suspending properties and good tolerance to electrolytes (1%)
  • Fast and homogeneous hot dispersion in the water phase
  • Stable from pH 4-10
  • Highly compatible with emulsifiers, surfactants, humectants, solubilisers and both chemical and physical UV filters

Applications

Natirheo® has shown versatility across:

  • Suncare formulations (SPF 30 and SPF 50+), fully replacing synthetic rheological agents even with high UV filter loads
  • Gel systems, including brightening gels where Natirheo suspends microbeads at 4.2%
  • Clay masks, where it builds full structure at 5% even alongside 15% kaolin
  • Colour cosmetics, such as mascaras where its natural film-forming behaviour enhances lasting effect

 

Carobsoothe®: Upcycled Active Targeting Inflammaging

INCI: Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract

Carobsoothe® is a zero-waste beauty ingredient derived from upcycled carob pods, designed to counteract inflammaging. It is rich in inositols and stimulates Aquaporin-3, which enhances cellular hydration, boosts autophagy, and protects against oxidative stress. Skin is left soothed, radiant and more resilient.

Key Benefits

  • Upcycled from food industry by-products
  • Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity
  • Reduces redness, dullness, and TEWL
  • Improves hydration, elasticity, and healthy glow
  • Ideal for soft-aging and anti-stress skincare products

Testing Highlights

In Vitro data demonstrated: 

  • AQP3 stimulation: +43% expression at 0.5%
  • Anti-oxidant activity: +9% to +18%, dose-dependent
  • Inhibition of IL-1α and IL-6: -27% and -31% respectively
  • Supports keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, enhances autophagy and contributes to protection from oxidative stress

In Vivo results showed: 

  • Hydration: +13.5% at 1 week; +17% at 2 weeks
  • TEWL: -12% at 1 week; -16.5% at 2 weeks
  • Redness: -8.5% at 1 week; -12% at 2 weeks
  • Healthy glow (L*): +3.5% at 1 week; +6% at 2 weeks
  • Skin fatigue (R9): -9.5% at 1 week; -21% at 2 weeks
  • Soothing effect: -34% erythema after 30 minutes

Applications

Carobsoothe® is suitable for anti-inflammaging and soft-ageing skincare, soothing and hydrating creams, products against stressed or dull complexion, after-sun systems, and masks, gels or serums.

 

Want To Find Out More? 

Together, Natifeel®, Natirheo® and Carobsoothe® form a complete, natural and eco-sustainable carob-based formulation toolkit. To request samples, technical data or formulation support, please contact the HARKE UK & Ireland team.

Understanding ‘Omega Rich’ Oils

Written by Norman Lowe, Senior Technical Consultant HPC and Industrial, September 2025 

In cosmetics and nutrition, we often hear the term ‘ Omega rich’, usually applied to  polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), commonly Omega 3, 6 and 9. But what does this term actually refer to, and what are the sources of these different Omega oils?
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