Evolved By Nature is taking damaged hair into its hands with its new multifunctional ingredient.

The ingredient supplier’s new innovation, Activated Silk Hydrogels, are naturally derived proteoglycans with the ability to bind to water, oil and keratin to provide superior hydration and exosome-like delivery, long-lasting hair repair and advanced emulsification properties, per the company. The new ingredient is sustainable, biodegradable and cruelty-free.

This is Evolved by Nature’s fifth ingredient from its Activated Silk platform and the company’s first ingredient specifically tailored for hair care.

Lengthy Benefits for Formulators

Activated Silk Hydrogels is a single ingredient that offers a range of benefits for formulators, makers say. For hair care, it provides a new solution for split end repair, along with anti-frizz and curl retention properties. For skincare, it provides hydration on par with hyaluronic acid, while effectively penetrating the epidermis to help get “hard-to-deliver” actives into the skin, through its exosome-like delivery.

Additionally, Activated Silk Hydrogels serve as a best-in-class emulsifier, whether used in hair care or skincare formulations.

Haircare Benefits

Activated Silk Hydrogels offer split-end repair that lasts weeks, even after exposure to high humidity, washing, and heat styling; 24-hour anti-frizz protection to prevent flyaways and frizz in humid environments; 20-hour curl retention to provide long-lasting styling without synthetic polymers, high-VOC aerosols or microplastics; heat protection and moisture retention to safeguard hair from heat damage, while locking in hydration for smoother, healthier strands; and keratin binding and cuticle penetration for efficacy on both the surface and inner structure for stronger, more resilient hair and long-lasting benefits even after rinsing.

Skincare Benefits

In terms of skincare benefits, Activated Silk Hydrogels deliver 24-hour hydration, comparable to mid and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA), but without the risk of skin dehydration in dry environments; skin penetration and exosome-like delivery of immiscible oils and actives, including oil-based actives like Vitamin E. (This helps to enable the maximum performance of previously hard-to-deliver actives into the skin); and non-sticky/tacky feel, offering the humectant power of high molecular weight HA, without the stickiness associated with HA.

Activated Silk Hydrogels also double as emulsifiers, delivering immiscible oils and actives, empowering all kinds of products to naturally do more.

Hydrogels form a stable emulsion at up to 50% oil with only 0.5%–1% Hydrogels in water (w/v), providing unmatched emulsification efficiency. It also offers rheology optionality for tunable viscosities that allow formulators to create a wide range of products by simply adjusting the Hydrogels dose.

Activated Silk Hydrogels are biodegradable, cruelty-free and PEG & Palm-free. They also support 14 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, contribute to a circular economy and have increased levels of sustainability compared to traditional ingredients, makers say.

Request a Sample

Activated Silk Hydrogels are market-ready and available for incorporation into hair care and skincare formulations. Contact support@evolvedbynature.com to get started and try a free sample.