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FMC BioPolymer

CONCEPT BULLETIN #43

Alginate Foam Mask Technology


Introduction Alginate is a naturally-occurring polysaccharide biopolymer, commercially derived from brown seaweeds. Alginate has a long tradition as the functional component in traditional facemasks. A new FMC innovation allows a thin sheet of foam to be made with gelled alginate for use in several personal care/cosmetics applications, such as alginate foam masks. These masks are very well suited for delivering moisture and other beneficial ingredients to the skin. They are highly skin-compatible and provide no irritation.

Dry Mask

Micrograph of Foam Base

Key Benefits of Alginate Foams: Based on natural ingredients technology. Highly absorbent, highly versatile and can: - incorporate a range of actives and/or functional components; soluble actives are generally delivered quite rapidly. - disintegrate or remain highly integral upon hydration. - produce either peel off or wash off mask types. Mild skin abrasives or exfoliating substances can be added to provide extra functionality to the wash off mask. Manufacturing - Liquid actives and fragrances can be added at different stages of the manufacturing process (depending on their volatility and thermal sensitivity). - Foams are easily compressed and will retain the same properties upon decompression, providing ease of packaging.

Bulletin #CB#PSC-43.03.14.06.RS

Use of an Alginate Foam Mask

Dry Mask

Wetting the Mask

Applied Mask

Mask Removal

An alternative method of actives and fragrance delivery is to hydrate the mask in water containing the desired active ingredient(s). Foam Mask Manufacturing Process The following steps briefly describe the manufacturing process for biopolymer foams: 1. Mix water, one or more biopolymers, gelling agents, plasticizers, foaming agents and beneficial agents. 2. Prepare mixture of a pH modifier. 3. Mix (1) and (2) and aerate to form the resulting wet foam. Mold in the desired shape. 4. Allow the gelling system to set the wet foam. 5. Dry the foam. 6. Optionally, additional beneficial agents may be added to the wet or dry foam. 7. The dried foam may then be stamped into the desired shape (e.g., full face mask, under the eye mask, etc.). Steps 3 to 6 may be done in batch or in a partly/fully-continuous process.

Bulletin #CB#PSC-43.03.14.06.RS

Beneficial Agents Water Other Ingredients

Pre-Mixing Mixing Setting Drying Beneficial Agents Stamping Packaging

pH Modifier Water

Pre-Mixing

FMC Can Assist in a Variety of Ways: Providing formulas and processes for customized cosmetic masks with either tailored disintegration or peel off properties. Licensing this technology for you to manufacture your own products. Providing guidance for foam-based product development and manufacture. Identifying tollers with the necessary manufacturing capabilities. IP Status A patent application was filed on this invention in 2004 Gelled Biopolymer Based Foam. The application covers the procedure for manufacturing both integral and dissolving foams, a range of foam products and applications including uses in the cosmetic area and the inclusion of beneficial agents such as cosmetic actives. Several of the examples describe the formation of cosmetic masks.

FMC Corporation Technical Services Centers FMC BioPolymer


United States: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Phone: 1 800 526 3649 1 215 299 6234 Fax: 1 215 299 5809

Patents
FMC Corporation does not warrant against infringement of patents of third parties by reason of any uses made of the product in combination with other material or in the operation of any process, and purchasers assume all risks of patent infringement by reason of any such use, combination or operation. The products, processes and uses thereof described herein are covered by one or more patent applications or patents.

Technical Service
The information contained in this bulletin is intended to be general in nature. Techniques and data pertaining to specific uses for FMC BioPolymer products and new developments will be published periodically in the form of supplemental application bulletins. Our technical staff is ready to offer assistance in the use of FMC BioPolymer products. The following are trademarks or service marks of FMC Corporation or its subsidiaries, which may be Registered U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and in other countries: FMC logo.

Warranty
Because of the numerous factors affecting results, FMC BioPolymer ingredients are sold on the understanding that purchasers will make their own tests to determine suitability of these products for their particular purpose. The several uses suggested by FMC BioPolymer are presented only to assist our customers in exploring possible applications. All information and data presented are believed to be accurate and reliable, but are presented without the assumption of any liability by FMC BioPolymer. 2006 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 03/16/06.RS

Europe/Asia-Pacific: Mumbai, India Phone: Fax:

+91 222 857 0395 +91 222 857 0398

Toll-free Phone Numbers: Belgium 0800 United Kingdom 0800 Netherlands 0800 France 0800 Spain 0900 Germany 0800

12402 0183079 0220272 506444 973251 1818841

Visit our web site at www.fmcbiopolymer.com


Bulletin #CB#PSC-43.03.14.06.RS

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