Category: Carrageenan

Home / Insights / 5 Things You May Have Missed from Our Recent Skin Care Webinar

5 Things You May Have Missed from Our Recent Skin Care Webinar

Maybe you were unable to join us at our recent webinar, How to Find the Best Ingredient for Your Sustainable Skin Care Formulation, that we co-hosted with Tom Vierhile from Innova Market Insights. Or maybe you would like a little refresh? If so, we have you covered with five of the top things that you may have missed.

1. Mapping top skin care ingredients from gels to emulsions

Using xanthan gum as our guide, we explored textural qualities and sustainability expectations when assessing the best ingredient choices for formulation needs.

GELS

Fluid and elastic gel textures.

GENU® Pectin

  • Gel textures, barrier protection
  • Upcycled from citrus peels

GENUVISCO® Carrageenan

  • Elastic gel textures, film forming
  • Sourced from seaweed
KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum
  • Fluid gel network, ideal for spray

EMULSIONS

Silky, light and refreshing feel for emulsions. 

KELCO-CARE® Diutan Gum
  • Silky sensory, no stickiness
KELTROL® CG SFT Xanthan Gum  
  • Smooth, non-gelly, less tacky

UniqSens™ SFE System

  • Light, non-tacky feel and emulsifier-free stability

KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber

  • Refreshing feel, light touch
  • Upcycled from citrus peels

Meeting sustainability expectations

Nature-Based
Fermentation
Responsibly Sourced
Upcycled
Readily Biodegradable

GELS

Fluid and elastic gel textures.

GENU® Pectin

Gel textures, barrier protection

Upcycled from citrus peels

GENUVISCO® Carrageenan

Elastic gel textures, film forming

Sourced from seaweed

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum

Fluid gel network, ideal for spray

EMULSIONS

Silky, light and refreshing feel for emulsions. 

KELCO-CARE® Diutan Gum

Silky sensory, no stickiness

KELTROL® CG SFT
Xanthan Gum

Smooth, non-gelly, less tacky

UniqSens™ SFE System

Light, non-tacky feel and emulsifier-free stability

KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber

Refreshing feel, light touch

Upcycled from citrus peels

Meeting sustainability expectations

Nature-Based
Fermentation
Responsibly Sourced
Upcycled
Readily Biodegradable

2. Finding functionality in upcycled ingredients

We showed how KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber, which is upcycled from citrus peels, not only has a great sustainability story but can create a range of textures, including the light and fresh feel that consumers desire now.

3. Unveiling the latest skin care trends

Innova Market Insights presented a sneak peek of the latest skin care trends based on their 2023 global consumer survey and data analysis. Are your formulations aligned with what consumers want now?

4. Answering questions about your formulation challenges

From mineral sunscreen tips to the best thickeners and replacing synthetic emulsifiers, we received a lot of great questions from webinar attendees. In fact, there were so many that we couldn’t get to that we decided to create a follow-up Q&A document for you.

5. There's so much more!

We don’t want this to be a total spoiler alert! It’s not too late to access our webinar recording so you can receive all the great info yourself.

ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING
Home / Insights / Answering Your Questions From the Skincare Ingredient Webinar

Answering Your Questions From the Skincare Ingredient Webinar

Thanks for all the great questions you sent during our recent webinar with Tom Vierhile of Innova Market Insights called How to Choose the Best Ingredient for Your Sustainable Skin Care Formulation. There were so many that we did not have time to answer them live. Here, we’ve gathered them all and appreciate the chance to provide recommendations for some of your formulation challenges.

Trends with Innova Market Insights

The good news is that consumers are keeping an open mind when it comes to new skincare ingredients. According to Innova’s Beauty, Household, and Personal Care 2023 survey, just over 40% of American consumers believe that new technologies and ingredients can make personal care products more effective. This leaves the door open to innovative new ingredients and new ingredients with a story behind them, especially one that references hot button topics like sustainability, may have an inside track here. 

Globally, consumers in Brazil and China are most enthusiastic. Over 70% of Brazilian consumers believe that new technologies and ingredients can make personal care products more effective.

One trend that is a “sleeper” and could evolve into something serious is around the skin microbiome. Few, if any products, were talking about the skin microbiome just a few years ago. As recently as 2018, the claims were non-existent. But today, we’re starting to see companies talking about the skin microbiome and how this has an impact on whole body health. This is also tied in with the use of prebiotic and probiotic ingredients. 

Regarding the skin microbiome alone, Innova reports that 2% of facial skin care products mentioned the skin microbiome in 2022. Ingredients that can either improve the health of the skin microbiome or at least not negatively impact it could be in a sweet spot, going forward.

This is a tough question. Consumers consider a variety of factors when they are shopping for products and sustainability is one of many attributes that may be considered. Price and performance are likely to rank as higher concerns for consumers, but the good news is that 4 in 10 American consumers say they are willing to pay more for personal care products that are sustainable. 

The big question is probably how much more, and that is something I do not have an answer to. What we are seeing in the food and beverage space here at Innova is that the halo around environmental claims is expanding to the point where sustainability is becoming a more important facet of the “clean label” trend, one that has the potential to move the sales needle, moving forward. 

KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber

Single step and direct extraction from peels helps to retain pectin, which boosts KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber’s effectiveness as an emulsion stabilizer. Other citrus fibers are produced once the pectin has been extracted.

Replacing Emulsifiers & Synthetics

All three are effective at stabilizing emulsions in personal care product development. We like to call KELCO-CARE® Diutan Gum a “super xanthan gum” that stabilizes and thickens with a silky feel and no tack. UniqSens™ SFE System is a xanthan-based blend optimized to provide stability and flexibility in process as well a more desirable sensory compared to single ingredients. KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber is the newest stabilizer in our portfolio. It delivers a remarkably refreshing and light feel while being upcycled from food waste.

Xanthan gum is not a traditional emulsifier, but it can be used to help stabilize emulsions by providing high viscosity to the water phase, which slows the movement/agglomeration of droplets.

KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber and UniqSens™ SFE System are two great, nature-based ingredient offerings for developing emulsifier-free systems. But you could say that all of our ingredients can contribute to stable emulsions by providing viscosity to the water phase. Some are more efficient thickeners than others, some work in limited pH range or require heat, and each contributes a unique feel or texture. These factors all play a role in deciding which ingredient to incorporate in your formulation, and we are always happy to advise on product recommendations for specific needs.

This really depends on your specific system and the rest of your formulation. For instance, if you are trying to replace waxy emulsifiers (such as PEG-100 Stearate), you may find the need to include a waxy component in your oil phase to maintain the same feel. Also, the stabilization mechanism is completely different so every formulation needs to be assessed.

We might recommend KELTROL® Xanthan Gum since it is an efficient thickener that works in robust conditions. It has a wide working pH range and is compatible with many surfactant types/levels. It can be easily incorporated and is cold-processable with transparent grades available.

If you also are working with a sulphate-free formula, GENUVISCO® CG-129 Carrageenan could technically be a good option in this case. Here is a prototype for you to try.

Our portfolio of nature-based and bio-based ingredients provides a broad range of sensorial benefits when utilized alone or in combination with one another. From upcycled KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber to GENU® Carrageenan and beyond, each product is developed on purpose, with a good sustainability story to back it up.

We can provide you with a life cycle assessment so you can see for yourself. And, we can help you achieve your product goals – everything from silky thin serums to gels to luxe creams. We would be happy to help if you are looking for a specific sensory profile. We also have options to support vegan, ECOCERT® and COSMOS® certification claims.

Nature-Based Innovation

We are texture experts; however, you can expect from us more understanding coming soon on the functional performance of our ingredients beyond rheology. For example, the area of skin health.

According to some of the interactions that our customers have experienced, consumers tend to believe that natural means “healthy” or “good for you” and “good for the planet”. Whether it is an active ingredient or a supporting ingredient, we’ve noticed that consumers generally believe the manufacturer has found a better alternative; one that leaves the world in a better place as well.

Generally speaking, if an ingredient is friendly to our skin’s microbiome, then it means that it is much less likely to irritate skin or disrupt the microbial balance. Some natural/more sustainable ingredients can have a positive impact on the microbiome by helping to maintain the diverse skin ecosystem.

Yes, CP Kelco produces a full range of nature-based and bio-based ingredients with grades that can be used across a variety of applications. We started approximately 90 years ago making pectin for food applications such as jams and jellies. Our products are now utilized in the food, pharmaceutical, oral and personal care, household, and oil and gas industries. We have grades available to address the needs of our customers and can help them meet organic, halal, kosher, non-GMO and other clean label-friendly goals.

Texture Challenges

We recommend adding xanthan gum early in the process (before surfactants, after chelator), but this is more to ensure full hydration, which can affect transparency. You could also make a slurry or pre-blend with other powders (if any) to prevent lumps and assure proper dispersion.

Somewhere around 0.05% should still allow for sprayable texture while providing stabilization benefits when using KELCOGEL® CG-LA Gellan Gum.

We have paired both forms of KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum together in sprayable formulas for high stability depending on what the pH/processing conditions allow. In your system, you may find that you only need one. Our best recommendation would be to reach out to our CP Kelco team of technical experts for personalized advice.

Sun Care

Here are some bio-based ingredient options for you:

  • UniqSens™ SFE System is a great sunscreen stabilizer. It is highly compatible with multiple UV filters, as well as various processes and equipment. It is a ready-to-use solution for a seasonal final product.

  • KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum and its fluid gel technology enable suspension in thin, sprayable liquids, providing an ideal wider spray pattern compared to other nature-based solutions, as well as heat resistance that can help the emulsion stay stable over summer’s high temperatures. Try this free sunscreen prototype to see for yourself: Let’s Get Physical Sunscreen Recipe Card.

Yes, KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber can be an effective stabilizer in sun care and deliver a slight cooling effect that can be refreshing on the skin. It should be used at 1-2% and a pH between 3.0 and 6.0. It is best when used with a supporting emulsifier or stabilizer.

It will provide great emulsion stability. However, it will generate less viscosity per gram used. We don’t have a direct comparison, but we expect large differences in expected usage levels:

  • Synthetic stabilizers expected usage level: 0.1%-0.5%
  • KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber expected usage level: 1.0%-2.0%
  •  

SPF does not affect KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber However, the pH of the overall formula will affect its performance. Different UV filters may require different pH levels to function properly.

  • Most chemical, organic and non-mineral UV filters can be used at pH 5-6 with no problem.
    • PBSA is an organic UV filter that requires pH > 6.8 to avoid crystallization and thus will not work with KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber.

  • Mineral sunscreens using zinc oxide are normally formulated at pH 6.5-7.5 which is outside of the acceptable pH range for KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber.
    • Zinc oxide requires pH > 6.5 to avoid dissolving and destabilizing the formula.
  • Mineral sunscreens using titanium dioxide without zinc oxide can be made at pH 5-6 and should work just fine with KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber.

Please note that without having the exact product formulation, we can only provide general guidance and cannot guarantee results. Feel free to reach out to our team of technical experts for more personal assistance. 

CONTACT US
Home / Insights / Answers to Your Top Functional Gummy Questions

Answers to Your Top Functional Gummy Questions

During our recent webinar on formulating functional gummies, we asked you to send us your toughest questions. We received an incredible response, so we know that you are as passionate about this subject as we are! Most of the questions we received could be divided into themes of heat stability, alternatives to gelatin, sugar free and fortification challenges. Please see the answers below from the experts at our innovation centers:

Because of the global nature of e-commerce, you will begin to see more commonalities across the regions. However, each region will still add its unique touch to appeal to local needs. Pay attention to the emerging trend of personalization that we discussed in the webinar. 

Not everyone is ready for 3D printing but the idea of tailoring solutions to lifestyle, age, beliefs (such as vegan and halal), and health goals helps consumers to feel more catered to and included. That kind of personalization will be welcome in any region.

This will depend on the functional ingredients to be used. Use level is important as well as the pH each ingredient may bring to the product. Next, one will need to ensure a gelling agent aligns with the formulation, labeling and processing requirements. 

For example, our GENU® Pectin can do an excellent job of setting and providing stability to products with a lower pH. However, if the type of minerals or flavor of the product results in a higher pH (from 4.0–5 or above), then we can also recommend another grade of pectin or perhaps GENUGEL® Carrageenan might be a better choice.

Functional compounds may have different sensitivities to temperature and pH, and there are technologies like encapsulation that can help to protect these actives. In a functional gummy process, these compounds are typically added before acidification, or as late in the process before deposit. The recommendation is to mix them with either glycerin or corn syrup to provide some protection. 

This step can impact the product’s overall pH, so we advise using a gelling agent that tolerates this variability. Our GENU® Pectin for fortified gummies can be a good option to maintain gelling and texture characteristics.

It is possible to replace sugar and corn syrup with other solids or bulk ingredients. A key consideration for these ingredients is solubility, as you will want to provide a minimum amount of total soluble solids for gelling agents to set (thinking about pectin), and for the end product to have good firmness and stability. Therefore, polyols or soluble fiber are typically used.

Other ingredients can be used but firmness may be reduced as their solubility and composition varies, depending on the ingredient.  

Melting and stickiness may be caused by moisture migration into the product. To eliminate the possibility of this issue coming from the hydrocolloid ingredient, it is important to understand if it has been properly dispersed and hydrated, and if the pH of the product is suitable for its functionality. Another reason can be related to the carbohydrate composition, so the amounts of sugar and corn syrup (or other solids) should be reviewed.

This can also be a common problem with gelatin gummies because of their heat instability, especially when trying to ship for e-commerce or during warm summer months when the temperature can exceed 30°C. There are other ingredient options available with better heat stability than gelatin, such as our GENU® Pectin and GENUGEL® Carrageenan.

CP Kelco has several nature-based solutions — not animal based — that can meet your requirements. They can produce a variety of textures, so matching the texture of one gelling agent with another requires looking at the source, hydration and gelling properties of the different ingredients. You may even prefer a blend. We would be happy to collaborate and recommend the ingredient combination that makes the most sense, considering your texture and labeling needs.

In general, sensory evaluations of GENU® Pectin show that it has a softer, chewy bite, and it can enhance fruit flavors you may be using. Our GENUGEL® Carrageenan is another vegan option. It will not stick to teeth, and it has more of an elastic but refreshing chew. Both pectin and carrageenan can provide shelf stability and higher temperature resistance, for a non-melting and non-sticky performance.

Pectin can be a very good option for temperature stability. Once pectin sets, it forms a thermally stable gel that tolerates higher shipping temperatures than gelatin, which tends to melt at 35°–40°C. If in addition the goal is to maintain texture, a partial replacement of gelatin with pectin can be considered.

Gellan gum is often used in combination with other gelling agents, such as carrageenan or pectin to adjust the texture. KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum provides a firm texture while carrageenan provides a texture range going from firm to elastic. Gellan gum, carrageenan and pectin all have a wide pH working range, heat stability and fast setting rate with great flavor release, making them very compatible ingredients.

Finally, the total soluble solids (TSS) to deposit gummies should be between 77%–78%, with the final TSS typically between 80%–82%. This allows for product stability and texture. It can be achieved with a variety of sweeteners or bulk ingredients, depending on the characteristics of the end product.

Typically, the same equipment can be used when working with other gelling agents like pectin or carrageenan. The main considerations to include or adjust in the process are around hydration and dissolution of the ingredients, as well as higher setting and gelling temperatures. 

The concentration of vitamins, minerals or other active ingredients are typically determined by the amount per serving that is intended for gummy supplements to provide. Pectin can be used in formulas where these ingredients are included at higher concentrations (e.g., between 15%–20%), as long as the conditions of pH and solids are still maintained for pectin to set. We have a variety of pectins that can be evaluated to provide good gelling and texture to different types of functional gummies.

colorful candyPectin can be used either on its own or in combination with other gelling agents to create liquid-filled gummies, and it is a very good option when thinking about vegan or label-friendly alternatives. Our pectin portfolio includes a variety of options that can be recommended depending on formulation and texture needs. 

Some functional ingredients can either shift the pH conditions that allow pectin to set or can be a source of ions that may affect pectin gelation. Working on selecting the right type of pectin can improve setting and overall texture, in the presence of botanical or functional ingredients.

To prevent syneresis in gummies, there are a few things to consider. First, it’s important to maintain the total soluble solids at 80%–82% or correct them if needed. Typically, an increase in soluble solids helps.

Another consideration would be around the gelling agent. For example, the sweeteners or bulking agents typically used in sugar-free gummies tend to provide a weaker pectin gel and more tendency for syneresis, so an increase of 5%–10% of pectin should do a better job at holding water and maintaining firmness.

One more suggestion is to increase the stoving temperature to 35°–45°C to improve drying efficiency.

Finally, if there are any reducing sugars in the bulking agents used in the sugar-free or sugar-reduced formula, they can be adjusted by either decreasing the amount of glucose syrup or reducing the holding time at which the candy mass is exposed at high temperature and low pH.

Looking for more on functional gummies?

CONTACT US
Home / Insights / Formulating On-Trend Functional Gummies with Nature-Powered Ingredients

Formulating On-Trend Functional Gummies with Nature-Powered Ingredients

All rights reserved. Video may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of CP Kelco.

Vegan and gelatin-free. Reduced sugar. Wellness and beauty from the inside for all ages. With our strategic market insights, you will learn about the latest trends from around the globe as well as your best ingredient options for formulating clean label-friendly, functional gummies. What ingredients offer the heat stability to capture more e-commerce sales? What ingredients will provide the consistent texture, structure and mouthfeel consumers desire? We will cover the nature-based possibilities for functional gummy formulation and answer your questions to help your brand stand out.

Looking for more on functional gummies?

During our webinar, we received many questions from attendees on topics such as heat stability, alternatives to gelatin, sugar free and fortification challenges, and more. Click the button below to see top questions and answers from our team of experts at CP Kelco innovation centers around the world.

ACCESS THE Q&A
Home / Insights / Something to Chew On: How Functional Gummies Got So Popular So Fast

Something to Chew On: How Functional Gummies Got So Popular So Fast

With help from the ever-growing wellness trend, global sales of functional gummies are expected to reach $13.5 billion by 2027, according to the research firm Markets and Markets. Originally introduced as a children’s product, gummies have proven to be popular with all demographics.

For adults with pill fatigue or who have trouble swallowing, gummies are an enjoyable and convenient format to encourage repeat consumption. For those that regularly take health supplements, gummies taste like a sweet treat compared to pills and powders. Younger generations see the “fun” in functional, viewing them as a trendy combination of snack and supplement. The Wall Street Journal even joked that functional gummies are “the only way Gen Z will take a vitamin.”

Formulating with
quality ingredients

Formulating with quality ingredients

Along with the trends, texture plays a vital role in determining consumer demand. With 90 years of global experience, we are the texture innovator with the knowhow to exceed consumer expectations. Allow us to introduce you to some of our top picks from our unique portfolio of responsibly sourced, nature-based ingredients:

GENU® Pectin

GENU® Pectin

GENU® Pectin is upcycled from citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry. A consumer favorite for many years with a great sustainability story, pectin is considered to be the preferred, vegan-friendly choice with a taste and texture to replace gelatin. GENU® Pectin also tolerates salts, minerals and vitamins common to functional gummy formulations. 

GENU® Pectin is upcycled from citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry. A consumer favorite for many years with a great sustainability story, pectin is considered to be the preferred, vegan-friendly choice with a taste and texture to replace gelatin. GENU® Pectin also tolerates salts, minerals and vitamins common to functional gummy formulations. 

It provides benefits that gelatin cannot deliver, such as heat stability to combat the harsh temperature fluctuations of e-commerce. GENU® Pectin adds a soft gummy texture with excellent flavor release and uniform gelling properties to create the appearance consumers expect. CP Kelco offers a wide range of pectin solutions, including grades to support organic label claims and enable easier sugar-free gummy development.

GENU® Carrageenan

GENU® Carrageenan

GENU® Carrageenan comes from farmed red seaweed. This nature-based ingredient has been used for centuries as a very effective gelling agent, thickener and stabilizer. 

It has high heat stability, rapid setting for starchless molding, and provides a soft, chewy texture for creating vegan gummies and strips. Ask about grades to support organic and non-GMO claims.

GENU® Carrageenan comes from farmed red seaweed. This nature-based ingredient has been used for centuries as a very effective gelling agent, thickener and stabilizer. 

It has high heat stability, rapid setting for starchless molding, and provides a soft, chewy texture for creating vegan gummies and strips. Ask about grades to support organic and non-GMO claims.

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum originates from naturally occurring bacteria on water lily plants and is now produced using a fermentation process to develop an ingredient with identical composition while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring uniform quality. Suitable for vegan and organic formulations, it helps product developers create easy-to-chew, gelatin-free gummies with excellent clarity/transparency and flavor release.

KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum originates from naturally occurring bacteria on water lily plants and is now produced using a fermentation process to develop an ingredient with identical composition while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring uniform quality. Suitable for vegan and organic formulations, it helps product developers create easy-to-chew, gelatin-free gummies with excellent clarity/transparency and flavor release.

Gellan gum also offers good gelation and texture at a low use level. Heat stable in a range of pH conditions, the low hot viscosity helps it flow well into molds so you can create intricately shaped gummies.

RELATED CONTENT

4 Top Trends in
Functional Gummies
(+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

There are several drivers shaping the future of functional gummies. See the four market trends that will make this category even bigger, plus insights from every region that our innovation experts are closely watching. 

READ MORE

RELATED CONTENT

4 Top Trends in Functional Gummies
(+ Bonus Regional Insights!)

There are several drivers shaping the future of functional gummies. See the four market trends that will make this category even bigger, plus insights from every region that our innovation experts are closely watching. 

READ MORE
Home / Products / Carrageenan

Delicious meets nutritious. Bridging the gap between the confectionery and wellness categories, functional gummies have exploded in popularity around the world. This easily consumable, fortified snack turns taking supplements into a fun experience. Developed with vitamins, minerals, probiotics and other active ingredients, functional gummies encourage repeat consumption and are appreciated by all generations. Young children love the taste. Older adults who may have trouble swallowing also prefer the delivery format over cumbersome capsules and pills.

In this fast-growing area, label-conscious consumers are prompting a number of trends, including sugar-free, vegan alternatives to gelatin and heat-stability to take advantage of e-commerce convenience. CP Kelco offers a portfolio of nature-based ingredients and technical expertise to ensure you have the best solution.

Home / Insights / No Compromises: Formulating More Indulgent, Plant-Based Foods & Beverages

No Compromises: Formulating More Indulgent, Plant-Based Foods & Beverages

As more flexitarian consumers embrace plant-based products, we see that their purchases are a conscious choice. Consumers could choose meat or dairy, but they do not. They choose based on innovation, sustainability, nutrition and indulgence – and they do not want to compromise on quality. But what makes a product more indulgent? 

In dairy alternatives, indulgence is often associated with creaminess and richness. In meat alternatives, it can mean juiciness and an eating experience that closely resembles eating meat. Texture and mouthfeel are the deciding factors when it comes to indulgence.

Yogurt Alternatives

Yogurt alternatives have become a popular protein snack for all ages. There are a variety of format options to suit consumers’ every need, from drinking yogurt alternatives to spoonable yogurt alternatives and ambient yogurt alternatives. And there are a variety of plant proteins to work with as well: almond, oat, coconut, pea and blends. Whatever option you choose, consumers expect it to have all the great qualities of dairy – the same rich mouthfeel, texture, creaminess and appearance.

Textural challenges can arise from the absence of milkfat and casein as well as the hydration properties of different plant protein. Earthy or beany notes in your protein choice can also impact flavor. The secret to achieving success in plant-based yogurt alternatives is choosing the right stabilizer system. In addition to contributing to texture, body and mouthfeel, it can help solve the most common challenges in both stirred and sippable formulations: syneresis control, suspension of insoluble particles and protein protection.

Beverage Alternatives

In the ever-expanding and very competitive dairy alternative beverages market, texture and mouthfeel are what can drive loyalty. However, preferences are often decided by region and can vary from thin and silky to full-bodied richness. A nature-based stabilizer can help you tailor the mouthfeel of your beverage so it tastes more indulgent, provide stability, and enhance the suspension of nutrients or cocoa. 

From creaming and phase separation to viscosity, CP Kelco has the nature-based ingredients to solve any plant protein challenges and complement your formulation. And yes, it is possible to find a single-ingredient solution that can do the work of two. It can even provide a bit of cost savings by solving suspension and mouthfeel in one as you work towards cleaner label goals. After all, a long list of unrecognizable ingredients on the label may not match consumers’ perceptions.

Meat Alternatives

The plant-based protein advances in this category are happening at a rapid pace. However, getting plant protein to behave like animal protein texture is still difficult because it does not have the bite or chewiness of meat. For the first generation of meat alternatives, products were developed to replicate meat in order to appeal to flexitarians. However, it usually took a long and complex ingredient list to achieve this. For example, methylcellulose became a common binder, forming a firm gel when heated and helping to provide a firm bite to replicate the look and texture of meat.

The next generation of meat alternatives is about finding an indulgent, meat-like eating experience but with a more recognizable ingredient list. That means enhancing juiciness and texture, as well as finding clean label-friendly alternatives to methylcellulose.

CP Kelco’s Nature-Based Portfolio of Solutions

Let us help you find the best solution to meet your plant protein challenges and deliver more indulgent texture. Our unique portfolio is derived from renewable raw materials to preserve nature’s amazing functionality. Contact us for more information.

Home / Products / Carrageenan
CP Kelco logo

INGREDIENT INNOVATION

for a

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

INGREDIENT INNOVATION for a

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

3 Ways to Clean Up with
Bio-Based Ingredients
We've compiled a list of the leading
solutions for personal care product formulation
to clean up your next innovation.
DISCOVER SOLUTIONS
Solutions for Personal Care Products
Learn about the latest nature-powered solutions
for personal care product formulation.
DISCOVER SOLUTIONS
Innovating for Skin & Hair Cleansing
Access exclusive recipe cards for skin & hair cleansing personal care
products using our innovative bio-based solutions.
DOWNLOAD RECIPE CARDS
Innovating for Sun & Skin Care
Access exclusive recipe cards for sun & skin care personal care
products using our innovative bio-based solutions.
LEARN MORE
How to Create Liquid Hand Soaps
& Cleansers with Xanthan Gum
In this high-growth category, consumers want
convenience, differentiation and skin benefits.
How does your formulation hold up?
DOWNLOAD INSIGHTS
No Compromise:
The Future of Personal
Care Innovation
What does the future hold for personal care product
development? We believe it hinges on six important
concepts. At its core: abundant, affordable choices
with no compromise.
EXPLORE THE FUTURE
Previous slide
Next slide
3 Ways to Clean Up with Bio-Based Ingredients
We've compiled a list of the leading solutions for personal care product formulation to clean up your next innovation.
DISCOVER SOLUTIONS
Solutions for Personal Care Products
Learn about the latest nature-powered solutions for personal care product formulation.
DISCOVER SOLUTIONS
Innovating for Skin & Hair Cleansing
Access exclusive recipe cards for skin & hair cleansing personal care products using our innovative bio-based solutions.
DOWNLOAD RECIPE CARDS
Innovating for Sun & Skin Care
Access exclusive recipe cards for sun & skin care personal care products using our innovative bio-based solutions.
LEARN MORE
How to Create Liquid Hand Soaps & Cleansers with Xanthan Gum
In this high-growth category, consumers want convenience, differentiation and skin benefits. How does your formulation hold up?
DOWNLOAD INSIGHTS
No Compromise: The Future of Personal Care Innovation
We believe the future hold for personal care product development hinges on six important concepts. At its core: abundant, affordable choices with no compromise.
EXPLORE THE FUTURE
Previous slide
Next slide
Play Video

All rights reserved. Video may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of CP Kelco.

Featured Ingredients

Pectin

Carrageenan

Gellan Gum

Fermentation-Derived Cellulose

Xanthan Gum

Diutan Gum

Featured Ingredients

Pectin

Gellan Gum

Diutan Gum

Carrageenan

Xanthan Gum

Fermentation-Derived Cellulose

Play Video

All rights reserved. Video may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of CP Kelco.

Sign Up for Updates

CP Kelco logo

©2025 CP Kelco U.S., Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Linkedin Envelope

Sign Up for Updates

CP Kelco logo
Linkedin Envelope

©2025 CP Kelco U.S., Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Home / Insights / 3 Ways to Clean Up with Bio-Based Ingredients

3 Ways to Clean Up with Bio-Based Ingredients

1. Sustainable is the new clean.

Consumers are developing a better understanding of how their personal care habits can impact the environment – especially our waterways. Biodegradable ingredients break down to water, CO2 and organic matter within six months.

2. Help maintain skin health.

Another cleansing trend going mainstream is a better appreciation for managing stress and skin health. Goodbye harsh surfactants that can dry out skin. Say hello to gentler, calming ingredients that keep moisture in without upsetting skin’s pH and acid mantle.

3. Have fun with innovative textures.

Suspend exfoliating scrubbers or beads. Go luxuriously thick or water-thin or even waterless. New powders, bars, gels and jellies add life to the daily routine.

Nature-Powered Ingredients to Help

ARBALON® Cellulose Liquid

Our biodegradable, fermentation-derived stabilizer has a unique cellulose structure that forms an invisible 3D net to evenly suspend scrubbers, decorative or fragrance beads and more. Effective in high-surfactant or low/no water formulations. Ready to use and fully activated.

KELTROL® Xanthan Gum

This versatile, fermentation-derived ingredient is known for its unique smooth flow behavior, silky feel and even texture. It provides high viscosity at low shear rates for foams, suspensions and emulsion stability. It also provides low viscosity at high shear for pumpability. Plus, you get exceptional stability and thickening characteristics for a wide range of products.

GENU® Carrageenan

A multifunctional water-binding agent, this ingredient provides a creamy texture to emulsions and a honey-like flow as it locks in moisture to increase hydration. It can be used to replace synthetics in shampoos and other products.

Our Nature-Powered Ingredient Portfolio

Carrageenan

Extracted from red seaweed

Pectin

Upcycled from citrus peels, a byproduct of the juice industry

Gellan Gum

Bio-fermentation of Sphingomonas elodea, found on lily pond plants

Fermentation-Derived Cellulose

Bio-fermentation of Komagataeibacter xylinus, similar to nata de coco

Diutan Gum

Discovered in a marsh of redwood trees in California - instead of harvesting, we use bio-fermentation of Sphingomonas
sp. ATCC 51539

Xanthan Gum

Bio-fermentation of Xanthomonas campestris, found on cabbage

Home / Insights / Recipe Cards: Innovating for Skin & Hair Cleansing

Recipe Cards: Innovating for Skin & Hair Cleansing

Click the images or buttons below to download skin & hair cleansing recipe cards. 

Bee Sweet Honey
Body Wash

This cold-processed body wash has a smooth, honey-like appearance and luxurious texture, thanks to COSMOS® Certified GENUVISCO® CG-129 Carrageenan. Our lambda grade provides viscosity in surfactant systems that cannot be thickened with salt.

DOWNLOAD

Clearly, It’s The Fluid Gel Exfoliating Foam Cleanser

COSMOS® certified KELCOGEL® CG-LA (E) Gellan Gum helps this eye-catching cleansing foam stay water-thin but exceptionally clear and stable as it suspends actives like gently exfoliating jojoba beads.

DOWNLOAD

Lotus Enlighten
You Shampoo

Our shampoo has a luxurious feel and mimics the rheology of traditional, salt-thickened shampoos. COSMOS® certified ARBALON® R-50 (EV) Cellulose Liquid suspends the pearlescent mica without altering viscosity or feel. Our COSMOS® certified grade of lambda carrageenan thickens without gelling, creating a thick, smooth texture and high viscosity.

DOWNLOAD