Crystal Clear Ceramide Beauty: Introducing SPHINOHANCE® Clear
The “skinification” of hair care is shifting consumer expectations. Consumers now treat the scalp as an extension of their facial skin, driving demand for barrier repair, deep hydration, and long-term scalp health.
While ceramides are the ultimate hero ingredients for barrier integrity, formulating them into clear, water- or surfactant-based systems for both hair and body has traditionally been a major challenge.
The Innovation: Breakthrough Fusion Technology
SPHINOHANCE® Clear is a biotechnology-derived blend merging two high-performance systems:
- Ceramide NG: The primary structural ceramide in hair, making up over 70% of natural hair lipids and naturally abundant in the Stratum Corneum.
- Mono-Rhamnolipids: An eco-friendly glycolipid technology that serves as a powerful, mild solubilising agent.
Overcoming the Solubility Barrier
Ceramides are naturally water-insoluble and prone to recrystallisation or hazing in aqueous bases. The specialized mono-rhamnolipid in SPHINOHANCE® Clear perfectly solubilises Ceramide NG, allowing formulators to achieve completely transparent, crystal-clear water- and surfactant-based products.
Co-Deposition Mechanism
In rinse-off systems, active ingredients often wash away before delivering benefits. SPHINOHANCE® Clear utilizes a unique co-deposition mechanism where the mono-rhamnolipid significantly improves and increases the deposition of Ceramide NG onto both the hair fibre and the skin.
Clinically Proven Efficacy
Backed by robust in vivo and ex vivo data, SPHINOHANCE® Clear delivers comprehensive benefits:
1. Leave-On: Care for Dry, Irritated Scalps
Tested in vivo at a 1% concentration in a scalp serum:
- Reduces Redness & Flakiness: Visibly minimizes desquamation and erythema within 14 days, with enhanced results by day 28.
- Improves Hydration & Barrier Function: Yields a 120% boost in hydration and a 125% improvement in skin barrier integrity (TEWL reduction) vs. the vehicle base.
- Restores Structural Integrity: Ex vivo tissue studies show a 20% increase in epidermal ceramides and a 40% increase in Involucrin levels, vital for a strong stratum corneum.
2. Rinse-Off: Care for Oily Scalps & Skin Cleansing
Tested in vivo at a 2.5% concentration in a shampoo:
- Immediate Sebum Control: Instantly rebalances and reduces scalp oiliness (>500% improvement over standard SLES shampoo by day 28).
- Scalp Comfort: Delivers a 228% improvement in redness reduction and a 220% boost in hydration during rinsing.
- Measurable Hair Quality: Increases surface ceramide deposition by 61% , with 87% of panellists reporting a visible boost in hair gloss.
Technical Profile & Guidance
- INCI: Ceramide NG; Glycolipids; Sodium Benzoate; Aqua
- Active Matter: ~77%
- Natural Origin Index: 0.97
- Processability: Cold processable for energy-efficient manufacturing.
- Clarity Profile: Achieves a clear solution at neutral pH (~7) on its own. When paired with complementary surfactants (e.g., RHEANCE® One or TEGO® Betain 810 MB), crystal-clear formulations are easily achieved at skin-compatible levels (e.g., pH 5.5).
- Recommended Use Level: 1% to 5% (clinically tested at 1% and 2.5%).
- Compliance: China IECIC compliant.
Innovation Opportunities:
Despite massive growth in barrier-support products, ceramides remain significantly underutilised in rinse-off systems due to historic formulation limits. SPHINOHANCE® Clear fills this void, unlocking a major commercial window for clear shampoos, facial washes, clear shower gels, and pre-wash hair masks.
Partner with Surfachem
Ready to formulate high-clarity, ceramide-based rinse-off products? Surfachem is here to help. Contact us today to request samples or review full technical documentation.
