Biosurfactants: Sustainably Produced, Multifunctional and Biodegradable
Biodegradable
Our biosurfactants, unlike many other conventional surfactants, are very low toxicity and biodegrade readily. This is a benefit not only in personal care products it is highly desirable in cleaning products and pet care and is an attribute that modern consumers seek
Gentle and Multi-functional
Unlike many conventional surfactants which can cause skin problems, our biosurfactants are non-irritating and leave skin feeling soft and moisturised. They have effective cleansing properties and are naturally antimicrobial. They also do not significantly impact the skin's microbiome or pH, both of which are vital for skin health
Natural Origins
Our sophorolipids are sustainably produced via a fermentation process of a non-pathogenic yeast species called Candida bombicola. This strain of yeast was originally isolated from bumblebee honey. Our rhamnolipids and surfactin are also sustainably produced via bacterial fermentation.
Overview of our Biosurfactant Range
Due to environmental and consumer concerns there has been much research to identify suitable alternatives to conventional surfactants, which are primarily made from non-renewable petroleum-based sources.
Biosurfactants comprise a group of compounds released by microorganism via a fermentation process. We supply a range of surfactants which are sustainably produced, using renewable feedstocks. These include:
Lactonic SOPHOROLIPIDS (INCI: Glycolipids)
Acidic SOPHOROLIPIDS (INCI: Glycolipids)
RHAMNOLIPIDS (INCI: Glycolipids)
SURFACTIN (INCI: Sodium Surfactin)
(Sophorolipids, Rhamnolipids and Surfactin)
General properties of SustainaLife biosurfactants
Each of our biosurfactants has specific benefits and these are covered in more under the different types. For example, some have better foaming properties, others have particularly good antimicrobial qualities but they share general characteristics:
- Low CMC
- Emulsifying
- Antioxidant
- Anti-allergenic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial properties
- Gentle but effective cleansing
- Moisturising
- Highly biocompatible
- Sustainably produced
- Low toxicity
- Readily biodegradable
- Suitable for Vegans
- Non-GMO
Sophorolipids: Gentle cleansing, natural antimicrobial activity
SophoroPure-L
SophoroPure-L
SophoroPure-A
SophoroPure-A
SophoroPure-L
- Highly Emulsifying
- Excellent Antibacterial Properties
- Anti-Fungal
- Good Antioxidant Properties
- Anti-Inflammatory
- De-Greasing Properties
- Sebum Balancing
- Anti-Mite
SophoroPure- A
- Moisturising
- Suitable for Very Sensitive Skin
- Good Fragrance Solubility
- Anti-fungal Properties
- Anti-biofim Activity
- Low foam
- Good Stain Removal at Low Concentrations
- Good Cleansing and Dispersal Properties
SophoroPure-L example applications:
MOISTURISERS | CLEANSERS/CLEANSING BALM | BATH OIL | SERUMS | DEODORANT | CONDITIONER | ANTI-ACNE PRODUCTS | ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO | ANTIBACTERIAL WIPES | BABY WIPES
NON COSMETIC EXAMPLE APPLICATIONS
NON-FOAMING CLEANING PRODUCTS | HARD SURFACE CLEANER DISHWASHER PRODUCTS | GLASS CLEANER | CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANER | PET SHAMPOO | CAR CLEANING
SophoroPure-A example applications:
MICELLAR WATER | FACEWASH | BODY WASH | FOAMING CLEANSER| SENSITIVE SKIN PRODUCTS | BABY PRODUCTS | INTIMATE WASHING PRODUCTS| FACE MASKS | SOAPS
NON COSMETIC EXAMPLE APPLICATIONS
LOW FOAM CLEANERS | LAUNDRY LIQUID | CARPET SHAMPOO | CAR CLEANING | PET SHAMPOO | WASHING UP LIQUID
Rhamnolipids: Stable foam, antimicrobial and anti-aging properties
Rhamnolipids are sustainably produced via bacterial fermentation. Like Sophorolipids they are also being more widely adopted by cosmetic, personal care and homecare companies due to their multifunctional characteristics and safety and environmental credentials.
They share the same basic properties as sophorolipids in that they are biodegradable and skin friendly but they produce more foam with better stability and volume. This can satisfy consumer requirements for cleansing products such as shampoo and body washes etc. Rhamnolipids also have antimicrobial properties. Sustaina-Life rhamnolipids are the mono-rhamnolipid form which has particularly good antimicrobial properties, compared with di-rhamnolipids, due to the smaller molecule size. A further property of rhamnolipids is their anti-wrinkle and healing effect on the skin.
Rhamnolipids Example Applications:
Anti-acne/anti-bacterial skin products | Bath, shower, hair and face products where good foaming is important | Anti-aging products | Moisturisers | Soaps | Creams and lotions | Cleansers | Wipes (inc antibacterial) | Toothpaste
Well respected brands using Sophorolipids and Rhamnolipids
The market for biosurfactants has grown tremendously over the past few years as their wide range of benefits are recognised. The market was estimated to be 2.8 billion USD in 2023. Many popular brands are incorporating sophorolipids and rhamnolipids into a wide variety of products, from serums, wipes and moisturisers to shampoos, conditioners, cleansers and other key cosmetic and body care products. These include:
The Ordinary
Dermologica
Honest Beauty
Dr Loretta
ICE Professional
Marketing featured promoted are also numberous. Examples include: moisturising, gentle, natural, hydrating, anti-ageing, bio but there are many more.
Our supply partners for Glycolipids and Surfactin
The company who supply our sophorolipids have state of the art productions quality control procedures. The high product quality has been appreciated by existing customers who, after testing their sophorolipids versus competitor products, have selected them as their only sophorolipids supplier. The positive feedback included properties such as clarity, no unpleasant odour and consistency among batches.
Getting good consistency is obviously of the utmost importance and can be a challenge. Our development team have many years of expertise in fermentation and this pays dividends with regard to producing consistently good products with exceptional attributes.
Antibacterial efficacy can also vary significantly. In laboratory tests the sophorolipids we market performed the best versus competitor products.
Sustaina-Life Ltd
Radway
Belle Orchard
Ledbury
HR8 1DD
UK
Telephone:
+447770667100
Email:
liz.hutson@sustainalifeingredients.com