Softening, 1 L

Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262): The Soothing Botanical Elixir from the UK

Introduce unparalleled gentleness and calming comfort to your cosmetic formulations with Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262), a meticulously crafted botanical blend from the United Kingdom. This exquisite liquid active, boasting water solubility and an optimal inclusion rate of 1-10%, is a synergy of nature's most renowned calming extracts: Calendula, Noble Chamomile, Linden, Cornflower, Chamomile (common), and St. John's Wort. Sourced from the esteemed Ennagram brand, this complex is your secret to creating products that truly soothe and comfort the skin.

Description and Key Features

Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262) is a transparent to slightly hazy liquid, a concentrated essence of six powerful botanicals chosen for their exceptional skin-benefiting properties. Its water solubility makes it incredibly easy to incorporate into a vast array of water-based cosmetic formulations, ensuring seamless integration without affecting product texture or stability. The synergy of these plant extracts provides a multi-faceted approach to skin care, offering soothing, anti-inflammatory, and protective benefits. Each component is carefully selected to contribute to the overall calming and skin-softening effect, making this complex an indispensable ingredient for sensitive and delicate skin formulations.

The powerful botanical composition of Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262) includes:

• Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Extract: Renowned for its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and skin-soothing properties.
• Noble Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis) Extract: Highly regarded for its calming and anti-irritant effects, perfect for sensitive skin.
• Linden (Tilia Cordata) Extract: Known for its emollient and anti-inflammatory benefits, providing a soothing touch.
• Cornflower (Centaurea Cyanus) Extract: Often used for its mild astringent and soothing properties, especially for tired eyes.
• Chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita) Extract: Another potent chamomile variety, reinforcing the calming and anti-inflammatory actions.
• St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) Extract: Valued for its skin-calming and restorative capabilities.

Versatile Applications and Usage Areas in Cosmetics

The comprehensive soothing and skin-softening properties of Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262) make it an incredibly versatile active ingredient, suitable for a wide range of cosmetic products, particularly those aimed at sensitive, irritated, or delicate skin:

• Skincare for Face and Body:
  • Sensitive Skin Formulations: It's an ideal addition to creams, lotions, and balms specifically designed for sensitive, reactive, or compromised skin, helping to reduce redness, itching, and discomfort.
  • Soothing Serums and Toners: Incorporate into facial serums, toners, and mists to provide instant relief and a calming effect, especially after cleansing or sun exposure.
  • After-Sun Products: Excellent for after-sun lotions and gels, providing soothing and restorative care to sun-stressed skin.
  • Baby Care Products: Gentle enough for baby lotions, creams, and wipes, offering natural comfort for delicate infant skin.
  • Anti-Redness Solutions: Formulate anti-redness creams or calming masks to visibly reduce skin irritation and even out skin tone.
• Hair Care Products:
  • Soothing Scalp Treatments: Can be used in scalp tonics, shampoos, and conditioners to soothe an irritated, itchy, or dry scalp, promoting a healthy environment for hair growth.
  • Delicate Hair Shampoos: Ideal for shampoos and rinses for delicate or easily irritated scalps, providing gentle cleansing and conditioning.
• Bath and Body Products:
  • Relaxing Bath Oils/Soaks: Add to bath oils, bath bombs, or liquid soaps for a truly calming and skin-softening bathing experience.
  • Body Washes and Shower Gels: Infuse cleansing products with Softening to create a gentle, non-irritating wash that leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable.
• Make-up Removers:
  • Enhance gentle make-up removers or micellar waters with Softening to minimize irritation around the delicate eye area and leave skin feeling refreshed.

The versatility of Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262) lies in its ability to cater to products requiring a gentle touch, making it a valuable asset for brands committed to producing high-quality, soothing, and skin-friendly formulations for a global market.

Cosmetic Recipe: "Calm & Hydrate" Facial Serum

Create a lightweight, calming, and hydrating facial serum specifically designed to soothe sensitive or irritated skin, featuring Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262).

Instructions for Preparation:

1. Sanitization: Thoroughly sanitize all your equipment (beakers, stirring rods, containers) using isopropyl alcohol and allow everything to air dry completely.
2. Hydrate Hyaluronate (Pre-step): In a separate small container, mix the Sodium Hyaluronate powder with about 10-15ml of distilled water from your total water amount. Let it sit for at least 15-30 minutes (or longer, up to a few hours) to fully hydrate and form a clear gel. This step ensures proper dissolution and avoids lumps.
3. Combine Base: In your main beaker, measure out the remaining distilled water. Add glycerin and stir until fully mixed.
4. Incorporate Actives: Add the pre-hydrated Sodium Hyaluronate gel, Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262), and Panthenol to the main water base. Stir the mixture thoroughly for several minutes until all ingredients are uniformly dispersed and the serum appears clear.
5. Add Preservative: Add your chosen broad-spectrum preservative to the serum mixture. Stir well for at least 2-3 minutes to ensure it's evenly distributed.
6. pH Adjustment (Recommended): Check the pH of your serum. For facial serums, a pH between 5.0 and 5.5 is generally ideal for skin compatibility and preservative efficacy. Adjust if necessary using a diluted solution of lactic acid (to lower pH) or baking soda solution (to raise pH), adding drop by drop and rechecking until the desired pH is reached.
7. Final Transfer: Carefully pour the finished serum into a clean, sterile glass bottle with a dropper or pump dispenser.

Recommendations for Application and Use:

• Optimal Dosing: The recommended usage rate for Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262) is 1-10%. For a gentle facial serum, 3-5% is often sufficient to achieve noticeable soothing effects.
• Adding to Cool Down: If you are formulating an emulsion (cream or lotion), always add Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262) during the cool-down phase (below 45°C/113°F) to preserve the integrity of the botanical extracts. For water-based gels or tonics, it can be added at room temperature.
• pH Stability: While Softening is water-soluble, always perform a pH check and adjustment of your final product. The optimal pH ensures both product stability and skin compatibility.
• Storage: Store finished products containing Softening (ENNACOMPLEX 262) in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, to maintain ingredient efficacy and prolong shelf life.
• Compatibility: Softening is generally compatible with most water-based cosmetic ingredients. Always perform small test batches when combining with novel ingredients to ensure stability.
• Sensory Experience: The liquid nature of Softening contributes to lightweight product textures, enhancing the user experience, especially for sensitive skin types.