Next-Generation Surfactant Technology with the Power of Sunflower

One Molecule, Two Different Worlds

While many surfactants on the market today focus on cleaning performance, they leave user experience in the background. Clariant, on the other hand, has delivered a significant innovation by adapting the same technology platform to two different sectors. GlucoTain™ Sense is a special sensorial additive developed for cosmetics and personal care products, shampoos, shower gels, facial cleansers and liquid hand soaps. GlucoPure™ Sense optimizes the same technology for hand dishwashing detergents and sensitive cleaning products, enhancing both cleaning performance and user comfort.

Why Sunflower Oil?

A significant portion of the natural surfactants on the market are sourced from palm kernel oil. Clariant, however, has adopted a different approach, using high-oleic sunflower oil sourced from Europe. This approach reduces dependency on tropical sources, provides a higher renewable carbon ratio, supports a sustainable supply chain, and offers a strong alternative for brands looking to move away from palm derivatives. 

The fact that GlucoTain™ Sense has an approximate Renewable Carbon Index (RCI) value of 96% is one of the most important indicators of this approach.

Cleans the Skin While Protecting It at the Same Time

One of the biggest disadvantages of traditional surfactants is that they strip away the skin's natural lipid layer. GlucoTain™ Sense and GlucoPure™ Sense bring a different perspective to this problem. Both products offer extremely low irritation potential, high compatibility with skin proteins, a structure that does not damage lipids, soft and creamy foam, and a noticeable feeling of softness after rinsing. 

A Sensory Effect That Makes a Difference in Cosmetics

In cosmetic products, consumer experience is not measured solely by cleaning performance. The structure of the foam, the feeling of slip, ease of rinsing and the feeling left after application also directly affect the purchasing decision.

GlucoTain™ Sense provides creamier foam, a more intense care feeling, long-lasting softness felt on the skin, and a noticeable sensorial contribution even at low usage levels. In blind tests conducted, the majority of users reported a more moisturized and softer skin feeling compared to formulations containing standard Cocamidopropyl Betaine. 

A New Approach in Detergents

The biggest complaint of consumers with hand dishwashing detergents is skin dryness that occurs after prolonged use. GlucoPure™ Sense has been developed to address this problem. The product offers high foam performance, effective foam even in hard water, easy rinsing, a softer feeling on the skin, and performance that can serve as an alternative to traditional betaine systems. It also targets a structure that can help avoid irritation labeling in suitable formulations. 

Advantages Provided to Formulators

Both products facilitate not only the user experience but also the formulation development process.

Key advantages include;

High compatibility with anionic, amphoteric, cationic and nonionic surfactants 

Easy viscosity adjustment with salt 

Dense and stable foam 

High performance at low usage doses 

Biodegradable structure 

Preservative-free raw material structure 

COSMOS compliance (GlucoTain™ Sense) 

Palm derivative-free alternative solution 

 

Conclusion

Although there are numerous naturally sourced surfactants on the market today, this technology platform, which is sunflower oil-based, offers a high renewable content, and has been developed for both the cosmetics and home care sectors, occupies a quite different position. Clariant's approach stands out by bringing together not only cleaning performance but also sustainability, user experience and formulation flexibility within the same product family. For this reason, GlucoTain™ Sense and GlucoPure™ Sense can be regarded as next-generation sensorial additives that go beyond classic co-surfactants.