IO Cold-Weather Care Active Liquid

What this ingredient is

IO Cold-Weather Care Active Liquid is an active supplied as a liquid concentrate in milliliter packs. It is publicly documented as a ferment extract of Pseudoalteromonas, a marine bacterium found in the icy waters of Antarctica. To survive in that environment, the microorganism produces a glycoprotein that protects it from freezing, and the ferment extract carries this protective material into skin care. Our product record lists it as water-soluble and added to the water phase at cool-down. The exact INCI and active content are on the CoA for each lot.

Properties

The cold-survival story gives this ingredient a strong identity in protective skin care. Brands use it in products for skin exposed to wind, cold and dry indoor heating, where they talk about comfort, a smoother surface and less tight-feeling skin. It is also used in lip care and hand care, the areas that suffer first in winter. The liquid blends easily into creams and gels without changing their texture.

Applications

Cold-weather face creams, ski and outdoor protective balms with a water phase, hand creams, lip treatments, overnight masks and moisturizers for travelers are typical uses. This ingredient fits well with barrier ingredients such as Ceramide NP and with Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer for a long-lasting comfort film. More marine and peptide-category actives are listed in our peptides catalog.

How to use it

Prepare the emulsion or gel and cool it below 40 °C. Weigh this ingredient into the batch and stir gently until uniform. Do not reheat. Keep the pH in a mild range close to skin. Follow the CoA and supplier documentation for the use level.

Designing for harsh climates

A winter cream needs more lipids than a summer gel. Combine humectants such as glycerin with emollients like shea butter and squalane and with a light occlusive such as a small amount of petrolatum alternative or dimethicone. The ferment extract adds the protective story. For lip care, choose a balm-in-emulsion format so the water-soluble active can be included. Package in tubes that are easy to carry outdoors.

Compatibility

Ferment extracts are generally compatible with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, niacinamide, ceramides and nonionic emulsifiers. Avoid strong oxidizers and long heating. Check the preservative system, since ferment-based materials can carry nutrients for microbes; a robust, broad-spectrum preservative is recommended.

Marketing the origin story

Extreme-environment ingredients sell on their story, but the story must stay accurate. Describe the source as a marine microorganism from Antarctic waters and the active as a ferment extract, without suggesting that the product protects against frostbite or any condition. Visuals of ice and glaciers work well, and a short line on the pack explaining the origin helps customers remember the ingredient. ## Characteristics

Form: liquid active concentrate. Publicly documented source: Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract. Solubility: water. Addition: water phase at cool-down. INCI and active content: on the CoA. Supply: milliliter packs.

Original recipe: winter comfort face cream, 100 g

Phase A: distilled water 64.00 g, glycerin 5.00 g, xanthan gum 0.20 g. Phase B: cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate 5.00 g, shea butter 5.00 g, squalane 8.00 g, caprylic/capric triglyceride 6.00 g, dimethicone 1.00 g. Heat An and B to 75 °C, emulsify and cool. Phase C below 40 °C: IO Cold-Weather Care Active Liquid at the level on the CoA, here 3.00 g; panthenol 1.00 g; tocopherol 0.50 g; preservative 1.00 g; fragrance 0.30 g. Mix until smooth and adjust pH to about 5.5.

Storage

Keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool place away from light. Do not freeze. Ships from Florida in milliliter packs.