Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel: nature’s answer to luxurious formulations

The beauty and personal care industry is evolving, influenced by new regulations, shifting consumer behaviour and environmental concerns. In many regions, regulatory changes are pushing brands to reformulate products by reducing volatile silicones and potential microplastics, while major companies are making public sustainability commitments and collaborating to improve industry transparency. Consumers today expect brands to address issues like pollution and climate change, driving businesses to adopt lower-carbon-footprint ingredients in response to upcoming reporting requirements.

Momentive Performance Materials introduces a new elastomer gel technology enabling the next generation of high-performance colour cosmetics and skincare products. Harmonie™ NatuVel gel (INCI: Coco-Caprylate/Caprate (and) Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer (and) Squalane), a new 100% naturally derived elastomer gel, has been engineered to outperform silicone elastomer gels whilst being compatible with natural and naturally derived lipids, UV filters and other polar materials.

Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel is an ideal example of what’s possible when cutting-edge innovation meets sustainability. Derived entirely from plant-based raw materials and developed following the ‘12 principles of green chemistry’, this translucent gel offers formulators the flexibility and performance they’ve been looking for in the clean beauty space.

What makes Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel truly exceptional is its ability to replicate and even rival silicone elastomer performance while maintaining a fully natural profile. Through its distribution agreement with Savannah Fine Chemicals, Momentive offers the South African beauty industry a sustainable alternative without asking cosmetic chemists to compromise on sensory experience or formulation capability.

A sensory revolution

The cosmetic experience begins with touch, and Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel delivers a sensory profile that consumers will love. Its unique microgel mechanism creates:

Soft focus and blurring effects that visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections
A luxurious feel that transforms from silky to powdery-dry while leaving skin feeling cushioned and moisturised
A beautiful matte finish that reduces shine and minimises oiliness – perfect for South Africa’s warm climate.

Versatility that inspires innovation

For formulators seeking to create standout products in the competitive beauty market, Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel offers unprecedented versatility across product categories:

In colour cosmetics, it enhances the dispersion and suspension of pigments, creating foundations, BB creams, and concealers with superior uniformity and skin feel. It also adds a soft focus effect on skin.
In skincare formulations, Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel delivers a soft focus effect, aids spreading and reduces oiliness to provide a cushioned, dry, powdery sensory effect whilst maintaining a moisturised skin feel.
In sun protection products, it improves spreadability and absorption while reducing greasiness. It also aids in the dispersion of physical UV filters.

Its compatibility with natural oils and specific polar and non-polar ingredients gives formulators the freedom to create innovative anhydrous systems like sticks and gel-based products without formulation constraints.

For inspiration, the featured Invisible Gel Sunscreen formulation meets the market demand for highly effective multi-functional products. It is designed to act as both a skincare primer and facial sunscreen with a dry, cushioned sensory effect. Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel enables this unique clear protective formulation thanks to its excellent compatibility with UV filters.

Sustainability without compromise

At a time when consumers are increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint, Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel delivers these clean beauty credentials:

100% naturally derived ingredients (NOI of 1.0 per ISO 16128)
Biodegradable and vegan
RSPO Mass Balance certification
Lower product carbon footprint than other silicone alternatives.

Perfect for the South African market

With our unique climate and growing consumer awareness of petrochemicals, South African beauty brands need ingredients that perform in local conditions while meeting global sustainability standards. Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel can be used to create stable, elegant formulations with exceptional matte properties, making it ideal for products designed for the local market.

Whether you’re formulating lightweight serums that shouldn’t feel sticky on skin in humid conditions, foundations that provide a natural matte finish even on hot sunny days, or sunscreens that feel luxurious rather than heavy, Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel delivers the performance you need with the natural profile consumers want.

Experience the difference

Discover how Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel can transform your product development pipeline. Connect with the experts at Savannah Fine Chemicals through the Formulation Design digital platform to explore how this revolutionary ingredient can help you create the next generation of clean, high-performance beauty products for the South African market.

Inspire your formulations. Delight your consumers. Lead the clean beauty revolution with Harmonie^TM NatuVel gel.

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