Vegan silk cosmetics

10. July 2023

Silk on the skin is one of the most beautiful feelings for us humans, but unfortunately it is an animal-based raw material. Now there is finally an alternative as vegan silk cosmetics, because Silk is one of the oldest, most beautiful and noblest fibres in the world. Anyone who has ever worn or just touched a blouse, scarf or dress made of silk will appreciate its unique properties. Silk is extremely smooth and soft (“silky soft”), pleasantly cool and very light. The wearing comfort is immensely high. Silk has also become popular in the cosmetic sector. We often find it in hair care products, for example.

How is silk obtained?

It is obtained from the cocoons of the silkworm. The silkworm is the larva of the mulberry or silkworm moth, a butterfly that was originally native to China. The cocoons are a miracle of nature, because the caterpillars make them from a single silk thread that is up to 900 metres long. Unfortunately, the industrious and pupated caterpillars have to be killed with hot steam or water before they hatch. Otherwise, they would bite their cocoons when they hatch, so that no further processing would be possible. Humans therefore intervene massively in nature to obtain silk. To produce one kilogram of silk, about 200 kilograms of leaves from more than 20 mulberry trees have to be harvested. 200 kilograms of leaves: that’s a huge amount when you consider how light as a feather a single leaf is. Even more drastic is the fact that for one kilogram of silk, about 5000 cocoons and thus also 5000 caterpillars pupated in them have to be boiled (killed). Moreover, the result is not really pure and natural. Pesticides, chemical fertilisers and disinfectants as well as hormones and formaldehyde all play a role in the production of traditional silk.

Mega-trend vegan cosmetics

Understandably, these aspects are moving more and more people to do without traditional silk in cosmetics. It is not for nothing that the term “clean beauty” has become a real buzzword. The more and better consumers are educated about the beauty products they use in their everyday lives, the more their aspirations for a more ethical lifestyle grow. Factors such as sustainability, environmental awareness, origin, and safety are becoming increasingly important to consumers. They are looking for solutions that are effective and offer real benefits, but also do not have a negative impact on nature or flora and fauna. Up to 51 percent of all people in Europe already state that they prefer products that carry the “animal-free” certificate. The focus is on vegan beauty products. Consumers perceive them as significantly more skin-friendly and natural. And this despite the fact that vegan foods are still niche products.

But is it at all possible to still enjoy and benefit from the many positive properties of silk, for example, and at the same time respect nature? Yes, it is: the solution is called vegan silk cosmetics.

What is vegan silk cosmetics?

Vegan silk cosmetics contain a polymer inspired by nature. This is an innovative biotechnological process. By fermenting bacteria with vegetable feed (sugar cane / beet / starch) and a special processing technology, a product is created that almost perfectly mimics natural silk and has even better properties: vegan silk cosmetics. No animal has to die for this type of cosmetics, the entire production process is free of animal sources. No pupated caterpillars are brutally “boiled” to leave their cocoons intact. Nevertheless, vegan silk cosmetics offer numerous advantages in skin and hair care. For example, it provides the typical silky finish that we know from traditional silk. In addition, vegan silk cosmetics are characterised by a very high degree of purity.

Vegan silk cosmetics meet all Clean Beauty requirements, they are sustainable, biodegradable, and free from animal cruelty and harsh chemicals.

The unique ingredient called Silkgel NEO is transparent and leaves no sticky feeling. In addition, the hydrogel is sprayable and non-occlusive. It has also have film-forming properties (“second skin effect”), protect against bacteria and irritants, provide breathable skin protection, and feature an anti-staining effect.

The vegan silk cosmetics are therefore ideal for hair care. Similar to a heat protection spray, vegan silk cosmetics protect against thermal damage and help the hair to repair and regenerate. This also applies to damaged coloured hair. It becomes supple through the application and gets a silky shine. Hair treated with dyes is effectively protected from chlorine and sea water: The hair surface becomes smoother with vegan silk cosmetics and the colour remains vibrant without losing intensity due to the chlorine or sea water. In addition, vegan silk cosmetics can be seen to protect against pollution (especially from carbon particles).

Of course, vegan silk cosmetics are also recommended for skin care as well as for decorative cosmetics. It offers very good protection against irritants, prolongs the effect of insect repellents, ensures a reduction in bacterial adhesion and can, for example, prolong the effect of powder products through its fixing effect. Vegan silk cosmetics are ideal for vegan mascara and eyelash gel, as they nourish, protect, and strengthen the eyelashes. Conversely, eye make-up can be removed gently and thoroughly with Silkgel NEO.

Fact Sheet Vegan Silk Cosmetics

Name of active ingredient: Silkgel NEO

INCI: Aqua, Sr-Spider Polypeptide-1, 1,2-hexanediol, caprylyl glycol

Description: a transparent viscous liquid

Effect: film-forming, anti-pollution, silky finish, natural booster

Possible uses Examples: Skin protection cream, setting spray, leave-in hair treatment, hair colour protection spray, body spray, pre-shave lotion, eyelash protection, mascara, lipstick, eye shadow.