How to Use AccessSIL ASL-99 in Your Formulations
What AccessSIL ASL-99 Does
If you’re creating a product to make hair soft, smooth, and easy to comb, AccessSIL ASL-99 is the ingredient that does the heavy lifting. Think of it as a concentrated conditioning system in a bottle. It works by depositing a very thin, invisible film onto the surface of the hair, which smooths the hair’s outer layer (the cuticle). This instantly reduces friction, making hair easier to detangle, while also taming frizz and adding a beautiful shine.
For the more technical formulator, AccessSIL ASL-99 is a cationic microemulsion featuring amodimethicone. The “cationic” part is key—it means the ingredient has a positive electrical charge. Damaged areas of the hair have a negative charge, so this ingredient is naturally drawn to the parts of the hair that need conditioning the most. This “smart” delivery system provides targeted repair without causing the heavy buildup that older silicones were known for. The blend of Steartrimonium Chloride and Laureth-3 helps stabilize the amodimethicone, making it easy to incorporate into your water-based formulas.
Formulation Tips
AccessSIL ASL-99 is very versatile. For a standard daily conditioner, a usage rate of 2-4% is a great starting point. For more intensive products like a deep-conditioning mask or a repair treatment for very damaged hair, you can increase the concentration to 4-6%.
The easiest way to use it is to add it during the cool-down phase of your formulation, once the temperature is below 40°C (104°F). Stir gently until it is fully dispersed. You can also add it to the water phase of your formula before heating, as it is generally heat-stable.
This ingredient is designed to work well in typical hair care formulations with a pH between 4 and 7. It is compatible with most other hair care ingredients, including botanical extracts, proteins, and humectants. Because it is a cationic (positively charged) system, you should always run a small test batch to ensure stability when using it with high levels of anionic (negatively charged) ingredients.
Key Performance Benefits:
- Superior Detangling & Slip: Dramatically reduces the force needed to comb through wet or dry hair, preventing breakage and making styling easier.
- Targeted Conditioning: The cationic charge of the molecule is drawn to negatively charged, damaged areas of the hair, delivering conditioning where it’s needed most.
- Lasting Frizz Control: Smooths the hair cuticle to block humidity and prevent frizz, leaving hair looking sleek and polished all day long.
- Enhanced Shine & Color Vibrancy: By creating a smooth, uniform surface, it reflects light more effectively for a brilliant shine and helps seal in color molecules to prevent fading.
- Soft & Silky Feel: Leaves hair with a luxurious, non-greasy softness that feels light and natural, never heavy or weighed down.
- Easy to Formulate: As a pre-blended liquid emulsion, it disperses easily into formulas, simplifying the manufacturing process for both beginners and experienced chemists.