How to Use Starphere P5-BK12 in Your Formulations
Understanding Starphere P5-BK12
Starphere P5-BK12 are tiny, solid spheres that add incredible visual appeal and a unique sensory experience to cosmetic products. Think of them as miniature capsules that hold beneficial ingredients. In your bottle, they look like elegant black pearls suspended in the formula. When your customer rubs the product onto their skin, these beads gently burst, releasing their contents—in this case, the antioxidant Vitamin E.
For the more technical-minded formulator, Starphere P5-BK12 is a delivery system composed of a biodegradable matrix of Zea Mays (Corn) Starch and Microcrystalline Cellulose. This matrix encapsulates both a pigment for its deep black color and Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E). Their notable particle size of 850–1200 μm makes them highly visible, perfect for creating products that stand out on the shelf.
Formulation Tips
- Usage Rate: A typical usage rate is between 0.5% and 3%. Start with 1% for a noticeable visual effect and increase if you desire a denser appearance or more pronounced sensory burst.
- When to Add: Always add Starphere beads during the final step of formulation, in the cool-down phase, when the product is below 40°C (104°F). Adding them to a hot mixture or mixing too aggressively can cause them to break prematurely.
- Suspension is Key: Due to their size, these beads will sink in low-viscosity formulas. Use a suitable thickener or rheology modifier, like xanthan gum, carbomer, or other gelling agents, to create a framework that can hold the beads in suspension and prevent sedimentation over time.
- Mixing: Gently fold the beads into your finished product using a spatula or a low-speed mixer. Avoid high-shear mixing, which can damage the spheres.
Key Performance Benefits
- Dramatic Visual Impact: The deep black color and large particle size create a stunning, high-end “suspended technology” look in clear or light-colored gels, serums, and cleansers.
- Engaging Sensory Experience: The beads provide a delightful bursting sensation upon application, releasing their Vitamin E payload and providing a moment of textural transformation for the user.
- Active Ingredient Delivery: Effectively delivers Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), a well-known antioxidant, directly to the skin upon application, helping to protect the skin and the formula itself.
- Biodegradable & Natural-Derived: The bead matrix is based on corn starch, making it a biodegradable and environmentally friendly choice for clean and sustainable products.
- Versatile Application: Adds a functional and aesthetic upgrade to a wide range of products, including facial serums, cleansers, masks, body scrubs, and even hair care treatments.