Phycus Biotechnologies Inc (Phycus) is pleased to announce that its glycolic acid, Purolic Acid™, has earned the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label, making it the first to receive the designation in this category, and the first bio-based glycolic acid available to cosmetic and skin care formulators seeking sustainable, clean label ingredients.
Purolic Acid™ is designed specifically for cosmetic and personal care formulators looking for a cleaner, more sustainable, high purity glycolic acid. Its unique biobased format provides a highly-effective, formaldehyde free formula whose manufacturing process helps to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
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The USDA Biobased Certified designation was created to help consumers readily identify products made from bio-based raw materials. The designation is achieved after an independent, third-party laboratory verifies the biobased content using Carbon 14 dating techniques.
Glycolic acid is the leading exfoliating active ingredient found in skincare products. While some extracts of plants or fruits can contain glycolic acid, they also contain a mixture of other acids and organic molecules that can impact their colour, odor, purity and potency, limiting their application in many skincare formulations. Because of those limitations, glycolic acid is typically derived from petroleum or oil-based sources such as formaldehyde or monochloroacetic acid. This manufacturing process tends to leave trace contaminants of these starting materials in the finished ingredients, which can make their way into the end consumer product.
Phycus’ biobased glycolic acid derived from plant origin and made using a sustainable, precision fermentation process. This advanced process gives Purolic Acid™ exceptional purity and sustainability, and makes it an efficient drop-in replacement for petroleum-based glycolic acid.
Formulators benefit from an ingredient that behaves like synthetic glycolic acid, with the third party validation of a biobased ingredient that reduces reliance on petroleum and helps to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.