Handwashing and sanitation were amplified in 2020, with health experts citing handwashing as a key weapon in protecting against the COVID-19 virus. At that time, health agencies considered hand sanitizers with an alcohol concentration of at least 60% to be effective against known strains of coronavirus. Faced with the urgency of the situation, cosmetic brands flooded the market with high alcohol content hydro-alcoholic gels, with either family or single-use formats.
To make people want to use this type of product, some brands have taken the initiative to bring cheerfulness to the use of hand cleansing gels via bright colors and gourmet fragrances.
The tirade against single-use products of recent years has been put aside as part of the hygiene scare. Wipes and very small sizes have become the norm for hand sanitizers, at the expense of eco-design.
Once consumers got used to this new gesture, they wanted improvements in the formulas of hydro-alcoholic gels: more naturalness, a less sticky texture, a less sticky finish. Now that the pandemic has passed, it is likely that this type of product will become more of a single-season product (fall, winter).
What future for hydroalcoholic gels?
A recent study by strategic consulting and market research firm BlueWeave Consulting found that the global hand sanitizer market is expected to be worth US$2.8 billion by 2021. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% and generate revenues of approximately USD 3.6 billion by the end of 2028.
With this long pandemic, brands have had time to develop eco-friendly products. On the packaging side, refillable containers, recyclable and biodegradable materials are flourishing. For formulas, the composition is more natural.
Natural hydroalcoholic gel (EU07742)
To support this trend, Seppic has developed formulas that combine naturalness and sensoriality. A 100% natural thickening and stabilizing polymer, SOLAGUM™ AX viscoses hydroalcoholic gel while providing hydration and exceptional sensoriality (non-stringy and intensely fresh sensation).
Because at a time when disinfectants have become an essential part of consumers' routines, hands are becoming the new "face" in terms of dedicated care and we are even seeing a premiumization of this market. New claims are emerging: anti-wrinkle, anti-spot, smoother skin, . Brands are focusing on the care of hand skin that is dried out by frequent washing and the use of disinfectants, even foreshadowing the creation of hybrid products between hydroalcoholic gel and hand creams. Recent discoveries in formulation allow today to formulate real disinfectant shields, some brands going as far as to claim a durable protection up to 24 hours, even after washing.
New galenic formulas are multiplying: foams, alcoholic lipo sprays, mists, ... Seppic offers you two formulas to illustrate this with a biphase and a gel-cream.
