Evolved By Nature has launched Activated Silk™ Hydrogels, a multifunctional ingredient designed for both skin and hair care.
Activated Silk™ Hydrogels (INCI: Fibroin Glycoside) are novel, naturally derived proteoglycans with the ability to bind to water, oil, and keratin. This unique ingredient provides superior hydration and exosome-like delivery, long-lasting hair repair, and advanced emulsification properties—all while being sustainable*, biodegradable, and cruelty-free.
This is the fifth ingredient to be launched on Evolved By Nature’s naturally derived and science-backed Activated Silk™ platform — and the company’s first ingredient specifically tailored for hair care.
Activated Silk™ Hydrogels is a single ingredient that offers a range of benefits for formulators:
For hair care, it provides a new, groundbreaking solution for split end repair, along with anti-frizz and curl retention properties. For skincare, it provides hydration on par with hyaluronic acid, while also effectively penetrating the epidermis to help get hard-to-deliver actives into the skin, through its exosome-like delivery. Additionally, Activated Silk™ Hydrogels serve as a best-in-class emulsifier, whether used in hair care or skincare formulations.
Long-lasting Hair Repair
Activated Silk™ Hydrogels deliver superior benefits for hair care formulations:
- Split-end repair that lasts weeks, even after exposure to high humidity, washing, and heat styling.
- 24 hour anti-frizz protection to prevent flyaways and frizz in humid environments.
- 20 hour curl retention to provide long-lasting styling without synthetic polymers, high-VOC aerosols, or microplastics.
- Heat protection and moisture retention to safeguard hair from heat damage, while locking in hydration for smoother, healthier strands.
- Keratin binding and cuticle penetration for efficacy on both the surface and inner structure for stronger, more resilient hair and long-lasting benefits even after rinsing.
Superior Skin Hydration
- Activated Silk™ Hydrogels deliver superior benefits for skincare formulations:
- 24 hour hydration, comparable to mid and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA), but without the risk of skin dehydration in dry environments.
- Skin penetration and exosome-like delivery of immiscible oils and actives, including oil-based actives like Vitamin E. This helps to enable the maximum performance of previously hard-to-deliver actives into the skin.
- Non-sticky/tacky feel, offering the humectant power of high molecular weight HA, without the stickiness associated with HA.
Powerful Emulsification
Activated Silk™ Hydrogels also double as emulsifiers, delivering immiscible oils and actives, empowering all kinds of products to naturally do more:
- Hydrogels form a stable emulsion at up to 50% oil with only 0.5%–1% Hydrogels in water (w/v), providing unmatched emulsification efficiency.
- Rheology optionality, for tunable viscosities that allow formulators to create a wide range of products by simply adjusting the Hydrogels dose.
Activated Silk™ Hydrogels are biodegradable, cruelty-free, and PEG & Palm-free**. They also support 14 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, contribute to a circular economy, and have vastly increased levels of sustainability compared to traditional ingredients.
Brian Freedman, Regional Director of North America, Natural Ingredients at Evolved By Nature: “Activated Silk™ Hydrogels mark an exciting milestone for us—not only are we advancing our expertise in skincare, but this is also our first major step into hair care. For years, we’ve been committed to redefining what’s possible with naturally derived ingredients, and now, we’re bringing that innovation to hair health, repair, and styling. We’re offering brands a multifunctional ingredient that performs exceptionally across applications and also meets the growing demand for sustainable personal care solutions. Using a multi-function ingredient means that formulators can hydrate like HA, replace their emulsifiers and rheology modifiers, and get exosome-like delivery, all with one ingredient. That can enable a shorter ingredient list, and a better bottom line.”
Activated Silk™ Hydrogels are now market-ready and available for incorporation into hair care and skincare formulations. Please contact support@evolvedbynature.com to get started and try a free sample. And learn more about Evolved By Nature’s latest innovations at bioactives.evolvedbynature.com.
*Activated Silk™ biotechnology contributes to 14 of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
**Not manufactured with PEG or palm ingredients.
