New Formulations: A Package You Can Wear
Gloves and socks can now deliver moisturizer in a new way.
By Marie Redding, Senior EditorGloves and socks are often used at spas with hand and foot cream to help increase the absorption of the cream into the skin. Géligne Inc.'s Systeme Gel Rejuvenation gloves and socks follow the same approach, but use a completely unique delivery system. Its patented moisturizing gel technology is incorporated into the fabric of a glove or sock, and the moisturizer slowly seeps out as the product is worn.
Slowly making strides in the cosmetic industry over the past several years, the product provides "the ultimate moisturizing experience," say its press materials.
For years the firm has sold two of its own brands, NouveauDerm and GeLuscious, through a few catalog companies and spas, but the products are just now generating wide interest. "We only had one or two clients at first, but now more people seem interested," says Bindu Ramchandani, director of national accounts at Géligne. The company just recently exhibited for the first time at the Cosmoprof show in Bologna and plans to make its debut at the HBA show in September.
The time-release-gel formulation is neither a silicone nor urethane, but instead consists of a medical-grade mineral oil and uses triblock polymer technology. Géligne's gel technology was created and has been used since 1991 by its medical division and parent company, Silipos. "We're number one in the podiatry market," says Ramchandani. Silipos manufactures prosthetic shoe liners for amputees, for whom the gel inside the liner is used for cushioning and protection. The liners are sold to occupational therapists. Silipos also applies its gel to a patch for treating scars. The company is looking into the possibility of positioning this product for use in the beauty industry in the future.
The challenge in creating the product was to find the right fabric to carry the gel. A number of factors had to be considered, such as the tightness of the weave, since this affects the rate at which the product is dispensed. The product is made in Géligne's ISO 9002-certified Niagara Falls, NY, facility. The gel is heated as the gloves and socks move along the manufacturing line. The gloves and socks are dipped, cooled, powdered, and turned inside out. They are cured at room temperature. Customized formulations have been developed for cosmetic and spa clients, using additional ingredients such as lavender, avocado, and rape seed oil. But "it's all trial and error. Some oils mix better than others,"says Ramchandani.
Besides moisturizing hands and feet, Géligne is discovering ways to use its gel to lessen the appearance of age spots. Géligne's latest research and clinical studies have shown that when a skin-lightening cream is used in conjunction with the gel system, age spots lighten at a faster rate. For this system, Géligne uses only a standard medical-grade mineral oil in the gloves to ensure compatibility with any lightening cream.
The company hopes to find even more uses for this unique dispensing system. "There are many more possibilities for our gel technology, which no one else is studying. There's nothing else like this on the market. We are taking technology to the next level," says Ramchandani.