Nonwoven fabrics are materials made by bonding or interlocking fibers without weaving or knitting. These materials are highly versatile and are becoming increasingly popular in a wide range of industries, including cosmetics. At Asahi Kasei Advance America, we focus on biodegradable cosmetic nonwovens to create positive customer experiences and support company sustainability initiatives.
Key Considerations for Nonwovens in the Cosmetic Industry
When selecting nonwoven fabrics for cosmetic applications, consider the following:
- User experience: Cosmetic products affect the skin and makeup application. Selecting a nonwoven that meets consumers’ priorities is vital to help it succeed in the market. For example, a nonwoven makeup applicator may be durable, but consumers won’t want to use it if it’s not soft.
- Application use: Different cosmetic applications have different needs. While flexibility may be the top priority for one use case, bacterial protection may be vital for another. Consider the purpose of the product and what functions are essential to its success when choosing a nonwoven.
- Sustainability: The beauty and cosmetic industry involves many disposable products that often end up in landfills. With more social pressure worldwide to adopt sustainable products, you should consider eco-friendly design when selecting nonwovens. At Asahi Kasei Advance America, we offer a series of plant-based products — Bemliese™ and ECORISE™ — that can reduce environmental impact while maintaining an enjoyable user experience.
Applications of Nonwovens in Cosmetics
Nonwoven fabrics have a few key uses in the beauty and cosmetic industry.
Applicators and Removers
One of the most common applications for nonwovens in cosmetics and beauty is applicators such as face pads and puffs. Eco-friendly face pads made from nonwovens offer various benefits, such as the absorbency of these fabrics. Consumers use applicators to pick up products like powders and creams and blend them on the face. The nature of nonwoven fabric allows it to absorb a lot of makeup products for easy application.
Nonwovens are also useful for makeup removal products. Used in both pads and sheets, nonwoven materials can be prepackaged with makeup and nail polish remover or sold dry to be used with a preferred product.
Sheet Masks
Nonwovens are helpful materials to use for sheet masks due to their flexibility, durability, breathability and softness. Sheet face masks need to conform to the face to make contact with the skin, and nonwovens offer the flexibility and draping that helps masks fit different faces.
These masks are also often packed with the skin care treatment absorbed into the fabric prior to purchase. Nonwovens have the absorbency to hold the desired product and the durability to withstand extra weight from the product without ripping.
Breathability and softness are important aspects of customer experience. Users who have these sheet masks on their faces want to feel comfortable throughout the application with a product that contours to the face and holds the liquid without dripping. Nonwovens can provide that comfort and make the mask experience a pleasant one.
The Benefits of Bemliese™ in the Cosmetics Industry
Bemliese™ is an eco-friendly, nonwoven material designed for use in cosmetics. Asahi Kasei Advance America developed this material for sheet masks, eye masks, puffs, makeup remover sheets and compressed tablet masks. This product offers many beneficial features for sheet masks, including:
- Non-abrasiveness: Bemliese™ has a unique cross-section compared to other materials — its filament is nearly circular. This design reduces friction and abrasive damage.
- Liquid retention: The unique filament structure of Bemliese™ enables high liquid absorption and retention, allowing the material to retain liquid up to 10 times its own weight. This capability makes Bemliese™ adaptable to many different types of skin care products, from gels and creams to serums.
- Adhesion and softness: Once Bemliese™ has absorbed a liquid, it softens. The softness makes it ideal for face masks, as it easily conforms to the contours of a person’s face and feels comfortable for several minutes of wear.
- Purity: Bemliese™ is additive- and plastic-free. This design can be beneficial for skin care, as some users may have sensitivities to these ingredients.
- Biodegradability: Asahi Kasei creates Bemliese™ with naturally derived material, making it highly biodegradable.
- Transparency: When wet, Bemliese™ becomes highly transparent due to the high liquid permeation in its fibers.
Asahi Kasei Advance America produces Bemliese™ in various shapes, sizes and quantities to suit your product goals. As the singular source for a nonwoven material of this caliber, Asahi Kasei is a proud partner with businesses across the cosmetics industry.
Find Biodegradable Cosmetic Nonwovens at Asahi Kasei Advance America
Asahi Kasei Advance America is a reputable distributor of Bemliese™ and other nonwoven fabrics. Our innovative product designs feature fabrics with high-level durability, softness and flexibility for cosmetic applications. Since its founding, Asahi Kasei Advance America has continued to adapt to the changing needs of consumers and society. With a focus on sustainability, we help companies take bigger steps toward their environmental initiatives. Explore our products, and contact us today for more information.