Production of chemicals - different methods

Synthetic chemicals are those created by humans through chemical processes. These substances can be completely new, or be variations of naturally occurring substances. Synthetic chemicals can also be naturally occurring, i.e. they are exactly the same substance that exists naturally but is artificially produced. Some examples of such substances are urea (carbamide), ceramides, lactic acid but also retinol and vitamin C which are all skin-identical substances but can be produced synthetically.

The production of synthetic chemicals uses different techniques or methods, which can be more or less resource intensive and/or environmentally friendly. There are several different methods to produce synthetic substances, below we list some of the most common ones.

Traditional organic synthesis

This method involves creating new chemical compounds by reacting different chemicals under controlled conditions. It is the classic technique for creating synthetic substances and has been used for centuries. Traditionally, petroleum-based raw materials have often been used as starting materials, but nowadays it is increasingly common to use from various natural and often plant-based and renewable raw materials in the production process. The most common detergents and emulsifiers in skincare are produced in this way.

Biofermentation

Biofermentation is a more environmentally friendly technique that uses microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast or fungi to produce chemicals. This method is used in the production of substances such as antibiotics, alcohol, and a range of other biotechnological products. In skin care, various organic acids such as lactic acid or citric acid are usually produced via biofermentation, but also oils such as squalane. The substances referred to as postbiotics are also produced or derived from biofermentation reactions.

Green chemistry

Green chemistry aims to develop chemical processes and products that are more environmentally friendly and use fewer resources. from Green methods seek to reduce the use of hazardous substances, reduce energy consumption, reduce the amount of water or other solvents used, and reduce waste from chemical processes.

Upcycling

Upcycling for the production of chemicals is a method of recovering waste products and converting existing materials and chemicals into other, more valuable substances. This can be the reuse or extraction of residual waste, the use of by-products, or the use of residual materials as a starting material or energy source in fermentation processes. Transformation aims to reduce waste, conserve resources and reduce the overall environmental impact of substances by reusing and transforming chemicals instead of producing them from scratch. Upcycling is becoming more common and widely applied in the chemical industry and is increasingly highlighted in skin care.

All in all, the development of new methods for producing substances is extremely important to reduce our overall environmental impact and make chemical production more sustainable.

Environmental impact and safety of chemicals, natural is not better than synthetic

Both naturally occurring and synthetically produced chemicals can affect the environment and human health. A natural substance does not necessarily have better properties than a synthetic one, and vice versa. Some of the most potent toxins we know, such as botulinum toxin, are completely natural and occur in the environment around us. Natural perfumes and essential oils are among the most allergenic substances we use in skin care. It is therefore important to select, manage and use all substances responsibly, regardless of their origin or manufacturing method. Eco-friendly technologies such as biofermentation and green chemistry can reduce the negative impact of chemicals on the environment. It can also reduce the use of finite resources. Ultimately, if substances are dispersed, they should be able to be handled and degraded, by wastewater treatment plants or in the environment, and have low toxicity, i.e. not have a negative impact on humans or the environment. The choice of good substances is key, whether natural or synthetic.

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