Turning Hair Damage into an Asset: Achieving Manageable Hair Even in Rainy Season Humidity with High-Concentration Polyol Improving Lipid Penetration
Lion Corporation has developed a technology that uses high-concentration polyol (isopentyldiol) and lipid components (isostearic acid) to effectively deliver lipids into damaged hair, suppressing frizz in high-humidity conditions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 11:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 02:51 (63h 51m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 1, 2026 at 20:05 (17h 13m after Collected)
Lion Corporation (President and CEO: Masayuki Takemori) has discovered through hair research that the combined use of high-concentration polyol (isopentyldiol) and lipid components (isostearic acid) can effectively suppress hair frizz in high-humidity environments for damaged hair. It is inferred that the penetration-assisting effect of isopentyldiol allows isostearic acid to be efficiently delivered into the hair interior, even in a wet state after washing where lipid components are difficult to penetrate, thereby suppressing moisture absorption and swelling of the hair. These results were presented at the 3rd Academic Conference of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan (December 8-10, 2025, in Kanagawa Prefecture).
It is known that damaged hair, through repeated chemical treatments, undergoes structural changes, becoming 'hollow.' This 'hollow' state refers to a reduction in lipids in the Cell Membrane Complex (CMC), which connects internal cells, leading to a decline in the barrier function that prevents external moisture intrusion. Such hair easily absorbs moisture, causing it to swell and frizz in high-humidity environments.
To improve the internal environment of damaged hair, it is crucial to replenish the lost lipids. The study examined the introduction of isostearic acid (IS) as a lipid component. However, IS is hydrophobic and easily diluted in a wet state after washing, making efficient penetration difficult. Therefore, this study focused on isopentyldiol (IPG), which has properties that are compatible with both water and oil, to see if it could function as a 'medium' to transport IS into the hair.
The results showed that when IPG is used at a high concentration of 40% or more, the penetration of IS increases. Furthermore, when comparing the appearance of hair bundles in a high-humidity environment (80% RH), it was found that hair treated with the 'high-concentration IPG/IS model formulation' significantly suppressed frizz compared to those treated with conditioner alone. Moving forward, the company will utilize these findings to develop products that bring out the beauty of healthy hair in daily care and contribute to improving Quality of Life (QOL).
It is known that damaged hair, through repeated chemical treatments, undergoes structural changes, becoming 'hollow.' This 'hollow' state refers to a reduction in lipids in the Cell Membrane Complex (CMC), which connects internal cells, leading to a decline in the barrier function that prevents external moisture intrusion. Such hair easily absorbs moisture, causing it to swell and frizz in high-humidity environments.
To improve the internal environment of damaged hair, it is crucial to replenish the lost lipids. The study examined the introduction of isostearic acid (IS) as a lipid component. However, IS is hydrophobic and easily diluted in a wet state after washing, making efficient penetration difficult. Therefore, this study focused on isopentyldiol (IPG), which has properties that are compatible with both water and oil, to see if it could function as a 'medium' to transport IS into the hair.
The results showed that when IPG is used at a high concentration of 40% or more, the penetration of IS increases. Furthermore, when comparing the appearance of hair bundles in a high-humidity environment (80% RH), it was found that hair treated with the 'high-concentration IPG/IS model formulation' significantly suppressed frizz compared to those treated with conditioner alone. Moving forward, the company will utilize these findings to develop products that bring out the beauty of healthy hair in daily care and contribute to improving Quality of Life (QOL).
FAQ
Is this technology effective in humid climates like Taiwan?
Yes, the research specifically demonstrates the suppression of hair frizz in high-humidity environments, making it highly relevant for humid climates.