Month: October 2022

Apparently they may look similar, but in reality each perfume has its own personality with very peculiar characteristics. Creating a perfume is in all respects an art and it must be known, loved and understood as such.
It is precisely because of this that Albogroup, an expert in perfumes, has created an olfactory within its company through which the fragrances used in the formulation of hotel amenity lines for hotels and products dedicated to retailare selected.
It may seem obvious, but the success of a cosmetic line, also for those dedicated to Hotels and generally defined as Hotel Amenities, depends a lot on the type of fragrance that is included in the formula to maximise the concept of the line and to make the product unique and recognisable.
For example, among Albogroup’s hotel dispenser proposals, the refined Argan line has a very sophisticated, fresh, flowery, woody and musky fragrance, with notes of Lemon and Bergamot, Argan and Fine Woods.
Each perfume is in fact composed of certain olfactory notes, which find their own classification in the so-called olfactory pyramid.
It was Aimé Guerlain, in 1889, who used this term to present Jicky, a women’s fragrance that became an icon of all France and that still today is one of the best-selling fragrances of the entire Guerlain line.

To know every single facet of a fragrance, it is important to know how to correctly read the olfactory pyramid, that is, from top to bottom.

However, what and how many are the olfactory notes? Conventionally, there are three groups of olfactory notes:

• Top notes
• Heart notes
• Base notes

Olfactory top notes in perfumes, what are they?

The top notes are perceived first by our senses (usually in the five minutes following the spray) and in fact they make us fall in love with the fragrance itself. What characterises these notes is their light and volatile essence, which captures and stimulates the senses of those who smell them for the first time.
The main protagonists of the olfactory top notes are citrus fruits and aromatic herbs, such as orange, lemon, lavender and eucalyptus.

Heart notes

The heart notes represent “the scent trail” of a perfume and their essence lasts longer than the olfactory ones. Generally, their duration varies from a minimum of two hours to a maximum of four. They in turn are divided into:

• Floral notes : jasmine, rose, convallaria majalis and tuberosa;
• Fruity notes : apricot, pear and peach;
• Herbaceous notes: grass and leaves.

Base notes

The base notes are perhaps the most important, because they describe the personality of each fragrance. They emerge warm and intense from the first moment, but despite this characteristic, our olfactory sense takes longer to perceive them.
Due to their peculiarities, they also resist for twenty-four hours from the first spray. Woods and mosses are the raw materials that give that touch of depth to the base notes.
Base notes are distinguished between:

• Woody notes : cedar, patchouli, moss and sandalwood;
• Balsamic notes : tonka beans, amber and vanilla.

Regardless of the type of olfactory notes, it is important to take into account that each fragrance is interpreted on the basis of its olfactory memory and that at the same time it is influenced by the acidity of the skin of each of us.
However, knowing how to interpret the olfactory pyramid can be a valuable help for those who are looking for a fragrance that adapts to their olfactory needs.

Compositions of a perfume: fragrances and families

After identifying the elements that characterise the notes of a perfume, let us analyse its compositions.
Today, perfumes are mainly composed of two ingredients: alcohol and natural (or synthetic) elements. To create a fragrance, up to a maximum of eighty scented ingredients are chosen from more than two thousand essences.
Each component gives life to a perfume and differs from the others both in terms of evaporation and firmness. Next to the olfactory pyramid are the olfactory families, which in fact allow to classify the different fragrances; currently, there are seven recognised ones.

Musky, Spicy, Woody, Amber or Powdery Fragrance

Each fragrance has its own identity and personality. Let us take a closer look at the main characteristics of these olfactory families:

• Leather  (or Musky): the notes of this family are particularly bold and refer to leather, but also to tobacco and floral essences.
• Spicy : pepper, ginger, cinnamon and carnation are the main ingredients that are used for the fragrances belonging to this family. Their unmistakable warmth is so intense that it is also perceived through the fragrances they make up.
• Woody : these are mainly masculine fragrances, which evoke the cedar notes, and are suitable for those who love nature and want to take its scents with them.
• Amber  (or Oriental): vanilla, grey amber, sandalwood and spices are the main ingredients of this family. These scents, warm and enveloping, give a touch of sensuality thanks to the sweet and floral notes.
• Chypre  (or Powdery): the structure of the perfumes belonging to this family is mostly oriented towards the female gender, with intense and enveloping floral notes.

Flowery and Fruity Fragrance

The Flowery fragrance, also known as floral, is distinguished from the others by the use of essential oils obtained from flowers, mainly pink and jasmine, but also purple and iris. These fragrances meet to create perfumes for a female audience.

Instead, the notes of the Fruity fragrance fit into a wider segment, where there are sweet (strawberry, peach and raspberry) and exotic (pineapple, papaya) harmonies.

Citrus and Marine Fragrance

As the term itself suggests, ‘Citrus’, the main characteristic this family is the presence of fragrances with Mediterranean connotations, such as orange, grapefruit, lemon, bergamot and mandarin. Also known as the Esperidata family, its origin is traced back to the Esperids, figures belonging to the Greek myths who, according to some ancient texts, were the guardians of the garden of Era where golden fruits (oranges) grew.
The Marine Fragrance, on the other hand, is part of a context characterised by essences that recall the scent of the sea breeze.

What is an aldehyde perfume?

Although the choice of a fragrance is dictated by personal tastes, what most people share is the desire to find a fragrance that, once sprayed on their skin, lasts as long as possible. One of the main characteristics of natural ingredients is their short duration. It is precisely here that chemistry comes into play, fixing an characteristic that was neglected by Mother Nature, through aldehydes.

Adehydes, whose term derives from the Latin alcohol dehydrogenatus, are organic compounds that, once in contact with the air, oxidise.

In addition to strengthening the olfactory notes of a perfume, aldehydes therefore have the ability to make a fragrance last longer. However, these molecules have proven to be particularly versatile, so much so that the addition of a carbon atom is enough to completely change the perceived fragrance.
Guy Robert, in his book “Les sens du parfum” (The senses and essence of perfume), exposes the main characteristics of aldehydes and emphasises that, if the carbon atoms are even, the olfactory notes have a fruity fragrance; otherwise, if the number of atoms is odd, then aldehydes are odourless.


Aldehydes arrived for the first time in the world of perfumery during the early 1900s with the most famous fragrance of the Chanel house, n°5. Coco Chanel wanted a perfume that was not imitated by other houses and so she turned to Ernest Beaux, asking him to create a unique and very expensive fragrance.
He therefore decided to use a lot of jasmine, but this choice gave the perfume excessively sweet notes; it was precisely thanks to aldehydes that Beaux was able to balance the formula, thus creating a perfume that today turns out to be one of the most sold (and appreciated) on the market.


Conventionally, aldehyde is considered a synthetic ingredient, however it is also present in several natural essences, such as in the zest of citrus fruits and cinnamon.
They are also used not only in the field of cosmetics and perfumery, but also in household products and in all those that we use in our daily lives and that have fragrant notes.


In conclusion, an aldehyde fragrance is nothing more than a fragrance whose olfactory notes are fixed by specific molecules, aldehydes, which have completely revolutionised the world of perfumes, giving each person the opportunity to savour on their own skin the initial intensity of the fragrance even after hours.

What is the Albogroup Olfactory?

The Albogroup Olfactory is a precious treasure chest that collects exclusive and refined fragrances, the result of a careful selection of the best perfumers.
Refined fragrances, far from the aggressive and massive style of commercial perfumery, they pursue the impalpable inspiration of a dream, of a story, of a literary or musical intuition and try to express it through the art of selective perfumery.
Some of the most memorable fragrances:
Tsubaki: Pink Grapefruit – Orange Flowers – Camellia – Jasmine Sambac – Peony – Cherry Wood – Amber – Sandalwood – White Musk
Fraiche Fig: Violet Leaves – Green Notes – Fig – Plum – Iris – Peony – Cedarwood – Oak Moss – Moss
Salina: Salt Flower – Lemon Flower – Myrtle – Marine Notes – Ozone – Neroli – Water Lily – Cedar Wood – Mosses
Rocío: Pink Grapefruit – Carrot Seeds – Papyrus – Bitter Orange – Incense – Dewy Green Notes – Pink – Magnolia – Cedarwood
Cologne d’Eau: Orange Flowers – Mandarin – Bergamot – Freesia – Water Lily – Pink – Patchouli – Sandalwood – Carvi
Nemus: Calabrian Bergamot – Lemon Flower – Neroli – Blue Iris – Damask Pink – Red Fruits – Gaiac Wood – Vetyver – Mosses
Hortum: Basil – Lime – Cassis – Tomato Leaves – Fig Leaves – Water Jasmine – Iris – Sandalwood – Amber – Ebony Wood
Tonka Marina: Lemon – Bergamot – Orange – Neroly – Floral notes – Ozonated sea notes – Musky notes – Tonka – Vanilla – Salt
Yantari Cologne: Bergamot – Mandarin – Cardamom – Clary Sage – Neroly – Lavender – Iris – Vetyver – Patchouly – Leather – Amber – Cocoa – Cedar Wood
Agrumeto: Neroli – Bergamot – Lemon – Orange Flowers – Sandalwood – Cedarwood – Moss
From this olfactory research, our lines of perfumes dedicated to hotel amenities and the lines of cosmetics for retail are born. Contact us now if you are looking for a truly exclusive line for your distribution or if you want to develop a new line of hotel and retail cosmetics with truly special fragrances.

Caring for your child’s skin is especially important; skin irritations can be a nuisance for children.
Which products to choose to combine the needs of respect for the skin and those of eco-sustainability?
In order to ensure maximum safety for children and parents, it is advisable to rely on specific solid cosmetic lines for children designed to meet these needs, studied, formulated and produced by highly qualified companies with real experience in the sector.
Very important companies such as Albogroupitaly.com offer eco-friendly cosmetic lines for children in order to protect them and reassure parents, at home, on the go and even in hotels. But which products to choose?

Is there any advice on choosing the right products?

Before choosing the most suitable line for your children, it is important to know how to move in this sector. Although cosmetic lines for children seem all identical to each other, in reality they present substantial differences, both in form and substance.
To understand which are the best products for your child, it is essential to read the INCI, which is present on the package. A product, in order to comply with the law, must necessarily report the INCI.
Natural products generally have a very short INCI and in most cases the first ingredient is water.


In addition to checking and reading the INCI, it is very important to choose delicate ingredients; the child’s skin is extremely sensitive to both scents and products with very acidic or very basic pH. For this reason, it is advisable to select a cosmetic that is specially formulated for delicate skin, just like those of children.
Children may also be allergic to certain substances, such as overly intense perfumes and chemicals. It is therefore advisable to avoid products that may be potentially irritating to the skin. Preferring natural cosmetic lines and with very delicate fragrances for children is always a great idea.

What is and how to read the INCI?

As mentioned above, the step to take before choosing a line of cosmetics for children, either eco-friendly or traditional, is to read the INCI. This term identifies the list of ingredients, i.e. the composition of the formula used to make the product.


The INCI presents all the ingredients that are inside the product.
In some websites it is possible to consult the list of ingredients to avoid on the skin of children. All certified products that do not include these ingredients can be a great choice for the hygiene and skin protection of children. But what are the ingredients to avoid?

Silicones: all those synthetic-based products, which are not biodegradable, can cause problems to the child’s skin. Although synthetic cosmetics greatly affect the spreadability of the product, they actually dehydrate the skin thanks to their solvent characteristics.
If the INCI list includes silicones, it would be better to opt for a different product line.


Petrolatum: again, there is a close correlation with petroleum derivatives. Elements such as petroleum jelly, paraffin and mineral oils belong to the petrolatum ingredients, which are not biodegradable and above all have a strong carcinogenic component. In fact, the European Directive has introduced petrolatums in class II of carcinogens for babies; a condition that highlights the strong harmful implications for the skin of children.


Triclosan: this ingredient has been listed because of its strong prpensity to cause allergy. Although initially the child may not feel any discomfort, such as itching or irritation, Triclosan accumulates on the body and may generate unpleasant allergies after a few days.


Mothers are aware that this ingredient is also present in breast milk, but with undoubtedly harmful implications. Several children have an allergy to breast milk, a condition that results in the need to feed children milk by approved synthetic methods. Allergy does not occur in a short time; therefore, it is advisable to prevent potential problems so that the child does not experience discomfort, especially in the first months of life, when he/she cannot express his/her discomfort directly.


Formaldehyde: when this ingredient is presented on the package, it is absolutely recommended not to use it on the skin of the child. In most cases, Formaldehyde is used for disinfection and preservation; although they may seem optimal characteristics for cleansing, in fact they have a very high carcinogenic property. They must be absolutely avoided on the skin of children and especially near their eyes.
Phthalates: All phthalate-based cosmetics can alter the correct development of the male reproductive system. The data found are particularly worrying, reporting that about 80% of infants under 8 months of age have experienced problems of this kind. Trying to avoid this ingredient is critical for your child’s development.


Polyethylene glycols (PEG): products made with this composition are highly harmful for children. The fact that they derive from oil is only the basis of a constantly changing chemical process; in fact, there is also the production of Dioxane, an extremely dangerous molecule, not only for children.


TEA, MEA, DEA: these acronyms identify synthetic products combined with other components. It is not recommended to use them on the skin of children, as they induce the formation of nitrosamines, substances considered particularly harmful to the body, given their carcinogenic nature.


If the INCI has one of these abbreviations, it would be advisable to avoid choosing the product and using it on the child’s skin and also on your own.


Although it is not easy to remember all these ingredients, transcribing them on a sheet of paper or on your smartphone could be the ideal solution to avoid problems. Many mothers buy their products online to be sure to choose the cosmetic line that best suits the needs of their child.

The Beba Lena & Friends line, for Hotels and more.

When it comes to cosmetic lines for children, for hotels, but also for the home, which are truly eco-sustainable, we must absolutely mention the innovative Beba Lena & Friends line, produced by Albogroup. Thanks to years of experience and research, this specific line for children’s delicate skin perfectly combines the needs of delicacy and safety with those of a truly ecological product, without plastic, in full respect for nature.
Respect for the Person and Respect for Nature are the main characteristics of this specific line of solid cosmetic products with Organic Ingredients, from the Ultra Delicate formula, without Silicones, without Parabens, SLS and PEGs, plastic free, without waste of water and transport, with simple boxes in certified recyclable paper from FSC forests.
Beba Lena & Friends is also available in solid version. The first solid-form hotel line for young hotel guests. Beba Lena & Friends Solid is a new experience of conscious beauty that gives the gestures of your beauty routine the value of a sustainable choice for personal care and for a positive change for the planet.
The Hotel Amenities Beba Lena & Friends line, in a solid cosmetic version, is composed of delicate products for cleansing the body and hair with natural extracts with nourishing and soothing properties, perfect for the delicate skin of children.
The aesthetic aspect is also important in a specific line for children. Bright colours, cheerful and nice figures captivate their attention more and are recognisable. The gesture of washing your hands, for example, or opening a cosmetic and using it in the bathtub becomes almost a fun game. If, as in the case of Beba Lena & Friends, there is a specific message of respect and care for the environment, the game also becomes educational.

Baby Lena Solid Shampoo for Children

Innovative Solid Shampoo & Conditioner enriched with organic Chamomile extract. Gently cleanses, leaving hair soft and light.
How do you use it?
It is very simple: you must wet the solid shampoo under water and rub it for a few moments in your hands. The Beba Lena solid shampoo creates a soft and delicate foam. Then, shampoo your hair like a regular shampoo. It rinses easily

Beba Lena Solid Bath and Shower wash for children

It is a solid body wash that is used just like a regular shower, leaving the skin soft and hydrated. The natural organic ingredient that characterises the product is Organic Oat Extract, a hypoallergenic ingredient and especially suitable for children’s skin; with emollient and moisturising properties.
The Beba Lena & Friends line is also a classic line of cosmetics for children in a single-dose version, for hotels composed of classic wrapped soap and super convenient sachets of Shampoo, Shower Gel and Sanitising Hand Gel, available in a nice box.
But the Baba Lena line also has specific products for hand hygiene and surfaces, to be used by children. A complete line of dermatologically tested sanitisers to ensure fast and accurate hand hygiene, without the need to rinse: Hand Cleaning Spray, Hand Cleaning Gel, Single Dose Sachets of Cleaning Gel, Single Dose Sachets of Hand and Surface Cleaning Wipes.

Beba Lena teaches how to love the environment

Beba Lena & Friends is an exclusive brand of Albogroup that has designed and produced this courtesy line for hotels aimed at children. With selected natural ingredients and gentle formulas suitable for the most delicate hair and skin.
The attention to the fun and colourful, but also small and easy-to-use packaging for children, makes sanitising almost a game. The Beba Lena & Friends line, thanks to its captivating graphics, specially designed to capture the fantasy and imagination of children, transforms the simple gesture of sanitising one’s hands into a little game, thus also helping children perceive the importance of properly cleaning and sanitising their hands.
The products in the Beba Lena & Friends line are a must-have in all children’s school or gym bags.

In recent years, modern cosmetics has decided to turn its attention to the rediscovery of natural and organic ingredients, trying to minimise the interference of chemistry in the creation of beauty products.

However, before stating that a cosmetic really follows these criteria, it is advisable to carefully read the label, made according to the INCI system, which dictates the rules regarding the names of the individual components.
Unfortunately, there are many products that are labelled as natural or organic when in fact they contain substances that are not, even if in small quantities, and therefore negligible within the list.
In this article, we will therefore see in detail how to recognise cosmetics that can actually meet the requirements of a natural product.

Composition of natural cosmetics

You will then hear about operations such as filtration, distillation and sieving, carried out with modern and technological methods without the environmental impact being excessive and, above all, harmful.

This is a way of maintaining the beneficial and nutritional properties and therefore not having to intervene by adding chemicals in order to obtain a top result.
What are the ingredients that should be taken into account when you start reading the label, to avoid them even in small quantities or accept them as benefits?

Mineral oils

Many of the beauty products we use are made from mineral oils, while biological products use natural oils or water as a base.

The former contain traces of oil, although they are filtered to minimise problems.

In most cases, this does not cause side effects that can be observed in the short and long term, but sometimes the skin may be affected by chemicals, which tend to settle inside the body.

Therefore, these are elements that are banned from the natural cosmetics that we are dealing with.

Preservatives

On the back of cosmetics, you will always find the symbol of a jar with an indication of the months of storage.

This process of resistance to viruses, bacteria and moulds derives precisely from the presence of preservatives within the product, without which its life would be much shorter.

It often happens that these elements can lead to skin allergies and for this reason natural cosmetics do not contain them, using alcoholic plants instead to obtain more or less the same effect.

According to some tests carried out, in this way the side effects would be limited and would have a lesser impact.

Parabens

A particular type of preservatives are parabens.
Even if the exact extent of their action on the body is not yet known, it has been found that in the long run they may alter hormonal reactions in a negative way, if used in massive quantities in consumer products, such as shampoos or shower gels.
To avoid negative effects, natural cosmetics do not contain them, always replacing them with organic substances and alcoholic plants.

Synthetic colourants

When you apply an eye shadow or a blush, you probably wonder where that particular pigmentation comes from.

Many of the products on the market use synthetic colourants, which have a purely aesthetic value and in most cases are derived from oil.

More than one study hypothesise that they may be carcinogenic over time, or in any case they may cause allergies or irritations in contact with the skin.

Bio

Here are the terms that you have to look for in a natural product, assessing the quantity and percentage to understand if the wording really says the truth.
An organic product completely avoids the use of pesticides or fertilisers, ensuring that 95% of the ingredients inside are of plant or animal origin.
You will therefore have to look for the EU mark, which indicates how a product is truly organic, after having subjected it to rather stringent controls to give the customer a certification that is valid and realistic.

Vegan

If an organic product can contain substances of animal origin, provided that it has not been subjected to treatments that could harm their health, a vegan cosmetic does not contain any.

Therefore, elements such as beeswax, honey or dairy products are banned, drawing exclusively on the properties of plants.

What functions do ingredients perform in natural cosmetics?

After finding out how to read the label of a cosmetic that is defined as natural, let us see how we can use it to our advantage according to its specific qualities.

Antioxidants: combating skin ageing

Antioxidants are natural substances that help limit the action of free radicals, responsible for skin ageing.

There are numerous variants that can be contained in an organic or vegan product, such as coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid or even some specific types of vitamins, such as C and E.

These are substances that should not be lacking in a cosmetic, especially if aimed at a more mature age group.

Emulsifiers

Emulsifying substances have the task of balancing and causing the correct reaction between water and natural oils, providing the product with the desired consistency, which is usually soft and foamy.

In this way, it is possible to envelop the skin with the cosmetic and allow a more effective action than a solution that is only liquid or oily.

Instead of using chemicals to stimulate this reaction, natural products use elements such as Glyceryl Stearate Citrate or beeswax, as long as theterm vegan is not stated; the latter, in fact, does not allow the presence of any component of animal origin, regardless of whether it was obtained by cruel and intensive methods or not.

Humectants: skin moisturisers

The skin is in constant need of water and hydration and cosmetics provide this service by using humectant substances.

These are elements that bind with the epidermis and allow water to remain between the tissues, with the aim of hydrating deeply and not only superficially.

Only in this way does the skin appear smooth; otherwise, you would notice signs of dryness.

Natural products do not use chemicals and, to perform this important function, they use more or less known elements, such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, honey or glycerols, which bring benefits without usually generating any side effect.

Exfoliators: removal of dead skin cells

Before moisturising the skin, this must be ready and receptive to absorb the natural substances that are added.

This is only possible if you proceed with proper exfoliation, eliminating all dead cells that accumulate on the surface and need a replacement to keep the epidermis healthy, radiant and bright.
Also in this case, there are chemical elements that perform this function but there are also completely natural and plant-based ingredients, which oxygenate the skin without irritating it.

Natural exfoliants can act either mechanically, therefore through rubbing, as happens for some types of salt or seeds within organic oils and humectants, or chemically, by exploiting the properties of different enzymes.

This is the case, for example, of some milk or fruit derivatives, which emit citric acid or substances that can perform a sort of scrub and properly renew the skin.

Plant extracts

Plant extracts are a large quantity of substances, whose beneficial properties depend essentially on the type of plant to which they are addressed.
They can have different tasks, such as wetting, hydrating, smoothing, purifying and eliminating discolouration; therefore, it is advisable to read the label carefully to choose exactly the product that meets our specific needs.

Therefore, vegetable oils and ethanol are important, which cannot be absent in natural cosmetics in order to bring benefits to the skin.

Surfactants as detergents

Surfactant products, as the name suggests, smooth the skin but above all have the task of acting against all kinds of impurities that clog pores.

During the day, due to smog, sweat, excessive sebum production and the type of diet, the skin tends to become impure and this translates into the classic greasy effect or, on the contrary, into a grey complexion and a dry and tight skin sensation.

Natural products use elements such as coconut oil, which moisturises but at the same time rebalances the skin’s natural pH, removing dirt and allowing the body’s external coating to breathe.
Another substance that you will probably find on the label is cocamidopropyl betaine, capable of making foam and eliminating most of the bacteria that we unknowingly have on our face and that cause inflammation and sometimes infections that affect health and beauty.

The Cosmos Ecocert line by Albogroup

Albogroup, attentive to the environment, sustainability and safety of the cosmetic products it produces, offers its customers, also for production on behalf of third parties, lines of cosmetics for Natural and Organic hotels certified Cosmos Ecocert, which respect all guarantees of naturalness according to the Cosmos specification.
Albogroup Cosmos Natural certified hotel amenities lines are cosmetics with important guarantees for the customer:

• Implement production and transformation processes that respect the environment and human health
• They are developed within a production philosophy that enhances the concept of green chemistry
• They use natural resources responsibly, avoiding waste and minimising consumption
• They are formulated without petroleum ingredients such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, without colourants, with certified perfumes.
• Absence of GMOs
• They have recyclable packaging

All products marketed with the Cosmos Ecocert logo have been scrupulously checked by the certifying body: from the composition and processing to the validation of the packaging. Therefore, consumers have access to transparent information on the composition indicated in the products of the percentages of natural and organic ingredients.
If you want to produce a certified organic or natural line of hotel cosmetics on behalf of third parties, Albogroup is the ideal partner. Contact us to develop your project.

Solid, liquid, flakes, scented, moisturising, black, marseille, artisanal… Soap is indispensable: there are a myriad of names to define it and it is available in many forms and for various uses. In Europe, every year, more than 850 thousand tons of soap are produced: Italy, England, Germany and France share 90% of the market. In Italy, 3.3 kilos of soap are consumed per second, for a total of 1.6 kilos of soap per year per capita.


The origins of the word soap are much debated. Some claim that the word comes from the Latin word sapo, others from the Greek word sapon. Others believe that the term refers to the city of Savona, where the first soap factory in history was built. Legend has it, however, that soap took its name from the birthplace, Mount Sapo, located near Rome, where the Romans made animal sacrifices, pouring streams of animal fat mixed with ash towards the nearby stream, where the inhabitants of the neighbouring village used to wash their clothes.
Soap is prepared by combining fats of vegetable origin (coconut, palm, etc.) with alkaline substances, which create the reaction that is called saponification. Its components have the property of forming a foam and an emulsion.
Soap is available in different formats, depending on the use for which it is intended.

• Solid soap: it is a bar that can be of different shapes (rectangular, oval, round, cubic, etc). It is also called toilet soap, because it can be placed easily on the edge of the sink.
• Liquid soap: it makes certain uses easier, such as washing floors or dishes. It also becomes a shower gel or hand cleansing cream.


• Soap flakes: it must be diluted in hot water and is used to wash floors and linen.


• Powdered soap: it is used for household appliances or for laundry.


• Mousse soap: the most common use is in shaving foam.



The advantages and benefits of soap, especially solid soap, are many.

• It is inexpensive: the price per kilo of solid soap is lower than liquid one. Furthermore, solid soap lasts longer than liquid soap: a 250 gramme bar of soap allows for, on average, 60 uses.
• It is a cosmetic product: soap brands produce hypo-allergenic formulas, often recommended by dermatologists.
• It is ecological: it is made with natural, non-polluting ingredients that degrade easily. It is, therefore, completely biodegradable. Solid soap generally does not use plastic packaging (which translates into an additional measure of environmental protection) and allows for zero waste.
• It is versatile: it can be used for the body and hair, but also for linen and for the home. A single product with many uses. Furthermore, solid soap is easily to transport and, in the case of travel by plane, there are no capacity limits.

Solid soap

Solid soap ensures and reassures. This is, essentially, the observation made by traditional soap brands.
Albogroup, an Italian company that, since 1977, has been developing collections of soaps for retail and hotels, also using ingredients linked to the territory (chinotto, orange, grapevine, olive oil, etc): essences and fragrances that fully becom part of the formulations.
In recent years, the awareness campaigns regarding the respect for the environment and the development, also in Italy, of an eco-sustainable culture have caused, as a result, an increase in solid soap sales and a multiplication of distribution.
Replaced for a long time by liquid soap, the classic solid soap is therefore making a strong comeback in consumers’ baskets. A trend that is giving a new vitality to the segment.
The reasons are mainly 4. Consumers:



• have become more wary  of the undesirable substances contained in shower gels
• 

 ask for more authenticity 


• pay more attention to savings: solid soap lasts longer than liquid soap
• appreciate the ecological aspect: solid soap does not have plastic packaging


• are intrigued by novelties: there are, in fact, also high-end solid soaps or soaps manufactured according to the criterion of territoriality (this concept recalls that of local sources)

The attraction for quality soap with beneficial active ingredients is, in short, a growing trend because it is linked to the search for safe products.

Liquid soap

Although it has dominated consumption for decades, liquid soap seems destined to lose ground, in terms of consumer preferences. The widespread opinion is that it does not respect the planet enough (due to its plastic packaging) and not even the skin, due to the content of preservatives. Furthermore, there is also an economic aspect: basically, liquid soap lasts half as long as soap bars, and its cost increases together with the crisis of raw materials (mainly plastic) necessary for its packaging. Lastly, duration is another negative point: liquid soap, in fact, lasts less than solid soap and its properties are diluted in water and, therefore, less effective. These are the reasons why soap bars are back in fashion. Cosmetics has made it a real self-care product, perfect for all uses.

Sulphur soap

Its benefits have long been known. Already in ancient times, it was used to fight skin inflammation and itching. Its composition is based on the ancestral knowledge of plants and their natural benefits. A sworn enemy of acne, it is also indicated in case of eczema and dermatitis, to improve the appearance of the skin and reduce itching.

Marseille soap

It bears the name of the French city where it was born: it is perfect for hands, face and body, but it is also appreciated for cleaning linen and for protection against moths. Marseille soap is known to be free of allergens, making it perfect for the hygiene of children and people with sensitive skin (its bactericidal properties have helped to reduce the infant mortality rate since the 19th century). Its name reflects more a production process than a city of origin. In fact, Marseille soap is made up of at least 72% fats, olive oil, palm oil and coconut oil and is free from animal fats and synthetic additives.

Clay soap

There are over 4 thousand clays in the world. They give soaps a natural colour but, above all, they are rich in active ingredients that have beneficial properties for the skin:



• green clay: ideal for oily skin. It has absorbing and regulating properties on excess sebum.
• pink clay: has nourishing and softening properties. It is effective on irritated skin or scalp.
• yellow clay: it is cleansing and purifying, perfect for skin that produces excess sebum.
• brown clay or ghassoul: it is a saponiferous or purifying clay. It is found only in Morocco and, for this reason, it is considered precious.
• white clay: also known as kaolin, it has fortifying properties. It is ideal for dry, sensitive and atopic skin.
• red clay: it is rich in iron and trace elements. It is perfect for restoring brightness.
• blue clay: it owes its colour to the content of silica and natural pigments. It eliminates impurities, it repairs and soothes damaged and irritated skin.
• grey clay: also called bentonite, it absorbs up to 10 times its weight in water.

Aleppo soap

Its name derives from its origins: the city of Aleppo, in Syria. It was introduced in Europe starting from the 12th century, at the time of the Crusades. It is a thousand-year old soap that is made using a hot saponification method and specific ingredients (olive oil, vegetable soda and bay leaf oil), added before the drying phase. These peculiarities make Aleppo soap an ideal cleanser for face and body. It is prized for its moisturising and softening properties, but also renowned for its beneficial effects on acne, eczema and psoriasis, scars and stretch marks.

It is perfect for cleaning clothing intended for sensitive and reactive skin: applied dry, it soothes insect bites and, if put in closets, it protects clothes from moths.

This soap is believed to increase in quality with ageing. Therefore, it has no expiration date.

Solid detergent

Low cost, but above all ecological, the soap bar has made a powerful entry into the beauty sector for some years, giving life to solid zero waste cosmetics, respectful of the environment and, above all, transparent in the compositions. A return to the origins with a decidedly essential feeling.

Going to a hotel, especially if you search for quality and well-being concept, customers want to obtain comfort and attention to their needs.

For this reason, great attention is paid to the hotel amenities and in particular to the line of cosmetic products that clients find in their room.
These are collections of hotel-specific cosmetics that must communicate refinement and high quality and represent a service of excellence that is worth having, especially if you want to emerge compared to competitors in the sector.

The quality of the formulations of these cosmetic products for hotels is certainly the first element to gain the appreciation of the customer, but also their presentation and design are fundamental. Creams and products for cleansing the body and hair need an optimal presentation, to immediately capture the eye and convey the message of the line but also of the structure itself, depending on the philosophy and the type of welcome you want to provide.

Relying on a serious company such as Albogrup in the design and production of your Hotel Amenities lines means being sure of a result of the highest quality both for the product and for its presentation, thanks also to the study of a line design consistent with the objectives of each customer.

Let us see what are the aspects to take into account when talking about the design of the aesthetic side of a line of cosmetic products, especially for hotels, but also for retail in general.

Custom Design

The first step to take when deciding to create the ideal packaging for a cosmetic product is to develop a well-defined design strategy.

If the brand is created from scratch, it is advisable to create a specific logo for the line and also add the hotel logo to show the assonance between the two realities.

The placement of the writing and decorative graphic elements on the products is very important, for an elegant or more informal effect, depending on the type of accommodation.

If you think it might be appropriate, you can insert images or captions that clarify the contents of the bottle, using a font that is understandable but at the same time gives an allure of originality that can distinguish your product from competitors in the market.

The interesting aspect of turning to a company in the sector is being able to go beyond the usual standards and create an ad hoc product that shows the end customer how much care is put into every detail in the management of the structure, from the furnishing and cleaning of the rooms to the complete and attractive toiletries set.

Colours

The choice of the colour of the packaging is much more important than you might think, since it involves not only factors of aesthetic pleasure but also of a psychological nature.

In fact, colours have a certified effect on mood and are perfectly able to communicate a clear and unambiguous message to the customer. If the accommodation structure applies a philosophy based on elegant classics and tradition, then creating a packaging with neutral and calm tones will be a pleasant experience, which conveys a soft and quiet feeling.

If the hotel is one of those modern boutique hotels with a young and urban inspiration, why not ride the wave and opt for contrasting combinations and an explosion of energy?

In this case, red, yellow, fuchsia and in general the fluorescent colours are indicated, to be preferred to beige, light grey and cream, more suitable for the first hypothesis. However, there are no precise rules because each line of hotel cosmetics is a small masterpiece of creativity and what rewards is mainly coherence and harmony. For example, you can see some hotel dispenser lines from the Albogroup collections here or here.
If you cannot decide and do not know how to customise your line of hotel amenities, consider that white is widely used within hotels for this type of production, since it gives an idea of class and cleanliness, two elements that the customer would always like to find in their hotel experience. For example, the Pure White line of Albogroup Hotel Dispensers conveys positivity and elegance

Details

Colour and design are the first elements to which it is necessary to refer when designing a successful packaging.

Subsequently, however, we move on to the details, which are the key to overcoming the competition and making themselves memorable in the eyes of the customer, retaining them as much as possible.

These elements are, for example, the font that is used to write and affix the logo, the type of bottle or dispenser, the dispensing provided, the information on the formulation and the clarity of the label.

We talk about what is perceived at first glance, as it is often the initial seconds that determine the liking and feeling of being in the right place.
In the case of solid cosmetics for hotels, for example, the packaging is also of great importance because it must immediately communicate the innovative philosophy of solid cosmetics. Alborgoup’s exclusive Solid.O Original line, for example, uses recyclable paper and FSC boxes with a matte natural finish, as well as plastic free, to underline the concepts of eco-sustainability, that are at the base of the line.

Form of packaging

The design of the product is of great importance, even in cosmetic products for hotels that are actually cosmetics in all respects and meet the rules of a fair design.
Innovation, research and style are always important qualities that determine the success of a product.
For example, for an ecological view to contain costs and waste, hotel dispenser solutions are increasingly being used to replace the classic mini-sizes. For these products, design is fundamental because the shape of the packaging must be original, elegant, functional and modern.
The new Albogroup Dispensers are designed with the environment in mind, without neglecting the safety and high quality of the cosmetic products contained. The design of the shapes is an exclusive Albogroup design. This is pure design and at the same time it is a personalised project in constant evolution and dialogue with the needs of the modern hospitality world.
You can discover the first 2 models, Uranus and Neptune, coordinated with the new Albogroup amenity lines or to be customised according to your needs.

Materials used

One of the most debated today is the choice of materials that must respect the environment and at the same time create the much desired wow effect.

The outer packaging, especially for solid cosmetics and in general for soaps, is usually made of paper or cardboard, customised according to your needs, while the real bottle is made of recycled plastic or recyclable. The most modern production techniques make it possible to significantly reduce the amount of plastic that must be used in these cosmetic products, making them lighter and therefore more sustainable, but it is above all the use of recyclable plastics that make these products ecological because they allow their continuous recycling and reuse. The attention to recycling, in fact, has become a real right attention, especially in hotel facilities, and being able to use more environmentally friendly bottles and dispensers represents a small contribution to the protection of the environment.
Albogroup’s eco-friendly dispensers, for example, are 100% recyclable and, compared to traditional mini-sizes, are a more sustainable choice: less volume, cost, transport, pollution, plastic, storage, energy, disposal.

Customised packaging for Hotel Amenities lines

Having analysed the main elements of a good packaging, how is it possible to make them without creating a dull and unprofessional effect?
The answer is Albogroup, a company that has been dealing for some time also with the external appearance of custom cosmetics, working precisely on the concept of originality and diversification with respect to the usual standards.
The aim is to create a mix of first choice materials, practical and elegant shapes, attractive and creative design, consistent with the needs of each customer or distributor in the sector. Albogroup has a thorough knowledge of the Hotel Amenities market, because it has been working in the sector for more than 40 years and is a reliable partner, from design to final production.
Customers will notice the care that is put into every detail, starting from the graphic design, the choice of colours, the creativity in the collections. We are talking about structures that strictly follow precise styles and where each element must fit perfectly with the others to give an elegant and prestigious image.
How do you proceed to obtain the desired packaging by investing in a project that is effective from a marketing point of view? The first step is to contact Albogroup for personalised advice. Then, our personnel will develop your project and make your hotel line special.

In recent years, more and more companies and distributors are launching their own line of personalised cosmetics, following the trends of the growing cosmetics market and opting for natural raw materials and attractive packaging.
The result could be very positive for any activity that wants to expand its scope, but also negative in the event that the product does not meet the expectations in terms of quality and performance, or does not comply with the basic rules in the design of a consistent and attractive packaging. 

The creation of a custom cosmetic product line is a less simple and automatic process than you might think, which requires following some specific steps and requires the presence of a serious and professional manufacturer, who knows the market deeply and who can take the necessary precautions so that the custom cosmetic line can be successful. One cannot improvise at being third-party manufacturers of cosmetic products, especially for the cosmetics sector for hotels, which have their own rules of communication and style and must comply with very demanding quality standards.

How much does it cost to create a cosmetic line?

Before understanding in principle how much money can be spent to create a personalised cosmetic line appreciated by customers of the target audience, it is advisable to carry out a preliminary survey, which takes into account the type of distribution, customers and the product intended to be offered.
First of all, we suggest starting from a specific category of products, whether skin-care or body or hair products, to identify a first market and distribution niche and make the best products. Then, the line can be expanded with new products. The best part of such a business is that it can be expanded at any time; therefore, it would be best to proceed in steps in order to create a solid foundation.

If this is the first time you have tackled an initiative of this kind, a market research needs to be carried out, considering both the current economic condition and the how to make it available to the initial target audience.
Selling products on the internet is different than doing it directly at a store; therefore, without a business plan that takes these parameters into account, the initiative may prove bankrupt.
If you are a specific distributor of a sector and work mainly with a B2B logic, the design of a custom cosmetic line will still have different characteristics, because you already know the market and the expectations of your customers. This is, for example, the case of a distributor of specific products for Hotels that wants to include among the products of its catalogue also a line of exclusive hotel amenities, with its own brand and with specific characteristics of price, design, positioning and type of product.
If you have already launched a personal brand and only want to improve your offer by creating specific products, such as an only natural line or one dedicated to mature/young/dry/oily skin, then you will have to focus exclusively on the satisfaction of the potential buyer, trying to beat the competition from the point of view of the choice of raw materials, packaging but also the style of communication in general.
The substance is essential, but modern marketing shows that form is just as much.
Albogroup, a leading company in the production of hotel-specific cosmetics, as well as new cosmetic lines for retail, offers a cutting-edge study and design service, the result of years of work and success. Starting with the right image of the product consistent with the desired positioning is certainly the first step in building a custom cosmetics line.
The costs, therefore, are very variable and are linked to the type of materials chosen, the type of product, the packaging you want to adopt. The number of pieces you want to produce is also fundamental in defining costs. For example, if you use a bottle or dispenser already in production as basic packaging for your line of hotel cosmetics or hotel dispensers, the cost is certainly lower than a totally new development. The customisation of standard packaging through labels or silkscreen printings with particularly modern and innovative graphics can make your line unique and recognisable.
Do you want an exclusive design also in the shapes of your packaging? Albogroup provides an advanced research and design service for packaging, to meet even the most particular needs.
The creation and production of new cosmetic lines, according to statistics, is a fairly flourishing market, which in the last year has produced almost 12 billion in revenue, which is worth considering for professional and economic growth.

Logo and graphics of your brand

As mentioned, in the modern world the aesthetics and presentation of a product have a much greater weight than in the past.

How many times, in fact, do you get attracted to packaging without even reading the list of ingredients? 
Therefore, in addition to having found the best laboratory and having relied on real professionals in the sector, it is necessary to think about the image that you want to give to your line.

The style depends on the message you want to communicate and must become the main trait of your line. First of all, work on the concept of the line, on the values you want to communicate and convey through packaging and through the style of communication linked to your brand. The password in this case is consistency.

If, for example, you want to create organic, vegan or generally natural cosmetics, the packaging must also speak of your need to respect the environment and the body, conveying your idea in a decisive and unambiguous way.

If, on the other hand, you aim at a young and sparkling target, forget neutral and delicate tones, in favour of colour and packaging that are joyful and suitable for the carefree younger people.

In addition to packaging, the entire brand must have a recognisable graphic, which immediately makes the customer understand what they are approaching and how this can bring benefits in the short and long term.

In this sense, unless you have specific notions, it is advisable to rely on serious professionals, who know how to enhance your potential project, translating it not only into a valid and successful formulation, but into an appreciable and attractive product in 360 degrees, especially compared to competitors in the sector.

The logo, the site and its appearance are the key to beat the competition when cosmetics are equally valid and cared for, that step to climb to reach the first position in the approval.

Find a Reliable Manufacturer

To create a line of products and personalised cosmetics, it is not enough to have an idea on paper; you have to find someone who can make it better, following European legislation in terms of safety and knowing the needs and tastes of the target audience.

We are talking about a serious and experienced manufacturer, to which we request quality raw materials, certified production and filling processes and above all experience, in order to have a safe and effective final product.

This process is necessary because buyers are now very informed, using the internet and social media to get a precise idea of what they need and what can be more or less positive for the skin. The needs are therefore clearer than in the past and the bar for expectations has risen considerably.

It is therefore unthinkable to create a successful line without having a professional team behind it, which routinely performs tests and trials and knows exactly how the ingredients react to each other, thanks to a valid basic preparation but also to continuous refresher courses, since modern technology is taking giant steps to provide the customer with practically perfect products.

The initial investment for this branch of the business could therefore be more substantial than expected, but the economic results will then be visible in the medium term and will tend to grow if you continue to do things in the best way and without neglecting quality.

Customers are willing to spend money if they see that products are effective for real, becoming loyal to the brand and not abandoning it for the latest market news.

Albogroup Line Customisations

In light of what has been analysed so far, a company like Albogroup could be of great help to you on the trampoline to success.

Albogroup is in fact aimed both at distributors specialising in hotel supplies and at companies wishing to launch new lines in retail channels. It offers a customisation service of our lines, but also exclusive productions or full service services of productions for third parties.
The company offers simple customisation services, for example by adding the customer’s logo on the packaging, or by creating a real new line with a completely different graphic look.
The customisation of a line is in fact a very serious issue, since it is a way to communicate the values and style of your brand to consumers quickly and effectively. 
It starts from the choice of paper and the type of graphics up to the customisation of cosmetic formulas through, for example, the inclusion of characterising natural ingredients or a particular fragrance that identifies a line. For the hotel amenities lines, these customisations are essential to characterise the product as much as possible and make it innovative and attractive for various types of hotels.
Competition in the sector is very attentive and therefore we must distinguish ourselves with increasingly high-performance services, certainly proposing a serious and effective laboratory formula, but at the same time creating its image with care to capture the eyes and attention of a customer who is often exposed to all kinds of advertising.

Contact us for a no-obligation consultation and find out how to realise your idea of a personalised cosmetics line.