Silicone-Free, Petrolatum-Free, Quat-Free…Pet Formulations Are Getting a Clean Makeover

A Clean Movement, Now With Paws

In the world of personal care, clean beauty has evolved from niche to necessity. As consumers increasingly demand transparency and ingredient integrity for their own skincare and haircare routines, it’s no surprise that these expectations are extending to their four-legged family members. Pet owners no longer accept the bare minimum when it comes to grooming products. They want the same safety, softness, and sustainability they expect in their own bathroom cabinet—just tailored to the unique physiology of their pets.

For cosmetic chemists and formulators, this shift is more than a trend. It’s a challenge rooted in science and consumer trust. How do you meet strict “clean” label expectations without compromising efficacy, safety, or sensorial appeal? How do you formulate for creatures with more permeable skin, unpredictable grooming habits (i.e., licking), and fur that complicates rinse-off behavior? The answer lies not just in what you remove—but in what you choose to replace it with.

The Hidden Complexity of Going “Free-From”

In pet care, removing outdated ingredients like silicones, petrolatum, and lanolin is no longer just a marketing angle—it’s a formulation necessity. But what comes next? Simply removing these components without reliable alternatives can result in formulas that lack sensorial appeal, durability, or functional performance.

Pets have thinner, more alkaline skin compared to humans, and a natural tendency to lick treated areas. That adds a layer of ingestion risk, requiring every ingredient to be not only dermocompatible but also non-toxic and ideally food-safe. Meanwhile, pet owners expect real results: soft, shiny coats, reduced dryness, improved manageability, and visible conditioning. Formulators are now tasked with balancing biological safety, consumer expectations, and product performance—all within the constraints of a clean, minimalist INCI list.

Replacing ingredients like dimethicone, quats, lanolin, or petrolatum with safer, plant-based alternatives isn’t always straightforward. It requires a system of multifunctional ingredients that deliver hydration, conditioning, and barrier protection without relying on legacy materials that no longer align with industry or consumer expectations.

Natura-Tec’s Clean Label Conditioning and Protection System

Enter Natura-Tec. This portfolio of vegetable-derived actives offers science-backed alternatives to silicones, petrolatum, lanolin, and synthetic quats—all while delivering the core benefits that today’s pet formulations require.

Let’s begin with Abysoft™, a natural ester crafted from Crambe abyssinica seed oil and phytosterol esters. This ingredient is a compelling alternative to cationic conditioning agents like quaterniums or amodimethicone. In clinical studies, Abysoft™ improved coat elasticity by 191% and shine by 50% after 12 wash cycles. For formulators developing rinse-off conditioners, leave-in sprays, or coat-enhancing balms, Abysoft™ offers performance without compromise.

Plantsil™ is Natura-Tec’s answer to dimethicone—a volatile-free, olive-based emollient with a silicone-like sensorial profile. It provides lightweight detangling, smooth combability, and a noticeable “fluff” to the coat. Its detangling and shine-enhancing effects last 3–5 days, even in challenging weather or humidity. Unlike synthetic silicones, Plantsil™ doesn’t weigh down the coat or accumulate over time, which is critical for frequent grooming routines.

To replicate the water-retentive performance of lanolin without animal-derived allergens, Plantsoft™ L brings together shea butter, olive oil unsaponifiables, and glyceryl rosinate into a vegetable-based lanolin alternative. It creates a breathable, occlusive film that supports long-lasting hydration. This makes it a strong fit for barrier creams, paw butters, and post-bath moisturizers aimed at dry or cracked areas.

Lastly, Natural Vaselin Type A provides a botanical alternative to petrolatum. Formulated from castor oil, hydrogenated castor oil, and carnauba wax, it delivers the same occlusive benefits while being biodegradable, non-petrochemical, and safe for oral mucosa. This is especially important when formulating products for high-lick zones like paws, noses, or post-surgical areas.

Each of these ingredients offers more than just a clean INCI—they offer multifunctionality, sensory elegance, and clinical backing, giving formulators powerful tools to meet the growing clean pet care demand.

Technical and Performance Insights: Why It Works

Clean ingredient swaps can’t just be conceptual—they must be supported by data. With Natura-Tec’s actives, that data is compelling.

Abysoft™ demonstrated statistically significant improvement in coat elasticity and gloss, making it ideal for breeds prone to dry, coarse, or tangled fur. Its unique structure enhances moisture retention and strengthens the cuticle, even after repeated washes. This translates into tangible improvements for pet owners—and measurable benefits for brands.

Plantsil™ was evaluated for detangling power, sensory feel, and coat appearance over multiple applications. Its performance parallels that of light silicones but avoids buildup, greasy feel, and occlusion. It is also non-volatile, making it a safer option for both pets and the people applying the product.

For Plantsoft™ L, moisturization studies confirm its efficacy compared to standard lanolin USP. It restores suppleness and prevents TEWL, while offering better compatibility with botanical emulsifiers and oils. Natural Vaselin Type A underwent TEWL and mucosal safety testing, validating its use even in formulations applied to areas pets may lick.

Importantly, all of these ingredients are biodegradable, COSMOS-compliant, and non-sensitizing—providing not just a cleaner label but a lower-risk formulation strategy for developers focused on gentle, daily-use products.

Clean Grooming Is the New Consumer Standard

The global pet care market is projected to exceed $400 billion by 2028, and grooming products will account for a growing share of that revenue【1】. But growth alone isn’t the point—trust is. Pet owners are looking for brands that formulate with intention and integrity. And they expect the same level of performance and transparency they demand from human beauty products.

That means formulators must shift away from legacy systems—silicones, lanolin, petrolatum—and toward biocompatible, biodegradable, and science-backed alternatives. This isn’t just about safety. It’s about building formulations that deliver visible, tactile improvements in coat and skin health using fewer ingredients and smarter systems.

With Natura-Tec’s Abysoft™, Plantsil™, Plantsoft™ L, and Natural Vaselin Type A, brands can move beyond conventional formulas into modern, high-performance grooming systems that support skin health, coat quality, and environmental responsibility—all without compromise.

Clean Isn’t a Trend—It’s the New Baseline

Today’s pet grooming formulator has a complex role: create products that are gentle, safe, sustainable, and effective—and do so without the traditional crutches of silicones, petrolatum, or lanolin.

Natura-Tec’s ingredient platform offers a direct path forward. With substantiated performance and clean-label alignment, these actives allow you to simplify your INCI list while upgrading formulation quality.

Whether you’re designing a coat care system for long-haired breeds or developing paw balms for sensitive paws, Natura-Tec provides the building blocks for a cleaner, more thoughtful formulation strategy.

Ready to formulate clean without compromise?
Connect with Deveraux Specialties to request samples and formulation guidance using Natura-Tec’s clean, pet-friendly performance actives.

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