Why is Energy Giant Shell Moving into Cosmetics?

Oil and gas giant Shell has taken its first step into the beauty and personal care industry. 

Shell Silk Alkane is a range of synthetic fluids engineered to deliver functional performance in cosmetics. 

The range is derived from Shell’s Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) technology, turning natural gas into highly pure synthetic molecules. 

Traditionally, cosmetic products have heavily relied on crude oil derivatives, often leading to environmental strain.

However, the extraction and refinement associated with natural gas typically offer a less intrusive alternative compared to crude oil, inching the cosmetics industry closer to its sustainability aspirations.

Shell says that its Silk Alkane is vegan, biodegradable and low in ecotoxicity to water, soil, birds and plants.

“With the beauty and personal care industry shifting towards more responsible and biodegradable alternatives, Shell Silk Alkane emerges as a versatile, high-performance substitute for commonly used emollients and with its soft and silky sensory profile and stability,” says Vanessa Boag, Vice President, Global Marketing at Shell. 

“Shell Silk Alkane is more than just an ingredient: it is the embodiment of The Silk Spot – a space where elegance, performance, versatility and biodegradability converge.”

What is Gas-to-Liquids technology?

Shell's GTL technology converts natural gas into liquids traditionally sourced from crude oil.

These products include transport fuels, motor oils and ingredients for products like cosmetics, detergents and plastics.

GTL products contain almost none of the impurities found in crude oil, like sulphur and nitrogen, according to Shell.

Synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is first manufactured from natural gas by partial oxidation and impurities are removed. 

This synthesis gas is then converted into liquid hydrocarbons using a catalyst, before cracking and isomerisation which turns the molecule chains into products with desired properties. 

Shell began developing GTL technology in the 70s and opened the world’s first commercial GTL plant in 1993. 

It also opened the world’s largest GTL plant in Qatar in 2011. 

Shell has invested more than US$1bn and filed more than 3,500 patents in developing its process.

What can Shell Silk Alkane be used for?

Shell says that its Silk Alkane ingredients are designed to deeply hydrate and protect both hair and skin. 

The GTL process results in ingredients that are virtually odourless, so the ingredients are suitable for use in odour neutral formulas. 

The products have been verified as vegan, containing no DNA from mammals, birds, fish, insects, crustaceans or molluscs. 

Shell says that the ingredients are safe by design and their purity and chemistry ensure compatibility with sensitive skin alongside delivering strong hydration, smooth texture and a silky feeling.

Crude oil in the cosmetics industry

The cosmetics sector is gradually phasing out ingredients derived from crude oil.

Encouraged by increasing consumer demand for natural components, replacements are sourced from sustainable alternatives like vegetable oils or plant-based squalene.

Ingredients like mineral oil and petrolatum have traditionally sustained smooth textures in creams and balms, while surfactants aid in effective cleansing operations.

Although natural gas, as a fossil fuel, is not renewable, it fosters a less environmentally taxing footprint compared to its counterparts.

Process optimisation ensures reduced emissions and fewer hazardous byproducts, mitigating contamination risks associated with ingredient creation.

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