Abstract: Pigments are used to impart color in finished products. The performances of pigments can be improved by coating with suitable materials rendering suitable properties. For cosmetic applications the pigments are usually surface treated with hydrophobizing material rendering the pigments hydrophobic. This invention relates to the use of polyhydroxy fatty acid preferably dihydroxysteadc acid (DHSA) and/or metallic salts of dihydroxystearic acid (Metallic DHSA) to coat pigments in particular pigments to be used in color cosmetic formulations. DHSA is produced either from crude or refined oleic acid or via chemical transformation or biotransformation of suitable substrates, used either in crude or refined form and the metallic salts are produced either using crude or refined DHSA. DHSA and Metallic DHSA are used to coat pigments and when these coated pigments are incorporated into finished products formulations such as cosmetic formulations, enhanced performances are observed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for producing hydroxy fatty acids preferably dihydroxy or polyhydroxy acids from unsaturated fatty acids derived from natural oils and fats. The unsaturated fatty acids extracted from natural vegetable oils or animal fats preferably palm-based oleic acid is hydroxylated or oxidized by peracetic acid which formed in situ from a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and formic acid. The process for producing dihydroxy or polyhydroxy fatty acids according to the present invention involve less cost, easier to perform and reduced reaction time. In addition, the dihydroxy or polyhydroxy acids produced according to the present invention is non irritant and suitable to be used in production of cosmetic products.