Ozonized vegetable oils are gaining attention for their antimicrobial and therapeutic potential, yet the lack of standardized ozonation protocols and incomplete characterization of their chemical profiles hinder clinical translation. In this study, we standardized the ozonation process of sunflower oil and investigated the chemical evolution and antimicrobial efficacy of the resulting products. Ozonation proceeded through a classical three-step mechanism involving the formation of primary ozonides, their decomposition into carbonyl compounds and carbonyl oxides, and subsequent recombination into stable secondary ozonides capable of sustained ozone release with reduced toxicity. Time-course analysis at 100, 240, and 480 min revealed key reaction products, including the appearance of azelaic acid after 240 min, progressive depletion of linoleic acid, and the emergence of 2,5-furandione exclusively after 480 min—indicative of advanced oxidative processes. The formation of hydroperoxides and their secondary degradation into ketones, acids, and epoxides was also observed, with implications for both biological activity and sensory properties. Importantly, the ozonized oil demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus brasiliensis. These findings provide a comprehensive chemical and functional characterization of ozonized sunflower oil and support its development as a standardized antimicrobial agent for therapeutic use.

Hair straighteners are among the most technically complex products to be safely and effectively developed, and this challenge has increased even more with the higher incidence of resistant hair among consumers. This underscores the importance of studying new active ingredients, combinations and carrier formulations to improve performance without compromising safety. In this research, we compared eight hair-straightening formulations with different active ingredients and/or concentrations to develop new, safer and more effective texture modifiers. Eight formulations were developed and compared with each other and to controls (virgin and bleached hair) regarding mechanical and thermal resistance, cuticle morphology, hair shine and fiber diameter. Results showed that all formulations were safe and effective at straightening hair. Specifically, 13.3% and 9.4% ammonium thioglycolate (G03 and G04) were more suitable for wavy and curly hair, 12.5% and 7.9% amino methyl propanol thioglycolate (G05 and G06) for finer or chemically processed hair, 5% and 4% sodium cysteamine (G07 and G08) for curly and tight curly hair to control volume, and 2% and 1% of a combination of ammonium thioglycolate with sodium thioglycolate (G09 and G10) for more resistant wavy and curly hair.

Hair straighteners are among the most technically complex products to be safely and effectively developed, and this challenge has increased even more with higher incidence of resistant hair among consumers. This underscores the importance of studying new actives, combinations and carrier formulations to improve performance without compromising safety. In this research we compared eight hair straightening formulations with different actives and/or concentrations to develop new, safer and more effective texture modifiers. Eight formulations were developed and compared with each other and to control (virgin and bleached hair) by mechanical and thermal resistance, cuticle morphology, hair shine and fiber diameter. Results showed that all formulations were safe and effective to straighten hair, specifically, 13.3% and 9.4% ammonium thioglycolate (G03 and G04) were more suitable for wavy and curly hair, 12.5% and 7.9% amino methyl propanol thioglycolate (G05 and G06) for finer or chemically processed hair, 5% and 4% sodium cysteamine (G07 and G08) for curly and tight curly hair to control volume, and 2% and 1% of a combination of ammonium thioglycolate with sodium thioglycolate (G09 and G10) for more resistant Caucasian wavy and curly hair.