Imagine a vitamin that feels like a smooth drop of oil wrapped in jelly. That’s a soft gel capsule — soft to the touch, easy to swallow, and highly effective. Whether you're a pharmaceutical buyer, supplement startup, or a manufacturing engineer, softgels are a powerful dosage form worth considering.
Soft gel capsules are one-piece, gelatin-based capsules filled with liquid, oil, or semi-solid formulations. They dissolve quickly, protect sensitive ingredients, and offer excellent bioavailability.
1. What Exactly Are Soft Gel Capsules?
Soft gel capsules, also known as softgels, are a type of oral capsule made with a gelatin-based outer shell and a liquid or semi-liquid fill inside. Unlike hard capsules, which come in two pieces and usually contain powders, softgels are fully sealed, single-unit capsules.
- They're often used to hold:
- Fish oil
- Vitamin D and E
- CBD oil
- Herbal extracts
- Specialized pharmaceutical actives that don’t work well in powder form
Their ability to deliver fat-soluble or unstable compounds makes them ideal for health supplements and complex drug formulations.
2. How Soft Gel Capsules Are Built
Each softgel has two major parts:
- The Shell: Made from gelatin, water, and a plasticizer such as glycerin or sorbitol. This gives it flexibility and softness.
- The Fill: A liquid, oil, emulsion, or paste-like substance that contains the active ingredient.
Vegan or plant-based versions are made with carrageenan or starch instead of animal gelatin.
This structure keeps the contents sealed, stable, and ready for quick absorption once swallowed.
3. Why Choose Softgels Over Other Forms?
Feature Softgels Advantage
Easy to Swallow Smooth surface, no sharp edges
High Absorption Faster release than tablets or hard capsules
Better Protection Airtight seal shields from air and moisture
Enhanced Look Glossy finish and color customization for branding
Tamper-Resistant No way to open without damage
Many pharmaceutical companies and supplement brands prefer softgels because they allow for better control of ingredient stability, dosage precision, and consumer experience.
4. Real-World Applications
Softgels are everywhere, from pharmacy shelves to online health stores. They're used in:
- Prescription Drugs: e.g., softgel ibuprofen, fenofibrate, certain cancer treatments
- Dietary Supplements: Omega-3s, vitamin A/D/E/K, coenzyme Q10, lutein
- Beauty & Cosmetics: Skin repair oils, anti-aging nutrients
- Pet and Veterinary Products: Nutritional oils for animals
Consumers love softgels for their easy swallowing, no aftertaste, and fast effect.
5. How Softgel Capsules Are Made
Producing softgels requires precision equipment and cleanroom conditions. The process includes:
- Melting Gelatin: Gelatin, water, and plasticizer are heated and mixed to form the shell material.
- Preparing the Fill: Ingredients are blended into an oil-based or emulsified solution.
- Encapsulation: A rotary die machine synchronizes shell and fill to create capsules — formed, filled, and sealed in one step.
- Drying: Softgels are dried over several days in drying tunnels or trays.
- Polishing & Inspection: Capsules are cleaned, sorted, and tested for quality.
LTPM CHINA offers a full range of customizable softgel encapsulation machines, including:
- Gelatin melting tanks
- soft encapsulation machine
- Drying systems
- Polishing and inspection stations
Whether you're starting with small-scale production or scaling up to mass output, our turnkey solutions help you launch faster and more efficiently.
Soft gel capsules aren’t just convenient — they’re a technical solution that can help your formulation succeed in the market. From improved absorption to sleek presentation, softgels bring real value to both producers and consumers. And if you’re ready to bring your own softgel product to life, equipment choice will be your next big step.
Related Topics and Answers
1. How Are Softgel Capsules Made?
They’re formed using a rotary die machine, which synchronizes gelatin and fill to create and seal capsules instantly.
2. What’s the Difference Between Softgels and Hard Capsules?
Softgels are one-piece and filled with liquids; hard capsules are two-piece and hold powders or granules.
3. Are Softgels Suitable for All Drugs?
No. They're best for oil-soluble ingredients or those that degrade in air or moisture.
4. Can I Make Vegan Softgels?
Yes. With carrageenan or modified starch, you can make softgels without animal gelatin.
5. What Equipment Is Needed to Start Softgel Production?
You'll need gelatin tanks, encapsulation machines, drying tunnels, and polishing units — all of which LTPM CHINA provides.
Summary
Soft gel capsules are a modern, efficient, and consumer-friendly dosage form for delivering oils, vitamins, and specialty pharmaceuticals. Their sealed, smooth design protects ingredients and boosts absorption — making them a smart choice for today's health and wellness brands. If you're planning to invest in softgel production, understanding the structure and process is the first step toward success.
Ready to launch your own softgel line or upgrade your production capacity?
Contact LTPM CHINA today for custom-designed softgel encapsulation equipment and expert technical support.