Avobenzone Sunscreen Stabilization Using Rosemary and Algae Extracts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Avobenzone, a globally approved UVA sunscreen, degrades under UV radiation, necessitating the need for a sustainable photostabilizer that does not harm aquatic life and is FDA compliant.
Innovation Solution
Combining 4-(tert-butyl)-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone) with Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract and/or Haematococcus pluvialis Extract to enhance photostability, avoiding synthetic stabilizers like octocrylene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If avobenzone is used as a UVA sunscreen filter, then UVA protection coverage is improved, but photostability deteriorates due to degradation under UV radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses octocrylene as an intermediary substance that mediates between avobenzone and UV radiation. Octocrylene absorbs the harmful UV energy and transfers it safely, preventing avobenzone from degrading while maintaining UVA protection. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by protecting avobenzone from direct UV exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite sunscreen formulation combining avobenzone with photostabilizers (octocrylene, bemotrizinol, or synthetic photostabilizers). This composite material approach allows the system to maintain both high UVA protection from avobenzone and improved photostability from the stabilizing components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If octocrylene is used to stabilize avobenzone, then photostability is improved, but aquatic toxicity increases potentially harming coral health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes octocrylene from the formulation in certain embodiments, replacing it with alternative stabilizers like bemotrizinol or synthetic photostabilizers that do not exhibit aquatic toxicity. This extraction of the harmful component while maintaining the stabilizing function resolves the contradiction between photostability and environmental safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the stabilizer component by substituting octocrylene with different substances having different environmental profiles. By altering the chemical identity of the stabilizer while maintaining its photostabilizing function, the patent achieves both stability and reduced aquatic toxicity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If Bemotrizinol is used to stabilize avobenzone, then photostability is improved, but FDA approval compliance deteriorates as it is not an FDA approved filter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic formulation approach where the stabilizer component can vary depending on the market and regulatory requirements. The formulation is designed to accommodate different stabilizers (bemotrizinol for international markets, FDA-approved alternatives for US market), making the system adaptable to different regulatory environments while maintaining photostability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal sunscreen base formulation that can function with multiple different stabilizer options. The core avobenzone-based UVA protection remains consistent, while the stabilizer component can be selected based on target market regulations, achieving both photostability and regulatory compliance through multi-functionality.
4Stability of the object's composition
If synthetic photostabilizers (Oxynex, Synoxyl HSS, SolaStay S1) are used to stabilize avobenzone, then photostability is improved, but sustainability deteriorates as they do not meet global sustainable development goals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sustainability parameters of the formulation by replacing synthetic photostabilizers with natural alternatives derived from plant extracts or biodegradable materials. This parameter change maintains the photostabilizing function while improving the environmental sustainability profile to meet global development goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs natural antioxidants from plant extracts that work through oxidation mechanisms to stabilize avobenzone. These natural oxidizing agents provide photostabilization while being environmentally benign, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and sustainability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The natural extracts significantly stabilize avobenzone, maintaining its UV protection efficacy even under high irradiation, aligning with sustainable and regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
avobenzone degrades during exposure to UV radiation and loses its ability to absorb the radiation in the UVA range
Implementation Method 2
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosmary) Leaf Extract and/or Haematococcus pluvialis Extract can significantly photo-stabilize avobenzone
Data Source
AI summary
A cosmetic sunscreen composition comprises avobenzone and one or both of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosmary) Leaf Extract and Haematococcus pluvialis Extract to stabilize the avobenzone.