Bio-based Micronized Polyester Powder for Gentle Skin Exfoliation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current micronized polymer powders used in cosmetics, derived from petrochemicals, pose environmental and health concerns due to resource depletion, increased energy consumption, and skin irritation, while natural alternatives are coarser and can cause micro-cuts.

Innovation Solution

A micronized thermoplastic polyester powder composition based on bio-based diols and dicarboxylic acids, with controlled particle size for gentle exfoliation, is developed, using processes like melt-mixing and micronization to create a powder that avoids petrochemicals and skin irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If petrochemical-based micronized polymer powders are used, then good exfoliation properties are achieved, but environmental harm and health concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexfoliation propertiesVSAvoidenvironmental harm and health concerns
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using bio-based diols and dicarboxylic acids instead of petrochemicals, while maintaining the microparticulate form and controlled particle size (5-50 μm) to preserve exfoliation efficacy while reducing environmental and health harm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite approach by combining bio-based polymers with controlled microparticulate morphology, integrating the benefits of natural materials (sustainability) with engineered properties (consistent particle size, gentle exfoliation) to resolve the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If natural based exfoliating powders are used, then bio-based sustainability is improved, but particle coarseness increases causing micro-cuts and skin irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebio-based sustainabilityVSAvoidparticle size control
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by breaking down bio-based polymers into fine microparticulate sizes (5-50 μm) through controlled processing, transforming coarse natural materials into uniformly sized micro-particles that provide gentle exfoliation without skin damage while maintaining sustainability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the particle size parameter from coarse natural particle sizes to controlled microparticulate dimensions (5-50 μm), and modifies the chemical composition to use specific bio-based diols and dicarboxylic acids, achieving both sustainability and manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If micronized polymer powder is used for deep purification, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but risk of skin irritation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeep purification capabilityVSAvoidskin irritation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameter to 5-50 μm and selects specific bio-based polymer compositions that provide effective deep purification through controlled exfoliation while the softer bio-based material reduces skin irritation risk compared to harder petrochemical particles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2419080B1Micronized polymer powder cosmetic composition
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 COATINGS FOREIGN IP CO LLC
  • EP2419080B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention provides a micronized polymer powder composition for the use in personal care and cosmetics, the micronized polymer powder composition comprising at least one thermoplastic polyester based on at least one diol and at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of cyclic and branched aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 4-12 carbon atoms and aromatic dicarboxylic acids having 8-12 carbon atoms. The present invention provides also a cosmetic composition comprising the at least one micronized polymer powder composition according to the invention. The Composition according to the invention provides a high-performed gentle exfoliation property of skin care and cosmetic compositions without creating micro cuts and irritation of the skin surface while still providing the range of desired care properties.