Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoate Films for Durable Cosmetic Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic film-forming polymers are mostly synthetic, non-biodegradable, and may contain impurities, making them environmentally unfriendly and difficult to formulate with natural ingredients, while also lacking in stability and adhesion.

Innovation Solution

Use of biocompatible and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers derived from a biosourced source, composed of specific monomeric units, to enhance film-forming properties and stability, particularly in cosmetic compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synthetic film-forming polymers are used in cosmetic compositions, then film-forming properties and adhesion are improved, but environmental compatibility and biodegradability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm-forming propertiesVSAvoidenvironmental compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the film-forming polymer by using polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers with specific monomer ratios (50-90 mol% 3-hydroxyvalerate, 10-50 mol% 3-hydroxyhexanoate) to achieve both good film-forming properties and biodegradability, resolving the contradiction between performance and environmental compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses copolymer composition combining different hydroxyalkanoate units to create a composite polymer structure that integrates the film-forming capabilities needed for cosmetic application with the biodegradability required for environmental compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If synthetic polymers are used in cosmetic compositions, then film-forming capability is improved, but purity and compatibility with natural ingredients deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm-forming capabilityVSAvoidpurity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the source and composition parameters by using biologically produced polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers with controlled monomer ratios, which inherently provide higher purity free from synthetic impurities while maintaining excellent film-forming capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers that can be produced through biological processes, providing a cleaner, more pure alternative to synthetic polymers that often contain residual monomers and impurities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If natural ingredients are used in cosmetic compositions, then environmental friendliness is improved, but stability and formulation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses copolymer composition combining different hydroxyalkanoate units to create a composite polymer structure that integrates the film-forming capabilities needed for cosmetic application with the biodegradability required for environmental compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the film-forming polymer by using polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers with specific monomer ratios (50-90 mol% 3-hydroxyvalerate, 10-50 mol% 3-hydroxyhexanoate) to achieve both good film-forming properties and biodegradability, resolving the contradiction between performance and environmental compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If conventional polymers are used in cosmetic compositions, then adhesion is improved, but persistence and resistance to external factors deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidpersistence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the molecular and compositional parameters of the polymer by controlling the copolymer structure with specific monomer ratios, which optimizes both adhesion to skin/lips and persistence resistance to factors like sweat, sebum, and saliva

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers provide long-lasting, stable films with improved adhesion and compatibility with natural ingredients, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional synthetic polymers.

Implementation Method 1

Such biopolymers make it possible to give the said cosmetic composition long-lasting properties as well as homogeneity upon application, thanks to their film-forming property

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilm-forming:

Data Source

PatentEP4344697B1Cosmetic composition comprising at least one complex polyhydroxyalkanoate
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 CHANEL PARFUMS BEAUTE SAS

AI summary

This disclosure relates to the field of cosmetic formulation and more particularly to cosmetic compositions comprising biopolymers belonging to the polyhydroxyalkanoate family, and exhibiting increased persistence of at least one cosmetic and/or skincare effect after application of the composition, as well as good adhesion of the composition after application to keratinous materials. An object of the present invention is a cosmetic composition comprising at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer characterized in that said polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer consists of a repetition of monomeric units of the formulas (A1), (B1), (C1), (D1), (E1),and (F1) following: Formula (A1): -[-O-CH(R1)-(CH2)-CO-]- Formula (B1): -[-O-CH(R2)-(CH2)-CO-]- Formula (C1): -[-O-CH(R3)-(CH2)-CO-]- Formula (D1): -[-O-CH(R4)-(CH2)-CO-]- Formula (E1): -[-O-CH(R5)-(CH2)-CO-]- Formula (F1): -[-O-CH(R6)-(CH2)-CO-]- wherein: R1 represents an n-propyl group R2 represents an n-butyl group R3 represents an n-pentyl group R4 represents an n-hexyl group R5 represents an n-heptyl group R6 represents an n-octyl group said polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising at least 1 mol% and at most 50 mol% of each of the monomeric units of formula (A1), (B1), (C1), (D1), (E1), and (F1). According to another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer consisting of a repetition of monomeric units of formula (A1), (B1), (C1), (D1), (E1), and (F1) as defined above,as a film-forming agent in cosmetic compositions.