Broad-Spectrum Light Protection Agent Using Composite Glass and Oil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cosmetic light protection agents are inadequate in covering a wide wavelength range, particularly failing to effectively prevent skin damage from UV, visible, and infrared radiation, leading to incomplete protection against all harmful light wavelengths.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic light protection agent comprising methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol as a UVA filter, UVB filter substances, sea buckthorn oil, infrared-absorbing glass, and radical-scavenging substances, with specific proportions and particle sizes, providing broad-spectrum protection from 250 nm to 1400 nm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional UV filters and monodisperse particles are combined, then UV protection is improved, but protection against visible and infrared radiation remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV radiation protectionVSAvoidbroad-spectrum coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple particle materials with different optical properties: TiO2 and ZnO for UV protection, colored glass beads (green, blue, red) for visible light filtration, and iron oxide for infrared absorption. This composite approach creates a single formulation that addresses the full spectrum from UV to infrared, resolving the contradiction between specialized UV protection and broad-spectrum coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The light protection function is segmented into different wavelength-specific components: UV filters (oxybenzone, avobenzone) for 290-400 nm, colored glass beads for 400-700 nm visible range, and iron oxide for infrared >700 nm. Each segment targets a specific portion of the spectrum, allowing the composition to achieve comprehensive coverage by combining specialized segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple filter substances are combined to expand wavelength coverage, then broad-spectrum protection is improved, but the complexity of the formulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavelength range coverageVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs materials that serve multiple functions: TiO2 and ZnO provide both physical barrier and UV filtration; colored glass beads simultaneously filter visible light and scatter UV; iron oxide absorbs infrared while providing pigment stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized additives, managing formulation complexity while maintaining broad coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes particle size parameters (0.5-5 μm for glass beads, 1-10 μm for metal oxides) to balance protection efficacy with cosmetic acceptability. By controlling particle size distribution, the formulation achieves effective light blocking while maintaining smooth skin feel and avoid ingesting particles, thus managing complexity through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If particle size is reduced to improve skin feel, then cosmetic acceptability is improved, but light absorption efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin feelVSAvoidlight absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies an optimal particle size window (0.5-5 μm for glass beads, 1-10 μm for metal oxides) that balances two competing requirements: small enough to provide smooth skin feel and avoid ingestion, but large enough to effectively scatter and absorb light across the UV-visible-infrared spectrum. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between cosmetic acceptability and protection efficacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite particle system where different materials (glass beads, TiO2, ZnO, iron oxide) with different refractive indices and absorption properties work together. The glass beads provide bulk scattering for visible light, while metal oxides provide absorption in specific bands, achieving high overall light blocking efficiency even at fine particle sizes that ensure good skin feel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 combination of these components exhibits unexpectedly high light absorption across the entire wavelength range, significantly preventing skin damage, demonstrating synergistic effects beyond individual component performances.

Implementation Method 1

at least methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol) as a UVA filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

at least one filter substance for UVB radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

sea buckthorn oil with a refractive index of 1.4 to 1.59

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

at least one infrared-absorbing glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 5

a radical-scavenging substance or mixture of substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical scavenging: Oxidation

Implementation Method 6

ground ruby or citrine, preferably with a particle size d50 of 5 to 40 μm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelective light absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2129357B1Cosmetic light protective agent
Publication Date: 2013.01.09 COTY GERMANY

AI summary

The invention relates to a light protective agent for wavelengths of 250-1400 nm, comprising at least methylene bis-benzotriazolyltetramethylbutylphenol as UVA filter, at least one UVB filter, Sea Buckthorn oil with a refractive index of 1.4 to 1.59 a solid with d50 3-50 µm, selected from citrine, topaz, amethyst, ruby, or glass with a refractive index of 1.500 -1.599 and mixtures thereof, at least one inra-red absorbing glass with d50 5-50 µm, a radical trap and cosmetic adjuncts and/or vehicles and optionally further cosmetic agents. The agent has an unexpectedly high light absortion and largely prevents skin damage by light of wavelength 250 -1400 nm.