Electrostatic Tanning Formulation for Uniform Skin Coverage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tanning formulations suffer from uneven application and streaking due to poor electrostatic sprayability, often using environmentally unfriendly propellants and high ethanol content, which can irritate the skin and affect coverage.

Innovation Solution

A topical formulation with specific composition: less than 50% ethanol, 20-55% water, 0.5-5% emollient with log Kow 2-10, 0.05-2% antioxidant, 2-20% tanning agent, and 2-15% cosmetic additives, ensuring even application without propellants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional aerosol sprays with propellant gas are used to atomize and spray the formulation, then the formulation can be sprayed, but the coverage is not uniform and sufficient due to inability to generate constant and homogenous flow

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesprayabilityVSAvoidcoverage uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the formulation by adding conductive agents (e.g., electrolytes, metal salts) to achieve optimal electrical conductivity for electrostatic spraying. This parameter change enables the formulation to be compatible with electrostatic spray devices, generating a constant and homogenous flow that ensures uniform and sufficient skin coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If emollients are included in the formulation to soften and smooth skin, then skin care effect is improved, but electrostatic sprayability deteriorates due to poor electrical characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin care effectVSAvoidelectrostatic sprayability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite formulation by combining emollients (for skin care) with conductive agents (for electrostatic sprayability). This composite approach allows the formulation to simultaneously achieve good skin care effects through emollients and excellent electrostatic sprayability through the added conductive components, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If high ethanol content is used in the formulation, then electrostatic sprayability is improved, but skin irritation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic sprayabilityVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter through the addition of conductive agents, allowing the formulation to achieve good electrostatic sprayability with reduced ethanol content. This parameter substitution enables lower ethanol levels (reducing skin irritation) while maintaining sprayability through the conductive additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If hand application method is used to apply the formulation, then the application process is simple, but sufficient coverage and even tanning appearance cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidcoverage uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hand application method with an electrostatic spraying system. This substitution uses electrical fields to atomize and deposit the formulation uniformly on the skin, achieving near 100% coverage and even tanning appearance, while the electrostatic spray device is designed to be easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Achieves nearly full skin coverage with an even tanned appearance and maintains skin care benefits, avoiding skin irritation and environmental harm.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage generator creates a high voltage which electrically charges the compounds of the cosmetic product. This results into a spray of the topical cosmetic formulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charging: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 2

In an electrostatic spraying device, a voltage generator creates a high voltage which electrically charges the compounds of the cosmetic product. This results into a spray of the topical cosmetic formulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic deposition: Electrostatic Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP4609847A1Electrostatically sprayable tanning formulation
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 IONIQ SKINCARE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4609847A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4609847A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4609847A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrostatically sprayable topical formulation and production process thereof for giving skin a tanned appearance in the absence of ultraviolet radiation exposure and uniformly applied on the skin surface of a subject while maintaining its skin caring effect.