Hexagonal Crystal Emulsion for Skin Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cosmetic compositions that enhance skin absorption of physiologically active substances often damage the skin barrier by modifying intercellular lipids, leading to irritation and barrier disruption.
Innovation Solution
A cosmetic composition with a hexagonal crystal structure, comprising an oil phase with ceramide or its derivatives and a surfactant, and a liquid phase with polyol, which mimics the skin's intercellular lipid structure to enhance skin absorption without damaging the skin barrier, utilizing a non-ionic surfactant and polyol to create a piezoelectric effect for improved transdermal delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical skin penetration enhancers (alcohol, menthol, urea) are used to enhance skin absorption, then skin absorption of physiologically active substance is improved, but skin barrier is damaged and irritation is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an orthorhombic crystal structure in the cosmetic composition that copies and mimics the natural orthorhombic packing structure of intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum. By replicating this native skin structure, the composition can interact with skin barriers in a biocompatible manner, enhancing absorption without causing damage. The crystal structure of the composition itself (not just its interaction with skin) is designed to match skin's natural lipid organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and structural parameters of the cosmetic composition by forming an orthorhombic crystal structure through controlled cooling and crystallization processes. This structural parameter change (from amorphous to crystalline, with specific orthorhombic packing) fundamentally alters how the composition interacts with skin, enabling penetration enhancement through structural compatibility rather than chemical disruption.
2Productivity
If chemical skin penetration enhancers are used to enhance skin absorption, then skin absorption of physiologically active substance is improved, but intercellular lipid structure is modified
Solution Approach 1:
The composition's orthorhombic crystal structure serves as a template that copies the natural orthorhombic packing of skin intercellular lipids. This structural copying allows the composition to integrate with skin barriers without disrupting or modifying the native lipid architecture, as the crystalline structure provides a compatible framework that works with rather than against skin's natural organization.
3Productivity
If a hexagonal crystal structure is used to enhance skin absorption, then skin penetration is improved, but the structure must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions (cooling and crystallization) to naturally form the orthorhombic crystal structure from an amorphous or liquid state. By controlling temperature changes and crystallization conditions, the desired orthorhombic packing emerges spontaneously through thermodynamic processes, reducing the need for complex mechanical or chemical control methods during manufacturing.
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 hexagonal crystal structure composition effectively enhances skin absorption of ceramide and other physiologically active substances while maintaining skin barrier integrity, as evidenced by increased skin penetration and safety, with strong piezoelectric properties that facilitate microcurrent generation for enhanced delivery.
Implementation Method 1
the hexagonal structure may have strong piezoelectric properties capable of generating a microcurrent and an effect of enhancing skin absorption of a physiologically active substance
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an emulsion structure for enhancing skin absorption and a method of preparing the same. According to a composition of an aspect of the present disclosure, due to a hexagonal structure that can mimic intercellular lipid ingredients of skin, the composition has excellent formulation safety and piezoelectric properties capable of generating a microcurrent, and accordingly, the composition is able to enhance skin absorption of a physiologically active substance without damaging the skin barrier.