High-SPF Gel Composition Stabilizing Water-Soluble Sunscreens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cosmetic compositions struggle to stabilize water-soluble sunscreens in gel form while maintaining high SPF and providing a non-oily, non-sticky, and easily spreadable texture on the skin.
Innovation Solution
A photoprotective gel composition comprising 0.1 to 25% oil-soluble sunscreen, 0.1 to 5% water-soluble sunscreen, 0.25 to 5% water phase thickener, 0.5 to 10% oil phase thickener, 0.5 to 15% humectant, and 0.5 to 10% sensory modifier, which includes specific types of polysaccharide gums, synthetic polymers, esters, and silica microspheres, to stabilize and enhance sensory properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-soluble sunscreens are included in gel composition to enhance SPF, then sun protection is improved, but composition stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific water-phase thickeners (ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer or ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer) as intermediary substances that mediate between the water-soluble sunscreen agents and the gel matrix. These thickeners act as stabilizing agents that prevent phase separation and maintain composition stability while allowing the water-soluble sunscreens to function effectively, thus resolving the contradiction between enhanced sun protection and composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration ranges of water-soluble sunscreens (0.1-5 wt%), water-phase thickeners (0.25-5 wt%), and other formulation parameters. By optimizing these parameters within specific ranges, the composition achieves both high sun protection and stability, preventing the deterioration of composition stability that would occur with higher concentrations of water-soluble sunscreens alone.
2Reliability
If gel composition is formulated to provide high SPF with water-soluble sunscreens, then sun protection is improved, but sensorial properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite formulation combining multiple functional ingredients: water-soluble sunscreens, oil-soluble sunscreens, water-phase thickeners, oil-phase thickeners, humectants, and sensory modifiers. This composite approach allows the composition to achieve high sun protection while the synergistic interaction of different materials improves sensorial properties, providing a non-oily, non-sticky feel with good spreadability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sensory modifiers (silica microspheres, modified starch, dimethicone/vinyldimethicone crosspolymer) that replicate or enhance the desired sensorial properties without adding significant oiliness or stickiness. These modifiers copy the texture characteristics of ideal sunscreens while maintaining the functional benefits of water-soluble sunscreens in the gel matrix.
3Reliability
If water-soluble sunscreens are added to achieve high SPF, then sun protection is improved, but composition stability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The water-phase thickeners serve as intermediary stabilizing agents that bridge the water-soluble sunscreen molecules and the gel matrix structure. These thickeners form a stable network that incorporates water-soluble sunscreens without causing phase separation, thus maintaining gel composition stability while enabling high sun protection through the water-soluble sunscreen components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent formulates a composite system combining water-soluble sunscreens with complementary ingredients (oil-soluble sunscreens, thickeners, humectants) that work synergistically to maintain stability. The composite structure allows high SPF achievement through water-soluble sunscreens while the overall formulation remains stable through the balanced composition of multiple stabilizing and functional components.
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 composition achieves a high SPF of at least 30 with a stable, non-oily, and non-sticky feel, effectively protecting the skin from UV-A and UV-B radiation and reducing blemishes.
Implementation Method 1
0.25 to 5 wt % of a water phase thickener selected from one or both of a polysaccharide gum and a synthetic polymer
Implementation Method 2
0.5 to 10% of an oil phase thickener selected from one or more of an ester of C18 to C36 fatty acid, ester of C8 to C16 fatty acid; polymeric oil phase thickener
Implementation Method 3
0.5 to 15 wt % humectant selected from glycerol or a glycol
Implementation Method 4
0.5 to 10 wt % of a sensory modifier selected from one or more of a modified starch, silica microsphere and a polymer of dimethicone/vinyldimethicone crosspolymer and silica
Implementation Method 5
Solar radiation includes about 5% ultraviolet (UV) radiation, wavelength of which is between 200 nm and 400 nm
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a photoprotective personal care composition, which provides high sun-protection factor along with very good sensorial properties that the consumer expects when such a composition is applied on the skin. This is achieved through a composition comprising a combination of an oil-soluble sunscreen, a water-soluble sunscreen, a water phase thickener, an oil phase thickener, a humectant; and a select sensory modifier.