Hydrophobized Titanium Oxide Emulsion Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil-in-water type emulsified cosmetics struggle to achieve stable dispersion and emulsion stability of hydrophobized titanium oxides with average particle sizes greater than 0.1 µm, which are necessary for effective skin beautification and UV protection, while also maintaining a refreshing feel and preventing color streaking.
Innovation Solution
A cosmetic formulation combining hydrophobized titanium oxide with an average particle size of at least 0.1 µm, sugar ester, liquid higher fatty acid, higher alcohol, non-ionic surfactant, and water, where the hydrophobized titanium oxide is dispersed in the oil phase, forming a lamellar bimolecular film for enhanced stability and dispersibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fine-particle titanium oxide with average particle size of at least 0.1 µm is used for skin beautification and UV protection, then the covering ability and UV protection effect are improved, but the dispersibility and emulsion stability deteriorate due to strong cohesive forces
Solution Approach 1:
A surfactant is introduced as an intermediary substance to mediate between the hydrophobized titanium oxide particles and the aqueous phase. The surfactant adsorbs onto the particle surfaces and provides steric or electrostatic repulsion, preventing aggregation and improving both dispersibility and emulsion stability while maintaining the UV protection and skin beautification effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining hydrophobized titanium oxide particles with specific surfactants and oils. This composite approach allows the titanium oxide to maintain its particle size for effective UV protection and skin beautification, while the surfactant-oil complex provides the necessary stability and dispersibility in the emulsion formulation.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical dispersion is applied to fine-particle titanium oxide, then the powder can be blended into the product, but the emulsion stability remains insufficient and agglomeration occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The titanium oxide particles are pre-treated with hydrophobizing agents before incorporation into the emulsion. This preliminary surface modification reduces cohesive forces between particles, making them easier to disperse mechanically and preventing subsequent agglomeration, thereby improving both manufacturability and long-term emulsion stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Surfactants are used as intermediaries that bridge the hydrophobized particles and the aqueous continuous phase. These surfactants adsorb onto particle surfaces during mixing, providing ongoing steric or electrostatic stabilization that prevents agglomeration over time while allowing effective mechanical dispersion during manufacturing.
3Ease of operation
If larger particle size titanium oxide is used, then the cohesive force decreases and dispersion becomes easier, but the emulsion stability is still insufficient with hydrophobized titanium oxides
Solution Approach 1:
Even with larger particle sizes that reduce cohesive forces, surfactants are introduced as intermediaries to provide additional steric or electrostatic repulsion. This ensures that the particles remain individually dispersed and stable in the emulsion matrix, preventing aggregation that would otherwise occur over time despite the reduced inherent cohesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including particle size distribution, surfactant concentration, HLB value, and oil phase composition. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the formulation achieves both easy dispersion of larger particles and long-term emulsion stability, with the surfactant playing a critical role in maintaining particle separation.
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 formulation provides improved emulsion stability, prevents color streaking, and effectively beautifies the skin by maintaining the natural appearance and concealing abilities of the titanium oxide, while ensuring a refreshing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a non-ionic surfactant, other than the (B) component; (F) water; and (G) an oil component, wherein the (A) component is dispersed in the oil phase
Implementation Method 2
an oil-in-water type emulsified cosmetic characterized by comprising: (A) 1 to 20 mass% of a hydrophobized titanium oxide having an average particle size of at least 0.1 μm
Implementation Method 3
as UV protectants by physically scattering and absorbing UV rays at the particle surface
Implementation Method 4
as UV protectants by physically scattering and absorbing UV rays at the particle surface
Implementation Method 5
due to having a high refractive index, as covering agents for adjusting skin tone such as dullness or redness of the face
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides an oil-in-water type emulsified cosmetic which has the effect of beautifying the appearance of skin and also excels in emulsion stability. The oil-in-water type emulsified cosmetic according to the present invention is characterized by comprising (A) 1 to 20 mass% of a hydrophobized titanium oxide having an average particle size of at least 0.1 µm; (B) a sugar ester having a carboxyl group within the structure; (C) a liquid higher fatty acid; (D) a higher alcohol; (E) a non-ionic surfactant; (F) water; and (G) an oil component.