Lamellar Nanoparticle Carrier for Skin Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic formulations struggle to effectively promote skin absorption of active ingredients due to limitations in biocompatibility and skin-like structure, particularly in solubilized formulations with small oil phase portions.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic composition featuring a nanoparticle carrier comprising ceramide, hydrogenated lecithin, stearic acid, oleic acid, and a cholesterol derivative, which forms a lamellar structure similar to the skin's stratum corneum, enhancing skin affinity and absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If solubilized formulations with small oil phase portion content are used, then formulation versatility is improved, but skin absorption promotion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation versatilityVSAvoidskin absorption promotion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite lipid structure combining ceramide, cholesterol derivative, and fatty acid in specific ratios (1:0.5:0.2 to 1:2:1) to create a nanoparticle carrier that mimics natural skin barrier lipids. This composite approach enables the formulation to achieve both versatility and effective skin absorption promotion by interacting with stratum corneum intercellular lipids through its ceramide-rich composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the oil phase portion content to a specific range of 5-30 wt% and controls nanoparticle carrier particle size at 50-200 nm. These parameter changes enable the formulation to maintain stability and transparency while achieving enhanced skin absorption through improved biocompatibility and skin-like structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If nanoparticle carrier size is reduced to enhance skin absorption, then skin absorption promotion is improved, but formulation stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin absorption promotionVSAvoidformulation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes nanoparticle carrier particle size to a specific range of 50-200 nm, with preferred ranges of 80-150 nm. This parameter optimization balances skin absorption promotion (enhanced by smaller size) with formulation stability (maintained by preventing excessive aggregation). The controlled particle size also ensures translucent formulation appearance while maintaining colloidal stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite lipid structure with ceramide, cholesterol derivative, and fatty acid in optimized ratios provides structural integrity to the nanoparticle carrier. This composite material approach maintains formulation stability even at small particle sizes by creating a robust core structure that resists aggregation while preserving skin absorption capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If ceramide content is increased to improve skin absorption, then skin absorption promotion is improved, but formulation stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin absorption promotionVSAvoidtemporal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a balanced composite lipid structure with ceramide, cholesterol derivative, and fatty acid in specific ratios (1:0.5:0.2 to 1:2:1). This composite approach distributes the functional burden across multiple components, allowing ceramide to provide skin absorption promotion through interaction with stratum corneum lipids while the cholesterol derivative and fatty acid contribute to structural stability and prevent ceramide precipitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes ceramide content to a specific range of 0.01-0.1 wt% based on total composition weight. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient ceramide is present to promote skin absorption through biocompatibility and skin-like structure, while preventing excessive ceramide that would cause precipitation and reduce temporal stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves skin absorption of active ingredients, enhances skin moisturization, and improves skin barrier function, while maintaining stability and transparency.

Implementation Method 1

the cosmetic composition may form a lamellar structure similar to the structure of the stratum corneum of the skin, thereby improving skin affinity and moisturizing power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLamellar structure formation: Lamella

Implementation Method 2

a cosmetic with the intercellular lipids and similar ingredients may act as a skin lipid enhancer to help promote skin absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSkin absorption enhancement through lipid interaction: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250073144A1Cosmetic composition for enhancing skin absorption

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 COSMAX INC

AI summary

This relates to a cosmetic composition, which includes a skin carrier that has a skin-like structure, and may improve or enhance the absorption of an active ingredient into the skin.