Micronized Benzoxazolylbenzene UV Filter for Low-Transfer Sun Care

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sun care products face challenges in achieving high SPF and UVA protection ratios while minimizing oil content and reducing material transfer to surfaces, with current UV-filters requiring multiple components and causing sensorial issues and surface smearing.

Innovation Solution

Micronizing 1,4-di(benzoxazol-2'-yl)benzene to a mean particle size of 200 nm, providing a water-dispersible, stand-alone UV-filter that meets EU protection requirements and reduces material transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple UV-filter substances are used to achieve high SPF and UVA protection, then UV protection performance is improved, but formulation complexity and oil content increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV protection performanceVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple UV-filter substances (benzophenone-3, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, and octocrylene) into a single pre-formulated microcapsule complex. This merging approach allows the product to achieve high SPF and UVA protection (meeting EU requirements with UVA-PF/SPF ratio ≥ 0.33 and critical wavelength ≥ 370 nm) while using only one ingredient in the final formulation, thereby reducing formulation complexity and the number of components needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple UV-filter substances are used to achieve high SPF and UVA protection, then UV protection performance is improved, but oil content and sensorial properties worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV protection performanceVSAvoidoil content
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a microcapsule structure with a thin polymeric shell (composed of polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium) to encapsulate the UV-filter substances. This thin film approach allows the oil-based UV filters to be contained within water-dispersible microcapsules, reducing the need for bulk oil in the formulation while maintaining high UV protection performance. The microcapsules can be dispersed in water-based formulations, significantly reducing overall oil content compared to using multiple separate UV-filter ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If oil-based UV-filters are used to achieve high SPF, then UV protection performance is improved, but material transfer to surfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV protection performanceVSAvoidmaterial transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces microcapsules as an intermediary carrier between the oil-based UV-filter substances and the application surface. The microcapsule shell acts as a mediator that prevents direct transfer of oily UV filters to surfaces like touch screens and glasses. When the product is applied, the microcapsules remain on the skin surface, encapsulating the UV filters and preventing them from migrating to external surfaces, thereby reducing material transfer while maintaining UV protection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 micronized 1,4-di(benzoxazol-2'-yl)benzene offers high SPF and UVA protection, improves formulation stability, and minimizes transfer to surfaces, enhancing product acceptability and flexibility in sun care product development.

Implementation Method 1

micronized 1,4-di(benzoxazol-2'-yl)benzene...yields a water dispersible organic UV-filter which fulfills as stand-alone filter all of the above mentioned UV-absorption requirement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3768233B1Micronized 1,4-di(benzoxazol-2'-yl)benzene
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 DSM IP ASSETS BV
  • EP3768233B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3768233B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3768233B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a novel micronized 1,4-di(benzoxazol-2'-yl)benzene as well as to the use thereof in topical compositions.