Microporous SPF Booster Composition for Lower-Filter Sunscreens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sunscreen formulations face challenges in reducing the quantity of UV filters while maintaining high sun protection efficacy, as high concentrations compromise aesthetics and pose safety risks to human health and the environment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of microporous particles with a specific particle size distribution (PSD) as SPF boosters, characterized by a crystalline structure and refractive index, which enhance UVB and UVA protection without interacting with UV filters, forming a physical mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentration of UV filters is used, then UV protection efficacy is improved, but safety impacts on human health and environment worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces microporous silica particles as an intermediary substance that enhances UV protection through scattering and reflection mechanisms, allowing reduction of UV filter concentrations while maintaining efficacy. These particles act as a mediator between the UV radiation and the skin, providing protection without the harmful effects of high UV filter concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sunscreen formulation by incorporating microporous particles with specific pore sizes (5-50 nm) and surface areas (200-800 m²/g). This parameter change enables alternative UV protection mechanisms that reduce dependence on high concentrations of UV filters.
2Reliability
If high concentration of UV filters is used, then UV protection efficacy is improved, but formulation aesthetics worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The microporous silica particles serve as an aesthetic-friendly intermediary that provides UV protection through physical scattering and reflection rather than chemical absorption. This allows the formulation to achieve high UV protection efficacy without the aesthetic compromises (yellowing, greasiness, white cast) associated with high concentrations of UV filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes particle parameters including pore size (5-50 nm), surface area (200-800 m²/g), and particle size distribution to achieve effective UV scattering and reflection while maintaining good formulation aesthetics. The specific surface area and pore size parameters enable effective UV protection with lower concentrations of active ingredients.
3Reliability
If microporous particles with specific PSD are used, then SPF boosting effect is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific parameter ranges for microporous particles (pore size 5-50 nm, surface area 200-800 m²/g, particle size 1-10 μm) that optimize SPF boosting effect. By establishing these parameter specifications, the patent balances enhanced UV protection with manageable formulation complexity, as the particles can be incorporated using standard formulation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite sunscreen formulation combining UV filters with microporous silica particles. This composite approach enhances the SPF boosting effect through synergistic interactions between the UV filters and the microporous particles, while the particles' well-defined physical properties facilitate relatively straightforward formulation processes.
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 SPF booster particles achieve at least a 20% boost in UVB performance and a 10% boost in UVA protection, maintaining cosmetic appeal and avoiding skin greasiness or white cast, while ensuring water-resistance and targeted protection.
Implementation Method 1
Another typical approach in the field of SPF booster is then represented by the use of particles characterized by specific dimensions which overlap the range of the UV light (i.e. about 200-400 nm), in order to exploit the UV scattering mechanism
Implementation Method 2
The inorganic UV filters interact with UV light by two mechanisms: absorption and reflection/scattering
Implementation Method 3
The organic filters typically contain aromatic carbon and/or other electron-dense bonds that are responsible for absorbing light in the UV ranges of the solar spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sunscreen formulation with SPF booster based on microporous particles having a specific particle size distribution (PSD).