Mineral Sunscreen Emulsion for High SPF With Low Viscosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mineral-based sunscreens struggle to achieve high SPF levels without increasing viscosity, and existing compositions with high mineral UV active ingredients are unstable or have undesirable aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A sunscreen composition comprising TiO2, ZnO, triacontanyl PVP, and VP/hexadecene copolymer in an oil-in-water emulsion with a weight ratio of triacontanyl PVP to VP/hexadecene copolymer less than one, providing high SPF without low molecular weight organic UV absorbers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high amounts of mineral UV active ingredients (TiO2 and ZnO) are used to achieve high SPF levels, then sun protection performance is improved, but viscosity increases and aesthetics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesun protection performanceVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing specific film-forming polymers (triacontanyl PVP and VP/hexadecene copolymer) in a controlled weight ratio less than 1:1. This polymer combination modifies the rheological properties of the formulation, allowing high mineral UV content (15-30% TiO2 and/or ZnO) to be suspended without increasing viscosity, thereby achieving both high SPF and low viscosity simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite formulation system combining mineral UV actives (TiO2 and ZnO) with specific film-forming polymers (triacontanyl PVP and VP/hexadecene copolymer) in an oil-in-water emulsion matrix. This composite approach allows the polymer network to trap and stabilize high concentrations of mineral particles while maintaining fluidity and low viscosity, resolving the contradiction between protection performance and ease of application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high amounts of mineral UV active ingredients are used to achieve high SPF levels, then sun protection performance is improved, but formulation stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesun protection performanceVSAvoidformulation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces film-forming polymers (triacontanyl PVP and VP/hexadecene copolymer) as intermediary substances that mediate between the mineral UV actives and the emulsion matrix. These polymers form a stabilizing network that prevents particle aggregation and sedimentation, ensuring formulation stability while maintaining high SPF levels through efficient UV blocking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If organic UV absorbers are used to achieve high SPF levels, then sun protection performance is improved, but skin penetration risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesun protection performanceVSAvoidskin penetration risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates low molecular weight organic UV absorbers from the formulation, replacing them entirely with mineral UV actives (TiO2 and ZnO). This substitution removes the skin penetration risk associated with organic filters while maintaining or improving sun protection performance through the mineral-based UV blocking mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inorganic mineral particles (TiO2 and ZnO) that remain on the skin surface and do not penetrate, effectively replacing organic UV absorbers. These mineral filters provide durable protection without the biological concerns of organic compounds, as they can be safely rinsed off without residual penetration concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 in vitro SPF levels of at least 25 and in vivo SPF levels of at least 50, with excellent liquid aesthetics and low viscosity.

Implementation Method 1

TiO2, ZnO

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

TiO2, ZnO

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

oil-in-water emulsion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentEP4684774A1Mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 KENVUE BRANDS LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides a sunscreen composition comprising: (i) TiO2, (ii) ZnO, (iii) triacontanyl PVP, and (iv) VP/hexadecene copolymer, wherein the composition is an oil-in-water emulsion substantially free of low molecular weight, organic UV absorbers, the ratio of (iii):(iv) is less than one, and the composition provides an in vitro SPF as measured by the IN VITRO SPF TEST METHOD of at least 25. The composition is surprisingly low viscosity and provides a high SPF.