Biodegradable PHA Abrasive Particles for Skin Cleansing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current skin cleansing compositions face challenges with petroleum-based synthetic polymers causing environmental issues and being overly abrasive, while natural abrasives may be aesthetically poor and insufficiently effective for facial skin.

Innovation Solution

A skin cleansing composition using biodegradable abrasive particles with a multimodal particle size distribution, specifically polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) particles ranging from 10 μm to 1500 μm, providing a balance between exfoliation efficacy and tactile properties, and being dermatologically acceptable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If petroleum-based synthetic polymers are used as abrasive particles, then cleansing and exfoliation performance is improved, but environmental biodegradability deteriorates and skin safety worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleansing and exfoliation performanceVSAvoidenvironmental biodegradability and skin safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from petroleum-based synthetic polymers to biobased polymers (PHA, PLA, PCL), transforming the chemical composition while maintaining abrasive functionality. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing biodegradable materials that reduce environmental harm while still delivering effective cleansing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite abrasive particles combining biobased polymers with other materials to achieve both biodegradability and effective cleansing performance. The composite structure allows optimization of mechanical properties for skin exfoliation while maintaining environmental compatibility through the biobased polymer component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If larger abrasive particles are used, then visual appeal and tactile properties are improved, but exfoliation efficacy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appeal and tactile propertiesVSAvoidexfoliation efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the abrasive particle population into multiple size distributions (e.g., first distribution 10-300 μm, second distribution 300-1500 μm). This segmentation allows different particle sizes to perform different functions: smaller particles provide effective exfoliation while larger particles contribute to visual appeal and tactile properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different particle size ranges to different functional roles within the same composition. Smaller particles (10-300 μm) are optimized for exfoliation efficacy, while larger particles (300-1500 μm) are optimized for consumer perception, creating localized functional zones within the particle distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If smaller abrasive particles are used, then exfoliation efficacy is improved, but tactile properties and visual appeal deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexfoliation efficacyVSAvoidtactile properties and visual appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the abrasive particle population into multiple size distributions, with smaller particles (10-300 μm) dedicated to exfoliation efficacy and larger particles (300-1500 μm) dedicated to visual appeal and tactile properties. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing functional responsibilities across different particle size classes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multimodal particle size distribution where the overall abrasive particle system performs multiple functions simultaneously: smaller particles provide exfoliation while larger particles provide visual appeal and tactile properties, making the single composition universally effective for both performance and consumer acceptance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively cleans and exfoliates the skin while ensuring a safe surface profile, being biodegradable and visually appealing, with the PHA particles offering enhanced cleaning and exfoliation benefits without being overly abrasive.

Implementation Method 1

abrasive particles for cleansing the skin (e.g., removal of dirt, sebum, or oil) or improving the appearance of the skin (e.g., exfoliation)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

These materials can be recycled using biological processes (i.e., biorenewable or biodegradable) to reduce greenhouse gas emission and conserve resources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS9895305B2Skin cleansing compositions comprising biodegradable abrasive particles

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A skin cleansing composition is provided. The skin cleansing composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 15%, by weight, of a plurality of biodegradable abrasive particles. The biodegradable abrasive particles comprise a safe and effective amount of polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) biodegradable polymeric material and comprise a particle size range from 10 μm to 1500 μm. The composition also comprises a multimodal particle size distribution of the biodegradable abrasive particles. The composition further comprises a dermatologically acceptable carrier.