Skin Bonding Polymer Stabilizes UV-A Absorbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sunscreen compositions, particularly UV-A absorbers like avobenzone, tend to degrade when exposed to light, reducing their effectiveness in protecting the skin from ultraviolet radiation.
Innovation Solution
A sunscreen composition is developed that includes a skin bonding polymer component, specifically a hydrophobic polymer/hydrophilic polymer adduct, which enhances the stability of UV-A absorbers by forming a complex that maintains stability in water and on the skin, thereby prolonging the protection against UV-A radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV-A absorbers like avobenzone are used in sunscreen compositions, then protection against UV-A radiation is provided, but the UV-A absorbers degrade when exposed to light, reducing their effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a skin bonding polymer as an intermediary substance that forms a complex with the UV-A absorber (avobenzone). This polymer complex protects the UV-A absorber from direct light exposure while maintaining its UV-A filtering capability. The polymer acts as a mediator between the UV-A absorber and environmental factors (light, water), reducing degradation and extending the absorber's effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system consisting of the UV-A absorber combined with the skin bonding polymer. This composite structure (polymer-absorber complex) leverages the stabilizing properties of the polymer to protect the UV-A absorber, while maintaining the sunscreen functionality. The composite approach allows the system to achieve both UV protection and enhanced stability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If conventional sunscreen compositions are used, then UV protection is provided, but the protection duration is limited due to degradation of UV-A absorbers
Solution Approach 1:
The skin bonding polymer serves as a mediator that extends the duration of UV protection by protecting the UV-A absorber from degradation. The polymer forms a stable complex that maintains the absorber's effectiveness over time, allowing prolonged protection against UV-A radiation without the rapid decline seen in conventional formulations.
3Ease of operation
If water-based emulsion is used as carrier, then the composition can be easily applied to skin, but the UV-A absorbers remain exposed to water and light, accelerating degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The skin bonding polymer acts as an intermediary protective layer between the UV-A absorber and the aqueous environment. By forming a complex with the absorber, the polymer shields it from water and light exposure while allowing the formulation to maintain its water-based emulsion structure for easy application. The polymer complex serves as a protective interface that enables both ease of use and stability.
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 sunscreen composition effectively binds to the skin for an extended period, maintaining the stability and effectiveness of UV-A absorbers, such as avobenzone, thereby providing prolonged protection against UV-A radiation.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrophobic polymer/hydrophilic polymer adduct comprises: (i) hydrophobic polymer composition comprising a mixture of a lower poly(vinylpyrrolidone/alkylene) polymer wherein the alkylene group contains about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms and a higher poly(vinylpyrrolidone/alkylene) polymer wherein the alkylene group contains greater than about 24 carbon atoms; and (ii) hydrophilic polymer composition comprising carboxylic groups, hydroxylic groups, or both carboxylic groups and hydroxylic groups.
Implementation Method 2
The sunscreen composition includes a skin bonding polymer composition comprising a hydrophobic polymer/hydrophilic polymer adduct
Implementation Method 3
The sunscreen composition effectively binds to the skin for an extended period, maintaining the stability and effectiveness of UV-A absorbers
Implementation Method 4
Sunscreen agents that primarily filter or absorb UV-A light are often referred to as UV-A absorbers
Data Source
AI summary
A sunscreen composition is provided according to the present invention. The sunscreen composition includes a skin bonding polymer composition comprising a hydrophobic polymer/hydrophilic polymer adduct, at least one sunscreen active agent comprising a UV-A absorber, and water in an amount of affected to provide a the composition with the texture suitable for application to skin. The hydrophobic polymer/hydrophilic polymer adduct comprises: (i) hydrophobic polymer composition comprising a mixture of a lower poly(vinylpyrrolidone/alkylene) polymer wherein the alkylene group contains about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms and a higher poly(vinylpyrrolidone/alkylene) polymer wherein the alkylene group contains greater than about 24 carbon atoms; and (ii) hydrophilic polymer composition comprising carboxylic acid groups, hydroxyl groups, or both carboxylic acid groups and hydroxyl groups.