Porous Metal Oxide Sunscreen Composition for Higher SPF
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sunscreen compositions face challenges in achieving high sun protection factor (SPF) due to regulatory restrictions on high UV filter concentrations and issues like whitening effects, necessitating a method to enhance SPF without adverse appearance changes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating porous metal oxide microspheres, such as silica, titania, or zinc oxide, into sunscreen compositions to increase light pathlength and enhance UV absorption without increasing UV filter concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high amounts of UV filters are incorporated to increase SPF, then sun protection factor is improved, but regulatory restrictions and solubility issues prevent this approach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous metal oxide spheres (silica, titania, alumina, zirconia, ceria, iron oxides, zinc oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, or chromium oxide) as light scattering and absorbing agents. The porous structure provides high surface area for UV interaction while maintaining low concentration in the formulation, achieving enhanced SPF without exceeding regulatory limits on UV filter concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines porous metal oxide spheres with traditional UV filters to create a composite sunscreen system. The metal oxide spheres act as both physical blockers and UV absorbers, working synergistically with chemical UV filters to achieve high SPF at lower overall concentrations of active ingredients.
2Reliability
If high amounts of UV filters are incorporated to increase SPF, then sun protection factor is improved, but whitening effect increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous metal oxide spheres provide UV protection through light scattering and absorption mechanisms that are less visible to the human eye compared to traditional high-concentration UV filters. The porous structure allows for optimized light interaction that enhances protection while minimizing the cosmetic whitening effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the metal oxide particles by creating porous spherical structures with controlled pore sizes and distributions. This modifies how light interacts with the particles, enhancing UV absorption while reducing visible light scattering that causes whitening, thereby improving cosmetic acceptability.
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 addition of porous metal oxide microspheres increases SPF while minimizing whitening effects, providing high UV protection without altering the composition's transparency.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating porous metal oxide microspheres, such as silica, titania, or zinc oxide, into sunscreen compositions to increase light pathlength and enhance UV absorption
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating porous metal oxide microspheres, such as silica, titania, or zinc oxide, into sunscreen compositions to increase light pathlength
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for increasing sun protection factor (SPF) of a sunscreen composition, use of porous metal oxide spheres (e.g., microspheres) for increasing SPF of a sunscreen composition and preparation of sunscreen compositions comprising the porous spheres.