Preservative-Free Topical Composition Using Urea and Zinc
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional preservatives in topical compositions can cause skin irritation, disrupt the skin microbiome, and pose environmental risks, while increasing water content exacerbates microbial growth, necessitating a preservative-free solution with antimicrobial properties.
Innovation Solution
A composition combining urea, lactobionic acid, and zinc in specific amounts, providing an antimicrobial effect without conventional preservatives, maintaining a balanced skin microbiome and reducing the risk of negative skin reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional preservatives are added to topical compositions, then microbial growth is prevented and shelf-life is extended, but skin irritation and contact allergies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes conventional preservatives from the composition entirely and replaces them with a preservative-free system using urea, lactobionic acid, and zinc. This extraction of harmful preservatives eliminates skin irritation and contact allergies while maintaining microbial growth prevention through the alternative mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using specific concentrations of urea (0.1-2.0%), lactobionic acid (0.1-2.0%), and zinc (0.05-0.2%) to create a preservative-free environment. These parameter changes enable the composition to prevent microbial growth without relying on conventional preservatives that cause skin irritation.
2Quantity of substance
If water content in topical compositions is increased, then skin hydration and comfort are improved, but microbial growth risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of water (which promotes microbial growth) into a beneficial outcome by using high water content (20-90%) combined with zinc and lactobionic acid. The zinc and lactobionic acid create an environment that prevents microbial growth even in high-water formulations, thus converting the potential harm of high water content into a benefit for skin hydration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite system combining water with urea, lactobionic acid, and zinc to create a formulation where the components work synergistically. This composite material approach allows high water content for skin hydration while the other components provide antimicrobial protection.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional preservatives are used to ensure product stability, then shelf-life is extended, but environmental harm and microbiome disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts conventional preservatives from the formulation and replaces them with a preservative-free system using zinc, lactobionic acid, and urea. This eliminates the harmful environmental effects and microbiome disruption associated with conventional preservatives while maintaining adequate shelf-life through the alternative preservation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the composition to preserve itself without external preservatives. The zinc, lactobionic acid, and urea work together to create a self-preserving system that maintains product stability and prevents microbial growth inherently, without requiring additional preservative chemicals that harm the environment and microbiome.
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for topical application free of conventional preservatives and having antimicrobial properties comprising a combination of 0.1-2.0% by weight of urea, 0.1-2.0% by weight of lactobionic acid, 0.05-0.2% by weight of zinc; and 20-90% by weight of water of the total weight of the composition is disclosed, which compositions can be used for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and medical device applications.