Silane-Treated Oxide Sunscreen Emulsion Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Formulating cosmetic compositions that combine high levels of pigments and inorganic sunscreens for effective sun protection while maintaining stability and aesthetic appeal is challenging, as high concentrations of these components often lead to instability.

Innovation Solution

The composition includes an aqueous phase emulsified within an external fatty phase, featuring silane-treated iron oxide, zinc oxide, hydrophobic titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide-silica composite particulates, and hollow acrylic polymer spheres, with a majority fraction of silicones in the fatty phase to enhance stability and sun protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high levels of pigments and inorganic sunscreens are incorporated to provide high SPF and color, then sun protection and hiding power are improved, but composition stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesun protection effectivenessVSAvoidcomposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Silane-treated oxide particles are introduced as intermediary substances that mediate between the inorganic sunscreen/pigment particles and the emulsion matrix. The silane treatment creates a chemical bridge that improves compatibility and prevents aggregation, allowing high concentrations of active ingredients to be incorporated while maintaining emulsion stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of oxide particles are modified through silane treatment, changing parameters such as surface charge, hydrophobicity, and surface energy. These parameter changes enable better dispersion and stabilization of high concentrations of inorganic particles within the emulsion system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If high levels of pigments and inorganic sunscreens are incorporated to provide color and hiding power, then aesthetic properties are improved, but composition stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic qualityVSAvoidcomposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Silane-treated oxide particles serve as intermediaries that improve the compatibility between high concentrations of cosmetic pigments and the emulsion vehicle. The treatment prevents pigment aggregation and maintains uniform color distribution while preserving emulsion stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If high concentrations of active ingredients are used to maintain effectiveness, then sun protection performance is improved, but composition stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesun protection effectivenessVSAvoidcomposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Silane-treated zinc oxide and titanium dioxide particles act as intermediaries that enable high concentrations of sunscreen actives to be incorporated without compromising emulsion stability. The silane coating prevents particle aggregation and maintains uniform distribution throughout the formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides a stable, aesthetically pleasing sunscreen composition that offers both sun protection and color/hiding power, maintaining stability and effectiveness even at high concentrations of active ingredients.

Implementation Method 1

a zinc-oxide particulate having a silane-treated surface; a titanium dioxide particulate having a hydrophobic surface

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

Implementation Method 2

titanium dioxide-silica composite particulate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

hollow spheres of acrylic polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 4

an iron oxide particulate having a silane-treated surface; a zinc-oxide particulate having a silane-treated surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface treatment (silane coating): Adsorption

Implementation Method 5

a titanium dioxide particulate having a hydrophobic surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 6

an aqueous phase emulsified within an external fatty phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS10383811B1Sunscreen emulsion comprising silane-treated oxide
Publication Date: 2019.08.20 LOREAL SA

AI summary

Compositions including an aqueous phase emulsified within an external fatty phase comprising at least one silicone are provided. The compositions include iron oxide having a silane-treated surface, zinc-oxide having a silane-treated surface, a titanium dioxide-silica composite particulate, and hollow spheres of acrylic polymer.