Sunscreen UV Filter Composition for Skin Microbiome Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

UV radiation disrupts the skin microbiome by damaging beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and S. epidermidis, leading to dysbiosis and impaired skin barrier function.

Innovation Solution

Application of a sunscreen composition containing UV filters like octocrylene, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, and ethylhexyl triazone before exposure to UV radiation to protect and increase the survival rate of Lactobacillus and S. epidermidis, thereby maintaining a healthy skin microbiome.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If UV radiation is applied to protect skin from harmful pathogens, then skin protection is improved, but beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and S. epidermidis are damaged leading to dysbiosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from pathogensVSAvoidskin microbiome balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different UV filter components with specific properties to achieve selective protection. The composition includes UV filters that preferentially protect beneficial bacteria while allowing UV radiation to reach and eliminate pathogens. This localized differentiation in protection quality resolves the contradiction between pathogen elimination and microbiome preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The UV filter composition acts as an intermediary substance between UV radiation and bacteria. It selectively modulates the interaction between UV radiation and different bacterial types, allowing beneficial bacteria to survive while pathogens are eliminated. The filter composition mediates the harmful effects of UV radiation to achieve differential outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional UV filters are used to protect skin, then UV protection is provided, but selective protection of beneficial bacteria is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUV radiation protectionVSAvoidselective bacterial protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of UV filters by selecting specific compounds (octocrylene, ethyl hexyl triazone, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane) in defined proportions. These parameter changes enable the filter to differentiate between beneficial bacteria and pathogens, providing selective protection based on bacterial characteristics rather than uniform protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite UV filter system combining multiple filter compounds with different mechanisms and spectra of action. This composite approach allows the formulation to provide broad-spectrum UV protection while maintaining selectivity for beneficial bacteria, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive protection and selective action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If UV radiation exposure is increased to eliminate more pathogens, then pathogen clearance is improved, but damage to beneficial bacteria and skin barrier function increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen elimination efficiencyVSAvoidskin barrier function

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UV filter composition is applied before UV radiation exposure to preemptively protect beneficial bacteria. This preliminary protective action creates a shield that prevents UV damage to beneficial bacteria before exposure occurs, allowing subsequent UV radiation to effectively eliminate pathogens without compromising the skin barrier or microbiome integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 UV filters significantly enhance the survival rate of Lactobacillus by at least 100% and S. epidermidis by at least 20% after UV exposure, promoting a balanced skin microbiome and reducing dysbiosis.

Implementation Method 1

The UV filters significantly enhance the survival rate of Lactobacillus by at least 100% and S. epidermidis by at least 20% after UV exposure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250360069A1Sunscreen composition for lactobacillus and s. epidermidis protection on skin

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 DSM IP ASSETS BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of selected UV filters selected from the group consisting of octocrylene, ethyl hexyltriazone and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane for the protection of skin bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus such as e.g., Lactobacillus crispatus (L. crispatus), preferably in the concomitant presence of S. Epidermidis against UV radiation to foster the maintenance of a healthy skin microbiome upon UV irradiation.