Vanillin Polymers for Natural Sunless Tanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for achieving a tanned skin appearance without UV exposure are either ineffective in providing natural-looking results or offer inadequate sun protection, with existing products often resulting in unnatural color, uneven distribution, or increased skin cancer risk.
Innovation Solution
A polymer composition containing vanillin monomers, o-vanillin monomers, and additional monomers such as 3-aminotyrosine and dihydroxy acetone, applied topically with a cosmetically acceptable carrier, which enhances skin pigmentation and provides photo-protection without UV exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dihydroxy acetone (DHA) is used to darken the skin, then a tanned appearance is achieved without UV exposure, but the color produced is too orange and unnatural
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines DHA with vanillin polymers and other monomers (tyrosine, dihydroxyphenylalanine, 3-aminotyrosine) to create a composite tanning system. This composite approach allows the mixture to produce a more natural skin tone while retaining the sunless tanning benefit, overcoming the orange appearance limitation of pure DHA.
2Ease of manufacture
If beta-carotene, cantaxanthin and lycopene are used to darken the skin, then skin color is enhanced, but the color is unnatural and uneven distributed by saturating and staining the fat layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the tanning agents by using vanillin polymers with specific molecular weights and compositions. These polymers penetrate and distribute more evenly through skin layers compared to carotenoids that saturate fat layers, achieving uniform color distribution without unnatural staining.
3Ease of manufacture
If melanotan and MelanX are used to darken the skin, then melanin production is stimulated, but they require injection administration and not oral or topical application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the injection mechanism with a topical application system. Vanillin polymers are applied topically and work through chemical mechanisms (polymerization reactions in the skin) to stimulate melanin production, eliminating the need for needle injection while maintaining melanin-stimulating effects.
4Ease of manufacture
If psoralens are used to accelerate melanin production, then melanin production is enhanced with UV exposure, but serious skin cancer risk increases requiring careful UV regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vanillin polymers as intermediary substances that stimulate melanin production through non-UV mechanisms. These polymers act as mediators between the skin and melanin production pathways, achieving tanning effects without requiring UV exposure, thereby eliminating the skin cancer risk associated with psoralen-UV combinations.
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 polymer composition effectively darkens the skin, providing a natural appearance and enhanced sun protection, while minimizing the risks associated with UV exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer containing (i) vanillin monomers and/or o-vanillin monomers and (ii) monomers selected from the group consisting of 3-aminotyrosine, dihydroxy acetone, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3-amino, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, aloin, emodin, alizarin, tyrosine, dihydroxyphenylalanine, 4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, 3-nitrotyrosine, 3-dimethylamino phenol, p-aminobenzoic acid, and mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention features polymers containing vanillin monomers and/or o-vanillin monomers and the use thereof in darkening the skin.