Vitamin E and B3 Skin Composition for ROS and UV Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing skin care products that aim to combat oxidative stress and skin aging often require multiple ingredients, complicating formulations and reducing the efficacy of each component, while there is a need for a simpler product that can effectively reduce damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and UV exposure.

Innovation Solution

A skin care composition combining vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), a thiourea derivative of histidine (ergothioneine), and vitamin B3 (niacinamide) in specific ratios and amounts to enhance antioxidant activity and reduce ROS production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple ingredients are used in skin care compositions to combat oxidative stress and skin aging, then the skin health benefits are improved, but the formulation complexity increases and the efficacy of each individual ingredient decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin health benefitsVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines three specific antioxidants (vitamin E, ergothioneine, and niacinamide) into a single unified formulation that works synergistically. This merging approach maintains comprehensive skin protection benefits while reducing the need for additional separate ingredients, thereby managing formulation complexity while preserving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite antioxidant system where vitamin E, ergothioneine, and niacinamide are formulated together in specific proportions. This composite material approach allows the combination to provide enhanced skin health benefits through synergistic interactions, achieving reliable protection without requiring numerous separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If fewer ingredients are used in skin care compositions, then the formulation simplicity is improved, but the ability to maximize the results and efficacy of each ingredient decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation simplicityVSAvoidingredient efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of each ingredient (vitamin E at 0.1-3%, ergothioneine at 0.1-7%, niacinamide at 0.7-5%) to maximize their individual efficacy within the simplified three-component formulation. By carefully controlling these parameters, the invention ensures that each ingredient performs at peak effectiveness despite the reduced number of components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges three highly effective ingredients into a simple formulation, where each component is selected and dosed to maximize its contribution. This selective merging achieves formulation simplicity while maintaining high ingredient efficacy through synergistic interactions among the three components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a combination of vitamin E, ergothioneine, and niacinamide is used, then the antioxidant activity and ROS reduction is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantioxidant activityVSAvoidingredient ratio precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines specific concentration ranges for each ingredient (vitamin E: 0.1-3%, ergothioneine: 0.1-7%, niacinamide: 0.7-5%) that provide optimal antioxidant activity. These parameter specifications enable manufacturers to achieve reliable results within acceptable tolerances, balancing enhanced antioxidant efficacy with practical manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 combination significantly decreases ROS production and cellular damage, providing enhanced protection against environmental stressors compared to individual components, revitalizing skin cells and enhancing cellular energy.

Implementation Method 1

Antioxidants can scavenge and decrease the excessive ROS produced and mitigate its damage to the cells of different tissues, including skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntioxidant activity: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4257112B1Skin care compositions comprising vitamin e and vitamin b3
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
  • EP4257112B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP4257112B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP4257112B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed herein are skin care compositions, comprising vitamin E (e.g., alpha-tocopherol), a thiourea derivative of histidine (e.g., ergothioneine), a vitamin B3 compound (e.g., niacinamide) and/or a pyrrolidone carboxylic acid and/or a salt thereof (e.g., sodium PCA) as well as to methods of using these compositions.