TAGS: Sun Care
Amorepacific’s R&D center has developed a ‘platform technology for supraballs physical sunscreen material’ that does not leave white cast, while effectively reflecting UV rays by conducting a joint research.
Drawback: UV Reflectors Leave White Cast
It is known that skin aging is mostly caused by exposure to light. Many cosmetics with UV protection are being developed to protect the skin from UV rays, which especially cause skin damage, by reflecting or absorbing UV light.
Zinc oxide (ZnO) and
titanium dioxide (TiO
2) are the most commonly used ingredients to reflect UV light in physical sunscreens, but these ingredients cause white cast due to the high refractive index of the particles and they tend to harden the product’s formulation.
To resolve such disadvantages, Dr. Yan Li of materials lab at R&D center, Amorepacific, conducted a joint research project with the research team of Professor Yi Gira at Sungkyunkwan University School of Chemical Engineering.
Transparent Film Strongly Reflects UV light
Through the research, the joint research team was able to evenly compose and assemble hollow silica nanospheres. And, films made up of such minute particles can be adjusted for the size and distance between particles to reflect visible light and UV light.
The researchers found that matching the refractive index of the polymer to the refractive index of the hollow nanospheres allows an optically transparent film that strongly reflects UV light. This is similar to how chameleons or green algae quickly change skin color by diffusing light in nature.
“
The published research finding is meaningful in that we have secured a platform technology to develop innovative inorganic material and we plan to verify the potential of the material through skin clinical trials,” said Aiden Park, head of basic research & innovation division, R&D center, Amorepacific.
This research finding, which can lead to developing of an innovative physical sunscreen, was published on an academic journal in the field of materials called ‘Particle & Particle Systems Characterization’.
Source: Amorepacific