The Technology

There are numerous sunscreen and cosmetics products on the market today that contain nanoparticles (NP’s). These NP’s increase ultraviolet light absorption of the product and also allow the product to be spread more easily. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and Zinc oxide (ZnO) are the most commonly used NP’s, and they are commonly found together in sun care products to allow broad spectrum protection from UV light. There has been increasing concern lately over the safety of metal oxides in these products. This is due to the potential issues associated with internalization of the metal oxide NP’s (due to their small size) as well as environmental concerns over what happens once the NP’s get into the environment. There is a need for a new, safer alternative to metal oxide NP’s in the sunscreen and cosmetic market.

Researchers at the University of Tennessee have identified a new, natural source of nanoparticles: English Ivy roots. The ivy plants secrete NP’s to adhere to surfaces as they climb. Interestingly, they have shown that these NP’s display increased UV absorbance compared to metal oxide NP’s. These plant derived NP’s also display greatly reduced toxicity compared to metal oxide NP’s, thereby offering a safer material to increase the sun protection factor in sunscreens and cosmetics.

Applications

•    Sunscreen filler

•    Cosmetics filler

Benefits

•    Provides better UV protection than currently used nanoparticles

•    Non-toxic

•    Biodegradable

•    Goes on clear

Patents

•    Patent pending

PD10016