Beyond sun protection factor: An approach to environmental protection with novel mineral coatings in a vehicle containing a blend of skincare ingredients.

Background: Premature skin aging results from exposure to a range of environmental factors, primarily ultraviolet radiation, but also high-energy visible light in the blue spectrum, infrared radiation, and environmental pollution. These extrinsic factors result in the generation of reactive oxygen species which promote photoaging and DNA damage resulting in skin cancers.

Aims: To formulate skincare products utilizing a new coating applied to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide particles and complimentary skincare ingredients to provide broad protection against a range of environmental insults.

Methods: A cross-polymer, multifunctional coating of silicate, polyalkylsilsesquioxane, and polydimethylsiloxane moieties increases the photostability and decreases the reactivity of mineral sunscreen agents when interacting with energy sources. These products are also formulated with antioxidants to minimize free radical propagation. Additionally, this coating improves the esthetic feel of mineral sunscreens, while the appearance is enhanced by formulating products with a blend of iron oxides.

Results: A series of in vitro and ex vivo studies demonstrated the ability of mineral-based products formulated with the new multifunctional coating to provide protection against ultraviolet radiation, high-energy visible light, infrared radiation, and environmental pollution.

Conclusion: Newly formulated mineral-based skincare products provide environmental protection, are ecologically safe, and can replace chemical-based sunscreen ingredients.