UV protection through inorganic inspiration

Consumers are seeking sun protection that is environmentally responsible and effective while still presenting innovative, fun product formats.

Sun care becomes mainstream

Did you remember to apply sunscreen the last time you went for a run? Or played a sport outside? Sunscreen use was historically associated with vacations at the beach, but today’s consumers have greater awareness of the harmful skin care effects of over-exposure to the sun. This is leading to greater acceptance and compliance in the use of sun care products for their busy, active lifestyles. And, this awareness is starting at a younger age - in regions like Australia, sunscreen use and practices are actively encouraged by primary and secondary schools, and in the United States state-based initiatives are relaxing previous restrictions in the use of sunscreens in schools by children. If you formulate sun care products, this is great news, but new challenges continue to emerge.

Responsible sun filters

As sunscreen use has become more prominent, its environmental impact has also gained more scrutiny. Over the last year, states like Hawaii, cities like Key West in Florida, and even large retailers like US firm CVS have moved to ban or remove the use of some organic UV filters in sunscreen products that were found by researchers at the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science to adversely impact the health of coral reefs. And as far as some other organic filters, you may still not be in the clear, as some evidence of aquatic toxicity along with recent finding of its absorption into the bloodstream could generate future headwinds.
What options do you have for consumers who demand sun protection along with environmental responsibility? In the US, where sunscreen filter options are limited, inorganic filters are emerging as a ‘next best’ option.

Play under the sun with innovative formats using inorganic filters

When you think about inorganic sun-filter based sunscreens, you may have scary recollections from the past of heavy creams that were whitening and were difficult to spread on skin. But consumers have higher expectations today, and ingredient solutions such as Evonik’s new TEGO® SP 13 Sun Up are enabling innovative formulation formats to be developed using inorganic filters. To illustrate, Evonik has developed five inspirational formulations that demonstrate how you can achieve effective sun protection that employs inorganic sun filters in ways that can excite consumer interest:

  • Ultra-Sun Body Butter enables consumers to reach for their beach towels with an elegant body butter that provides excellent feel and the benefits of SPF 50 and water resistance protection, with use of TEGO® SP 13 Sun Up and TEGO® Care 450 MB
  • UV Milk Shield Radiant Skin bathes consumers with a milk that provides a caring feel along with sun protection from inorganic filters and plant-based antioxidant benefits, with use of ISOLAN® GPS and TEGO® Turmerone
  • Daily Sun-Guard Stick provides the on-the-go convenience of a stick with a smooth application feel and functional benefits of UV protection and water resistance, with use of TEGO® SP 13-1 and TEGO® SP 13-6 along with dermofeel® viscolid MB
  • Opalescence Body Bronzing Powder helps her start the evening early with a visually rich and sensorially matifying bronzing powder enabling UV protection while supporting her skin microbiome, with use of TEGO® Feel C 10 and Skinolance®
  • Natural Sun Cream allows consumers to enjoy the sun with no compromise through a system that meets high ISO 16128 naturality along with UV protection benefits, with use of ISOLAN® 17 MB

To learn more about this exciting Collection, log in to Evonik’s intoBeauty® platform.

Product of the month

TEGO® SP 13 Sun Up

TEGO® SP 13 Sun Up is a new product within the TEGO® Smart Polymer series that was developed as an optimized offering for sun care use. Its chemisty is optimized for performance in sun care with respect to water resistance and Sun Protection Factor (SPF) boosting benefits. By enhancing overall distribution of sun filters on the skin, the product drives greater filter performance efficiency, leading to a boost in measured SPF. In addition, its polymer morphology enables it to provide a film that is water resistant, enabling formulations to pass demanding water resistance testing common in sun care applications. As with other Smart Polymers, the material offers rheological benefits through efficient oil-phase thickening as well as a dry, non-greasy feel that is pleasant upon application. For sun care products, this can mean a matte appearance that can help reduce the glossy appearance generated by some organic UV filters. With TEGO® SP 13 Sun Up, you can develop systems that are effective, pleasant to use, and compliant with growing trends towards inorganic filter use.

Formulation of the month

Ultra-Sun Body Butter

Reach for the beach towel! With this elegant body butter, you can enjoy the sun with a system providing excellent feel along with performance benefits of enhanced SPF 50 protection and effective water resistance. The secret to the functional performance of the system is Evonik’s new TEGO® SP 13 Sun Up. By enhancing overall distribution of the inorganic filter on the skin, the product drives a boost in measured SPF and in some systems can reduce the post-application whitening common to inorganic filters. The material also provides effective water resistance benefits while reducing oily feel. The inspirational butter texture of the formula is enabled by our TEGO® Care 450 MB emulsifier. Based on natural, renewable materials, this product can help formulas achieve stable, light emulsions.