Encapsulation technology can increase SPF of organic sunscreens

13-Jun-2010 - Last updated on 19-Aug-2020 at 08:37 GMT

Related tags Sunscreen

An encapsulation technology that can be engineered to not release the capsules’ contents can be used to halt degradation of UV filters and increase SPF in organic sunscreens.

CosmeticsDesign.com USA spoke to Tycho Speaker, president of the company Capsulent, who explained how the technology can keep two commonly used UV filters separate, both within the formulation and when applied to the skin.

The potent UVA absorber avobenzone and workhorse UVB filter OMC ‘do not play well together’ according to Speaker, and currently formulators cannot mix them without risking severe photodegradation and loss of protection.

Capsulent’s technology can help keep these materials separate - reducing degradation - and has the added bonus of increasing the SPF, Speaker said.

The encapsulation technology proposed by the company can also be engineered to release the encapsulated ngredient on contact with the skin, or to release it in a controlled manner over time.

This modifiable release characteristic of the technology is what sets it apart from existing methods as well as its mass market price point, Speaker explained.

Capsulent is targeting the cosmetics and personal care industry with the technology, which has potential in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries as well, through a partnership with Earth Supplied Products.