Written by: Juliana Carrizosa – Product Innovation Specialist at Lignopure
Protecting the skin against UV rays is crucial to prevent skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. UV radiation from the sun can cause harm to the skin in different ways, including skin inflammation, DNA damage, and collagen degradation. To protect the skin from these harmful effects, it is essential to daily use sunscreen with an appropriate SPF factor and reapply when necessary.
Skin protection against sun damage is a must, but at what cost?
While organic and mineral UV filters have been widely used in sunscreens for many years and are considered safe for most people, there have been raising concerns about their potential impact on human health and the environment. This has led many countries to regulate their use in multiple cosmetic formulations. Organic filters, on the one hand, are chemical compounds that absorb UV radiation to then dissipate it as heat. Despite their highly effective photoprotective qualities, some studies have suggested that some organic or chemical UV filters may be endocrine disruptors, cause photoallergic reactions, and represent an environmental hazard.
Mineral or physical filters, on the other hand, reflect UV radiation and are less likely to cause skin irritation and break down under sunlight. However, they can leave a white cast on the skin and, if classified within the nanoparticle category, they might penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. Although the health effects of these nanoparticles are not yet fully understood, some studies have suggested that they may have also toxic effects on cells and aquatic organisms.
LignoBase: A revolutionary way to boost protection against sun damage
Aiming to minimize the risks associated with conventional UV filters, SPF boosters have been recently introduced as a solution in the cosmetic industry. SPF boosters, also known as sunscreen enhancers, are ingredients that are added to sunscreens to increase their sun protection factor (SPF). Some examples of common SPF boosters include antioxidants, which can help to reduce oxidative damage caused by UV radiation, and film-forming agents, which can create a more even and uniform layer of protection on the skin.
LignoBase, our new bio-based upcycled ingredient line, has entered the cosmetic market unveiling its SPF optimization capacities as one of the most attractive features within its broad pool of multifunctional properties. LignoBase has a unique combination of properties that optimize the performance of mineral and chemical-based sun care products. For instance, its antioxidant properties help to quench radicals and stabilize the UV filter system, while its film-forming properties allow an even dispersion of the UV filters on the skin. On top of that, LignoBase reduces the white cast effect typical of mineral sunscreens.
In conclusion, LignoBase will revolutionize the market of SPF boosters by bringing an upcycled, natural and sustainable solution to contribute to reducing the risks associated with conventional UV filters.
References
Muthumani, T., et al. (2015). Review on Sunscreens and Sun Protection factor. Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences, 6(2), 55-65. doi: 10.5958/2321-5844.2015.00009.6
Lodén, M., et al. (2011). Sunscreen use: controversies, challenges and regulatory aspects. British Journal of Dermatology, 165(2), 255-262. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10298.x
Schilling, K., et al. (2010). Human safety review of “nano” titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 9, 495-509. doi: 10.1039/b9pp00180h
Sohn, M. UV Booster and Photoprotection. In: Principles and Practice of Photoprotection. 227–245 (2016). doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-29382-0.