Cosmetic Innovation in Sun Care

by Perry Romanowski

There haven’t been many new technologies introduced into sun care in the last few decades. There was the introduction of mexoryl sunscreen in the mid 2000′s, nanoparticle sized titanium dioxide / zinc oxide and maybe aerosol sunscreens. But otherwise, there hasn’t been much new. sun-protection-patch

But this sun technology looks like it could be a neat new product for consumers who are concerned about staying in the sun too long.

Sun protection technology

Researchers at Michigan Technological University have created a sensor that tells you when it’s time to get out of the sun. The device is a nickel-sized patch that gradually darkens when exposed to UV light. When you can’t see the happy face that is on the graphic, you need to get out of the sun.

They’ve filed a patent on the technology so you won’t be able to make exactly the same type of patch but maybe you could liscence the technology. Or maybe it could be incorporated into a skin lotion that changes color.

What do you think?

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Is the end of gray hair near?

by Perry Romanowski

I saw this interesting news story about a group of European researchers who say they have found a treatment that can eliminate gray hair. gray-hair-solution

Two things strike me about this story.

First, the researchers say that hair turns gray because of a build-up of hydrogen peroxide in hair follicles. This isn’t my understanding of what causes gray hair at all. In fact, in the excellent book “Practical Modern Hair Science” the authors explain that hair turns gray because the melanocytes stop producing pigment. Perhaps my understanding of graying hair is wrong? Hmmm…

Second, they are making some pretty extraordinary claims. The end of gray hair? Come on. They’ll need more proof than this one study to support that claim.

Still, gray hair is an area of lots of basic research as scientists would be happy to find a treatment that stops it from happening. Until then, it will take we cosmetic chemists and our skills with hair dye to keep gray haired people looking young.

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How to influence people

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFdCzN7RYbw]

As a cosmetic chemist or cosmetic entrepreneur, you need to develop the power to influence other people to get the things done that you want to accomplish.  If you have a new project idea you want your company to initiate or you want customers to buy your cosmetic line, you have to know what motivates [...]

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Thumbnail image for Are gold nanoparticles causing wrinkles?

Are gold nanoparticles causing wrinkles?

Scare stories about the dangers of cosmetics always grab headlines. Whether they are put out by fearmongering groups, politicians or even researchers, these stories are gobbled up by a less-than-scientifically-literate public. Or at least by a media that seems keen to propagate them.  One of the most recent examples that I saw was this story [...]

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Thumbnail image for Cosmetics Ingredients are not all the same

Cosmetics Ingredients are not all the same

As a beginning chemist, one of the most frustrating things for me as I started my career was the product ingredient lists. While all the products had cosmetic ingredient listings, the ingredient were rarely things that I learned about in college. The cosmetics industry just does not use the same naming system for ingredients as [...]

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Thumbnail image for The upside of fear induced cosmetic formulation

The upside of fear induced cosmetic formulation

I saw a story indicating that the shareholders at Avon were going to vote on whether to remove “dangerous chemicals used in their beauty products that have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and other serious diseases.” It made me consider the impact of things like these on cosmetic chemists.  Non-science manipulating science First, I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Anti-Cellulite – Cosmetic Products of the Future

Anti-Cellulite – Cosmetic Products of the Future

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMVXw2A0f2s]

The future of cosmetic chemistry may be changing. While being able to mix surfactants, emollients, occlusive agents, and other cosmetic raw materials in the proper ratio to get excellently performing products is important now, it just might give way to products like this anti-cellulite invention. The makers of Flexees have introduced a pair of slimming [...]

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Thumbnail image for How to Select Overhead Stirrer Mixing Tools

How to Select Overhead Stirrer Mixing Tools

By Bob Wilcox In an earlier article on cosmetic mixing with overhead stirrers I outlined how these lab tools are used to provide a fast way to develop formulations and processing parameters ranging from benchtop to pilot scale production. The article also touched on the variety of impeller configurations available – each one designed to [...]

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Qualities of a Good Chemist

This is a guest author post These days, people are interested in all different types of disciplines. More and more students realize that the economic environment can vary significantly by the time they graduate from college, so it’s becoming common to pursue fields in which they are most interested. Many people still major in the [...]

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What is the INCI?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSrUu_EXExY]

In the cosmetic industry, the compounds on the ingredient list are determined by the PCPC and published in a book called the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). The INCI Directory is a great free resource that lists fairly accurate information about the INCI. Here is a video which describes how to use it. Note: [...]

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