A new report by the Institute of Nanotechnology indicates that nano-innovation is surging ahead in the cosmetics sector. SPC takes a look at the key developments
The potential and impending influence of nano-technology on soap and perfumery products has been acknowledged with a detailed report on the dramatic changes that may lie in store for the cosmetics industry. The report, Nanotechnologies for Household and Personal Care, which runs to 130 pages, has been produced for the Institute of Nanotechnology, a UK government funded research unit based at the University of Stirling, Scotland.
Products in development covered by the report include nanoparticulate controlled release systems, porous nanoparticles for various encapsulation applications and nanofibres in cosmetics. The report also covers new and potential developments in hair care, body odour elimination (through the use of nanoclays) and packaging of cosmetic products. The authors also explore the impact of nanotechnology on a range of household cleaning products, antibacterial agents and cleaning materials.
“The report covers quite a large area but cosmetic companies are mainly looking at encapsulation properties,” says Andy Garland, information manager at the Institute of Nanotechnology. “It is essentially the low end of the market - hair care and self-cleaning surfaces - that would mean you wouldn’t have to use any sprays in the household.”
Its pages pull together new research from across the world. US institutes for instance provide research and findings on controlled release systems while German scientists explore ways in which organic and non-organic molecules can be altered to increase their porous qualities.
In New Zealand scientists are exploring the role that nano calcium silicate can play in a range of applications with a unique open framework structure of nano-size plates stacked together providing particles of a few microns in size, developed by scientists at Victoria University in Wellington. The scientists are interested in the gas absorption properties of the nano-structured calcium silicate and in particular gas absorptions of carbon dioxide, ethylene and iodine. The material in question is an amorphous calcium-rich silicate with a unique previously unobserved nano-structure, which gives the material a surface area of up to 600m2.g-1 and an oil absorption (measure of pore volume) of up to seven times its own weight in linseed oil. This combined with the fact that it has a responsive surface that can interact with compounds over various different binding sites makes it highly interesting for absorption and solid support applications. “The silicates oil and moisture absorption capacities make it very interesting for skin care products,” says Dr Thomas Borrmann of the University’s School of Chemical and Physical Sciences.
Fabric conditions
The nanotechnology report also looks at the increasing impact that the use of nano silver is having on the personal care industry. A range of clothing is now available with this substance, including socks impregnated with nano silver which inhibits growth of the bacteria and fungi that cause foot odour, athletes foot, toe nail infections and heel cracks. The principle is that the nano-sized particles are so small that odours carried in air are unable to escape from the garment. Typically such socks are treated with 800mg of Nano Silver per 100g of cotton. The report details how this is now being extended to other products. A Chinese company, Dern Lin textile company [http://www.dlin.com.tw] which has bases in China and Taiwan, has worked on a cleaning cloth that contains nano silver which works as an antibiotic coating agent. By using a nano version of silver, the company has developed a household cloth that is more absorbent and quickly drying and contains concentrated antibacterial properties while simultaneously working as a deodorant.
A Thai company has also worked on producing a t-shirt embedded with nano silver which it says dramatically reduces the impact of body odours. United Textile Mills [www.thaitextile.org/utm] says the garment stops bacterial growth by up to 90% and lasts for up to 50 wash cycles before its effects begin to be reduced. The nano silver particles are created by producing silver atoms with a size of less than 100nm. Their small size enables the atoms to penetrate the fabrics and attach strongly to the fibres.
A Shenzen-based research company, THYX, is using nano silver and other proprietary types of silver as raw materials in the manufacture of medical products, feminine care products and personal care products with antimicrobial efficacy. Last year, they launched a nano silver-based lubrication product for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases in women, which was sold in tissue paper, douche and spray forms. According to Rongyu Zheng, Head of Silver Antimicrobial Division at THYX, the company has also recently launched a silver-based toothpaste, hydrogel for acne treatment, mask pad for acne treatment and hydrogel for athletes foot treatment.
Efficient entrapment
Encapsulation is seen as one of the key benefits of nanotechnology, according to the report, providing improved dermal absorption, controlled and sustained release as well as improved stability and greater ease of formulation. Compared to liposome encapsulation of the 1980s, nanotechnology enables existing active ingredients to be entrapped in a much more efficient way during storage and prior to use, further enhancing an ingredient’s stability. The increased stability, says the report, is then said to make for more efficient and effective delivery of a variety of active ingredients.
However, Garland believes the immediate impact of nano-technology on cosmetics and household products should not be overstated. “I don’t see anything really amazing coming out over the next couple of years,” he says. “The industry is looking at personal care and that is the low end of the market. It’s not as if they are producing a new surface that can be applied to a £25,000 car. The nanotech industry is more interested in products that can be cross-applied to a range of industries, but if they think there are competitive advantages for a particular product then I’m sure that money would be made readily available for the research.”
Links & contacts
1. The report Nanotechnologies for Household and Personal Care can be ordered from the Institute of Nanotechnology www.nanotechinstitute.org or www.nano.org.uk
2. Rongyu Zheng at THYX on nano silver, China
Tel +86 75526980767
E-mail zry@thyx.com
3. Victoria University, New Zealand
Tel +64 4 463 5559
E-mail thomas.borrmann@vuw.ac.nz
www.vic-link.co.nz/intellectual-property/calciumsilicate.htm
4. Further information on nanotechnology can also be viewed and requested from www.euronanotrade.com
5. Further information on new nanocosmetic products can also be found at www.gnpd.com/sinatra/gnpd&lang=uk/frontpage