NANO COSMETICS
TECHNOLOGY for
What’s Nanotechnology? ima
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Nanotechnology is the science and art of molecules which is measured in nanometers - or http
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one billionth of a meter (0.000000001 meter). It is widely seen as having huge potential in .ed
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areas as diverse as healthcare, IT and energy storage. Governments and businesses across ing
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the world have started to invest substantially in their development. Encompassing nanoscale m
science, engineering and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling,
and manipulating matter at this length scale.
NanoCosmetics 1m = 1000 nm(nanometer
human hair (0.05mm)
The cosmetics industry has invested heavily in developing
anti-aging, sunscreen products using nanomaterials. New
pin (0.6 mm)
products are claimed to penetrate deeper into the skin or to
have other benefits. Companies that have independant labs paper clip (0.8mm)
developed cutting-edged skin solutions, however, there is no
nano-specific regulations to pre-approve the formulations. Nanoscale Comparison
Size Matters - nanotoxicity
Very little is known about the fate of nanoparticles
The nanomaterials’ applications on cosmetics seem to have huge potentials to improve human
skin, the worry is that free nanoparticles could be inhaled, ingested or enter the body via the
skin, and then cause damage to cells. Because of their size, nanoparticles are more readily
taken up by the human body than larger sized particles. We appeal to cosmetics companies
clearly indicate nanomaterials on product labels to inform consumers about product use.
Moreover, consumers should be highly conscious about the impact of nanomaterials before the
technology is maturely proved.
nanoparticles
The term nanoparticles
zinc oxide titanium dioxide fullerens C-60
covers a diverse range of
chemical and other enti-
ties. They can be metallic,
mineral, polymer-based
or a combination of
materials.
+ opacifier, reflects ultraviolet radiation + absorbs and eliminates radicals
pros + antimicrobial, wound healing and
sunscreen agent. from the sun (reactive molecular species, which are
+ anti-inflammatory, which can help + applied in sunscreens because of hazardous to living organisms) on the
people with acne and rosacea. colourless at nanoscale and still absorb molecular level, prevent premature
ultraviolet. aging.
cons - have been found producing free
radicals and causing DNA damage
- processing includes removal of miner- -have been found that even low levels
al impurities througindustrial processes of exposure to fullerenes have been
to human skin cells when exposed to yield pure titanium dioxide. shown to be toxic to human liver cells.
to UV light.
*At least hundreds of cosmetics and sunscreen products containing nanomaterials are commercially available. There
are more than 20 nano cosmetics players worldwide, this table only listed some main players and their products.
Brands
Bellapelle Skin Defy Age Management
Studio Exfoliator
DERMAdoctor POUTlandish Hyper Moist-
erizing treatment SPF15
Dr. Brandt New Lineless Cream
ColoreScience New Lineless Cream
OLAY (P&G) Complete UV protective
Moisture Lotion
Shiseido Elixir Skin Range
Zelens Fullerene C-60 cream
Sources:
TM
L’oreal Nanosomes technology : Revitalift product line 1. http://iehn.org/filesalt/IEHNCosmeticsReportFin.pdf
2. http://www.foe.org/camps/comm/nanotech/nanocosmetics.pdf
3. http://www.nanotechproject.org/index.php?id=44
BeyondSkin TM
Nanochem technology : Eternalis Anti Aging 4. http://www.excellenceinscience.org/page.asp?id=1211
Science 5. http://www.fda.gov/
6.http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/home_facts.html
ChungYi Fan Institute of Design Communication Workshop Spring07
