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Midland, MI – May 12, 2006 – If you think a trip to the beach or
backyard pool means repeating childhood memories of globs of white lotion and
the scent of coconut, or worse—a painful sunburn as punishment for refusing or
neglecting to apply sunscreen—you haven’t been keeping up with the latest
trends in sunscreen products.
No longer a sticky mess, today’s sunscreens impart a light, non-greasy,
silky feel while providing high sun protection factor (SPF) against UVA and UVB
rays, thanks in part to silicones from Dow Corning Corporation (www.dowcorning.com). Sun care
scientists are now taking a page from the personal care product playbook by
incorporating silicones, which for years have been a key ingredient in lotions,
cosmetics, shampoos and conditioners.
Thanks to the combination of improved aesthetics and consumers’ concern
about skin cancer and premature aging, global sales of sun care products topped
more than $5.47 billion (USD) in 2005, growing 43 percent in retail value
between 2000 and 2005, according to research company Euromonitor
International.
“Silicones are known for their positive effect on the sensory profiles of
skin care products in general, and these benefits also apply to sun care
formulations,” said Heidi Van Dort, Group Leader, Life Sciences Industry, Dow
Corning Corporation.
Sun care product manufacturers also find silicones provide a wider array of
formulation options. Besides helping absorb, deflect or scatter the sun’s
harmful ultraviolet rays, silicones can be used to incorporate fragrances,
colors, vitamins and anti-wrinkle ingredients into sunscreens. They also allow
sunscreens to be manufactured in the form of creams, lotions, sprays,
sticks,mousses and gels. This can be especially beneficial when applying sun
protection to children and babies, who often object to the smell and sting of
sunscreens.
“Silicones provide formulators with choices for a variety of sun care
product forms and delivery systems, from creams to lotions, sprays to sticks,
mousses to gels, products to help protect hair and other specialty sun care
applications,” said Van Dort. “Advanced silicone technology offers silicones
that are substantive on the skin to help prevent wash-off—so sun care products
can work better and last longer.”
Combined with organic or inorganic sunscreens, silicones can also boost the
SPF of sun care formulations, making it possible to develop products with
greater protection, enhanced claims and no added cost. Or, in children’s
products or those designed for sensitive skin, it may be possible to use lower
levels of potentially irritating sunscreen active while still maintaining the
desired degree of protection.
Because of their proven impact on SPF, silicones are also very good
candidates for skin care, color cosmetic and self-tanning products where sun
protection is also needed, and where they have well-known sensory and
functional benefits. With their differing sets of properties, scientists can
select silicone materials based on the desired combination of performance
characteristics or material compatibilities for individual formulations.
“By considering a range of silicone options, formulators can capitalize on
the characteristics of these versatile ingredients to develop the next
generation of innovative, high performance sun care products,” said Van
Dort.
Dow Corning (www.dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the
diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in
silicon-based technology and innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and
services. Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning,
Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales are outside the
United States.
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