Ashland introduces new suncare ingredient

Global specialty chemicals firm Ashland has unveiled a new HydroSheer sun care formulation for the sun care product manufacturers.

HydroSheer is a water-resistant sun care formulation, which can be applied transparently on skin, even in the presence of water.

Ashland created the new product after it discovered that hydrophobic film, which under special formulating conditions is miscible in water.

The firmclaims that the new ingredient allows consumers to apply sunscreen on skin even in wet conditions without any whitening effects, which was typically formed by normal water-resistant sunscreen formulas.

Ashland skin care research division senior director Hani Fares said the firm’s new ingredient facilitates water-resistant sunscreens manufacturers and have the assurance of properly functioning spray form products that may be applied in wet conditions.

"Establishing a set percentage (w/w) for esters and alcohol in a spray formulation, and adding the Advantage Plus polymer translates into clear films on wet skin. Unlike a control formulation (pictured on the right), HydroSheer formulations do not create a milky emulsion on Skin," Fares added.

Ashland said in experiments the product when interfaces with water, the Advantage Plus polymer, re-orients itself resulting in a more hydrophobic barrier.

The firm said the re-orienting film forming polymer above the active helps to prevent sunscreen from being removed.