Ashland Specialty Ingredients has launched water-resistant sun care formulations that are transparent on skin, even in the presence of water. HydroSheer (patent-pending) allows for consumers to apply sun care formulations on wet skin without a whitening effect.
The formulations were developed after the company discovered that hydrophobic film, under special formulating conditions, is miscible in water. Specifically, the company has developed four formulations, two spray sunscreens (SPF 50) and two gel sunscreens (SPF 50), with one of each being created for the US or EU market.
The two sunscreen sprays combine the company’s Ceraphyl esters with alcohol and its Advantage Plus (INCI: VA/Butyl Maleate/Isobornyl Acrylate Copolymer). The sunscreen gels combine FlexiThix (INCI: PVP) with Allianz OPT (INCI: Acrylates /C12-22 Alkylmethyacrylate Copolymer) and the company’s Ceraphyl esters. Upon contact with water, the copolymer moves above the active ingredient to prevent the sunscreen from being removed. Production procedures will be made available along with testing and evaluation for consistency with prototype formulations.
