Amerchol launches polymers to boost UV protection

03-Nov-2008 - Last updated on 03-Nov-2008 at 17:12 GMT

Amerchol will launch a family of UV protection boosting ingredients at In-Cosmetics Asia.

The show, which opens tomorrow in Bangkok, will see the official release of SolTerra Boost, a family of polymers that the company claims can double the UV protection of organic and inorganic sun care formulations.

New Jersey-based Amerchol is a business unit of the Dow Chemical Company and earlier this year released a range of zinc-based sun protection products in partnership with Advanced Nanotechnology.

This new family of ingredients are not sun care actives, but instead increase the protection provided by the inorganic or organic filter in the formulation.

Increases SPF value

According to the company, the ingredients boost protection against both UVA and UVB rays and can help formulators create products with very high SPF values.

Alternatively, adding SolTerra Boost to products can allow formulators to reduce the amount of UV filters used whilst retaining similar protection strength.

“This can reduce formulation cost, by removing organic filters and making it easier to add other beneficial ingredients in multifunctional products. For example, formulators can use SolTerra Boost to reduce the active load but maintain an SP 15 level. Or, formulators can choose to boost an SPF 15 product to provide SPF 30,” explained Jim Gall, sun care market development manager for Amerchol.

SPFs of 50 plus can be reached by using SolTerra Boost in conjunction with zinc oxide and other inorganic sunscreen filters, according to Gall.

In addition, the company claims the ingredients can also be used with blends containing both inorganic and organic filters giving formulators greater flexibility.

This greater flexibility means that Amerchol is not just targeting sun care formulators with SolTerra Boost, but also manufacturers of SPF moisturizers and color cosmetics.

“By combining SolTerra Boost with a product like our ZinClear IM zinc oxide dispersions, formulators can more easily achieve fill spectrum protection at higher levels, while maintaining the aesthetics needed for lipsticks, foundations and daily moisturizers,” Gall explained.

Asian launch

Amerchol is launching the new family of ingredients on the Asian market ahead of other regions – a first for the company.

“The strategic decision was made in recognition of the growing importance of the Asian personal care market,” explained Denise Elias-Costrini, global marketing manager for Amerchol.