THE CHALLENGE
Our skin is the soft outer covering of our bodies, the largest organ of the integumentary system - so to say, it is the largest amongst the group of organs designated at protecting our body from various manners of damage. It serves as a cushion, protector of deeper tissues, water loss (dehydration), temperature regulation and excretes waste. Like the roof of a home, it is the shelter of our bodies. So while the skin protects us on the inside, what protects is on the outside? One of the most passive, yet life-threatening effects we experience on a daily basis, is the exposure to ionizing radiation from the sun, such as ultraviolet (UV) rays. If our skin is damaged, it loses its ability to perform its functions effectively, and becomes susceptible to infection and disease such as cancer.
The challenge lies in achieving proper skin protection in cosmetic and skincare products, in an effective and reasonably safe manner for humans, without posing a threat to the balance of marine life and the environment at large.
NANOARC Biomimetics offers solutions to address this.
WHAT INSPIRED OUR IMPROVEMENT ?
In nature, some organisms are more resistant to harsh environments than others. Some even survive within the heat of volcanoes or the harsh radiation of space. Upon studying their body structure, it becomes clear that their resistance to harsh environments is not necessarily due to a difference in chemical composition but rather, stems from a modification in atomic arrangement (i.e. atomic architecture) within their protective skin. The same is seen in how nature modifies the atomic arrangement of carbon atoms, to produce either diamond or graphite. Even the skin on the human body has different levels of resistance to chemicals, the scalp being very different from the face despite both being on the head.
Crustaceans and other marine species survive the harsh and corrosive environment of the ocean, with nothing more than an ultra-thin protective outer layer. In essence, protection is not about quantity, it is about the quality of the material shielding the underlying organs and skin from harm or damage.
OUR SOLUTION
We offer atomically-architectured materials, so manufacturers benefit from the high performance in quantum-confined material systems at low doses, where such functionality would otherwise not be achievable in regular materials.
Essentially, we’ve modified the crystal structure of known biocompatible materials, to make their properties much more elevated than the standard or commonly known ones. As such, with our atomically-architectured materials it is possible to use well below the classical 20 - 25% dosage in related products.
WHY SO LITTLE?
The UV absorption capacity and other functions of ultra-high specific surface area (nano)materials significantly increases, as the (nano)particle dimensions get smaller. This makes it possible achieve performance goals, with less (nano)material, per unit area/volume.
Isn’t it interesting that the organisms that survive the harsh environment of volcanoes and space are microorganisms and despite being so small they can resist better than larger organisms? This is the first hint that it’s not about quantity but a robustness in atomic architecture. Quality versus quantity.
We have invested our material design expertise in extending services to the skin care sector, out of a fundamental concern of the impact of high levels of some materials such as Zinc Oxide (ZnO) pollution on marine life and the environment. ZnO is a safe material to most organisms but not to all. It’s important to not tip the balance of our ecosystems as the consequences may affect us significantly long term.
The current dose of ZnO in sunscreens is high because the specific surface area of most micronised powders is quite low. To reduce this dosage while providing an even higher effective performance, the specific surface area of ZnO has to be substantially increased so as to use the same material at much lower doses.
Why? The wash off at beaches and domestic households is also very high and uncontrolled, especially in the summer season. Many complain of plastic pollution but don’t realise, that they’re very actively contributing to substantial aquatic pollution, when they wash off sunscreen. Our coral reefs are sending a message back. This can not be ignored.
Alongside the attributes brought about by our atomically-architectured ZnO, our gold (Au) nanopowder offers antimicrobial, anti-fungal and anti-ageing properties, which can be integrated seamlessly, in skincare as needed, and where desired, in conjunction with the topical UV shielding functionality of ZnO.
THE ESSENTIALS
As the climate on average gets hotter in many parts of the world, with it comes an increase in the risk of skin cancer and a reduced resistance of materials, to UV radiation.
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is unique among sunscreen ingredients because it is a broad-spectrum UV blocker. It offers protection from UVA, UVB, and even UVC. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is another mineral active ingredient used in sunscreens. While it protects from UVB rays it is not as effective at shielding UVA, as ZnO.
An apparent disadvantage of macro-particulate (bulk) ZnO and TiO2 is that in sunscreens, they are visible on the skin as an opaque layer resulting in a reluctance of consumers to use such products.
The use of nanotechnology in sunscreen formulations increases the UV ray blocking efficiency, making it possible to decrease the concentration of UV filters in the formulation. More precisely, the use of quantum materials (< 20 nm in at least one dimension), that have an ultra-high specific area (nano)particles is significantly beneficial, for an enhanced effectiveness in UV shielding.
The reason being, that the UV sorption capacity and other beneficial functions of (nano)materials (e.g. antimicrobial, anti-fungal, wound healing, etc) significantly increase as the (nano)particle dimensions get smaller. This makes it possible achieve performance goals in sunscreen cosmetic products, with less (nano)material, per unit area/volume, whilst also, offering lasting protection.
At such highly effective low doses, a mineral sunscreen with ultra-high specific surface area (nano)particles is also easier to spread, thus reducing the “whitening” effect. As the ZnO ultra-high surface area (nano)particles do not scatter light like conventional microparticles, the white colour disappears and the resulting sun lotion still blocks UV, but looks transparent when applied to the skin.
While TiO2 in its macro-particulate form is useful, in its nanoform, it is carcinogenic. ZnO on the other hand, is safe. The challenge remains, the apprehension of some consumers, towards the use of products fortified, with nanoparticles, which makes the adoption of higher performance sunscreens, slow.
NANOARC's expertise in quantum material design, has been invested here, to address this issue. We offer two forms of ZnO, with ultrahigh specific surface area as follows:
I. Zincene Oxide (2-Dimensional ZnO) Atomically thin flakes (non-nano) - 635,200 cm²/g
II. Zinc Oxide (0-Dimensional) nanoparticles (nano) - 415,300 cm²/g
To offer perspective on how we rank, the average specific surface area of conventional ZnO is 45,000 cm²/g and for current commercial nano-ZnO, this averages approx 100,000 cm²/g.
With these values, the laws of physics in nature indicate that the enhanced specific surface area of NANOARC ZnO advanced material systems, offer sunscreen and skin care manufacturers, an opportunity to design more superior performing products, using low doses and achieving better dispersion and amore appreciable cosmetic result.
Incidentally, it is our non-nano ZnO material (Zincene Oxide), that offers a high specifi surface area and hence performance. That is the beauty of material design and the benefit for manufacturers, is an ability to now cater to nano sensitive client, with more superior deliverables.
Cosmetic products can and should exceed the basic function of “concealing imperfections”.
Infused with the right and smart choice of high-performance minerals, cosmetic products can be designed to protect the skin from pathogenic attack, shield harmful cancer-causing radiation or even promote skin growth on injured and/or vulnerable areas of the body surface.
These minerals should provide high surface area with amplified functionality, to enable their usage in low doses.
A transition to our atomically-architectured materials lets you tap into the benefits of quantum confinement effects, that heighten their performance and thus enable their usage in lower doses than those used in conventional skincare and cosmetic product development. As such, we enable you to achieve and/or supersede your current performance goals, while minimising the probability of aquatic environment pollution by using low levels of active components.
What we are offering is a resource management strategy, with long term environmental, health and cost benefits.
OUR OFFER
NANOARC's atomically-architectured material benefits are as follows :
Enhanced UV-shielding over longer time frames,
Lasting UV protection without white streaks and a minimal need for re-application over several hours
Substantially reduced risk of aquatic pollution by Zinc on beaches and coral reefs, due to significantly minimised Zinc content, without any loss in UV screening efficacy
Reflectance rather than absorption of UV rays within the suncream on the body, to lower the risk of melanoma
High Antimicrobial & Anti-fungal Activity
Anti-Ageing
Antifouling properties, to increase product shelf-life
Re-epithelialization of wounds (promote skin formation) from injury or sunburn
Anti-inflammatory
Water-repellant
PRODUCTS
Click on "BUY" next to the product(s) of interest to pay with a credit card or contact trade@nanoarc.org to request an invoice for payment via bank transfer.
SUBSCRIPTION MODEL : GET DISCOUNTS & FREE SHIPPING OFF ADVANCE PURCHASES below bulk order volumes
QUARTERLY ( 5 % ) | BI-ANNUALLY ( 10 % ) | ANNUALLY ( 15 % )
ZINCENE OXIDE | ATOMICALLY - ARCHITECTURED 2D ZINC OXIDE (non-nano)
DIMENSIONS : Ultra-thin Flakes/sheets, < 0.001 microns in thickness and up to 2 microns in lateral width
BAND GAP : ~ 3.5 - 3.7 eV
SPECIFIC SURFACE AREA (BET) : 635200 cm²/g
COLOUR : White powder
HEAT RESISTANCE : Up to 1975 °C (3587°F)
DOSAGE (ANTI-PATHOGENIC APPLICATIONS)** : Approx. 0.01 - 0.05 wt %
AVERAGE DOSAGE (UV BLOCK)** : ~ 1.4 - 1.8 wt %
BENEFITS : Enhanced UV blocking, Antibacterial, Anti-fungal, Pigment, Flame Retardant, re-epithelialization (wound healing) agent, non-comedogenic, bulking agent, anti-inflammatory, astringent.
Like graphite and diamond are polymorphs of carbon, zincene Oxide, is essentially, a polymorph of zinc oxide, designed and manufactured using NANOARC's proprietary process.
Zincene Oxide offers a high performance at low doses associated with its ligand-free increased surface area. At lower doses, it performs better than Zinc Oxide nanoparticles, without the material handling concerns associated with ultrafine nanoparticle size.
** Due to its alkaline nature and increased reactivity from its high surface area, dose mildly.
ATOMICALLY - ARCHITECTURED 0D ZINC OXIDE
NANOARCHITECTURE : ~ 10 nm (0.01 um) spherical nanoparticles
SPECIFIC SURFACE AREA (BET) : 415300 cm²/g
BAND GAP : ~ 3.37 - 3.5 eV
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
HEAT RESISTANCE : Up to 1975 °C (3587°F)
DOSAGE (ANTI-PATHOGENIC APPLICATIONS)** : Approx. 0.02 - 0.07 wt %
AVERAGE DOSAGE (UV BLOCK)** : ~2.2 - 2.7 wt %
BENEFITS : UV blocking, Antibacterial, Anti-fungal, Pigment, Flame Retardant, re-epithelialization (wound healing) agent, non-comedogenic.
** Due to its alkaline nature and increased reactivity from its high surface area, dose mildly.
ATOMICALLY - ARCHITECTURED MAGNESIUM OXIDE
SPECIFIC SURFACE AREA (BET) : 359300 cm²/g
BAND GAP : ~ 4.2 - 7.8 eV
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
HEAT RESISTANCE : Up to 2852 °C (5166 °F)
DOSAGE (ANTI-PATHOGENIC APPLICATIONS)** : Approx. 0.05 - 0.1 wt %
AVERAGE DOSAGE (UVC BLOCK)** : From approx. 4.75 wt %
BENEFITS : UV blocking, anti-inflammatory, useful in scrubs, moisturizers, and serves as an active ingredient in microdermabrasion. Effective biocide against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium) and bacterial spores (Bacillus subtillus).
** Due to its alkaline nature and increased reactivity from its high surface area, dose mildly.
ATOMICALLY - ARCHITECTURED CALCIUM HYDROXIDE
NANOARCHITECTURE : < 25 nm Spherical hollow nanoparticles
SURFACE AREA (BET) : 388000 cm²/g
BAND GAP : ~ 5 eV
COLOUR : White Nanopowder
HEAT RESISTANCE : Up to 580 °C (1076 °F)
APPLICATIONS : UVC Block (~ 248 nm), Stabiliser of pickering emulsions, Drug delivery, Pigment, Pigment Extender and Prolonger, Acidity Regulator, Oil Abosrber.
** Due to its alkaline nature and increased reactivity from its high surface area, dose mildly.
View Safety Data Sheet (SDS) HERE
**Doses may vary in your products from those provided here, depending on the product formulation and designated application.