A new Skin Anti-aging Product - Bio-Based Degradable Film is Available!

Previously, researchers at the University of Cambridge in the UK found a way to create a sustainable, non-toxic, and biodegradable glitter from cellulose, a major component of the cell walls of plants, fruits and vegetables.

The glitter, made from cellulose nanocrystals, is designed to change the light by structuring the color so that it glows in vibrant colors. In nature, the glitter of butterfly wings and peacock feathers, for example, are masterpieces of structural color that will not fade over the course of a century.

Bio-based materials, as new materials of natural and renewable origin, are not only carbon neutral and sustainable, but also safer for humans. Bio-based plasticizers, edible films, PLA for food contact, PHA for medical applications and other bio-based materials are becoming more environmentally friendly and safe options for various industries.

In the mask sector, the demand for beauty and anti-aging products for physiological phenomena such as wrinkles, age spots, dry skin and uneven skin tone has increased significantly in the cosmetics market, and the cosmetics industry continues to grow at a long-term CAGR of 5% to 7%, independent of the ups and downs of the global economy.

New demographic trends, technology and consumer habits are subtly influencing the cosmetic industry trends. As a result, natural and green cosmetics have become the industry's new directional mark, and the development of new beauty masks is a hot research topic for researchers.

Researchers from foreign universities have prepared PHA/starch/PBAT blend films using extrusion method, which have good skin adhesion and compatibility, as well as good kinetic properties for fast and efficient release of surface active ingredients, demonstrating great potential as a raw material for beauty masks.

1. Potential of bioplastics in the beauty mask industry

Polyhydroxy fatty acid esters (PHA), a biopolymer derived from bacteria, have very high biocompatibility and low greenhouse gas emissions, offering excellent potential for environmental and bioengineering applications. Starch, the main carbohydrate reserve in higher plants, is also a very abundant biopolymer and is widely used in non-food applications (e.g., glues, thickeners, skin soothers, etc.).

Polybutylene glycol acid (PBSA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PBAT) are two bio-polyesters with numerous applications, fully renewable and biodegradable in a short time, suitable for the preparation of bioplastic films that combine starch with other products to demonstrate excellent mechanical properties.

In this study, the possibility of using a mixture of PHA, plasticized starch and biopolyesters (PBSA and PBAT) as raw materials for the preparation of beauty masks is discussed.

2. The development of a new mask production process is promising

Biopolyester has limited stability at the high temperatures required for the melting process, which is one of the difficulties for industrial applications. Generally, during processing, the temperature must be controlled to be slightly above the melting point to avoid polymer degradation.

In this study, experimental exploration of different raw material combinations, processing methods and external temperatures revealed that extrusion of polyhydroxy fatty acid ester/starch/biopolyester blend films at 140 °C temperature conditions further improved the properties of the film blends.

For the compression molding production process, the time required to produce the masks was primarily for cutting and packaging, not film production. Masks produced by an automated flat die extrusion plant can be produced in excess of 600,000 units/year, which is more competitive compared to traditional nonwoven industry methods.

By examining mesenchymal stromal cells and keratinocytes, the compression-molded version of the mixture with a more heterogeneous surface morphology maintains the high metabolic activity of keratinocytes, while showing stronger immunomodulatory activity, which can effectively aid wound healing and alleviate skin damage and inflammatory states.

In addition, the addition of PBSA and PBAT is also a good strategy. After extrusion processing at 140 °C, the mixture films showed good adhesion to the skin after wetting, while these films could release more than 80% of the surface composition within 30 min, which showed rapid kinetic properties.

The polyhydroxy fatty acid ester/starch/biopolyester blend films prepared by extrusion in this study represent a promising alternative, demonstrating their great advantages and potential as a raw material for cosmetic masks.

The exploration in terms of composition selection and material processing also indicates the possibility of producing beauty masks with customized properties and processability. In addition, the researchers plan to follow up on the addition of functional additives to the mask surface for release into the skin.