The R&D team behind US chemistry solutions company Hallstar has released a white paper that presents a technology it claims is proven to prevent UV-induced skin ageing, as opposed to stopping or repairing it, in a different way to standard sunscreens.
The team, led by Robert Hu, is currently working on the research under the commercial name Project Micah. Hallstar said it is in the early stages of development of the technology with key customers, who are currently unnamed. A general market launch of the technology is slated for 2017.
It is hoped the technology will evolve into a stand-alone, next generation product, possibly enhancing broad-spectrum sun protection “well beyond current claims and ratings”, the white paper read. It could also be used to boost anti-ageing claims in facial moisturisers.
Hu spoke to Cosmetics Business about how Project Micah differs to conventional sunscreen technology. He explained that current sunscreen technologies are based on two approaches: blocking UV irradiations with UV filters and using anti-oxidants to neutralise the free radicals caused by sun irradiation. He said the former "only addresses the UV energy even if it is done perfectly.