A novel multi-functional polymer for skin protection
Tadayoshi Nomura of Nippon Shokubai ’ s Cosmetics Business Office introduces a new polymer that inhibits viruses , microorganism , pollen & PM2.5
The human body has various functions to protect it from external stimuli , such as microbial , virus , pollen and particulate matter ( PM ) 2.5 . One of the most important of these is the skin barrier . If skin barrier properties are degraded by exposure to external factors , this can have negative effects on human health . There are many kinds of microorganisms on human skin , such as bacteria , fungi and virus , and these affect our defence mechanisms . If the balance of microbiota is drastically reduced by external factors like bacteria and viruses , it may cause a weakening of skin barrier properties . In addition , microorganisms can invade a lesion more easily , which may cause bacterial infections . Fine particles like pollen , dust and PM 2.5 may cause itchiness and rough skin if they become stuck to the skin , or problems such as decreasing hair strength , hair loss and hair thinning if they become stuck to the hair . They may also cause serious problems like inflammation and cell death induced by oxidant stress if they reach the dermis .
Figure 1 – Sars-CoV-2 inhibition activity of multifunctional polymer v . control
New polymer
Nippon Shokubai has developed a novel multi-functional polymer ( INCI : Acrylates / Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer ) to address all these problems and protect the human body from external factors . Intercellular lipids contained in the stratum corneum are composed of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups , and thus have both waterretention properties and a barrier function . We therefore designed the novel polymer with hydrophilic and hydrophilic monomers , giving it water-retention properties and a film-forming ability . We were also able to confirm that it has three main functions :
• Antimicrobial & antiviral activity
• A fine particle adhesion prevention effect
• A moisturising effect
The polymer ’ s antiviral activity was evaluated and it was confirmed to have activity against envelope viruses , such as influenza and coronavirus . Under test conditions , Professor Hisakazu Yano of the Department of
Table 1 – Minimum inhibitory concentration : New polymer v . established antibacterials
Sample |
Escherichia coli |
MIC ( ppm )
Staphylococcus aureus
|
Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
Multi-functional polymer |
16 |
31 |
31 |
Methyl paraben |
2,000 |
2,000 |
4,000 |
Phenoxyethanol |
4,000 |
8,000 |
2,000 |
28 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981