The new sunscreen technology is intended to address the needs of consumers for high UV protection in hot, humid climates, while maintaining a lightweight, humid atmosphere.
This new approach is detailed in the February 2025 issue of publication. Cosmetic Science It was announced at a press conference on March 10th.
The core of innovation lies in the use of polyion complex gel particles (PGP). This is formed by bonding polymers that bind many positive charges in a negatively charged aqueous solution.
These PGPs have been shown to form the bottom of the sunscreen formulation, oil (O/W) emulsions in water, and perform better than the O/W formula without PGP.
“This formulation has been found to have a higher UV absorbing ability compared to existing oil-water emulsion formulations that do not use PGP with the same amount of UV filters, as the powder is uniformly dispersed within the PGP three-dimensional structure and can fully demonstrate its effectiveness,” the researchers said.
Despite the substantial amount of oil, the formulation claims to have a light and refreshing texture.
According to the company, it was well received with user trials with 245 Asian women aged 20-40.
The development of this technology was driven by the specific demands of consumers living in Asia.
“In the hot and humid regions of Asia, products with lightweight, prone to staining, controllability of shine, and resistance to sweat and sebum are highly desired. The formulation of sunscreens that meet these consumer demands while maintaining high UV protection was developed using new PGP technology created by R&I Japan.”
Self-healing UV rays
According to the research team, films created with PGP-based sunscreen showed self-healing ability and resistant to damage such as friction.
This will improve the formula’s durability and potentially enhance long-term protection.
The same film has inherent micro-irregularity that scatters light, and has the effect of glow.
Interestingly, the researchers noted that this effect is enhanced when in contact with sweat and sebum.
“In addition, the film formed by this formulation naturally produces fine irregularities and exhibits excellent glow prevention effects by scattering light. This structure is emphasized when contacted with sweat and sebum, and is expected to enhance and maintain the effect.”
Coming soon
PGP Technology will debut in April with the Lancôme UVExpert Xtreem Shield SPF 50+.
This week, Lancome began teasing its launch on social media channels.
This product is billed as the brand’s “first self-renewal UV protection” and its “largest UV protection innovation in 10 years.”
The brand claims that the product is a waterproof, sweaty, anti-friction and anti-friction formula, and is six times more resistant to traditional UV models.
Additionally, the Suncare Formula was tested in 49 Asian women, with 71% improving spot color density in 12 weeks.
