The website of Personal Care Global

Nanotechnology in cosmetics analysed

Nanotechnology is the design, characterisation, production and application of structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and size at the nanometre scale which covers the size range from 1 nanometre to 100 nanometre (nm) where 1 nanometre is 1 billionth of a metre.

It is therefore the technology of the very small. To put this size into context, the diameter of a red blood cell is c.7000 nm, the average thickness of a human hair is of the order of 80,000 to 100,000 nm and human nails grow at a rate of 1 to 10 nm per second. The use of nanotechnology stretches across many areas of science from electronics to biology and has applications in many product sectors. Nanomaterials are those that have at least one dimension of size in the range 1 nm to 100 nm and they can be considered under the following three headings:

• Natural.
• Anthropogenic.
• Engineered.

Natural nanomaterials are created independently of man, and include a wide range of materials such as sea salt resulting from the evaporation of water from sea spray, soil dust and volcanic dust. Anthropogenic nanomaterials are created as a result of action by man with the main example of this type of nanomaterial being soot produced from the combustion of fossil fuels. The final group comprises engineered nanomaterials which have been designed and manufactured specifically by man. While there have been many such nanomaterials produced for many applications including carbon black in tyres, cerium oxide in combustion catalysts and carbon nanotubes in sports goods, there have been examples developed and manufactured specifically for use in cosmetics. Engineered nanomaterials used in cosmetics are in the form of nanoparticles and nanoemulsions. Nanomaterials can be found in sunscreens with efficient UV protection, long-lasting make-up, anti-ageing creams with an increased intake of vitamins or enzymes, toothpaste, nail treatments and hair colouring products. In 2007, BCC Research forecast that the global market for cosmetics using nanotechnology will grow by 16.6% per year reaching $155.8 million in 2012.

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

in-cosmetics Global

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
16th – 18th April 2024

NYSCC Suppliers' Day 2024

Javits Center, New York
1st - 2nd May 2024

9th Anti-Ageing Skin Care Conference

Royal College of Physicians, London
25th - 26th June 2024

in-cosmetics Korea 2024

Hall C, Coex, Seoul, South Korea
24th - 26th July 2024

in-cosmetics Latin America 2024

São Paulo, Brazil
25th - 26th September 2024

IFSCC 2024

Recanto das Cataratas Thermas Resort, Iguazu Falls, Brazil
14th - 17th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Personal Care Magazine on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Personal Care Magazine app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

in-cosmetics Global

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
16th – 18th April 2024

NYSCC Suppliers' Day 2024

Javits Center, New York
1st - 2nd May 2024

9th Anti-Ageing Skin Care Conference

Royal College of Physicians, London
25th - 26th June 2024

in-cosmetics Korea 2024

Hall C, Coex, Seoul, South Korea
24th - 26th July 2024

in-cosmetics Latin America 2024

São Paulo, Brazil
25th - 26th September 2024

IFSCC 2024

Recanto das Cataratas Thermas Resort, Iguazu Falls, Brazil
14th - 17th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Personal Care Magazine on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Personal Care Magazine app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025