NANOTECHNOLOGY
IN
PERSONAL CARE
KEY TERMS
 MEMS – three dimensional objects that perform a
mechanical function, whose dimensions are between
1 to 100 micrometers
 Nanoparticle – a particle of material at the nanoscale
 Nanotechnology – a material or structure
purposefully manufactured with dimensions
between 1 and 100 nanometers to leverage the
unique properties it has at that size
 Nanodispersion – the even distribution of nanoscale
ingredients in a liquid, gel, or powder
 Nanoemulsion – two ingredients that don’t mix well;
particles around 50 nanometers in diameter
 Nanoencapsulated – creating an outer layer on
another material
 Nanosphere – a round particle with nanoscale
proportions
 Nanosomes – microscopic lipospheres that deliver
active ingredients deeper into tissues. Much smaller
than human skin cells, they encapsulate compounds
within microspheres of material similar to skin to
reach deeper than standard carriers and boost the
effectiveness of active ingredients.
http://www.divineskin.com/spectralDNC/default.asp
 Hydroxyapatite – a calcium found in the dentin which
forms a protective barrier on teeth
 OLED – An organic light emitting diode (OLED) is a
light-emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive
electroluminescent layer is a film of organic
compounds which emit light in response to an
electric current. This layer of organic semiconductor
material is situated between two electrodes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oled
Phospholipids – Phospholipids are fat
derivatives in which one fatty acid has been
replaced by a phosphate group and one of
several nitrogen-containing molecules.
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/P/Phospholipids.html
Microparticle – has a dimension of 200
nanometers
UNIT OBJECTIVES
1. Why nanotechnology?
2. Discuss the controversy with nanotechnology
and personal care products.
3. Describe how nanotechnology is used in skin
products.
4. Name where most personal care products are
available that use nanotechnology.
5. List the year that the first nanotechnology
product became commercially available.
6. Name nanoscale products used to improve
skin.
7. List nanotechnology anti-aging products.
8. Describe how is nanotechnology used in
color cosmetics.
9. Discuss how nanotechnology is integrated in
deodorant.
10.Name ways nanotechnology is used in hair
care products.
11.List the benefits of nanotechnology in
sunscreen.
12.Describe how nanotechnology is used in
toothpaste.
13.Discuss nanotechnology in hair dryers.
14.Describe nano-ceramic products and their
benefits.
15.List ways nanotechnology is used in shavers.
16. List expected salaries for skilled
nanotechnology workers.
17.List Oklahoma schools offering courses in
nanotechnology
WHY NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Using ingredients at the nanoscale allows
personal care products to penetrate deeper
into the skin to visibly improve its appearance
The whole point behind cosmetics is the
targeted delivery of vitamins, botanicals, and
other active ingredients into the skin. The
smaller their size, the better they’re able to
penetrate the skin’s outer layer in order to
moisturize and soften wrinkles.
CONTROVERSY WITH NANO IN PERSONAL
CARE PRODUCTS
• How deeply can nanoparticles penetrate the
skin, whether they can enter the bloodstream,
and it so, then what?
• Some believe using nanoparticles crosses the
line in terms of function
• Others are concerned about whether the use
of nanoparticles is harmful
• Nanoscale ingredients can
penetrate the upper layers
of the skin, which improves
the appearance of skin by
making it plumper and
more youthful looking.
• Nanotechnology makes it
possible to use some
ingredients by
encapsulating them that
would otherwise cause
irritation on their own.
• Most personal care
products leveraging
nanotechnology are
more widely available in
Europe and Asia. It
appears that they are
more open to using new
technology.
http://www.paulnoll.com/China/History/Chin
a-map.html
• L’Oreal launched the
first nano-based
product in 1997.
(infallable lipstick)
http://www.bestpricebeautyhall.com/detail/p_B001H928ZI/Bestprice-L'Oreal-Infallible-Never-Fail-Lipstick---Gardenia-deal.html
• Nanoscale titanium
dioxide and zinc oxide
has a whitening effect
by leveraging photonic
effects to improve the
appearance of skin
http://pushingthirtyy.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/youthis-only-skin-deep/
NANOTECH ANTI-AGING
PRODUCTS
• Biotherm Age Fitness
Nuit
• Lancome Renergie
Morpholift eye cream
• Lancome Soleil Instant
Cooling Spritz
http://beyondbeautybasics.com/bonus-with-50-lancomepurchase-exclusively-at-saks-5th-avenue/
COLOR COSMETICS
• Nanotechnology is used
in color cosmetics to
deliver ingredients
deeper into the skin to
hydrate and improve
skin texture and to
make sunblock
http://www.uusell.com/wholesaletransparent
MAC+Cosmetics+Eyeshadow+48+color+eyeshdow+and+Mac+C
osmetics+Brushes+8pc+Makeup+Brushes+set+packagesmac+b
rushes-g1521.html
http://dortdortlukblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/clini
que-super-powder.html
• Nanoscale ingredients
help lipstick to last
longer, smear less,
reflect light, and glow in
vibrant colors
• Nanoscale ingredients
help foundations and
powders to have a
smoother finish and are
much lighter and
translucent
M.A.C. PRODUCTS
• Plushglass lip gloss and
volumizer uses
nanosomes to deliver
phospholipids. It is a
super moisturizing
formula
http://cgi.ebay.com/MAC-PLUSHglass-LipGloss-BIG-BABY-/350359785805
DEODORANT
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deod
orant.jpg
• Roll-on deodorant uses
nanoemulsion that results
in no white residue
• Some spray deodorants
have a nearly gasless
approach that is more
concentrated which results
in a smaller can that lasts as
long or longer as a large can
HAIR CARE
• Haircare products
benefit from
nanoparticles because
they are able to
penetrate the hair
shaft, rather than
simply coating it
http://www.yiwudistributor.com/products/shampo
o-1.html
SUNSCREEN
• Uses a nanoscale
amount of zinc oxide
and titanium dioxide to
provide the best
protection for your skin
from the sun; also
referred to as a
microparticle
http://shop.cancercouncil.com.au/store/c-75-sunscreen.aspx
TOOTHPASTE
• There are several
toothpastes on the
market that decrease
teeth sensitivity by
utilizing nanoparticles
of hydroxyapatite
http://www.biwook.net/gallery/luminoustoothpaste/dentifrice-toothpaste-931.html
HENKEL’S TOOTHPASTE/NANIT
ACTIVE
http://www.magicessence.com.au/neem-activetoothpaste
• Consists of nanomaterials,
in conjunction with the
saliva in the mouth,
encourage the formation of
a thin protective layer on
the teeth; the tooth
remineralizes itself, and as a
result tooth sensitivity is
reduced.
HAIR DRYERS
• MEMS thermopiles
monitor the hair’s
temperature while
drying and help to
automatically regulate
the heat output to
reduce damage to the
hair
http://www.crossvilla.co.uk/2009/01/hair-dryer/
NANO-CERAMIC PRODUCTS
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topicart/251916/138779/Hairdresser-using-a-curling-iron
• Nano-ceramic products
use ultra-smooth
technology that reduces
friction, which results in
the surface of curling
irons and flat irons less
likely to catch and break
hair and prevent
corrosion on the
product
SHAVERS
• Norelco Cool Skin shaver
uses the Nanoflex stainless
steel strip in the stationary
cutter head, rotating cutter
knife, and hair lifter
resulting in being corrosionresistant, strong and
formable
• Some shavers have small
OLED displays to illustrate
the battery’s remaining life
http://www.letsbuyit.co.uk/health-beauty/shaving-hairremoval/electric-shavers/
 Nanotechnology is a young and growing field
 An estimated two million skilled nanotechnology
workers will be needed worldwide by the year
2015 – one million of them in the U.S.
 Graduates are receiving salary offers up to
$55,000 per year with a two-year degree
 Graduates with a baccalaureate degree can
expect salary offers up to $65,000 per year
 Students who choose to continue their education
can expect salary offers of $100,000
OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS OFFERING
COURSES
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma University
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa University
REFERENCES
•
•
•
•
www.azonano.com
http://www.carefair.com/Skincare/Nanotechnology_in_Cosmetic
http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-care
http://www.nanotech-now.com
•
Richard Booker and Earl Boysen, Nanotechnology for Dummies, Indianapolis,
Indiana, 2005.
Marlene Bourne, A Consumer’s Guide to MEMS and Nanotechnology, Scottsdale,
AZ, 2007.
•
This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the
basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a PowerPoint presentation,
discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable.
The series was funded in part by:
The National Science Foundation
Grant DUE-0702976
and the
Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science
Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.