SUMMER 2018 • Vol. 24 No. 6
New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists
www.nyscc.org
Effect of Fullerenes on Anti-aging …by Hisae Aoshima
F
ullerene has a unique hollow spheroid structure that resembles a soccer ball. Moreover, it has high electron affinity and is a poor conductor of electricity and heat. In addition to the temperature durability, fullerene is extremely stable to changes in pH and light. In addition, fullerene has excellent antioxidant properties. Based on these characteristics, fullerene may be considered a stable and efficacious antioxidant that could be put to practical use as a cosmetic ingredient. However, fullerene is not soluble in polar solvents such as water and ethanol. Thus, the practical application of fullerene in the field of life sciences is complex. Many investigations have been conducted at Vitamin C60 BioResearch Corporation, which have led to improved technologies and development of a commercial product containing water-dispersible fullerene as the cosmetic ingredient, called Radical Sponge™. The solubility of fullerene is also low in hydrocarbons such as squalane. However, the development of a technology that disperses fullerene in squalane at high concentrations led to the development of a commercial product, LipoFullerene™. Furthermore, in 2015, a liposome precursor containing fullerene within natural materials (hydrogenated lecithin and soybean sterol) was marketed under the name Moist Fullerene™. In the same year, we launched the first powder-type fullerene material under the name Veil Fullerene™. In Veil Fullerene™, fullerene is inserted into silica pores and is therefore suitable as a cosmetic ingredient in makeup items such as foundation, blemish balm, and color control creams. In 2017, two more products were brought to the market: Sun Guard Fullerene™ for the purpose of formulating sun care products; and Hair Shiny Fullerene™, for hair repair and protection from UV. When the skin is exposed to UV radiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced, which cause wrinkles, age spots, and irritation. The addition of antioxidant ingredients to cosmetic products provides effective protection to the skin from oxidative stress. ROS are closely involved in inflammatory reactions. Through a direct (Continued on page 4)
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