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RESIFA™ SOLESPHERE™ Fine Silica Microspheres for Sunscreen, Skin Care and Cosmetics

 

RESIFA™ SOLESPHERE™ fine silica microspheres are environmentally safe, non-nanoparticle, non-plastic, non-petroleum ingredients that enhance the performance of skincare and cosmetics. They can be used in oil-in-water, water-in-oil and anhydrous formulations to provide UV boost, reduce greasiness and stickiness, minimize pores, absorb oil and perspiration, improve spreadability and provide a matte appearance.

SOLESPHERE microspheres are made from silicon dioxide, a natural and sustainable material, and they are Ecocert- and COSMOS-certified for safety and sustainability. Most grades are porous, so they naturally reflect light, providing an SPF boost for sunscreen formulations:

  • Chemical (organic) formulations: When used in formulations aiming to replace oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, octocrylene and homosalate UV filters, SOLESPHERE microspheres help boost SPF to the required level or to SPF15 to be able to claim “broad spectrum” effectiveness.
  • Physical (non-organic) formulations: When used with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, SOLESPHERE microspheres boost SPF, reduce white appearance, improve spreadability and blend better into the skin.

SOLESPHERE microspheres have a lower coefficient of friction than titanium dioxide and other popular fillers. On a molecular level, they move more freely which improves both tactile and visual aesthetics. Their near-perfect spherical shape enables more consistent formulations that spread more smoothly on the skin. The microspheres are strong and do not deform easily when pressed, so products glide easily. Because they are porous, SOLESPHERE particles impart a matte effect that is ideal for tinted moisturizers and makeup foundations. They are ideal replacements for Nylon 12, PMMA and other plastic beads in cosmetics and personal care products.

Five key SOLESPHERE grades–H-51, H-53, H-121, H-33 and NP-30–can impart the desired mix of performance qualities into a formulation including:

    • UV boost
    • Reduced greasiness, stickiness
    • Oil and perspiration absorption
    • Mattifying/blurring/light-scattering effect
    • Pore minimizing
    • Silky smooth texture (spreadability, glide)
    • Scrub/exfoliant effect (abrasiveness)
    • Leaves skin looking/feeling hydrated and glowing
  • Particle sizes: 3 - 20 μm
  • Pore diameters up to 11 nm
  • Moisture and oil absorption capacity: 30 - 400 ml/100 g
  • Excellent heat resistance

  • Sunscreen
  • Tinted moisturizers
  • Skincare
  • Makeup foundation
  • Facial cleansers and body washes
  • Lipstick
  • Mascara

Particle surface observation by Scanning Electron Microscope

Particle strength

Grade NP-30 H-51 H-52 H-53
Pore volume (mL/g) 0.02 0.8 1.6 2.0
Compression strength (MPa) 1900 40 4 3

Oil Absorption and Particle Diameter

Moisture retention capability test

Moisture absorption is affected by specific surface area and pore volume.

Texture feeling test

Test method: Applied 0.5mg/cm test powder to artificial leather Supplare (made by Idemitsu Techno Fine),
and evaluated texture by KES-SE friction tester (made by Kato tech and sensor: artifical leather Supplare, load 25g).

Soft Focus Effect

Test method: Applied SOLESPHERE samples to the surface of Supplare, and then monitored with a digital microscope (x 25).

SOLESPHERE prevents oily skin and covers up wrinkles.
Optical diffusion (one characteristic of SOLESPHERE) gives these effects.
These effects are proportional to particle size and pore volume.

Fine Silica Gels: RESIFA™ SOLESPHERE™.
Fine silica gels are environmentally safe, non-plastic and non-petroleum ingredients that enhance the performance of skincare and cosmetic products.
AGC Chemicals