2025 Composite Sunscreen Carrier Technology Research Update

In 2025, the research on composite sunscreen carrier technology is advancing significantly, aiming to enhance the efficacy and safety of sunscreen products.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) are among the notable carrier technologies. SLN, developed in the early 1990s, have an average particle size of 200 - 1000nm. They form a solid structure by solidifying and crystallizing solid fats during the cooling or phase separation process, encapsulating sunscreen components. This technology offers multiple advantages. It not only improves the photostability of photosensitive chemical sunscreens but also enhances UV absorption. Besides, with a strong adhesion effect, SLN can form a closed system on the skin, increasing the UV protection effect of sunscreen products and achieving triple effects of absorption, reflection, and scattering.

Porous materials also play a crucial role as sunscreen carriers. Inorganic porous materials like silica, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, organic materials such as acrylate polymers, and gel materials all have unique pore network structures. These structures endow them with characteristics such as high specific surface area and adjustable particle and pore sizes. As sunscreen carriers, they can reflect and scatter UV rays, improve the photostability of sunscreens, and reduce the direct contact between sunscreens and the skin, thus minimizing the risk of skin damage.

The future of composite sunscreen carrier technology lies in the continuous exploration of the combination and modification of different materials to achieve more efficient and safer sunscreen effects.