Cosmetics

1. Nanotechnology Contributions at a Glance
There is a growing tendency for using nanotechnology in the cosmetics industrial sector, in which the most worldwide leading manufacturers are using nanotechnology in many of their products. However, nanotechnology still needs to undertake further research and development to be commercialized in this industry. The environmental health and safety (EHS) considerations of used nanomaterials are required to be the first priority of companies active in the field because as a double-edged sword, not only nanotechnology offers some advantages for developing the cosmetics industry, but also the exposure potential of nanomaterials may not be overstated.

NPD contains data about 908 cosmetics nanoproducts of 104 various types. These products are introduced into global markets by 281 companies, the headquarters of which are located in 31 different countries. The products are classified into skin care, personal care, make-up, hair care, sanitizing/sexual well-being, and shaving preparations in sub-industrial sectors.

The heart of applied nanotechnology in cosmetics is the incorporation of fine nanoparticles into consumer products. These nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm enhance the properties of the products in different aspects according to both the purpose of manufacturers and the demands of customers. The other mostly used aspect in nano-cosmetics with great importance is nanoliposomes, nanocapsules, and nanoemulsions for delivering functional ingredients to the target without affecting unwanted areas deeply.

The make-up sub-sector includes balancing foundations, concealers, concentrates, eye shadows, eyeliner facial primers, lash primers, lighting blushes, lip contours, lip liners, skin bronzers, and nail polishes, which are incorporated with carbon black, silver nanoparticles, and Q10 nanoliposomes to be durable, quick-dry, anti-bacterial, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, and moisturizer.

Creams, lotions, serums, soaps, body washes, wrinkle eraser concentrates, recharge cleansers, gels, masks, scrubs, sunscreens, eye contours, eye firming gels, mists, and lip balms are the common skin cares which are produced by manufacturers. On the other hand, shampoos, conditioners, hair colors, waxes, gels, masks, serums, and mousses are the products categorized into the hair care sub-sector. The better absorbance of ingredients in skin cares and hair cares leads to more natural effects and improved influences. In this regard, a broad spectrum of nanostructures such as nanoparticles (e.g., titanium dioxide, silver gold, zinc oxide, and silicon dioxide), liposomes (e.g., Q10, nano-claire GY™, hyaluronic acid, argan, and thioglycolic acid), and nanocapsules (e.g., protein) is employed. Silver nanoparticles and the liposomes made of Q10 and pueraria murifica play a role in the sanitizing/sexual well-being sub-sector including breast masks, breast serums, condoms, intimate hygiene, and hand sanitizers to improve anti-bacterial activity, anti-fungal activity, vaginal miniaturization, lubricity, deodorization, sexual stimulation, and erectile capacity. Aftershaves and shaving gels are also enabled or enhanced with Q10 nanoliposomes to be anti-wrinkle, moisturizing, hydrating, rejuvenating, soothing, smoothening, cooling, and nourishing. For being sure about the cleanliness in personal care products such as iron flats, iron curlings, styling irons, dryers, hairsetters, hair extensions, shavers, razors, laserbeams, brushes, finger diffusers, cleansing bars, perfumes, and trimmers, such nanoparticles as silver nanoparticles are used due to their anti-bacterial properties. Moreover, the products are enabled or enhanced with titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, and gold nanoparticles to show improved thermal stability, ultra-fast heat-up, airflow controllability, frizz reduction, corrosion resistance, and mechanical resistance.

2. Best-Performing Companies in Nanotechnology Exploitation
Lots of nano-manufacturers are active in the cosmetics industrial sector all over the world, the most dominant of which are BaByliss Pro, Sesderma, NanoDerm Pro, Beiersdorf AG, Nanogist Co Ltd, Dr. Rimpler GmbH, Models Own, VALERA: Swiss Hair Specialists, Kara Vita Inc, LiQWD Professional Products, Panasonic, Hot Tools, Kaedo Group, Pars Hayan Co, 3LAB Inc, Purest Colloids Inc, Bielenda Kosmetyki Naturalne, Sephora, Virgin Hair And Beauty, Sonya Dakar, The Body Shop International, Thann-Oryza Co Ltd, Barry M Cosmetics, and Sunsense.

‎‎3. Top Countries in Nanotechnology Promotion
Considering the headquarters of the ‏recorded manufacturers demonstrates that USA, Brazil, the UK, Germany, France, South Korea, Russia, Poland, Switzerland, and Malaysia are the top ten countries which are increasingly active in promoting nanotechnology in the cosmetics ‎industry.

4. Search String
The keywords used to build up the cosmetics industrial sector database are as follows:
Nano + sunscreen, sunblock, sun filter, sun emulsion, sun protection, sun-blocking ingredient, lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner, lip plumper, lip balm, lip conditioner, lip primer, and lip boosters, eyeliner, face powder, face scrub, skin serum, contour powder, contour cream, concealer, eyebrow pencils, sweat proof, moisturizers, lotions, facial mask, body mask, collagen, cellulose, anti-wrinkle cream, skin recharge cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, iron flat, iron curling, styling iron, dryer, hairsetter, breast mask, breast serum, condom, intimate hygiene, and sanitizers.