NEC SCHOTT - Bioactive Glass

Bioactive Glass Powder in Cosmetic Applications

Originally, bioactive glasses were invented to create a better type of bone implant material. Other implant materials, such as titanium, ceramics and polymers, are treated by the body as foreign and are eventually rejected. Bioactive glasses, on the other hand, are materials that the body appears to recognize as its own and bind to both hard and soft tissues.

In medical research, decades of toxicology studies have demonstrated that bioactive glasses are highly biocompatible. Today, bioactive glasses are approved worldwide as materials for permanent implants and tissue healing. For cosmetics, the unique biocompatibility of bioactive glasses translates to absolute skin compatibility, as has been demonstrated repeatedly in several long- and short-term human skin patch tests.

Chemically, bioactive glass is an amorphous structure (like all glasses) that consists solely of elements found in the body - silicon, calcium, sodium, phosphorous and oxygen. Implanted into the body, bioactive glass forms a mineral matrix on its surface equivalent to that of natural bone. Studies have shown that bioactive glasses actually stimulate bone repair cells to lay down new bone tissue and thus accelerate the healing process. Today, granulated bioactive glass is sold to doctors for bone repair as well as for dermal wound healing.

Bioactive Glass Powder in Cosmetic Applications

In the last few years, bioactive glass has been discovered to exhibit the following properties:

1. Anti-microbial
Bioactive glass has demonstrated anti-microbial properties against a broad range of bacteria, fungi and yeasts, e.g. aspergillus niger, pseudonomas aeruginosa, and c. xerosis, to name but a few.

2. Anti-inflammatory
From medical research, bioactive glasses are known to reduce key inflammatory markers. In cosmetic settings, tests have shown, e.g., reduction of UV-erythema.

3. Mineral enrichment
The mineral enrichment effect of bioactive glass is triggered by small amounts of water. This leads to the release of minerals, mainly calcium and silica, which can bind to hair and nails.

4. Anti-oxidant
As a new class of active ingredients, Bioactive Glasses in the form of finely grained powder, have shown clear anti-oxidative effects in in-vitro cell systems such as keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Due to their mineral and inorganic character, this class of actives is insensitive to light and temperature extremes and may be suited to function as an anti-oxidative active for use in personal care products.

Look for the SCHOTT Vitryxx Logo, if you want to be sure that a product is based on SCHOTT Bioactive Glass Technology.

For samples, purchases and formulation guidelines please contact us.

For more information about our bioactive glass technology, please refer to the technology overview.