The innovative realm of cosmetic science has recently spotlighted lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) for their exceptional potential in fortifying sun protection measures within skincare products. These nanoparticles are celebrated for their superior ability to block harmful UV rays, a critical feature that outshines the capabilities of their soluble counterparts, the lignin oligomers.
Despite these promising attributes, the intricate relationship between the chemical makeup of these LNPs and their particle size distribution remains a subject of ongoing research. A notable challenge in this field has been the reliance on technical lignin as a primary source material, which undergoes significant structural alterations during extraction, thus complicating the study of its inherent UV-blocking properties.
In a significant stride towards demystifying these complexities, a team of Chinese researchers embarked on a comprehensive study, the findings of which were documented in the esteemed journal Carbon Resources Conversion. This research initiative delved into the interplay between the chemical constitution and particle size distribution of LNPs, aiming to unravel the factors that govern their efficacy in amplifying sunscreens’ sun protection factor (SPF).
Zhicheng Jiang, a co-corresponding author and a distinguished member of the College of Biomass Science and Engineering at Sichuan University, shed light on the transformative potential of LNPs when engineered into nanoparticles. He elucidated, “Upon preparation into nanoparticles, lignin can synergistically enhance the UV shielding effect of composite materials when combined with other anti-UV agents, such as commercial sunscreens.”
Jiang further expounded on the complexities of optimising the UV-blocking prowess of LNPs within sunscreen formulations. He emphasised that the task is far from simple, as it necessitates a nuanced understanding of various parameters, including the LNPs’ structure, size, and concentration, which collectively influence the performance of the sunscreen post the incorporation of LNPs.
The research unveiled that LNPs characterised by dense structures featuring conjugating C=O and β-O-4 linkages along with a syringyl unit enriched with methoxyl groups significantly bolstered the UV resistance of sunscreen formulations. Jiang revealed a fascinating aspect of the LNPs’ behaviour when mixed in sunscreens, stating, “In sunscreen formulations, the simultaneous inclusion of large and small LNPs results in a state of disorder, which allows some particles to fill the gaps between them and adjacent particles, leading to a more compact LNP shield.” This intricate interplay, he noted, markedly elevates the UV-blocking efficiency of the mixture, surpassing that of formulations with uniformly sized LNPs at equivalent concentrations.
Tianyu Liang, the study’s lead author, reflected on the past challenges and the breakthroughs achieved through this research. He remarked, “In the past, exploring the UV shielding mechanism of LNPs and consciously regulating them was a daunting task.” Liang’s statement underscores the groundbreaking nature of their findings, which pave the way for tailored strategies to enhance the UV protection capabilities of LNPs, whether through chemical modifications or adjustments in particle size distribution.
The study highlights the technical advancements in the field and underscores the potential of LNPs as a sustainable, nature-derived solution for UV protection in sunscreens and broader cosmetic applications. This research marks a significant milestone in the journey towards harnessing the full potential of lignin nanoparticles, promising a future where skincare products are more effective in protecting against the sun’s harmful rays and lean towards natural, environmentally friendly ingredients.
Author
Isabella Sterling

News
Studies detail high rates of long COVID among healthcare, dental workers
Researchers have estimated approximately 8% of Americas have ever experienced long COVID, or lasting symptoms, following an acute COVID-19 infection. Now two recent international studies suggest that the percentage is much higher among healthcare workers [...]
Melting Arctic Ice May Unleash Ancient Deadly Diseases, Scientists Warn
Melting Arctic ice increases human and animal interactions, raising the risk of infectious disease spread. Researchers urge early intervention and surveillance. Climate change is opening new pathways for the spread of infectious diseases such [...]
Scientists May Have Found a Secret Weapon To Stop Pancreatic Cancer Before It Starts
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have found that blocking the FGFR2 and EGFR genes can stop early-stage pancreatic cancer from progressing, offering a promising path toward prevention. Pancreatic cancer is expected to become [...]
Breakthrough Drug Restores Vision: Researchers Successfully Reverse Retinal Damage
Blocking the PROX1 protein allowed KAIST researchers to regenerate damaged retinas and restore vision in mice. Vision is one of the most important human senses, yet more than 300 million people around the world are at [...]
Differentiating cancerous and healthy cells through motion analysis
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have found that the motion of unlabeled cells can be used to tell whether they are cancerous or healthy. They observed malignant fibrosarcoma [...]
This Tiny Cellular Gate Could Be the Key to Curing Cancer – And Regrowing Hair
After more than five decades of mystery, scientists have finally unveiled the detailed structure and function of a long-theorized molecular machine in our mitochondria — the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier. This microscopic gatekeeper controls how [...]
Unlocking Vision’s Secrets: Researchers Reveal 3D Structure of Key Eye Protein
Researchers have uncovered the 3D structure of RBP3, a key protein in vision, revealing how it transports retinoids and fatty acids and how its dysfunction may lead to retinal diseases. Proteins play a critical [...]
5 Key Facts About Nanoplastics and How They Affect the Human Body
Nanoplastics are typically defined as plastic particles smaller than 1000 nanometers. These particles are increasingly being detected in human tissues: they can bypass biological barriers, accumulate in organs, and may influence health in ways [...]
Measles Is Back: Doctors Warn of Dangerous Surge Across the U.S.
Parents are encouraged to contact their pediatrician if their child has been exposed to measles or is showing symptoms. Pediatric infectious disease experts are emphasizing the critical importance of measles vaccination, as the highly [...]
AI at the Speed of Light: How Silicon Photonics Are Reinventing Hardware
A cutting-edge AI acceleration platform powered by light rather than electricity could revolutionize how AI is trained and deployed. Using photonic integrated circuits made from advanced III-V semiconductors, researchers have developed a system that vastly [...]
A Grain of Brain, 523 Million Synapses, Most Complicated Neuroscience Experiment Ever Attempted
A team of over 150 scientists has achieved what once seemed impossible: a complete wiring and activity map of a tiny section of a mammalian brain. This feat, part of the MICrONS Project, rivals [...]
The Secret “Radar” Bacteria Use To Outsmart Their Enemies
A chemical radar allows bacteria to sense and eliminate predators. Investigating how microorganisms communicate deepens our understanding of the complex ecological interactions that shape our environment is an area of key focus for the [...]
Psychologists explore ethical issues associated with human-AI relationships
It's becoming increasingly commonplace for people to develop intimate, long-term relationships with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. At their extreme, people have "married" their AI companions in non-legally binding ceremonies, and at least two people [...]
When You Lose Weight, Where Does It Actually Go?
Most health professionals lack a clear understanding of how body fat is lost, often subscribing to misconceptions like fat converting to energy or muscle. The truth is, fat is actually broken down into carbon [...]
How Everyday Plastics Quietly Turn Into DNA-Damaging Nanoparticles
The same unique structure that makes plastic so versatile also makes it susceptible to breaking down into harmful micro- and nanoscale particles. The world is saturated with trillions of microscopic and nanoscopic plastic particles, some smaller [...]
AI Outperforms Physicians in Real-World Urgent Care Decisions, Study Finds
The study, conducted at the virtual urgent care clinic Cedars-Sinai Connect in LA, compared recommendations given in about 500 visits of adult patients with relatively common symptoms – respiratory, urinary, eye, vaginal and dental. [...]