Sebum absorption characteristics of polymer microgel-containing face powder

In this study, poly(iso-butyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) [poly(iso-BMA-co-EGDMA)] microgel was prepared and used as a face powder additive. The spreading, adhesiveness, and skin reactivity of poly(iso-BMA-co-EGDMA) microgel-containing face powder II were investigated and compared with the same properties of commercially available Silica bead 700-containing face powder I. In the results, the particle size of the poly(iso-BMA-co-EGDMA) microgel was significantly swelled as a result of sebum absorption. Face powder II showed a lower primary irritation index and a higher adhesiveness than did face powder I. Face powder I showed a low sebum absorption ratio and a relatively high rate of sebum absorption, whereas face powder II, contrastingly, exhibited a high sebum absorption ratio and a low rate of sebum absorption, which properties would reduce the phenomena of facial strain and sliminess. These results indicate that poly(iso-BMA-co-EGDMA) microgel has outstanding sebum absorption characteristic and adhesiveness, and thus that it is a good candidate for use as a face powder additive.