Korea's leading cosmetics original design manufacturer Kolmar Korea announced on Monday that it has successfully developed the world’s first stabilization technology that seamlessly integrates mineral and chemical UV filters into a single hybrid sunscreen.
The newly developed "UV-Duo Plus" technology combines the superior UV-blocking power of mineral filters with the smooth application of chemical filters, delivering an advanced hybrid sun protection solution.
Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat energy, providing a lightweight, non-whitening finish. In contrast, mineral sunscreens reflect UV rays at the skin’s surface, minimizing irritation and offering advanced protection — though they often leave a noticeable white cast. By incorporating both mechanisms, hybrid sunscreens balance the gentleness of mineral filters with the effortless application of chemical filters.
In clinical trials, Kolmar Korea’s hybrid formula demonstrated a 24.8 percent improvement in long-wavelength UV protection at 400 nanometers, compared to conventional single-filter products.
According to the company, the UV-Duo Plus technology not only protects the skin from UV rays but also helps slow down skin aging by blocking long-wavelength UVA, which is a major contributor to photoaging.
To accelerate its expansion in the emerging global market, Kolmar Korea is pursuing international patent applications.
"While hybrid sunscreens that simply mix mineral and chemical filters already exist, no product has successfully achieved a complete fusion of both components like ours," a Kolmar Korea official said. "With UV-Duo Plus, we aim to develop a diverse range of sun care products and expand our footprint in both domestic and global markets."
Meanwhile, Kolmar Korea has been at the forefront of sun care innovation, globally. In 2022, it became the first in the industry to establish the UV Tech Innovation R&D Center and now holds over 70 patents related to UV protection.
The company was also an early entrant into the US market, becoming the first in the industry to obtain OTC certification from the FDA in 2013. With its second US manufacturing facility set to begin operations in the first half of this year, Kolmar Korea expects to increase its North American production capacity from 180 million to 300 million units annually.
hykim@heraldcorp.com
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