Inorganic Ingredients
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide an overview of the main classes of inorganic ingredients in cosmetics according to INCI nomenclature, their use and the related issues of their employment in cosmetic formulations. A deep insight on the photochemistry principles and on the role of light and colours in cosmetics will be offered with a specific section devoted to the use of the different types of sunscreens and inorganic pigments. The chemical features and application in cosmetic formulations of silica derivatives will be presented with a look at the innovative aspects and formulations of inorganic ingredients.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course the students will acquire knowledge about the chemistry and the application of the principal inorganic ingredients in cosmetic formulations gaining the ability for a critical evaluation. The students will understand the properties of inorganic pigments, their selection and dispersion and will acquire the bases of photophysical processes related to colours production and perception. A deep investigation of silica-based ingredients will be offered as well as their use in cosmetic formulations. Along with the frontal lectures, laboratory experiences will allow the students to practically develop selected topics of the course.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Frontal teaching (5 CFU):
· Atomic structure: the "Aufbau" principle. Quantitative chemical relationships: Balancing redox reactions
· The chemistry of solutions: acids and bases (Arrhenius, Broensted-Lowry, Lewis theories), pH, solubility
· Gases: the equation of state for ideal and real gases, Graham's laws of effusion and diffusion
· The chemical bond: Ionic and covalent bonds, VSEPR theory. The hydrogen bond and the weak interactions. Bonding in coordination compounds
· Principles of Photochemistry: ground and excited electronic states; radiative and non-radiative processes. Light-matter interaction: reflectance, refraction, interference, absorption and emission; Colour basics; Photochemistry in cosmetics: photostability and photodegradation
· Inorganic UV filters in sunscreen formulation and photoprotection
· Inorganic pigments: general aspects; absorption pigments in cosmetics; specialty pigments: transparent, luminescent and pearlescent pigments in make-up
· Silica and Silicates in cosmetics: silica particles as Pickering emulsifiers; fillers and sensorial fillers: talc, mica, kaolin and synthetic silicates in powders formulations; clays as thickening agents and rheological modifiers
· Innovative inorganic ingredients in cosmetics: future perspectives
Laboratory activities (1CFU): Laboratory experiences will be focused on selected topics of the course
· Atomic structure: the "Aufbau" principle. Quantitative chemical relationships: Balancing redox reactions
· The chemistry of solutions: acids and bases (Arrhenius, Broensted-Lowry, Lewis theories), pH, solubility
· Gases: the equation of state for ideal and real gases, Graham's laws of effusion and diffusion
· The chemical bond: Ionic and covalent bonds, VSEPR theory. The hydrogen bond and the weak interactions. Bonding in coordination compounds
· Principles of Photochemistry: ground and excited electronic states; radiative and non-radiative processes. Light-matter interaction: reflectance, refraction, interference, absorption and emission; Colour basics; Photochemistry in cosmetics: photostability and photodegradation
· Inorganic UV filters in sunscreen formulation and photoprotection
· Inorganic pigments: general aspects; absorption pigments in cosmetics; specialty pigments: transparent, luminescent and pearlescent pigments in make-up
· Silica and Silicates in cosmetics: silica particles as Pickering emulsifiers; fillers and sensorial fillers: talc, mica, kaolin and synthetic silicates in powders formulations; clays as thickening agents and rheological modifiers
· Innovative inorganic ingredients in cosmetics: future perspectives
Laboratory activities (1CFU): Laboratory experiences will be focused on selected topics of the course
Prerequisites for admission
Some basic concepts of Inorganic Chemistry for facing the subsequent topics of the course will be provided in the first part of the course. A basic of Mathematics and Physics is fundamental for understanding the subjects of the course.
Teaching methods
The course will be held on-line for the first two/three weeks on a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel whereas the lectures will take place in the classroom with projection of 'slides' in power point format. The students have at their disposal both Ariel and Teams sites, where various teaching materials are regularly published including the slides of the lessons. The laboratory experiences are carried out at a single laboratory bench and are focused on specific topics introduced during the lectures. Lessons by experts in the field will be provided as well.
Teaching Resources
· Lesson' slides available at the teacher's Ariel website.
· Recent reviews and papers provided by the teacher
· Suggested Textbooks:
1. Tro, Chemistry, A molecular approach, 6th ed. Pearson Education, Inc.
2. Benson H.A. E., Roberts M.S., Leite-Silva V.R., Walters K. A., Cosmetic Formulations, Principle and Practice, CRC Press
3. Buxbaum G., Pfaff G., Industrial Inorganic Pigments, 3rd ed. Wiley-VCH
4. Wang S., Lim H.W., Principles and Practice of Photoprotection, Adis Ed.
· Recent reviews and papers provided by the teacher
· Suggested Textbooks:
1. Tro, Chemistry, A molecular approach, 6th ed. Pearson Education, Inc.
2. Benson H.A. E., Roberts M.S., Leite-Silva V.R., Walters K. A., Cosmetic Formulations, Principle and Practice, CRC Press
3. Buxbaum G., Pfaff G., Industrial Inorganic Pigments, 3rd ed. Wiley-VCH
4. Wang S., Lim H.W., Principles and Practice of Photoprotection, Adis Ed.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of a written test consisting of two parts: ten multiple-choice questions about general chemistry topics and a second part comprising three open-ended questions concerning inorganic ingredients, for a total of 32/30 (corresponding to the praise). The written test lasts 2h 00'. In order to pass the exam, the candidate must score a minimum of 18/30. Laboratory experiences' report is considered part of the final exam. For each academic year, a minimum number of 7 exam sessions are fixed in ordinary and extraordinary examination sessions.
CHIM/03 - GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Single bench laboratory practical: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Facchetti Giorgio
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Professor(s)