How Light-Activated Polymers Deliver Skin Care Ingredients
A chemical structure that holds onto skin-care ingredients like fragrances or cooling agents and releases them only when triggered by specific light conditions.
Original patent title: “Polymer and a topical composition comprising the polymer”
A chemical structure that holds onto skin-care ingredients like fragrances or cooling agents and releases them only when triggered by specific light conditions. Granted to Conopco Inc in 2024 with 14 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a specialized polymer designed to act as a delivery vehicle for skin care products. The polymer contains a photoresponsive substance, specifically a coumarin or hydroquinone compound, which acts as a molecular switch. When this switch is exposed to certain types of light, it triggers the release of a benefit agent—such as a fragrance, cooling agent, or antimicrobial compound—that is attached to the polymer chain. This allows a cosmetic product to provide its effect only when the user is in specific lighting conditions, rather than releasing everything all at once upon application.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover polymers that release their contents based on heat, pH, or moisture levels.
- Does not cover delivery systems using non-photoresponsive triggers like mechanical friction or time-release capsules.
- Does not cover the use of active ingredients that are not attached to this specific chemical backbone.
- Does not cover general sunscreen formulations that do not incorporate this specific light-triggered polymer.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in using a light-sensitive molecular 'gatekeeper' (the coumarin or hydroquinone group) as a structural part of a polymer chain, allowing the polymer to physically change its state or release its cargo specifically in response to light.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Sun-activated cooling lotions
Fragrance-releasing skin creams for outdoor use
Antimicrobial skin treatments activated by UV exposure
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology represents a shift toward smart, responsive cosmetics. By controlling when an active ingredient is released, manufacturers can ensure that fragrances or cooling sensations last longer or are only active when needed, such as when a person is outdoors in sunlight.
Filed
May 26, 2020
Granted
December 31, 2024
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Conopco Inc., a subsidiary of Unilever, is the primary assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more → and continues to invest in advanced delivery systems for personal care products. Other major beauty and chemical conglomerates are also researching similar stimuli-responsive materials to differentiate their high-end skincare lines.
Market impact
This patent provides a framework for creating 'smart' cosmetics that offer functional benefits beyond basic moisturization. It enables brands to market products that adapt to the user's environment, potentially creating a new category of photo-triggered personal care items.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a specialized polymer designed to act as a delivery vehicle for skin care products. The polymer contains a photoresponsive substance, specifically a coumarin or hydroquinone compound, which acts as a molecular switch. When this switch is exposed to certain types of light, it triggers the release of a benefit agent—such as a fragrance, cooling agent, or antimicrobial compound—that is attached to the polymer chain. This allows a cosmetic product to provide its effect only when the user is in specific lighting conditions, rather than releasing everything all at once upon application.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in using a light-sensitive molecular 'gatekeeper' (the coumarin or hydroquinone group) as a structural part of a polymer chain, allowing the polymer to physically change its state or release its cargo specifically in response to light.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover polymers that release their contents based on heat, pH, or moisture levels.
- Does not cover delivery systems using non-photoresponsive triggers like mechanical friction or time-release capsules.
- Does not cover the use of active ingredients that are not attached to this specific chemical backbone.
- Does not cover general sunscreen formulations that do not incorporate this specific light-triggered polymer.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
9/20
Moderate scope
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$43K – $138K
Midpoint $86K · 13.9 yr remaining · industry ×2.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
14 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Yang, X., PERUMAL, R., Lahorkar, P. G. R., LIU, S., SHI, S., Yao, C., & VAIDYA, A. A. (2024). How Light-Activated Polymers Deliver Skin Care Ingredients (U.S. Patent No. 12,178,901). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12178901/dragon-xl
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Light-Activated Polymers Deliver Skin Care Ingredients cover?
A chemical structure that holds onto skin-care ingredients like fragrances or cooling agents and releases them only when triggered by specific light conditions.
Who owns patent US 12178901?
Conopco Inc owns this patent, granted in 2024.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 31, 2044, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology represents a shift toward smart, responsive cosmetics. By controlling when an active ingredient is released, manufacturers can ensure that fragrances or cooling sensations last longer or are only active when needed, such as when a person is outdoors in sunlight.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover polymers that release their contents based on heat, pH, or moisture levels.
Same assignee
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