Outline Innovative and eco-friendly concept for cosmetic chemistry – alternative cosmetic formulations with reduced water content [supervisors: dr Timothy E.L. Douglas, Lancaster University, UK/dr Justyna Kozłowska, NCU]

Water is essential to life on Earth and covers 71% of our planet. However, only 3% of the world’s water consists of freshwater, hence two-thirds are unavailable for our use. Furthermore, clean and accessible water resources are shrinking rapidly. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), two-thirds of the world’s population may experience water shortages by 2025. Water scarcity has been listed in Global Risks Report 2020 prepared by the World Economic Forum as one of the largest global threats in terms of potential impact and likelihood over the next decade.

One of the industries using large amounts of water is the cosmetics industry. Water is the main constituent of numerous cosmetic and personal care products. It can be found in skin, body, hair, oral and sun care products. The vast majority of consumers use several cosmetic and personal care products every day. However, water has no cosmetic effect on the skin: it is only the base component and solvent of other ingredients in most cosmetic forms. Water is an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms and therefore water-based formulas can be very easily contaminated by bacteria and other microorganisms. Hence, the addition of preservatives and substances supporting the preservative effect by reducing the activity of water is essential to maintain the microbiological purity. Cosmetic production is enormous: according to Socio-Economic Contribution of the European Cosmetics Industry 2019 prepared by Cosmetics Europe, the European cosmetics market in 2018 was valued at €78.6 billion, making Europe the largest market for cosmetic products in the world.

Waterless cosmetic products present opportunities in product development with reduced water consumption. The absence or minimal amount of water in cosmetics may increase their shelf life and also contribute easier and lower-cost packaging, storage and transport of products. Formulating products with reduced water amount is a responsible attitude towards the climate change and global water crisis.

The main goal of the project is to develop and characterize novel formulations of cosmetic products with reduced water consumption, which present many environmental benefits and innovative opportunities. Microencapsulation, which is one of the quality preservation techniques of sensitive substances and a method for production of materials with new valuable properties, will be used for the purpose of execution of this project. Expected project results will contribute to significant development in the cosmetics industry. Furthermore, the project enables cooperation with other scientific centers and conduction of interdisciplinary scientific research.

What is funded

A doctoral student who does not hold a degree of doctor shall receive a doctoral scholarship.

The amount of a monthly doctoral scholarship shall be at least:1) 37% of a professor’s salary – up to the month in which the mid-term evaluation was conducted*; 2) 57% of a professor’s salary – after the month in which the mid-term evaluation was conducted*.

[*According to the legal status in 2020, the scholarship is gross: 1) 2.371,70 PLN, 2) 3.653,70 PLN.]

Duration

4 years.

Eligibility

A Master degree (a magister or a magister inżynier degree) or an equivalent degree, or the diploma, entitling to apply for the award of a degree of doctor in the country in the education system of which the higher education institution which issued it operates.

Taking part in the recruitment process.