● Finely-ground glass is surprisingly gentle
and good for the skin, according to
new research from Schott Glas, Mainz,
Germany. The company has developed
Vitryxx, a white powder made of glass
ground to one-fifth the grain size of
sugar crystals.
The technology is known as bioactive
glass. According to researchers at
Schott Glas, it can have a soothing
effect on the skin. Although glass is
normally thought of as hard and sharp,
bioactive glass technology produces a
product that “has a positive effect on
human skin,” insisted Claire Buckwar
of the company.
The idea is based on the use of glass
in the medical profession, with applications
such as the healing of bone,
Schott executives said. “In contrast to
most other implant materials such as
titanium and plastic, the human body
does not seem to regard bioactive glass
as something foreign,” Ms. Buckwar
said. “It binds to both bone and soft tissue
without a problem.”
For cosmetic applications, “the...
secret lies in getting the proportions of
the primary materials (silicon, calcium,
sodium and phosphorous) right,” said
Ms. Buckwar.
The glass is produced in a melting
furnace, where it forms irregularshaped
pieces that cool into paper-thin
pieces. The pieces are then ground to a
microscopically-fine powder.
“The glass powders have an antimicrobial
and anti-inflammatory effect,”
said Ms. Buckwar. “When used as
the basis for deodorants, the powder
kills the bacteria that generate odor.”
More info: www.schott.com.