Synergistic UV protection effects of the lignin nanodiamond complex

Abstract There are various concerns with current sunscreen actives in the sun care industry which pushes for a natural-based active that is sustainable as well as effective. Lignin is a natural polymer, capable of ultraviolet (UV) filtration and maintaining photostability. In this study, a variety of tuneable lignin-poly(ethylene glycol) (LP) nanodiamond (LP–ND) complexes were developed with varying ratios of LP to NDs. There are two fractions of LP–NDs, which use detonation NDs (LP–rNDs) and furnace NDs (LP–mNDs). Both complexes demonstrated favorable UV filtration, enhanced photostability, and uniform dispersion in water and cream. The LP–mND had maintained its particle size at