Patent Application
20200306149
The present invention relates to a personal care product and, in particular, to a gentle cleansing non-rinse micellar water composition that provides a quick, gentle cleanse from head-to-toe between bath time or on-the-go.
Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids, between a gas and a liquid, or between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants, which may act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants, are made of a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic carbon-carbon chain tail. Most commonly, surfactants are classified according to polar head group. A non-ionic surfactant has no charged groups in its head. The head of an ionic surfactant carries a net positive, or negative charge. If the charge is negative, the surfactant is more specifically called anionic; if the charge is positive, it is called cationic. If a surfactant contains a head with two oppositely charged groups, it is termed amphoteric.
Surfactants are not without disadvantages. For example, some surfactants, such as sulfates, including alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates, are known to be irritating to the skin. Prolonged exposure to surfactants can irritate and damage the skin because surfactants disrupt the lipid membrane that protects skin and other cells. Skin irritancy generally increases in the series nonionic, amphoteric, anionic and cationic surfactants.
The biodegradability of a surfactant is determined by its hydrophobic hydrocarbon group.
When surfactants are added to water, they aggregate themselves with the hydrophilic head groups facing outward and the hydrophobic tails orient inwards to form micelles. See
When the micelles are wiped or rinsed from the skin, dirt and oil are removed as well.
The invention relates to a mild non-rinse micellar water composition with superior cleansing efficacy. The inventive non-rinse micellar water composition comprises amphoteric and non-ionic surfactants. Further, the non-rinse micellar water composition is free of glycol and exhibits a total transparency and a superior mildness.
The non-rinse micellar water composition of the invention serves to replace water and preferably is a transparent liquid that appears clear, colorless, and transparent like water to simulate the physical appearance of water.
Humectants, such as natural glycerin, may be included in the non-rinse micellar water composition to maintain the constitution, e.g., the moisture content, of the composition and to promote a fresh feeling for the skin after the composition is allowed to evaporate from the skin or is wipe off from the skin.
Preservatives, such as phenoxyethanol, may be included in the non-rinse micellar water composition.
Chelating agents, such as tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, may be included in the non-rinse micellar water composition to temporarily reduce the surface tension of water, creating a sheeting effect and helping make suds and grime rinse away quickly and completely.
A pH adjuster, such as citric acid and sodium citrate, may be included in the non-rinse micellar water composition to either raise or lower the pH as needed so that the non-rinse micellar water is less irritating to the skin.
Fragrances may also be included in the non-rinse micellar water composition. A very light scent that conveys freshness is preferred, such as a scent that mimics the scent of soap or baby powder; a citrus, such as lemon or lime; or a botanical-based essential oil, such as lavender, rose petals, calendula, peppermint, mint, nettle, spearmint, menthol, or any botanical essential oil that can be produced from any part of a plant including the blossom, seeds, woods, and leaves.
The non-rinse micellar water composition of the invention preferably includes ingredients that are readily available.
Although the non-rinse micellar water composition is gentle, it is able to provide a robust cleansing system. In accordance with the invention, three key attributes, i.e., aesthetics, stability, and anti-microbial efficacy, were found to be dependent upon one another. See
Micellar water compositions were prepared as follows using the components in Table 1, wherein percentages are given by weight.
The following are some of the desired attributes that were considered when formulating:
Results are shown in Table 2 below.
Samples with non-ionic surfactant Tween alone had the worse clouding and precipitation.
Addition of ethylhexylglycerin stabilizes the formula.
Increase in polysorbate 20 increased precipitate.
Addition of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil accelerated precipitate formation
Addition of volcanic water decrease in precipitation
Modifications were made to a lead prototype, Prototype 148, to assess the ten sensory attributes set forth in Table 3 below. Prototype 148 was altered as follows:
Prototype A had the most significant number of positive attributes when compared to the other prototypes tested.
The non-rinse micellar water composition can be provided to the consumer in a container, e.g., a bottle. Individual packettes enclosing measured portions of the non-rinse micellar water composition may also be used. To dispense the non-rinse micellar water composition from a bottle, a pump, squeezable valve, or a removable screw cap may be used. The non-rinse micellar water composition can be dispensed onto either one or both of (a) a palm of one's hand and (b) a cotton pad or a cloth such as a wash cloth as a means to transport the non-rinse micellar water composition to a desired area of the body. The cotton pad or cloth saturated with the non-rinse micellar water composition can be swept across the skin to remove dirt and oil.
The embodiments of the invention are believed to be safe to use and different from many rinseless body wash products currently available in the personal care market as they include only ingredients with no known negative health related consequences.
It will be understood that, while various aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described by way of example, the invention claimed herein is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied according to the scope of the claims presented in this and/or any derivative patent application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62823043 | Mar 2019 | US |
