Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention concerns a cleansing bar, which contains a wax composition, which
composition comprises specific wax components. The invention further concerns the
manufacture and use of such products.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Since ages, soaps have been used in skin cleansing, usually under the form of soap
bars. Although liquid soaps have gained increased interest, soap bars still are produced
and used in very large numbers. Traditional soaps are composed of the alkali metal
salts of fatty acids and are made by saponification of natural fats with alkali metal
bases. Ideally soaps, as any cleanser, should be mild, lack irritation, cause no defatting
or overdrying of the skin and provide sufficient quantities of good quality lather.
To improve the performance of soap, additives have been added such as superfatting
agents to deal with excess defatting, moisturizers such as glycerine and free fatty
acids to increase mildness and skin softness. Also other additives have been added,
such as triglycerides.
[0003] Soaps based partially or entirely on synthetic surfactants, usually referred to as
'combo bars' and 'syndet bars', have been developed having increased mildness but
usually were less efficient in lather performance.
[0004] An important factor in cleansing is the fact that a number of soils are water-compatible
and therefore more easily removed by water-based formulations, whereas others are
lipid-compatible and therefore adequately removed by lipid or oil based formulations.
A complete and effective removal of soils therefore requires the presence of as well
water as oil-based components.
[0005] Although cleansing bars and in particular soap bars have been improved in terms of
mildness and lathering properties, there still is room for improvement. Because of
their frequent use and especially in combination with hard water, cleansing bars often
leave the skin dry, with a rough texture, defatted and irritated. Providing a cleansing
bar that not only effectively cleanses the skin but at the same time has skin-caring
properties would be an attractive goal to achieve.
[0006] Although existing cleansing bars are effective in cleansing and are mild, there is
still room for further improvement in particular as regards the mildness aspect. Hence
there is a need for cleansing bars that are effective in cleansing both water and
oil-compatible soils while being mild. It would further be desirable to provide cleansing
bars that have a dual function, i.e. cleansing and caring. There is a need for cleansing
bars that produce abundant, stable, and high quality lather, and that are very mild
to the skin and in particular to the area of the eyes. There is a further need for
cleansing bars that effectively deliver caring components such as moisturizing agents
or active ingredients to the skin of the user during the wash.
[0007] US application No. 2003/0199405 discloses multi-phase toilet articles wherein the
phases are separated by a membrane which is at least partially water-soluble. US-5,496,493
relates to cleansing bars that contain small sized solid wax particles. WO-97/22684
describes framed or pour-moulded soap bars containing paraffin wax.
[0008] The cleansing bars of the present invention containing both surfactants and a specific
wax composition are effective and mild cleansers and have a dual cleansing and caring
function.
Summary of the Invention
[0009] This invention relates to a cleansing bar that comprises surfactants and a wax, wherein
the wax comprises at least one wax component selected from fatty alcohols or fatty
acids, or mixtures thereof.
[0010] In preferred embodiments, there is provided a cleansing bar that comprises:
(a) one or more surfactants;
(b) one or more waxes selected from fatty alcohols or fatty acids, or mixtures thereof;
(c) one or more active ingredients.
[0011] More specifically, this invention relates to a cleansing bar that comprises
(a) from 25% to 95% of one or more surfactants;
(b) from 1% to 50% of a one or more waxes, wherein the waxes comprise at least one
wax component selected from fatty alcohols or fatty acids, or mixtures thereof;
(c) from 0 - 5% of one or more active ingredients.
[0012] The wax preferably has a low water content, in particular lower than 10%. The wax
may contain one or more active ingredients.
[0013] In certain embodiments, the wax in the cleansing bars of this invention is present
as a wax phase. The wax phase is separated from the other phase or phases in the cleansing
bar. The other phase or phases contain the surfactants.
[0014] In one type of embodiments the cleansing bar is a soap bar, in another type of embodiments
the cleansing bar is a syndet bar.
[0015] In a further aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a cleansing bar as
described herein, said method comprising mixing a wax phase with surfactants.
[0016] In still a further aspect there is provided the use of a cleansing bar as described
herein as a cleansing tool, in particular in personal care applications. In another
aspect the invention concerns the use of a cleansing bar as described herein for combined
cleansing and application of active substances.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0017] As used herein any % is weight by weight (w/w), depending on the context, relative
to the total weight of the cleansing bar, of a phase or of the wax, or any other composition
in relation of which the % is used.
[0018] The cleansing bars in accordance with the present invention may take any of the shapes
used in cleansing bars, e.g. rectangular, ellipsoidal, spherical, also including special
shapes such as animals, flowers, etc.
[0019] The cleansing bars can be used as such or can be partially or completely wrapped
in a woven or non-woven, mono-layer or multi-layer material, closed or apertured.
The wrapping material may be made of the same or different materials, which may have
different properties. For example, one part may be soft while another part is rougher.
The latter part can be abrasive, it can be used for rubbing or scouring.
[0020] Optionally, the wrapping material may contain an aqueous phase or a wax phase or
both.
[0021] The bar may have a non water-dissolvable part, e.g. in the center portion of the
bar. This part may also be used to fix the bar, e.g. to fix it to a holder or to the
wall.
[0022] The bar may be apertured, having small cavities which may hold particular ingredients.
[0023] The wax in the cleansing bars is selected such that the bar slowly melts, decomposes
or dissolves during use, e.g. by body heat or by any other external factor, e.g. warm
water.
[0024] The cleansing bars of the invention may consist of one phase, or several phases,
e.g. two, three, four or more phases. There can be several types of phases.
[0025] One type of phase is a phase of waxy consistency comprising part or all of the particular
wax materials specified above, hereinafter referred to as 'wax phase'.
[0026] Another type of phase is a phase that contains the surfactants but no wax, hereinafter
referred to as 'surfactant phase' .
[0027] Still another type of phase is a phase that contains surfactants as well as waxes,
hereinafter referred to as 'wax/surfactant phase'.
[0028] The cleansing bars of the invention may have one or several of each of the above-mentioned
phases. One type of embodiments are cleansing bars with one or more wax/surfactant
phases. Other embodiments have one or more surfactant phases and one or more wax phases.
Still other embodiments have one or more wax/surfactant phases and one or more wax
phases. Still other embodiments have one or more wax/surfactant phases and one or
more surfactant phases.
[0029] In one embodiment, the cleansing bars of the invention may be completely transparent,
in that instance having one transparent phase. In another embodiment, the cleansing
bars are partially transparent, in that instance one or more of the phases are transparent.
Certain embodiments are cleansing bars with one or more transparent phases in combination
with one or more opaque phases, e.g. a two phase bar as described in EP-A-545,716.
Preferably the transparent phase is a surfactant phase.
[0030] Transparent or translucent cleansing bars, or cleansing bars with transparent phases
can be obtained by art-known methods. Transparency is based on reducing crystallinity
of the soap components by adding components such as castor oil (as described in US-2,820,768)
or lower alkanols, that dissolve the fatty acid salts, or by using branched chain
fatty acids (as described in US-3,793,214). They can for example be obtained by the
methods described in WO-98/00505.
Surfactants
[0031] The cleansing bars of the invention contain surfactants which usually are anionic
surfactants such as soaps and other surfactants. The cleansing bars comprise 'soap
bars' which are free of or contain marginal amounts of synthetic surfactants, 'combination
bars' or 'combo' bars which contain soaps and synthetic surfactants and 'syndet bars'
which are free of or contain marginal amounts of soaps.
[0032] As used herein the term 'soaps' has the meaning traditionally used in the art, referring
to salts of fatty acids in particular alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or alkanolamine
salts of fatty acids containing from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, in particular from 12 to
18 carbon atoms including mixtures thereof. The alkali metal and alkaline earth metal
salts preferably comprise sodium, potassium and magnesium salts, and the alkanolamine
salts preferably comprise mono-, di- or triethanolamine salts. The soaps may be derived
from pure fatty acids or from fatty acid mixtures derived from naturally occurring
oils such as coconut oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, tallow and olive oil,
including their hydrogenated derivatives. Also included are soaps derived from different
oils.
[0033] Soaps may be made by saponificaton of natural fats and oils with an alkali metal
hydroxide using procedures well known in the art. Alternatively, soaps may be made
by neutralizing fatty acids, for example by neutralizing lauric (C 12), myristic (C
14), palmitic (C 16), or stearic (C 18) acids with an alkali metal hydroxide or carbonate.
[0034] The cleansing bars may contain synthetic surfactants such as anionic, cationic, non-ionic
or amphoteric surfactants. Preferably the cleansing bars contain anionic surfactants,
optionally in mixture with one or more of the other types of surfactants, which are
added as co-surfactants.
[0035] Anionic surfactants are characterized by a water solubilizing anionic group such
as a carboxylate-, sulfate-, sulfonate- or phosphate-group and a lipophilic rest.
Particular anionic surfactants are alkyl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkylaryl sulfonates,
alkyl polyethoxy ether sulfonates, alkyl ethersulfates, alkyl ethercarboxylates, acyl
isethionates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl taurines alkylphenol polyethoxy ether sulfonates,
mono- or diesters of sulfosuccinic acid, acyl glutamates, and salts thereof, in particular
the alkali-, ammonium- or alkanol ammonium salts thereof. The alkyl group may contain
10 to 30 and in particular 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and the polyethoxylated anionic
emulsifiers may contain from 1 to 50 and in particular 2 to 25 ethylene oxide units.
[0036] Zwitterionic surfactants contain at least a quaternary ammonium group and at least
a carboxyl or sulfonyl group. Particularly useful zwitterionic surfactants are the
so-called betaines such as N-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium glycinate, for example coco-alkyl
dimethylammonium glycinate, N-acyl-aminopropyl-N,N-dimethylammonium glycinate, for
example coco-acyl aminopropyl dimethylammonium glycinate, and 2-alkyl-3-carboxylmethyl-3-hydroxyethylimidazoline,
each having 8 to 18 C-atoms in the alkyl- or acyl group as well as coco-acyl aminoethyl
hydroxyethyl carboxymethyl glycinate. A preferred zwitterionic surfactant is the fatty
acid amide-derivative known by its INCI-name cocamidopropyl betaine.
[0037] Ampholytic surfactants contain, beside a C
8-C
18-alkyl- or acyl group, at least a free amino group and at least a -COOH- or -SO
3H- group and are able to form internal salts. Examples of ampholytic surfactants are
N-alkyl glycines, N-alkyl propionic acids, N-alkyl amino buteric acids, N-alkyl iminodipropionic
acids, N-hydroxyethyl-N-alkyl amidopropyl glycines, N-alkyl taurine, N-alkyl sarcosine,
2-alkylaminopropionic acids and alkylamino acetic acids with in each alkyl group about
8 to 18 C-atoms.
[0038] Most preferred ampholytic surfactants are N-coco-alkyl aminopropionate coco-acyl
amino ethylamino propionate and C
12-18-acylsarcosine.
[0039] Cationic surfactants comprise ammonium halogenides, in particular chlorides and bromides,
e.g. alkyl trimethylammonium chloride, dialkyl dimethylammonium chloride and trialkyl
methylammonium chloride, such as cetyl trimethylammonium chloride, stearyl trimethylammonium
chloride, distearyl dimethylammonium chloride, lauryl dimethylammonium chloride, lauryl
dimethylbenzylammonium chloride and tricetyl methylammonium chloride. Additional cationic
surfactants are the quaternary esters with good biological degradability, such as,
for example, dialkylammonium methosulfates and methylhydroxyalkyl dialkyloxy alkylammonium
methosulfates.
The surfactants can be present in various concentrations, in particular they are present
in concentrations which are in the range of from 25 to 95%, more in particular from
50 to 90%, more in particular from 65 to 85% (any % being w/w relative to the total
weight of the cleansing bar).
The Wax
[0040] The wax can be formulated continuously into the cleansing bar, i.e. it can be formulated
into a wax/surfactant phase, as specified above. The wax can be formulated into a
wax phase that is incorporated in the cleansing bar. The wax is formulated such that
it is insoluble or essentially insoluble in aqueous media. However, in some embodiments
the wax be mixable or soluble into an aqueous phase to a limited extent.
[0041] The wax usually is solid but it can also be semi-solid. Semi-solidness can occur
when the wax is in a transition stage between solid state and liquid state such as
in a melting process, but can also be due to decreased viscosity of the material that
makes up the wax phase. Semi-solidness in particular occurs with materials that have
no sharp melting point, i.e. materials that have a melting range. It is also present
in glass-like materials, e.g. in polymers that occur as in a glass-like state.
[0042] As used herein the term 'melting range' refers to a temperature range that starts
from the temperature at which a substance or composition loses its solid consistency
up to the temperature where it becomes completely liquid. A melting range is considered
to be within a defined temperature range when it overlaps with that defined temperature
range, or should be considered to be above a specified temperature when the range
is above said temperature. As used herein 'ambient temperature' refers to a temperature
that is in the range of about 20 to about 25 °C.
[0043] In particular the wax has a melting point or a melting range above room temperature,
such as above 25 °C, for example in the range of 25 to 100°C, in particular in the
range of 30 to 75°C, more in particular of 30 to 45°C, preferably in the range of
35 and 40°C. In one embodiment the melting temperature or melting range is above human
body temperature. Most preferably the melting temperature or melting range approximates
or is equal to human body temperature.
[0044] In some embodiments of this invention the wax has a relatively higher melting point
or range. The melting point or range may for example be higher than body temperature,
e.g. higher than 40 °C, or higher than 45 °C. Upon application of such products, a
more intense interaction between the wax phase and water may be required or the application
of higher temperatures to promote the interaction. In the latter instance the consumer
may, for example, be required to contact the cleansing bar first with hot water and
then apply it.
[0045] When the wax is incorporated as a wax phase, it can change to another state after
incorporation in the cleansing bar, or upon usage by the consumer. The wax phase may
be incorporated in the cleansing bar as a liquid whereafter it becomes semi-solid
or solid. Or the wax phase may become semi-solid during usage by the consumer. This
change of state may be induced by physical factors, such as temperature or pressure,
but may also be induced by chemical factors, such as particular components that cause
a polymerization reaction, or by a photochemical reaction.
[0046] Particularly preferred are waxes which are solid at room temperature and which have
a penetration value of 0.2 - 4 mm (measured with: Petrotester PNR 10, Mikrokonus,
5 sec., temp 20 °C).
[0047] The wax can be present in the cleansing bar in various concentrations, in particular
it is present in concentrations which are in the range of from 1 to 50%, more in particular
from 5 to 35%, more in particular from 8 to 20% (any % being w/w relative to the total
weight of the cleansing bar).
[0048] The water content of the wax by preference is low, in particular less than 10%, preferably
less than 6%, more preferably less than 3%, percentages being w/w relative to the
total weight of the wax composition or where appropriate, the wax phase. In a particular
embodiment the wax is water-free, and will be such that it is not decomposed by water
or any aqueous phase. As used herein, 'water-free' means that the phase is composed
of materials of low water content to which no water has been added.
[0049] In a particular aspect of this invention there are provided products as specified
herein wherein the wax essentially consists fatty alcohols or fatty acids, including
mixtures thereof.
[0050] The fatty alcohols and fatty acids, including mixtures thereof, in the composition
of the wax allow to optimize the properties of the wax, in particular its sensorial
properties, i.e. the products as well as the skin after the products have been applied
have a less greasier feel and also a less dry skin-feel, while having excellent skin-caring
properties.
[0051] The wax may further contain dialkyl(ene) ethers or -carbonates, dicarboxylic acids
or hydroxy fatty alcohols, including mixtures thereof, whichg further assist n optimising
the above mentioned properties.
Dialkyl(ene) ethers
[0052] The dialkyl(ene) ethers are symmetric or asymmetric, straight or branch chained,
saturated or unsaturated. Preferred are waxy, saturated C
16-C
30-dialkylethers, in particular C
16-C
24-dialkylethers. More preferred are C
16-C
20-dialkylethers, and particularly preferred are distearylethers and dibehenylethers.
Dialkylethers of shorter chain length can also be used such as, for example, di-n-octylether,
di-(2-ethylhexyl)-ether, laurylmethylether or octylbutylether, didodecylether. When
using the latter components, the complete composition of the wax phase preferably
is solid or semi-solid, having the desired melting point as specified herein.
[0053] These ethers can be obtained from the appropriate fatty alcohols in the presence
of an acid catalyst following art-known procedures. Typical examples are the products
that are obtained by the etherification of capron alcohol, capryl alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl
alcohol, caprin alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmoleyl
alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl alcohol,
linolyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, ricinus alcohol, elaeostearyl alcohol,
arachidyl alcohol, gadoleylalcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol and brassidyl
alcohol, Guerbet alcohols, as well as mixtures thereof, which, for example, are obtained
by high pressure hydrogenation of technical mixtures of the methyl esters derived
from fats or oils.
[0054] Of particular interest are the dialkyl(ene) ethers that are solid at 25 °C.
Dialkyl(ene) carbonates
[0055] The dialkyl(ene) carbonates are symmetric or asymmetric, straight or branch chained,
saturated or unsaturated. Preferred dialkyl(ene) carbonates are waxy, linear or branch
chained, saturated or unsaturated C
14-C
30-dialkyl(ene) carbonates. More preferred are C
16-C
24-dialkyl carbonates and amongst these the saturated linear C
16-C
22-dialkyl carbonates. Particularly preferred is distearyl carbonate. Also liquid dialkyl(ene)
carbonates, such as, for example, dihexyl-, dioctyl-, di-(2-ethylhexyl)- or dioleylcarbonate,
can be used. When using the latter components, the complete composition preferably
is solid or semi-solid, having the desired melting point as specified herein.
[0056] These dialkyl(ene) carbonates can be obtained by re-esterification of dimethyl- or
diethylcarbonates with the corresponding hydroxy compounds following art-known procedures.
Typical examples of dialkyl(ene) carbonates are re-esterification products of dimethyl-
and/or diethylcarbonate with capron alcohol, capryl alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol,
caprin alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmoleyl alcohol,
stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl alcohol, linolyl
alcohol, linolenyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, ricinus alcohol, elaeostearyl alcohol,
arachidyl alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol and brassidyl
alcohol, Guerbet alcohols, as well as technical mixtures thereof, that can be obtained
by hydratation of methyl esters derived from suitable oils or fats or oil or fat fractions.
[0057] Of particular interest are those dialkyl(ene) carbonates that are solid at 25 °C.
Dicarboxylic acids
[0058] Dicarboxylic acids that can be used are, for example, C
9-C
34-dicarbonic acids. Of particular interest are those discarboxylic acids that are solid
at 25 °C.
Hydroxy fatty alcohols
[0059] The hydroxy fatty alcohols for use in the said preferred or particularly preferred
waxy compositions are saturated or unsaturated, straight chain or branched. Preferred
are C
12-C
30-hydroxy fatty alcohols, at which the position of the hydroxy-substituent depends
upon the synthesis route and the starting materials that have been used. Included
are, for example, 1,10-decanediol, 1,2-hexadecanediol, 12-hydroxystearyl alcohol or
hydroxy-Guerbet alcohols. Preferred are those hydroxy fatty alcohols that are solid
at 25 °C, although liquid analogs can also be used. When using the latter components,
the complete composition preferably is solid or semi-solid having the desired melting
point as specified herein. Particularly preferred is 12-hydroxystearyl alcohol.
[0060] The total amount of one or more of the dialkyl ethers, dialkyl carbonates, dicarbonic
acids and the hydroxyalcohols present in the wax phase, relative to the total weight
amount of the wax phase, is in the range of 1 - 30 % (w/w), preferably of 1 - 20 %
(w/w) more preferably from 1 -10 % (w/w).
Additional Waxes
[0061] The wax may comprise additional wax components. As used herein, the term 'wax' refers
to oil-soluble materials that have a waxy consistency and have a melting point or
melting range of above ambient temperature, in particular above 25 °C. Waxes are materials
that have a solid to semi-solid (creamy) consistency, are crystalline or not, being
of relatively low viscosity a little above their liquefying point. Waxes can be composed
of one or more components, synthetic as well as natural, and can in principle be composed
of or comprise any oil soluble material having a waxy consistency, including mixtures
thereof.
[0062] Waxes also encompass materials such as oils or fats of natural or synthetic origin,
and waxy components such as higher alkanols (in particular fatty alcohols), carboxylic
acids (in particular fatty acids), and the like components.
[0063] Natural waxes comprise waxes from vegetal origin, such as purcelline, shea butter,
cocoa butter, Japan wax, esparto gras wax, cork wax, Guaruma wax, rice shoot wax,
Ouricury wax, montan wax, sunflower wax, ceresine wax, sugar cane wax, carnauba wax,
candelilla wax, lanolin, fruit-derived waxes, such as orange wax, lemon wax, grapefruit
wax and bayberry wax, and the like, and of animal origin such as beeswax, woolwax,
spermateci and bear fat, shellac wax, and the like. Natural waxes further comprise
mineral waxes such as ceresine and ozokerite waxes. Synthetic waxes comprise petroleum-based
waxes such as paraffin, vaseline, petrolatum, micro wax. Further synthetic waxes are
polyalkylene and polyethyleneglycol waxes, e.g. polyethylene wax; waxes based on chlorinated
naphtalenes such as 'Halowax', synthetic hydrocarbon waxes, and the like, including
mixtures thereof. Further waxes are chemically modified waxes, in particular hardened
or hydrogenated waxes such as, for example, Montan-ester waxes, Sasol waxes and hydrogenated
jojoba waxes. Preferred among the natural waxes are waxes from vegetal origin.
[0064] Other wax components can be certain fats (including mono-, di- and triglycerides
and fatty acid alkylesters), fatty alcohols, fatty acids, including substituted fatty
acids (in particular hydroxy substituted fatty acids, for example, 12-hydroxystearic
acid), dialkyl(ene)ethers, dialkyl(ene) carbonates, dicarboxylic acids (in particular
the C
16-C
40-dialkylesters of dicarboxylic acids, e.g. the C
16-C
40-alkyl stearates, C
18-C
38-alkylhydroxystearyl stearates or C
20-C
40-alkyl erucates) and hydroxy fatty alcohols that comply with the definition of 'wax'
as outlined herein. Any of these components may contain homologous components that
are liquid, as long as the total composition has a waxy consistency. For example,
waxy fats may contain oils, waxy fatty alcohols may contain liquid fatty alcohols,
etc., in such amount that the total composition has a waxy consistency and in particular
has the melting point or melting range specified above.
[0065] Still further wax components are selected from the group of aromatic carbonic acids,
tricarboxylic acids, or from the group of lactides of long-chained hydroxycarbonic
acids. Myristyl lactate is particularly attractive for skin treatment, because of
its binding capacity to the skin.
[0066] Further wax components that can be used are C
30-C
50-alkyl bees wax; tri-C
16-C
40-alkyl citrates, e.g. tristearyl citrate, triisostearyl citrate, trilauryl citrate;
ethyleneglycol difatty acid esters, in particular the ethylene glycol di-C
12-C
30-fatty acid esters, e.g.ethyleneglycol dipalmitate, ethyleneglycol distearate, ethyleneglycol
di(12-hydroxystearate). As further useful components there can be mentioned silicone
waxes.
[0067] The wax phase may also comprise mixtures of waxes and oils.
[0068] The total amount of additional waxes in the wax may be up to 50 %, in particular
up to 30 %, more in particular up to 20 %, w/w of the total amount of components making
up the wax.
[0069] The wax may also contain liquid dialkyl(ene) ethers, dialkyl(ene) carbonates, dicarbonic
acids or hydroxy fatty alcohols, however preferably in such amounts that the melting
point or range of the total composition of the wax phase does not exceed 25 °C, and
more preferably is within the temperature ranges mentioned above.
Oils and Fats
[0070] The wax phase may further contain fats and oils, the latter to such an extent that
the wax phase remains solid or semi-solid at ambient temperature, in particular at
25 °C.
[0071] Oils or fats which can be used in the wax phase comprise natural oils or fats, or
natural oil or fat derivatives, in particular of vegetable origin. Examples are almond
oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, kernel oil, canola oil,
borage oil, evening primrose oil, grapeseed oil, wheat germ oil, avocado oil, jojoba
oil, sesame oil, walnut oil, linseed oil, palm oil, olive oil, macadamia oil, castor
oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, coconut oil, turnip seed oil, and the hardened derivatives
thereof. The latter are obtained by hydrogenation of fats or oils. Preferred are hardened
oils or fats from vegetal origin, e.g. hardened castor oil, peanut oil, soya oil,
turnip seed oil, cotton seed oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, kernel oil, linseed oil,
almond oil, corn oil, olive oil, sesame oil, cocoa butter, shea butter and coconut
oil.
[0072] Said hardened fats or oils have the additional advantage of increasing the consistency
of the wax phase.
[0073] The wax phase may further comprise fatty components isolated from these natural oils,
i.e. mono-, di- or triglycerides (also referred to as glycerides) or mixtures thereof,
or the latter components having been prepared chemically. These mono-, di- or trigycerides
are esters of glycerines with fatty acids or fatty acid mixtures, for example technical
mixtures obtained by hydrolysis from fractions of oils or fats, or by fractioning
fatty acid mixtures after hydrolysis. The triglycerides may also be obtained chemically
by synthesis.
[0074] The fatty acids in said glycerides may be saturated or unsaturated, straight or branch
chained, substituted or unsubstituted. Preferred glycerides are those glycerine esters
derived from fatty acids, either saturated or unsaturated, having from 10 to 60, in
particular from 12 to 36, more particularly from 12 to 24, preferably from 16 to 20
carbon atoms. Preferred such fatty acids are, for example, palmitic, palmic, oleic,
lauric, myristic, stearic, hydroxystearic, behenic acid, or mixtures thereof. Within
this group the glycerides derived from saturated fatty acids are of particular interest.
Of further interest are the triglycerides such as glyceryl tristearate, also referred
to as stearin, glycerine tribehenate, glycerine tripalmitate, glycerine trilaurate,
glycerine trioleate, glycerine trimyristate.
[0075] The amount of said glycerides in the wax may be up to 50%, in particular up to 40%,
further in particular up to 30% or up to 20% (w/w), relative to the total quantity
of the wax.
[0076] Mixed esters as well as mixtures of mono-, di- and triglycerides are of particular
interest because of their low propensity to crystallize and their capacity to improve
the consistency of the formulation making up the wax phase.
[0077] The wax may also comprise alkyl esters of fatty acids, wherein the alkyl group has
from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 24 carbon atoms. The fatty acids
in said alkyl esters in particular are C
12-30 fatty acids, more in particular C
12-20 fatty acids. The alkyl groups in said esters preferably are derived from fatty alcohols
as well as of mixtures thereof, which, for example, are obtained by high pressure
hydrogenation of technical mixtures of the methyl esters derived from fats or oils.
[0078] Preferred are the alkyl esters of C
16-24 fatty acids, more preferably from C
16-18 fatty acids, and C
1-30 fatty alcohols, preferably C
8-24 fatty alcohols, more preferably C
12-20 fatty alcohols.
[0079] Of particular interest in this regard are, e.g. stearyl stearate, palmityl stearate,
stearyl behenate, cetyl stearate, cetyl behenate, cetyl palmitate, cetearyl behenate,
behenyl behenate, stearyl heptanoate, stearyl octanoate, myristyl myristate, myristyl
isostearate, myristyl oleate, cetyl isostearate, cetyl oleate, stearyl isostearate,
stearyl oleate, isostearyl myristate, isostearyl palmitate, isostearyl stearate, isostearyl
isostearate, isostearyl oleate, isostearyl behenate, isostearyl oleate, oleyl myristate,
oleyl palmitate, oleyl stearate, oleyl isostearate, oleyl oleate, oleyl behenate,
oleyl erucate, behenyl isostearate, behenyl oleate, erucyl isostearate.
[0080] Of further interest are esters of linear C
6-C
22-fatty acids with branched alcohols, in particular 2-ethylhexanol, esters of branched
C
6-C
22-fatty acids with linear alcohols, esters of C
18-C
38-alkylhydroxycarbonic acids with linear or branched C
6-C
22-fatty alcohols, esters of linear and/or branched fatty acids with poly-alcohols (e.g.
propylene glycol, dimerdiol or trimertriol) and/or Guerbet alcohols, as well as esters
of C
6-C
22-fatty alcohols and/or Guerbet alcohols with aromatic carbonic acids, in particular
benzoic acid, esters of C
2-C
12-dicarbonic acids with linear or branched C
1-C
22 -alcohols (e.g. dioctyl malate) or C
2-C
10 -polyoles having 2 to 6 hydroxy groups.
[0081] The wax phase may also comprise oily components, i.e. non water-mixable components
that are liquid at 20 °C. These can be e.g. glycerides, hydrocarbons, silicon oils,
ester oils and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. The total quantity of these
oily components in the total composition of the wax phase preferably will be such
that the wax phase is solid at room temperature, or that it has a melting point or
range that is as specified hereinabove. The oily components will typically be present
in quantities of less than 40 % (w/w), in particular less than 20 % (w/w), or further
in particular 1- 15 % (w/w), more in particular from 2 - 10 % (w/w) relative to the
total weight of the wax phase.
[0082] The oily components can be any of the oils mentioned hereinabove as 'oils and fats',
more in particular the mono-, di- and triglycerides mentioned hereinabove, that are
liquid at 20 °C. The oily components can further be fatty acids and fatty alcohols,
described in this specification, that are liquid at 20 °C.
[0083] Further oily components which can be used in the wax phase comprise silicone oils,
mineral and paraffin oils and synthetic oils, either aliphatic or aromatic, as well
as mixtures thereof. Examples of such oils are squalane, squalene, isohexadecane,
isoeicosane, polydecene, and also oils of the group of dialkylcyclohexanes.
[0084] Silicone oils can be volatile or not, and include cyclic silicones, dialkyl- or alkylarylsiloxanes,
e.g., cyclomethicone, dimethyl polysiloxane (dimethicone) and methylphenyl polysiloxane,
as well as the alkoxylated and quatemized derivatives thereof. Appropriate non-volatile
silicone oils are e.g. longer chain polyalkylsiloxanes and polyalkylarylsiloxanes,
and also polyethersiloxane-copolymers.
[0085] The wax comprises one or more fatty alcohols or fatty acids, or mixtures thereof.
Fatty alcohols
[0086] The fatty alcohols that can be used are, for example, C
6-C
50-fatty alcohols, in particular the C
12-C
24-fatty alcohols, more in particular C
16-C
22-fatty alcohols that are derived from natural fats, oils or waxes such as, for example,
myristyl alcohol, 1-pentadecanol, cetylalcohol, 1-heptadecanol, stearyl alcohol, 1-nonadecanol,
arachidyl alcohol, 1-heneicosanol, behenyl alcohol, brassidyl alcohol, lignoceryl
alcohol, ceryl alcohol or myricyl alcohol as well as Guerbet alcohols. Preferred for
use in the present invention are saturated, straight or branch chained fatty alcohols.
However also unsaturated, straight or branch chained alcohols can be used, optionally
in a mixture with saturated alcohols. Preferably the alcohols will be selected such
that the melting point of the mixture is as referred to hereinabove and, more in particular,
is in the range of 32 to 40 °C.
[0087] Mixtures of fatty alcohols can evidently also be used, including fatty alcohol fractions
obtained from the reduction of the corresponding fatty acid fractions derived from
the fats or oils mentioned above.
[0088] The total amount of fatty alcohols in the wax may vary and depends on the desired
properties of the wax phase. The total amount of the fatty alcohols present in the
wax may be in the range of 0 - 40 % (w/w), preferably of 1 - 30 % (w/w), more preferably
of 1 - 20 % (w/w), still more preferably from 1 -10 % (w/w) of the total amount of
components making up the wax.
Fatty acids
[0089] The wax may also contain C
14-C
40-fatty acids, including mixtures thereof. Of particular interest are the C
16-C
30-fatty acids or the C
16-C
22-fatty acids. These comprise, for example, myristic-, pentadecanoic-, palmitic-, margaric-,
stearic-, nonadecanoic-, arachic-, behenic-, lignoceric-, cerotic-, melissic-, erucaic-,
elaeostearic-, oleic-, lonolenic-, lauric acid as well as substituted fatty acids,
e.g. hydroxy-substituted fatty acids such as, for example, 12-hydroxystearic acid,
and the amides or monoethanolamides of these fatty acids. The fatty acids can be saturated,
unsaturated or poly-unsaturated, straight or branch chained, optionally substituted,
e.g. with hydroxy.
[0090] The total amount of the C
14-C
40-fatty acids present in the wax, relative to the total weight amount of the wax phase,
may be in the range of 0 - 30 % (w/w), preferably of 1 - 20 % (w/w), more preferably
from 1 -10 % (w/w) relative to the total amount of components making up the wax.
Further components
[0091] The wax may contain further components, which may be of waxy nature or otherwise.
The use of these further components allows to influence the sensorial properties as
well as the stability of the compositions, to influence consistency, feel and appearance.
These components will generally be insoluble or poorly soluble in water. Water-soluble
components can also be included, typically in combination with a solubilizing or emulsifying
agent and some water.
[0092] Examples of further components are superfatting agents, thickeners, polymers, active
ingredients, film forming agents, UV-filters, anti-oxidants, hydrotropic agents, preservatives,
insect repellents, self-tanning agents, solubilizers, perfume oils, dyestuffs, consistency
agents, and the like.
[0093] Appropriate
cationic polymers are for example cationic cellulose derivatives , e.g. quatemized hydroxyethyl cellulose
(commercialized under the trade name Polymer JR 400® by Amerchol), cationic starches,
copolymers of diallylammonium salts and acrylamides, quatemized vinylpyrrolidone/vinylimidazole-polymers
(for example Luviquat® of BASF), condensation products of polyglycols and amines,
quatemized collagen polypeptides, such as, for example, lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl
hydrolyzed collagen (Lamequat® L/Grunau), quatemized wheat polypeptides, polyethylene
imines, cationic silicone polymers, e.g. amodimethicone, copolymers of adipinic acid
and dimethylaminohydroxypropyldiethylenetriamine (Cartaretine® /Sandoz), copolymers
of acryl acid with dimethyldiallylammonium-chloride (Merquat® 550/Chemviron), polyaminopolyamides,
cationic chitine derivatives such as, for example, quatemized chitosans, optionally
dispersed in microcristalline form, condensation products derived from dihalogenalkylenes,
such as, for example dibromobutane with bis-dialkylamines, e.g. bis-dimethylamino-1,3-propane,
cationic guar-gum derivatives, such as, for example, Jaguar® CBS, Jaguar® C-17, Jaguar®
C-16 from Celanese, quaternized ammonium salt-polymers, e.g. Mirapol® A-15, Mirapol®
AD-1, Mirapol® AZ-1 from Miranol.
[0094] Anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and nonionic polymers that can be used are, for example, vinylacetate/crotonic acid-copolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/vinylacrylate-copolymers,
vinylacetate/butylmaleate/ isobornylacrylate-copolymers, methylvinylether/maleic acid
anhydride-copolymers and their esters, which are not cross-linked and with polyoles
linked polyacrylacids which are cross-linked, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride/
acrylate-copolymers, octylacrylamide/methylmethacrylate/tert.butylaminoethylmethacrylate/2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate-copolymers,
polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone/vinylacetate-copolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/
dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate/vinyl caprolactam-terpolymers as well as optionally
derivatized cellulose ethers and silicones.
[0095] The wax phase may further contain suitable
anti-oxidants, and
powders or
powdered ingredients.
[0096] The wax phase may further contain
disintegrating agents, which are agents that cause a disintegration of the physical integrity of the wax
phase. The disintegration may be in parts or on the whole of the wax phase. The disintegrating
agents may be mixed or dissolved into parts or the whole of the wax phase. Suitable
disintegrating agents are agents that are subject to physical or chemical interactions,
either by auto-interaction or by interaction between two agents. This results in a
physical or chemical interaction with the wax phase. One type of disintegrating agents
are those that release a gas, e.g. by decomposition or by chemical reaction between
two components. An example of a disintegrating agent is a solid mixture of a bicarbonate
and an acid such as sodium or potassium bicarbonate with a suitable organic acid,
e.g. citric acid. Upon contact with water, the disintegrating components will interact
and liberate carbon dioxide which physically alters the wax. This may positively influence
the transfer to the skin of certain ingredients, e.g. active ingredients.
Preferred compositions
[0097] In particularly preferred embodiments, the products of this invention have a wax
containing:
(a) at least 1 - 50 % (w/w), in particular at least 1 - 30 % of an oily or waxy component
fatty alcohols or fatty acids or mixtures thereof
(b) 0 - 5 % (w/w), in particular from 0.1 - 5 % (w/w) of at least one active ingredient
(c) 0 - 10 % (w/w), in particular from 1 - 10 % (w/w), of at least one oil
(d) 0 - 10 % (w/w), and in particular from 0.1 - 10 % (w/w) of at least one emulsifier
(e) 0 - 90 % (w/w), and in particular from 5 - 90 % (w/w), of further wax components
(f) 0 - 5 % (w/w), and in particular 0 - 3 % (w/w), water.
Additional ingredients in the cleansing bars
[0098] Apart from the surfactants and waxes, the cleansing bars may contain additional ingredients.
Any of the phases may contain these additional ingredients. These can be any of the
ingredients mentioned as further components for the wax or the wax phase. Where the
cleansing bar has one or more surfactant/wax phases, the further components that may
be present in the wax become dispersed in the surfactant/wax phase to form a mixture
with any other ingredients already present or added afterwards in the surfactant/wax
phase.
[0099] Specific additional ingredients are salts such as sodium chloride, polyoles, in particular
glycerine, sequestering agents such as disodium phosphate, pentasodium petetate, EDTA
and its salts, emollients, in particular lipid emollients, perfumes, dyes. Also water
can be present in any of the phases. These specific additional ingredients by preference
are present in the surfactant phase or in the wax/surfactant phase.
[0100] Any of the phases may contain
active ingredients for application to the skin. These can be lipophilic or hydrophilic active ingredients.
Lipophilic active ingredients by preference are incorporated in the wax or in a wax
phase. However, by using suitable emulsifiers, water-soluble or hydrophilic agents
can be incorporated in the wax or in a wax phase.
[0101] As used herein an 'active ingredient' is meant to comprise a compound that has a
cosmetic or therapeutic effect on the skin, hair, or nails, e.g., lightening agents,
darkening agents such as self-tanning agents, anti-acne agents, shine control agents,
anti-microbial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-aging agents, in particular
anti-wrinkle agents, anti-mycotic agents, anti-parasite agents, external analgesics,
sunscreens, photoprotectors, antioxidants, keratolytic agents, detergents/surfactants,
moisturizers, nutrients, vitamins, energy enhancers, anti-perspiration agents, astringents,
deodorants, hair removers, firming agents, anti-callous agents, and agents for hair,
nail, and/or skin conditioning.
[0102] Examples of active ingredients are hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur resorcinol,
ascorbic acid, D-panthenol, hydroquinone, octyl methoxycinnimate, titanium dioxide,
octyl salicylate, homosalate, avobenzone, polyphenolics, carotenoids, free radical
scavengers, spin traps, retinoids such as retinol and retinyl palmitate, ceramides,
polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, minerals,
hormones such as estrogens, steroids such as hydrocortisone, 2-dimethylaminoethanol,
copper salts such as copper chloride, peptides containing copper such as Cu:Gly-His-Lys,
coenzyme Q10, peptides such as those disclosed in WO-00/15188, lipoic acid, amino
acids such a proline and tyrosine, vitamins, lactobionic acid, acetyl-coenzyme A,
niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, ribose, electron transporters such as NADH and FADH2,
and other botanical extracts such as aloe vera and soy, and derivatives and mixtures
thereof. The cosmetically active agent will typically be present in the formulation
of the invention in an amount of from about 0.001 % to about 20% by weight of the
formulation, e.g., about 0.01% to about 10% such as about 0.1% to about 5%.
[0103] Examples of vitamins include, but are not limited to, vitamin A, vitamin Bs such
as vitamin B3, vitamin B5, and vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin E and
derivatives thereof.
[0104] The active ingredients can be present, depending on the nature of the ingredients
and their application, in various concentrations, but usually are present in a quantity
in the range of 0.01 - 10 % (w/w), preferably from 0.1-7 % (w/w) and more preferably
1 -5 % (w/w), w/w expressed to the total weight of the wax phase.
Further additional ingredients
[0105] Any of the phases may contain further ingredients such as moisturizers, refatting
agents, thickeners, powders, biogenic actives, deodorants, film formers, UV sunscreen
filters, anti-oxidants, hydrotropes, preservatives, insect repellents, self tanning
agents, solubilizers, perfumes, dyes, pigments, and the like.
Moisturizers
[0106] Any of the phases can further contain one or more moisturizers. These are added to
improve the sensorial properties as well as to regulate skin hydration. Moisturizers
may be present in quantities of 1 -20 % (w/w), preferably of 5 - 15 % (w/w), and more
preferably 5 -10 % (w/w) - relative to the total amount of the wax phase.
[0107] Suitable moisturizers are a.o. amino acids, pyrrolidone carbonic acid, lactic acid
and its salts, lactitol, urea and urea derivatives, ureic acid, glucosamine, creatinine,
hydrolysis products of collagen, chitosan or chitosan salts/-derivatives, and in particular
polyols and polyol derivatives (e.g. ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol,
pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, erythrite, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, polyethylene glycols
such as PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8, PEG-9, PEG-10, PEG-12, PEG-14, PEG-16, PEG-18,
PEG-20, PEG-135, PEG 150), sugar and sugar derivatives (a.o. fructose, glucose, maltose,
maltitol, mannite, inosite, sorbite, sorbityl silandiol, sucrose, trehalose, xylose,
xylit, glucuronic acid and its salts), ethoxylated sorbitol (Sorbeth-6, Sorbeth-20,
Sorbeth-30, Sorbeth-40), honey and hydrogenated honey, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates,
as well as mixtures of hydrogenated wheat protein, hydrolyzed milk protein, lecithin,
phythantriol, hyaluronic acid and salts thereof, and PEG-20-acetate copolymers. Particularly
preferred moisturizers are glycerine, diglycerine and triglycerine.
[0108] The addition of a
dye has the advantage that it provides of a visible indication for the user, sending
the message of particular (active) ingredients having been incorporated in the wax
phase.
Emulsifiers
[0109] The wax phase in the products of the invention may further contain one or more emulsifiers
which can be of the W/O type or O/W. The addition of an emulsifier allows the incorporation
of hydrophilic components or agents into the wax phase.
[0110] Preferred are non-ionic emulsifiers which typically have good skin compatibility.
The wax phase may contain the emulsifier(s) in an amount of 0 to 20 % (w/w), in particular
of 0.1 to 15 % (w/w), more in particular of 0.1 to 10 % (w/w), still more in particular
from 0.1 to 5%, or 0.1 to 2% (w/w), relative to the total quantity of the wax phase.
[0111] Particular
non-ionic emulsifiers comprise:
(1) Addition products of 2 to 50 moles of ethylene oxide and/or 0 to 20 moles propylene
oxide to linear fatty alcohols having 8 to 40 C-atoms, to fatty acids with 12 to 40
C-atoms and to alkylphenols with 8 to 15 C-atoms in the alkyl rest.
(2) C12-18-fatty acid mono- and -diesters of addition products of 1 to 50 moles of ethylene
oxide and glycerine.
(3) Glycerine mono- and -diesters and sorbitan mono- and -diesters of saturated and
unsaturated fatty acids with 6 to 22 C-atoms and their ethylene oxide addition products.
(4) Alkyl mono- and -oligoglycosides with 8 to 22 C-atoms in the alkyl rest and their
ethoxylated analogs.
(5) Addition products of 7 to 60 moles of ethylene oxide to castor oil and/or hardened
castor oil.
(6) Polyol- and in particular polyglycerine esters, such as e.g. polyol poly-12-hydroxystearate,
polyglycerine polyricinoleate, polyglycerine diisostearate or polyglycerine dimerate.
Also applicable are mixtures of compounds of several of these substance classes.
(7) Addition products of 2 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide to castor oil and/or hardened
castor oil.
(8) Partial esters derived from linear, branch chained, unsaturated or saturated C6-C22-fatty acids, ricinoleic acid as well as 12-hydroxystearic acid and glycerine, polyglycerine,
pentaerythrite, dipentaerythrit, sugar alcohols (e.g. sorbitol), alkylglucosides (e.g.
methylglucoside, butylglucoside, laurylglucoside), as well as polyglucosides (e.g.
cellulose), or mixed esters such as e.g. glyceryl stearate/citrate and glyceryl stearate/lactate.
(9) Wool wax alcohols.
(10) Polysiloxane-polyalkyl-polyether-copolymers and derivatives thereof.
(11) Mixed esters from pentaerythrite, fatty acids, citric acid and fatty alcohols
and/or mixed esters of fatty acids with 6 to 22 C-atoms with methylglucose and polyoles,
respectively glycerine or polyglycerine.
(12) Polyalkylene glycols.
Arrangement of the Phases
[0112] Where more than one phase is present the phases may be arranged in particular ways.
There can be multiple phases of the same type, i.e. several wax phases, surfactant
phases or wax/surfactant phases. Phases of the same type differ in composition. The
phases can be incorporated in the cleansing bar but can also be located at the surface
of the bar. A phase may be present over the whole volume or in parts of the cleansing
bar. Each of the phases may contain one or more of the ingredients mentioned hereinafter,
e.g active ingredients, dyes, emulsifiers, etc. Preferably, any lipophilic ingredients
are incorporated into a wax phase.
[0113] The phases can be present evenly or non-evenly in the cleansing bar, non-evenly meaning
that the distribution of the amount of the phase varies, i.e. some volume areas of
the cleansing bar can have greater or lesser amounts of the phase. Preferably the
phases are applied evenly in the bar.
[0114] If present at the surface, a phase can be at one side or at two or more sides of
the cleansing bar, continuously or discontinuously. In the latter instance, a phase
may be present as one or more forms or shapes, e.g. dots or spots, lines or stripes,
as geometrical figures, as symbols such as letters, text, logos, trademark signs,
etc.
[0115] In one embodiment, the cleansing bar is composed of two phases, e.g. a wax phase
and a surfactant phase. This may result for example in a cleansing bar that at one
portion of the bar has cleansing capacity and at another portion has caring capacity.
In other embodiments, the bar may have three, four or more phases. For example the
bar may be composed of two compartments each of about equal size, the right compartment
being composed of wax phase and the left compartment of surfactant phase. There can
be embodiments with three, four or more compartments.
[0116] The various phases may be arranged in a variety of ways. One embodiment comprises
a cleansing bar composed of two or more layers of different phases, e.g. a bar composed
of a surfactant phase layer and a wax phase layer; or a bar composed of a multitude
of layers of phases, e.g. a bar with at the bottom a layer such as a surfactant phase
layer, in the middle another layer such as a wax phase layer, and on top again a surfactant
phase layer. In principle any number of layers, each layer being composed of either
wax phase, surfactant phase or wax/surfactant phase. The layers may be placed vertically
(meaning that the layer runs in parallel with the largest surface of the bar) or horizontally
(meaning that the layer runs in parallel with the smallest surface of the bar), or
even skew or in a wave pattern.
[0117] Another embodiment is a cleansing bar that is composed of a core of one type of phase,
wherein the core is enclosed in a layer of another phase, or a multitude of layers
(an onion-type of arrangement).
[0118] Another embodiment is a cleansing bar incorporating a plurality of wax particles
which may be of equal or different size. A particular execution may be a surfactant
phase including a plurality of wax beads.
[0119] Still other embodiments are those having a core of synthetic material covered by
surfactant and wax phases. The core may have several shapes, including shapes forming
a specific shape and may be made of any suitable polymeric material such as polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, polyvinyl, including combinations thereof. The
core may be embedded in one phase or in two or more phases, similar as the embodiments
described above.
[0120] Any of the phases may be colorless or colored, i.e. mono- or multi-colored, transparent
or opaque. Multi-colored cleansing bars are obtained by applying several wax phases
that have been dyed differently. A colored wax phase will alert the user of the fact
that the cleansing bar contains a special material that contains an active ingredient
or it may also make the product aesthetically attractive.
Particular compositions of the cleansing bars
[0121] Particular embodiments of cleansing bars in accordance with the present invention
are those having the following composition. Any percentage in this section is w/w
relative to the total weight of the cleansing bar.
A. Soap bars
[0122]
1. Soaps |
65 - 83% |
(e.g. sodium tallowate and sodium palm kemelate) |
|
2. Water |
5 - 15% |
3. Polyoles (in particular glycerin) |
0 - 2% |
4. Salt (in particular NaCl) |
0 - 1%, in particular 0.5 - 1% |
5. Sequestering Agents |
0 - 0.75%, in particular 0.25 - 0.75% |
(disodium phosphate, pentasaodium pentetate, tetrasodium edta, tetrasodium etidronate,
etc.) |
|
7. Perfume |
0 - 3%, in particular 0.1 - 3% |
8. Emollients/Lipids (Mineral oil, etc) |
0 - 3%, in particular 0.5 - 3% |
9. Actives |
0 - 5%, in particular 0.1 - 5% |
(e.g. proteins, anti-bacterials, anti-perspirants, etc) |
|
10. Colorants 0 - 1 %, in particular |
0.01-1% |
11. Wax in accordance with this invention |
1 - 50%, or 1- 30%, in particular |
5 - 35% or 8 - 20% |
B. Syndet bars
[0123]
1. Surfactants (and optionally fillers, plasticizers, water, inorganic pigment such
as e.g. titanium dioxide) |
70 - 94% |
Suitable surfactants comprise, for example,e.g. disodium fatty alcohol (C12-C18)sulfosuccinate,
sodium fatty alcohol (C12-C18) sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, disodium fatty
alcohol (C12-C18) sulfoacetate, including mixtures thereof. |
2. Water |
1 - 5% |
3. Parfum |
1 - 3%, in particular 0.1 - 3% |
4. Emollients/Lipids |
0 - 3% |
5. Actives |
0 - 3%, in particular 0.1 - 3% |
(Examples of actives are proteins, anti-bacterials, anti-perspirants, etc) |
|
6. Colorants |
0 - 1 %, in particular 0,01 - 1% |
7. Wax composition in accordance with this invention |
1 - 30% |
Manufacture
[0124] The cleansing bars of the invention may be made using art-known techniques. Soap
bars are made starting from a suitable soap base which is made by saponification of
suitable oils or fats, washed , neutralized and dried in a spray-drying process in
a scraped-wall heat exchanger yielding a soap base in the form of flakes (or noodles).
The soap base may be processed further by milling, plodding, and stamping, or the
soap base may be extruded and stamped. During this further processing step the wax
may be added, but also other ingredients may be added, such as fragrances, colorants,
active ingredients, moisturizers, etc. A similar process may be applied to produce
syndet bars.
[0125] Soap bars can also be formed by a frame moulding process where the molten mass is
poured into a frame, allowed to cool whereupon the soap sets. The resulting slab of
solid soap is then cut into pieces of desired size. Cleansing bars can further be
formed by a pour moulding process which comprises pouring the molten mass into a mould
thereby leaving the bar in the desired shape upon cooling. Frame and pour moulding
is a widely-used process for producing glycerine soap bars and in particular for transparent
soap bars. The wax and optional other ingredients are added to the molten mass prior
to pouring it into the frame or mould.
[0126] These processes yield to cleansing bars with one surfactant/wax phase. They can also
be used to prepare a surfactant/wax phase which is combined with another phase, e.g.
a wax phase, e.g. by compression.
[0127] Another technique to prepare multiphase products is by multiple pouring and cooling
steps. It may be desirable to put a sheet between each phase to avoid mixing of the
phases.
[0128] Syndet soap bases can be made in accordance with art-known procedures and are commercially
available. The syndet soap bases are processed further as outlined hereafter. First,
the syndet base is mixed together with water, fragrance, colorant and any other ingredients
(additives). The optimal mixing time depends on the formulation, on the batch size
and the equipment itself. The total water content of the formulation preferably is
in the range of 6 - 8%. The starting syndet bases may have a certain water content,
in some instance the addition of water may be required. Then the wax, which needs
to be premelted, is added under continuous mixing. The whole is mixed until the syndet
base takes up homogenously the wax phase and where applicable, the other additives.
[0129] The mixing step is usually followed by a refining step. Refining typically is carried
out using a simplex refiner followed by a 3-roll mill which provides good homogenization.
Upon start-up the rolls preferably should not be cooled to ensure good product adherence
to the rolls. Once this is achieved, the rolls should by preference be cooled to have
consistent product transfer from roll to roll and to cool the product.
[0130] A next step comprises final refining and extrusion. Duplex vacuum plodders are the
standard units which most of the time are used in syndet bar manufacturing lines.
A refining screen of experimentally optimized mesh size can be used in the preliminary
stage while the final extrusion stage could be free from any screens or drilled plates.
The extrusion head temperature depends on the size and design of the head. It usually
varies from about 50 - 60°C , but greater variations may be possible depending on
the type of syndet surfactant, the additives and in particular of the amount of wax.
This temperature determines the surface finish of the extruded slug. The slug temperature
preferably should range between 36 to 41°C depending on syndet base that is being
used.
[0131] The next step comprises cutting. Multiblase or electronic single blase cutters are
generally used to cut the continuous slugs into individual length pieces. The syndet
bars may be stamped into any banded and bandless shapes.
[0132] An advantage of syndet bars, or cleansing bars having phases based on syndet material,
is that they have a much lower pH than classic soaps. This allows the use of a wider
range of additives/actives which are unstable in an alkaline environment such as in
classic soaps.
[0133] Thus in another aspect, this invention further concerns a process for preparing a
cleansing bar as specified herein, said process comprising shaping a wax/surfactant
phase into a cleansing bar; or creating one or more phases, at least one of which
is a surfactant phase or a wax/surfactant phase and combining the phases into an appropriately-shaped
cleansing bar.
[0134] A multiphase cleansing bar can be made by art-known methods, e.g. by first casting
one phase which is subsequently allowed to set and subsequently casting another phase.
The phase can be any phase, i.e. wax phase, surfactant phase (soap based, syndet based
or combo based), or wax/surfactant phase (again: soap based, syndet based or combo
based). As mentioned above, these phases may be combined in any variation.
[0135] A phase can be applied to the exterior part of the cleansing bar by coating liquid
material, obtained by melting or dissolving into a suitable solvent which is evaporated
afterwards, to a cleansing bar. As used herein the term 'coating' refers to printing,
covering, overlaying, finishing, spraying, extruding, laminating or any other method
of applying the wax phase to the surface of the cleansing bar. A phase may be applied
by bathing the cleansing bar into a liquid phase or by spraying.
[0136] The wax phase may be applied in liquid form while being in mixture with water, which
can be colored or uncolored and which is removed after application, to result in a
dry or essentially dry product. The water is subsequently evaporated, e.g. by applying
dry air, either heated or not.
[0137] A drying step may be applied at any time during the process. Drying can be done by
conventional methods, e.g. by the application of hot air, or by leading the cleansing
bar through an oven or over a heated or warmed transport roll.
[0138] The thus obtained cleansing bars can be packed individually or can be packed in a
determined number in a suitable package, for example a plastic wrap, box and the like.
Application and properties
[0139] It has been found that the addition of the specific wax or wax phase as outlined
hereinabove results in a decrease of the sloughing and mushing effect. The latter
is the tendency towards mushiness when a soap bar is left in contact with water for
a certain period of time and is a feature of both syndet and fatty acid soap bars.
This so-called sloughing/mushing may be determined quantitatively by dipping a bar
into water for several hours and then carefully scraping the soft and mushy part away
from the surface. The weight loss under defined conditions is a relative measure of
sloughing. The uptake of water of a syndet or fatty acid soap bar is strongly influenced
by the additive used in the formulation. Hydrophilic additives like surfactants increase
the sloughing whereas hydrophobic additives like fatty acid glycerides usually decrease
it.
[0140] The products according to the present invention advantageously result in an optimal
release of the active ingredient(s) onto the skin during use.
[0141] Optimal release of active ingredients can be achieved by using a wax phase which
is a solid lipid having a melting point or melting range which is equal to or slightly
exceeds body temperature. Without being bound to theory, it is believed that this
results in a quicker melting of the wax phase, causing a faster and more efficient
transfer and release to the skin of the active materials.
[0142] Optimal release of active ingredients can also be achieved by using a suitable emulsifier
in the wax phase to cause a local emulsification process on the skin during use of
the cleansing bars. This local emulsification can also be achieved by contacting the
wax phase in the products with water or with an aqueous phase prior to usage. This
local emulsification may be the result of body temperature causing the wax phase to
melt or it may be the result of pressure exerted during usage of the wipe, or it may
be the result of both, the latter being usually the case. In the instance of local
emulsification by the effect of pressure, the emulsification process is driven by
the (limited) pressure exerted by the user when using the bar on the skin. This causes
the lipid phase to come in contact with water or an aqueous phase and form an emulsion
locally.
[0143] In this local emulsification process, a limited amount of the phase without emulsifier
is incorporated into the phase having the emulsifier. Optimal release of active ingredients
can also be achieved by making use of both above possibilities.
[0144] The products according to the invention can be for baby or adult use in a wide range
of applications, as personal care products, comprising, for example, baby cleansing,
face or body cleansing, combined skin cleansing and treatment or conditioning such
as, for example, combined cleansing/moisturization such as in after-sun treatment.
The product may combine cleansing and application of particular active ingredients
such as anti-acne agents, anti-aging agents, make-up removal agents, refreshers, warming
or cooling agents, insect repellents, anti-perspirants, sunscreens, or combined cleansing
and peeling.
[0145] The products of the invention may find use as cleansing tools and are particularly
effective to remove both aqueous and lipid soils and components. The products of the
invention may in particular be used as cleansers for babies because of their effectiveness
to cleanse and their mildness.
[0146] The products described herein find use as both cleanser and applicator of active
substances in one product. They further allow to independently optimize the cleansing
and skincare attributes of the product and at the same time improve the delivery of
skincare actives onto the skin. The products of the invention may show improved performance
in terms of cleansing and skin benefits since both attributes can be formulated in
different phases independently.
[0147] A still further advantage lies in the fact that the instant products allow an improved
transfer of actives onto the skin.
[0148] Most types of wax compositions described in this specification, possess the additional
advantage that they are almost odorless (unless fragrances are added), environmentally
friendly and biologically decomposable.
Examples
[0149] The following examples are given with the nomenclature of INCI. As used in the following
examples, C.I. refers to dyes. The following ingredients are commercially available.
1) Cegesoft® HF 52
INCI: Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Manufactured by: Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
2) Cegesoft® PS 6
INCI: Vegetable Oil
Manufactured by: Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
3) Eumulgin® VL 75
INCI:Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glycerin, Aqua (Water);
ca. 75 % active ingredient in water Manufactured by: Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co.
KG
4) Cegesoft® GPO
Manufactured by: Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
5) Tospearl® 145 A
6) Timoron® Splendid Gold
Example 1: wax phases
[0150] The following wax phases were prepared by melting the ingredients together.
Phase 1-A |
Cocoglycerides |
64.99 % |
Cetyl Alcohol |
34.00 % |
Tocopherol |
1.00 % |
C.I. 61565 |
0.01 % |
Phase 1-B |
Cocoglycerides |
54.99 % |
Cetyl Alcohol |
35.00 % |
Ceteareth-12 |
3.00 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
4.00 % |
|
Tocopherol |
1.00 % |
C.I. 61565 |
0.01 % |
Aqua |
2.00 % |
Phase 1-C |
Cocoglycerides |
49.99 % |
Cetearyl Alcohol |
22.00 % |
Cegesoft® HF 52 |
5.00 % |
Cegesoft® PS 6 |
3.00 % |
Ceteareth-12 |
2.00 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
2.00 % |
PEG-20 Stearate |
10.00 % |
|
Tocopherol |
1.00 % |
C.I. 61565 |
0.01 % |
Aqua |
5.00 % |
Phase 1-D |
Cocoglycerides |
58.99 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
26.00 % |
Glyceryl Laurate |
14.00 % |
|
Tocopherol |
1.00 % |
C.I. 75300 |
0.01% |
Phase 1-E |
Cocoglycerides |
30.00 % |
Cetearyl Alcohol |
6.00 % |
Cegesoft® HF 52 |
20.00 % |
Cegesoft® GPO |
5.00 % |
Ceteareth-12 |
15.00 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
20.00 % |
|
Tocopherol |
1.00 % |
Panthenol |
1.00 % |
Aqua |
2.00 % |
Phase 1-F |
Cocoglycerides |
19.99 % |
Cetearyl Alcohol |
30.00 % |
Cegesoft® PS 6 |
10.00 % |
Eumulgin® VL 75 |
10.00 % |
Ceteareth-12 |
5.00 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
10.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Carbonate |
5.00 % |
Tospearl® 145 A |
5.00 % |
Zinc Stearate |
2.00 % |
C.I. 61565 |
0.01% |
Aqua |
3.00 % |
Phase 1-G |
Myristyl Alcohol |
19.99 % |
Cocoglycerides |
10.00 % |
Cegesoft® HF 52 |
20.00 % |
Eumulgin® VL 75 |
10.00 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
20.00 % |
PEG-20 Stearate |
5.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Carbonate |
2.00 % |
Panthenol |
3.00 % |
C.I. 61565 |
0.01 % |
Aqua |
10.00 % |
Phase 1-H |
Myristyl Alcohol |
47.99 % |
Stearyl Alcohol |
25.00 % |
Eumulgin® VL 75 |
2.00 % |
PEG-20 Stearate |
14.00 % |
1,2-Hexadecanediol |
5.00 % |
Bisabolol |
1.00 % |
C.I. 47000 |
0.01 % |
Aqua |
5.00 % |
Phase 1-I |
Cocoglycerides |
47.99 % |
Stearyl Alcohol |
20.00 % |
Eumulgin® VL 75 |
2.00 % |
PEG-20 Stearate |
12.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Carbonate |
5.00 % |
Cyclomethicone |
3.00 % |
Tospearl® 145 A |
5.00 % |
C.I. 75300 |
0.01 % |
Aqua |
5.00 % |
Phase 1-J |
Cocoglycerides |
55.99 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
20.00 % |
Glyceryl Laurate |
15.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Carbonate |
5.00 % |
Talc |
2.00 % |
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate |
2.00 % |
C.I. 60725 |
0.01 % |
Phase 1-K |
Cocoglycerides |
50.99 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
25.00 % |
Glyceryl Laurate |
15.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Ether |
5.00 % |
Talc |
2.00 % |
Timiron® Splendid Gold |
2.00 % |
C.I. 21230 |
0.01% |
Phase 1-L |
Myristyl Alcohol |
58.99 % |
Stearyl Alcohol |
23.00 % |
PEG-20 Stearate |
15.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Carbonate |
2.00 % |
Panthenol |
1.00 % |
C.I. 61525 |
0.01% |
Phase 1-M |
Myristyl Alcohol |
47.99 % |
Stearyl Alcohol |
25.00 % |
Eumulgin® VL 75 |
2.00 % |
PEG-20 Stearate |
10.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Ether |
7.00 % |
Panthenol |
2.00 % |
C.I. 61525 |
0.01 % |
Aqua |
6.00 % |
Phase 1-N |
Myristyl Alcohol |
50.00 % |
Stearyl Alcohol |
25.00 % |
Eumulgin® VL 75 |
2.00 % |
PEG-20 Stearate |
10.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Ether |
7.00 % |
Ethyl Butylacetylaminopropionate |
5.00 % |
Panthenol |
1.00 % |
Phase 1-O |
Cocoglycerides |
54.99 % |
Cetyl Alcohol |
33.00 % |
Ceteareth-12 |
3.00 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
4.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Carbonate |
2.00 % |
Octyl Methoxycinnamate |
6.00 % |
C.I. 61565 |
0.01 % |
Phase 1-P |
Cocoglycerides |
56.99 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
25.00 % |
Glyceryl Laurate |
14.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Carbonate |
1.00 % |
Polyethylene |
3.00 % |
C.I. 75300 |
0.01 % |
Phase 1-Q |
Cocoglycerides |
58.93 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
25.00 % |
Glyceryl Laurate |
15.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Ether |
1.00 % |
Aqua |
0.06 % |
C.I. 61565 |
0.01 % |
Phase 1-R |
Cocoglycerides |
43.93 % |
Stearyl Alcohol |
15.00 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
25.00 % |
Glyceryl Laurate |
15.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Ether |
1.00 % |
Aqua |
0.06 % |
C.I. 61565 |
0.01 % |
Phase 1-S |
Cocoglycerides |
44.93 % |
Glyceryl Stearate |
25.00 % |
Glyceryl Laurate |
15.00 % |
Di-Stearyl Ether |
15.00 % |
Aqua |
0.06 % |
C.I. 61565 |
0.01 % |
Example 2
Preparation of a soap bar
[0151]

[0152] The fats to be saponified are pumped in a saponification reactor. The whole is pressurized
at 2 bar and brought at a temperature of 125 - 130 °C whereupon 12N NaOH is pumped
into the reactor whereafter the whole is kept at the indicated temperature and pressure
while being circulated with a recycle pump. Subsequently the soap is lead through
a cooling mixture where it is cooled to 85-90 °C . The soap is then lead to a static
separator where the soap is separated off the spent lyes. The soap subsequently is
washed in a washing column. In a next step the soap mass is centrifuged to liberate
it from the last lye traces and neutralized to the desired pH. The soap is dried by
heating to 145 °C and spray-drying in vacuum yielding soap noodles which form the
soap base.
The chelating agents are added as well as the wax composition (i.e. a wax I-R as described
in the previous example) and any other additives. These are subsequently transferred
into soap bars by melting and casting.
Example 2
[0153] Examples of poured/moulded cleansing bars:
Cleansing bar A |
1. Moisturizing White Glycerin Soap base |
90% |
2. Fragrance |
1% |
3. Wax phase (i.e. wax I-A as described in the previous example) |
9% |
Cleansing bar B |
1. Moisturizing White Glycerin Soap base |
84.5% |
2. Fragrance |
0.5% |
3. Wax phase (i.e. wax I-B as described in the previous example) |
15% |
Cleansing bar C |
1. Moisturizing Clear Glycerin Soap base |
68.49% |
2. Fragrance |
1.5% |
3. Colorant |
0.01 % |
4. Wax phase (i.e. a wax phase I-A as described in the previous example) |
30% |
Example on manufacturing process (bars A - C):
[0154]
I. Heat the soap base (microwave or standard heating) and melt the base
II. Add the ingredients 2 - x slowly while mixing.
III. Pre-melt wax phase separately and when melted poor under mixing into the soap
base.
IV. Mix until homogenous and finally poor the complete base into prepared molds.
V. Let the soap completely cool before releasing from the molds.
Example 3
[0155] As used herein Zetesap™ 813P is the tradename of a syndet base containing a blend
of disodium fatty alcohol (C12-C18) sulfosuccinate and sodium fatty alcohol (C12-18)
sulfate, fillers, plasticizers, water and TiO
2.
[0156] As used herein Zetesap™ 5165 is the tradename of a syndet base containing a blend
of disodium fatty alcohol (C12-C18) sulfosuccinate and sodium cocoyl isthionate, fillers,
plasticizers, water and TiO
2.
Example 3-A
[0157]
1. Zetesap™ 813P syndet base |
90% |
2. Water |
4% |
3. Fragrance |
1% |
4. Wax I-C |
5% |
Example 3-B
[0158]
Zetesap™ base 5165 |
1. Zetesap™ base 5165 |
62.69% |
2. Water |
3.5% |
3. Fragrance |
1.8% |
4. Colorant |
0.01 % |
5. Wax I-D |
32% |
Example 4: illustration of the arrangement of the phases
[0159] The cleansing bars shown below can have all forms as described in the specification,
e.g. ellipsoid, rectangular, round, square etc.


[0160] Ia-Id: soap bars with two separated phases, which can be distinct wax and surfactant phases
or a wax respectively surfactant phase in conjunction with a mixed wax/surfactant
phase.

[0161] II a, b: soap bars which have a solid, undissolvable core made from a synthetic material like
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide etc. or mixtures thereof. The outer
layer is a mixture of the wax/surfactant phases which can be in different ratios from
50:50 to 1:99 (weight amounts of wax:surfactant).

[0162] III a/b: Soap bars with distinct zones on the bar.
[0163] In the form of a dissolvable bar the wax and surfactant phases are separated, where
one of the phases, preferably the wax phase, is applied to the other phase in a 3d
form like stripes, dots, logos etc.
[0164] In the form of a non-dissolvable bar the uniform wax/surfactant phase is applied
in a 3D form onto the synthetic material the bar core is made from.

[0165] IV a: Dissolvable bar with separated phases in the way that one phase, preferably the wax
phase, is added to the surfactant phase in the form of beads, granules or capsules.
IV b: soap bar with an apertured film as cover made from a synthetic material like polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester, polyamide etc.. The bar itself can be made as one of the
previous examples 2-3.