Washing composition

Abstract

The invention provides a washing composition for washing a surface to deposit thereon a solid active agent, the washing composition comprising an emulsion of silicone droplets, the silicone droplets comprising: (a) a continuous silicone phase, and; (b) a dispersed phase of solid particulate active agent. Preferably the solid active agent is a solid antimicrobial such as zinc pyridinethione.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to washing compositions, more particularly to washing compositions for washing a surface to deposit thereon a solid active agent, such as particles of a solid antimicrobial substance. Such washing compositions include compositions for washing hair or skin, such as hair shampoos, conditioners, body shampoos, shower gels, facial washing compositions, bar soaps and bath foams. They may also include compositions for household cleaning, such as hard surface-cleaners.BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART[0002] Difficulties arise in achieving effective deposition of solid active agents onto a surface such as skin or hair when the solid active agent is delivered by means of incorporation into rinse-off compositions, typically hair and body shampoos, conditioners and the like. Frequently, such active agents are preferentially rinsed away from the intended site of deposition, rather than being deposited thereat.[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,818 describes that the presence...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Difficulties arise in achieving effective deposition of solid active agents onto a surface such as skin or hair when the solid active agent is delivered by means of incorporation into rinse-off compositions, typically hair and body shampoos, conditioners and the like.

There remains the problem, however, that the typical, preferred types of antimicrobial (such as sulphur, selenium disulphide and heavy metal salts of pyridinethione) are relatively dense materials and have a tendency to settle out on storage, from compositions into which they are incorporated.

Although these materials are effective for suspending particulate matter, they can adversely affect lathering performance, impart an undesirable cloudy appearance to the composition, and, in particular, mitigate against effective deposition of the active agent on the desired site, thereby reducing performance.

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