Personal care composition

Abstract

Disclosed herein are metastatic compositions and personal care compositions thereof for rebalancing the skin microbiome, and personal care compositions comprising the same. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a metastatic composition comprising: a short chain fatty acid selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and a plurality of amino acids comprising at least two amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, salts thereof, and combinations of two or more thereof.

Description

[0001] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 476,002, filed on December 19, 2022, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] The skin is the body's first line of defense against infection and environmental stressors. It acts as the primary physical and immune protection barrier and also plays a key role in temperature regulation, water retention, vitamin D production, and sensation. Its outermost surface consists of the stratum corneum loaded with lipids and proteins, scattered with hair follicles and exocrine glands that secrete lipids, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), enzymes, salts, etc. It harbors a microbial community living in a series of physiologically and anatomically distinct niches. Overall, this constitutes a highly heterogeneous and complex system.

[0004] During adulthood, despite large inter-individual differences, in the absence of any specific skin disorder, the skin microbiome remains relatively stable, indicating mutualistic and commensal interactions between microorganisms and between microorganisms and the host, even for bacterial species that are commonly considered opportunistic pathogens. In the case of healthy skin, most of the microorganisms living on the skin behave as commensal or mutualistic organisms. Through various mechanisms, such as the secretion of innate factors or the stimulation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), they maintain the microbial community composition, avoid the spread of opportunistic parasites, and also contribute to the training of the immune system and the homeostasis of a healthy skin barrier. In the case of barrier disruption or immunosuppression, these carefully balanced relationships can shift from commensal to pathogenic, a shift known as dysbiosis, which allows pathogenic species to overgrow, typically resulting in skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, ulcers, and atopic dermatitis.

[0005] Probiotics are known to have beneficial effects on the balance of the skin microbiota. In particular, it is desirable to inhibit harmful bacteria while promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. However, the ability to provide this dual benefit remains a challenge.

[0006] In addition, as the skin ages, it tends to lose its elasticity and / or firmness. Current options for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness are not optimal.

[0007] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide these and other benefits. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This Summary of the Invention is only intended to introduce a brief overview of certain aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Other applicable fields of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. This Summary of the Invention is not an exhaustive overview, nor is it intended to identify key or important elements of the teachings, nor is it intended to delimit the scope of the present disclosure. Instead, its purpose is to present one or more concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the following detailed description.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to postbiotic compositions for rebalancing the skin microbiome and personal care compositions thereof, as well as personal care compositions containing the same. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a postbiotic composition comprising: short-chain fatty acids selected from lactic acid, its salts, and combinations thereof; and a plurality of amino acids comprising at least two amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0010] According to another aspect, there is provided a personal care composition comprising a polyol; optionally, a fatty compound; optionally, a thickening agent; and a postbiotic system comprising: (a) a short-chain fatty acid blend comprising (i) a first short-chain fatty acid selected from lactic acid, its salts, and combinations thereof, and (ii) a second short-chain fatty acid selected from acetic acid, pyruvic acid, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof; and (b) a plurality of amino acids comprising at least two amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a bar graph showing the effects of non-limiting exemplary personal care compositions and comparative compositions according to aspects of the present invention on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Corynebacterium striatum (C. striatum), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis).

[0013] Figure 2 is a bar graph showing the effects of non-limiting exemplary personal care compositions and comparative compositions according to aspects of the present invention on filaggrin expression.

[0014] Figure 3 is a bar graph showing the effects of exemplary personal care compositions and comparative compositions according to aspects of the present invention on total collagen expression.

[0015] Figure 4 A bar graph showing the effect of an exemplary personal care composition and a comparative composition according to aspects of the present invention on collagen III expression.

[0016] It should be understood that aspects of the present invention are not limited to the arrangements and means shown in the figures. Detailed Description

[0017] For purposes of illustration, the principles of the present invention are described by reference to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Although certain embodiments of the present invention are specifically described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the same principles equally apply to other compositions and methods and can be used in other compositions and methods. Before detailing the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of any particular embodiment disclosed herein. The terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and not for purposes of limitation.

[0018] As used herein and in the appended claims, unless the context dictates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references. The singular form of any class of ingredients refers not only to one chemical substance within that class but also to mixtures of those chemical substances. The terms "a / an", "one or more", and "at least one" may be used interchangeably herein. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" may be used interchangeably. The term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". The term "comprising" should be interpreted as "comprising but not limited to".

[0019] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the endpoint of the range. Thus, a range of 1 to 5 specifically includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as sub-ranges such as 2 to 5, 3 to 5, 2 to 3, 2 to 4, 1 to 4, etc. When referring to a number, the term "about" means any number within 10% of that number. For example, the phrase "about 2 wt%" refers to a number between 1.8 wt% and 2.2 wt% and including 1.8 wt% and 2.2 wt%.

[0020] All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event of a conflict between the definitions in this disclosure and the definitions of the cited references, this disclosure shall control.

[0021] Unless otherwise indicated, the abbreviations and symbols used herein have their ordinary meanings. The abbreviation "wt%" means weight percentage relative to the weight of the personal care composition. The symbol "°" refers to degrees, such as degrees of temperature or degrees of an angle. The symbols "hr", "min", "mL", "nm", and "μm" refer to hours, minutes, milliliters, nanometers, and micrometers, respectively. The abbreviation "UV-VIS" when referring to a spectrometer or spectroscopy means ultraviolet-visible. The abbreviation "rpm" means revolutions per minute.

[0022] The phrase "MRS agar" refers to De Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar, which is a selective medium designed to favor the growth of lactobacilli. The phrase "TSB medium" refers to tryptic soy broth or tryptone soya broth, which is used as a liquid culture medium in microbiology laboratories to grow aerobic bacteria. The phrase "PBS wash" refers to a phosphate-buffered saline wash. The abbreviation "qPCR" is quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

[0023] "Volatile" as used herein means having a flash point below about 100 °C. "Non-volatile" as used herein means having a flash point above about 100 °C.

[0024] When referring to chemical structures and names, the symbols "C", "H", and "O" mean carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, respectively. The symbols "–", "=", and "≡" mean single bond, double bond, and triple bond, respectively.

[0025] Any member of the list of species used to illustrate or define a genus can be distinct from any other member of the list of species, or overlap with any other member of the list of species, or be a subset of any other member of the list of species, or be identical to any other member of the list of species, or be almost the same as any other member of the list of species, or be the same as any other member of the list of species. Additionally, unless explicitly stated, for example when reciting a Markush group, the list of species defining or illustrating a genus is open-ended, and other species can exist that define or illustrate the genus that are exactly as good as or better than any of the other species listed.

[0026] The phrases "its mixture", "its combination", or "a combination of two or more of them" do not require that the mixture contain all of A, B, C, D, E, and F (although it may contain all of A, B, C, D, E, and F). Instead, it means a mixture that can contain any two or more of A, B, C, D, E, and F. In other words, it is equivalent to the phrase "one or more elements selected from A, B, C, D, E, F, and mixtures of any two or more of A, B, C, D, E, and F". Similarly, the term "its salt" also refers to "its various salts". Thus, when the present disclosure refers to "an element selected from A, B, C, D, E, F, its salts, and its mixtures", it means that it can include one or more of A, B, C, D, and F, can include one or more of the salts of A, the salts of B, the salts of C, the salts of D, the salts of E, and the salts of F, or can include a mixture of any two of A, B, C, D, E, F, the salts of A, the salts of B, the salts of C, the salts of D, the salts of E, and the salts of F.

[0027] All components and elements affirmatively set forth in the present disclosure can be negatively excluded from the claims. In other words, the personal care compositions of the present disclosure can be free or substantially free of all components and elements affirmatively recited throughout the present disclosure. In some cases, the personal care compositions of the present disclosure can be substantially free of non-incidental amounts of the ingredients or compounds described herein. A non-incidental amount of an ingredient or compound is the amount of that ingredient or compound added separately to the personal care composition. For example, a personal care composition can be substantially free of non-incidental amounts of an ingredient or compound, although such an ingredient or compound can be present as part of a raw material included as a blend of two or more compounds.

[0028] Some of the various categories of components identified can overlap. In cases where overlap is possible and the hair cleansing composition contains two components (or the composition contains more than two overlapping components), the overlapping compounds do not represent more than one component. For example, certain compounds can be referred to as both an emulsifier and a surfactant. If a particular hair composition contains both an emulsifier and a surfactant, the compound that can be referred to as both an emulsifier and a surfactant will function as only one of the emulsifier or the surfactant - not as both.

[0029] For readability purposes, chemical functional groups are in their adjective form; for each adjective, it is assumed that there is the word "group". For example, the adjective "alkyl" without a following noun should be interpreted as "alkyl group".

[0030] Escherichia coli is a gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, coliform bacterium of the genus Escherichia that is commonly found in the lower intestinal tract of warm-blooded organisms (homeothermic animals). Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but some serotypes can cause severe food poisoning in their hosts and occasionally lead to product recalls due to food contamination.

[0031] Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive, round bacterium that is a member of the phylum Firmicutes and is a common member of the body's microbiota, often found in the upper respiratory tract and on the skin. It is typically positive for catalase and nitrate reduction and is a facultative anaerobe that does not require oxygen to grow. Skin infections are the most common form of S. aureus infection. This can manifest in a variety of ways, including small benign boils, folliculitis, impetigo, cellulitis, and more serious invasive soft tissue infections. S. aureus is extremely common in people with atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema. It is often found in nutrient-rich and active areas, including the armpits, hair, and scalp. Large papules that appear in these areas may exacerbate the infection if injured.

[0032] Corynebacterium striatum is a Gram-positive bacterium that exhibits a "rod-like" morphology, more formally known as a coryneform structure. Corynebacterium striatum is generally considered an opportunistic pathogen that may cause skin infections in humans.

[0033] Staphylococcus epidermidis is a Gram-positive bacterium that is part of the normal human flora, usually the skin flora and less commonly the mucosal flora. It is a facultative anaerobic bacterium.

[0034] Aspects of the invention relate to postbiotic compositions for rebalancing the skin microbiome. Additional aspects of the invention relate to personal care compositions comprising a postbiotic composition as disclosed herein. When incorporated into a personal care composition, the postbiotic composition is often referred to as a postbiotic system.

[0035] According to one aspect of the present invention, a postbiotic composition is provided, comprising: short-chain fatty acids selected from lactic acid, salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and a plurality of amino acids comprising at least two amino acids selected from histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, salts thereof, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0036] According to another aspect, there is provided a personal care composition comprising a polyol; optionally, a fatty compound; optionally, a thickening agent; and a postbiotic system, the postbiotic system comprising: (a) a short-chain fatty acid blend comprising (i) a first short-chain fatty acid selected from lactic acid, salts thereof, and combinations thereof, and (ii) a second short-chain fatty acid selected from acetic acid, pyruvic acid, salts thereof, and combinations of two or more thereof; and (b) a plurality of amino acids comprising at least 2 amino acids selected from histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, salts thereof, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0037] The postbiotic compositions and personal care compositions disclosed herein can preferably be formulated to inhibit and / or reduce the growth of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. It has further been found that certain embodiments can maintain or increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis in addition to inhibiting and / or reducing the growth of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, and / or Staphylococcus aureus. For example, after incubating a 2 ml bacterial culture with an optical density of 0.1 at 610 nm of Corynebacterium striatum, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus epidermidis with 2 ml of a 1% postbiotic composition or its personal care composition at a temperature of 37 °C for 3 hours, the postbiotic composition and / or the personal care composition can inhibit the growth of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, and / or Staphylococcus aureus by about 5% or more (cumulatively or individually) and increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis by about 5% or more (by counting CFU / mL). In some embodiments, the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can inhibit the growth of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, and / or Staphylococcus aureus (cumulatively or individually) by about 5% or more, about 7% or more, about 10% or more, about 13% or more, about 16% or more, about 19% or more, about 23% or more, about 27% or more, or any range thereof. Additionally or alternatively, certain embodiments of the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis by about 5% or more, about 7% or more, about 10% or more, about 13% or more, about 16% or more, about 19% or more, about 23% or more, about 27% or more, or any range thereof.

[0038] Preferably, the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can be formulated to inhibit the growth of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus and increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis such that after incubating a 2 ml bacterial culture with an optical density of 0.1 at 610 nm of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis with 2 ml of a 1% postbiotic composition or its personal care composition at a temperature of 37° C. for 3 hours, based on the log count of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus divided by the log count of Staphylococcus epidermidis, the ratio of Staphylococcus epidermidis to the combination of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus is about 0.8 or greater. For example, the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can inhibit the growth of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus and increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis such that the ratio of Staphylococcus epidermidis to the combination of Corynebacterium striatum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus is about 1 or greater, about 1.25 or greater, about 1.5 or greater, about 1.75 or greater, about 2 or greater, about 2.3 or greater, about 2.6 or greater, about 2.9 or greater, about 3.1 or greater, about 3.4 or greater, or any range thereof.

[0039] In some embodiments, the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition is formulated to inhibit the growth of Corynebacterium striatum and increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis such that after incubating a 2 ml bacterial culture with an optical density of 0.1 at 610 nm of Corynebacterium striatum and Staphylococcus epidermidis with 2 ml of a 1% postbiotic composition or its personal care composition at a temperature of 37° C. for 3 hours, based on the log count of Corynebacterium striatum divided by the log count of Staphylococcus epidermidis, the ratio of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Corynebacterium striatum is about 2 or greater. For example, the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can inhibit the growth of Corynebacterium striatum and increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis such that the ratio of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Corynebacterium striatum is about 1.5 or greater, about 1.75 or greater, about 2 or greater, about 2.3 or greater, about 2.6 or greater, about 2.9 or greater, about 3.1 or greater, about 3.4 or greater, or any range thereof.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can be formulated to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis such that after incubating a 2 ml bacterial culture having an optical density of 0.1 at 610 nm of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis with 2 ml of a 1% postbiotic composition or its personal care composition at a temperature of 37°C for 3 hours, the ratio of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Escherichia coli is about 2 or greater based on the log count of Escherichia coli divided by the log count of Staphylococcus epidermidis. For example, the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis such that the ratio of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Escherichia coli is about 1.5 or greater, about 1.75 or greater, about 2 or greater, about 2.3 or greater, about 2.6 or greater, about 2.9 or greater, about 3.1 or greater, about 3.4 or greater, or any range thereof.

[0041] The postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can be formulated to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis such that after incubating a 2 ml bacterial culture having an optical density of 0.1 at 610 nm of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis with 2 ml of a 1% postbiotic composition or its personal care composition at a temperature of 37°C for 3 hours, the ratio of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Staphylococcus aureus is about 2 or greater based on the log count of Staphylococcus aureus divided by the log count of Staphylococcus epidermidis. For example, the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and increase the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis such that the ratio of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Staphylococcus aureus is about 1.5 or greater, about 1.75 or greater, about 2 or greater, about 2.3 or greater, about 2.6 or greater, about 2.9 or greater, about 3.1 or greater, about 3.4 or greater, or any range thereof.

[0042] The personal care composition can be in the form of a skin care, hair care, sunscreen or nail care composition. Non-limiting examples of the form of the personal care composition according to aspects of the present invention include shampoos, conditioners, lotions, creams, serums, balms, sprays, deodorants, antiperspirants, shower gels, bath gels, bar soaps, soft soaps, sunscreens, cosmetics, etc. The personal care composition can be in the form of an emulsion, such as an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion.

[0043] Depending on the specific combination of other ingredients, the form of the personal care composition, and / or the use of the composition (e.g., lotion, cream, spray, body wash, serum, etc.), suitable components such as those listed below may be included in or excluded from the formulation of the personal care composition. For example, when the personal care composition is in the form of an emulsion or a two-phase composition, the personal care composition may include a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase. In some embodiments, the personal care composition is in the form of a body wash, a body lotion, or a serum.

[0044] Postbiotic compositions typically contain one or more short-chain fatty acids and multiple amino acids. The inventors recognized that certain short-chain fatty acids and their blends can upregulate hydration-related genes and tight junction genes and downregulate inflammation-related gene expression. For example, it was determined that adding certain combinations of 0.6 wt% short-chain fatty acids to a commercial body wash could cause the body wash to upregulate hydration-related genes and tight junction genes and downregulate inflammation-related gene expression.

[0045] Short-chain fatty acids can contain 6 or fewer carbon atoms. For example, short-chain acids not only refer to hydrocarbon-based acids of the formula C n H 2n +1COOH (where n is from 0 to 6), but also refer to short-chain acids substituted with oxygen-containing groups such as alcohols or oxy groups. The short-chain fatty acids disclosed herein can be in the form of salts in some cases. Short-chain fatty acids can be selected from valeric acid, CH3CH2CH2CH2COOH, isovaleric acid, 3-methylbutyric acid, (CH3)2CHCH2COOH, 2-methylpropionic acid, (CH3)2CHCOOH, butyric acid, CH3CH2CH2COOH, CH3CH2COOH, acetic acid, CH3COOH, formic acid, HCOOH, acetic acid, succinic acid, succinic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, their derivatives, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0046] Preferably, the postbiotic composition contains lactic acid, pyruvic acid, acetic acid, mandelic acid, their derivatives, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the postbiotic composition may contain one or more short-chain fatty acids selected from lactic acid, acetic acid, pyruvic acid, their derivatives, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0047] The inventors have recognized that a specific weight ratio of lactic acid and / or its salts to pyruvic acid and / or its salts can further enhance the growth of desired bacteria and / or inhibit the growth of undesired bacteria. For example, the postbiotic composition can have a weight ratio of lactic acid and / or its salts to pyruvic acid and / or its salts of from about 6:1 to about 2:1. In some cases, the weight ratio of lactic acid and / or its salts to pyruvic acid and / or its salts is from about 6:1 to about 2:1, from about 5.75:1 to about 2.25:1, from about 5.5:1 to about 2.5:1, from about 5.25:1 to about 2.75:1, from about 5:1 to about 3:1, from about 4.75:1 to about 3.25:1, from about 4.5:1 to about 3.5:1, or from about 4.25:1 to about 3.75:1, including any ranges and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, the weight ratio of lactic acid to pyruvic acid is about 4:1.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, the postbiotic composition can be formulated to have a certain weight ratio of lactic acid and / or its salts to acetic acid and / or its salts. For example, the postbiotic composition can have a weight ratio of lactic acid and / or its salts to acetic acid and / or its salts of from about 6:1 to about 2:1. In some cases, the weight ratio of lactic acid and / or its salts to acetic acid and / or its salts is from about 6:1 to about 2:1, from about 5.75:1 to about 2.25:1, from about 5.5:1 to about 2.5:1, from about 5.25:1 to about 2.75:1, from about 5:1 to about 3:1, from about 4.75:1 to about 3.25:1, from about 4.5:1 to about 3.5:1, or from about 4.25:1 to about 3.75:1, including any ranges and subranges therebetween. In one embodiment, the weight ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid is about 4:1.

[0049] In some embodiments, the postbiotic composition can comprise one or more of the short-chain fatty acids discussed below.

[0050] Examples of short-chain acids containing one carbon include methanoic acid, formic acid, and HCOOH. Examples of short-chain acids containing two carbons include ethanoic acid, acetic acid, CH3COOH, oxalic acid, ethanedioic acid, HOOCCOOH, oxoacetic acid, glyoxylic acid, formylformic acid, OHCCOOH, 2-hydroxyacetic acid, glycolic acid, dicarbonous acid, hydroxyacetic acid, and HOCH2COOH.

[0051] Examples of short-chain acids containing three carbons include propionic acid, ethane carboxylic acid, CH3CH2COOH, 2-acrylic acid, acrylic acid, acroleic acid, ethene carboxylic acid, propene acid, vinyl formic acid, CH2=CH–COOH, 2-propynoic acid, propiolic acid, ethyne carboxylic acid, propargylic acid, CH≡C–COOH, propanedioic acid, malonic acid, methanedicarboxylic acid, HOOC–CH2–COOH, 2-hydroxypropanedioic acid, tartronic acid, hydroxymalonic acid, HOOC–CHOH–COOH, oxopropanedioic acid, pyruvic acid, ketomalonic acid, HOOC–CO–COOH, 2,2-dihydroxypropanedioic acid, dihydroxymalonic acid, pyruvic acid monohydrate, HOOC–C(OH)2–COOH, 2-oxopropanoic acid, pyruvic acid, α-ketopropanoic acid, acetyl formic acid, pyroracemic acid, CH3–CO–COOH, 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, lactic acid, milk acid, CH3–CHOH–COOH, 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, hydracrylic acid, CH2OH–CH2–COOH, 2,3-dihydroxypropanoic acid, glyceric acid, CH2OH–CHOH–COOH, 2-oxirane carboxylic acid, and glycidic acid.

[0052] Examples of short-chain acids containing four carbons include butanoic acid, butyric acid, propanecarboxylic acid, CH3(CH2)2COOH, 2-methylpropanoic acid, isobutyric acid, isobutanoic acid, (CH3)2CHCOOH, 2-oxobutanoic acid, α-ketobutyric acid, CH3–CH2–CO–COOH, 3-oxobutanoic acid, acetoacetic acid, CH3CO–CH2–COOH, 4-oxobutanoic acid, succinic semialdehyde, HC(O)–CH2–CH2–COOH, (E)-butenedioic acid, fumaric acid, trans-1,2-ethylenedicarboxylic acid, 2-butenedioic acid, trans-butenedioic acid, allomaleic acid, fumaric acid, boletic acid, donitic acid, lichenic acid, HOOC–CH=CH–COOH, (Z)-butenedioic acid, maleic acid, cis-2-butenedioic acid, maleinic acid, toxilic acid, HOOC–CH=CH–COOH, oxalosuccinic acid, oxaloacetic acid, oxalacetic acid, oxalosuccinic acid, HOOC–CH2–CO–COOH, hydroxybutanedioic acid, malic acid, hydroxybutanedioic acid, HOOC–CH2–CHOH–COOH, 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid, tartaric acid, 2,3-dihydroxysuccinic acid, L-threaric acid, racemic acid, uvic acid, racemic acid, paratartaric acid, HOOC(CHOH)2COOH, (E)-2-butenoic acid, crotonic acid, trans-2-butenoic acid, β-methylacrylic acid, 3-methylacrylic acid, (E)-2-butenoic acid, and CH3–CH=CH–COOH.

[0053] Examples of short-chain acids containing five carbons include pentanoic acid, valeric acid, valeric acid, butane-1-carboxylic acid, CH3(CH2)3COOH, 3-methylbutanoic acid, isovaleric acid, (CH3)2CH–CH2–COOH, pentanedioic acid, glutaric acid, propane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, 1,3-propanedicarboxylic acid, ortho-tartaric acid, HOOC–(CH2)3–COOH, 2-oxoglutaric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, 2-ketoglutaric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, 2-oxoglutaric acid, oxoglutaric acid, and HOOC–(CH2)2–CO–COOH.

[0054] Based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition, the postbiotic composition may comprise one or more short-chain fatty acids and / or their salts in an amount of from about 50% to about 99% by weight. In some cases, based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition, the total amount of short-chain fatty acids and / or their salts present in the postbiotic composition is from about 50% to about 96% by weight, from about 50% to about 93% by weight, from about 50% to about 90% by weight, from about 50% to about 87% by weight, from about 50% to about 85% by weight, from about 50% to about 83% by weight, from about 50% to about 81% by weight, from about 50% to about 79% by weight, from about 50% to about 77% by weight, from about 50% to about 75% by weight, from about 50% to about 72% by weight; from about 60% to about 99% by weight, from about 60% to about 96% by weight, from about 60% to about 93% by weight, from about 60% to about 90% by weight, from about 60% to about 87% by weight, from about 60% to about 85% by weight, from about 60% to about 83% by weight, from about 60% to about 81% by weight, from about 60% to about 79% by weight, from about 60% to about 77% by weight, from about 60% to about 75% by weight, from about 60% to about 72% by weight; from about 65% to about 99% by weight, from about 65% to about 96% by weight, from about 65% to about 93% by weight, from about 65% to about 90% by weight, from about 65% to about 87% by weight, from about 65% to about 85% by weight, from about 65% to about 83% by weight, from about 65% to about 81% by weight, from about 65% to about 79% by weight, from about 65% to about 77% by weight, from about 65% to about 75% by weight; from about 70% to about 99% by weight, from about 70% to about 96% by weight, from about 70% to about 93% by weight, from about 70% to about 90% by weight, from about 70% to about 87% by weight, from about 70% to about 85% by weight, from about 70% to about 83% by weight, from about 70% to about 81% by weight, from about 70% to about 79% by weight, from about 70% to about 77% by weight; from about 74% to about 99% by weight, from about 74% to about 96% by weight, from about 74% to about 93% by weight, from about 74% to about 90% by weight, from about 74% to about 87% by weight, from about 74% to about 85% by weight, from about 74% to about 83% by weight, from about 74% to about 81% by weight, from about 74% to about 79% by weight; from about 78% to about 99% by weight, from about 78% to about 96% by weight, from about 78% to about 93% by weight, from about 78% to about 90% by weight, from about 78% to about 87% by weight, from about 78% to about 85% by weight, from about 78% to about 83% by weight, from about 78% to about 81% by weight;From about 82% to about 99% by weight, from about 82% to about 96% by weight, from about 82% to about 93% by weight, from about 82% to about 90% by weight, from about 82% to about 87% by weight; from about 85% to about 99% by weight, from about 85% to about 96% by weight, from about 85% to about 93% by weight, from about 85% to about 90% by weight, or any range or sub-range thereof;

[0055] In some embodiments, the postbiotic composition comprises two or more short-chain fatty acids and / or their salts. For example, the postbiotic composition can comprise two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or any range or sub-range thereof of short-chain fatty acids and / or their salts. In at least one embodiment, the postbiotic composition comprises from about 50 wt% to about 90 wt% of a first short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt, and from about 1 wt% to about 50 wt% of a second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt, wherein the first short-chain fatty acid and the second short-chain fatty acid and / or their salts are selected from those disclosed herein, and the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition. For example, based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition, the first short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt can be present in the postbiotic composition in the following amounts: from about 50 wt% to about 87 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 85 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 83 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 81 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 79 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 77 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 75 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 72 wt%; from about 60 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 87 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 85 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 83 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 81 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 79 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 77 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 75 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 72 wt%; from about 65 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 65 wt% to about 87 wt%, from about 65 wt% to about 85 wt%, from about 65 wt% to about 83 wt%, from about 65 wt% to about 81 wt%, from about 65 wt% to about 79 wt%, from about 65 wt% to about 77 wt%, from about 65 wt% to about 75 wt%; from about 70 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 70 wt% to about 87 wt%, from about 70 wt% to about 85 wt%, from about 70 wt% to about 83 wt%, from about 70 wt% to about 81 wt%, from about 70 wt% to about 79 wt%, from about 70 wt% to about 77 wt%; from about 74 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 74 wt% to about 87 wt%, from about 74 wt% to about 85 wt%, from about 74 wt% to about 83 wt%, from about 74 wt% to about 81 wt%, from about 74 wt% to about 79 wt%; from about 78 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 78 wt% to about 87 wt%, from about 78 wt% to about 85 wt%, from about 78 wt% to about 83 wt%, from about 78 wt% to about 81 wt%; from about 82 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 82 wt% to about 87 wt%; from about 85 wt% to about 90 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0056] Based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition, the second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt may be present in the postbiotic composition in an amount of from about 1 wt% to about 50 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition, the second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt may be present in the postbiotic composition in the following amounts: from about 1 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 10 wt%; from about 9 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 9 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 9 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 9 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 9 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 9 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 9 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 9 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 9 wt% to about 14 wt%; from about 13 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 13 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 13 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 13 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 13 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 13 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 13 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 13 wt% to about 16 wt%; from about 15 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 18 wt%; from about 17 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 17 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 17 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 17 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 17 wt% to about 25 wt%; from about 19 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 19 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 19 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 19 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 19 wt% to about 25 wt%; from about 21 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 21 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 21 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 21 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 21 wt% to about 25 wt%;From about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 35 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 30 wt%; from about 30 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 35 wt%; from about 35 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 35 wt% to about 40 wt%; from about 40 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 45 wt% to about 50 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0057] The postbiotic composition can be formulated to have a certain weight ratio of a first short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt to a second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt. For example, the weight ratio of the first short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt to the second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt in the postbiotic composition can be from about 9:1 to about 2:1. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the first short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt to the second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt in the postbiotic composition is from about 9:1 to about 2:1, from about 8:1 to about 2:1, from about 7:1 to about 2:1, from about 6:1 to about 2:1, from about 5:1 to about 2:1, from about 4:1 to about 2:1; from about 9:1 to about 3:1, from about 8:1 to about 3:1, from about 7:1 to about 3:1, from about 6:1 to about 3:1, from about 5:1 to about 3:1, from about 4:1 to about 3:1; from about 9:1 to about 4:1, from about 8:1 to about 4:1, from about 7:1 to about 4:1, from about 6:1 to about 4:1, from about 5:1 to about 4:1; from about 9:1 to about 5:1, from about 8:1 to about 5:1, from about 7:1 to about 5:1, from about 6:1 to about 5:1; from about 9:1 to about 6:1, from about 8:1 to about 6:1, from about 7:1 to about 6:1, or any range and sub-range thereof.

[0058] The postbiotic composition generally contains multiple amino acids. The multiple amino acids can include at least 2 amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof. For example, the multiple amino acids can include at least 3 amino acids, at least 4 amino acids, at least 5 amino acids, or at least 6 amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof. In at least one embodiment, the multiple amino acids consist essentially of at least 3 amino acids, at least 4 amino acids, at least 5 amino acids, or at least 6 amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof or consist of at least 3 amino acids, at least 4 amino acids, at least 5 amino acids, or at least 6 amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0059] Preferably, the plurality of amino acids includes one or more of glycine, arginine, alanine, or a combination of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the plurality of amino acids includes two or more of glycine, arginine, alanine, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the postbiotic composition may include glycine, arginine, and alanine. In some embodiments, based on the total weight of the plurality of amino acids, at least 50% by weight of the plurality of amino acids is composed of glycine, arginine, alanine, or a combination thereof. For example, based on the total weight of the plurality of amino acids, glycine, arginine, alanine, or a combination thereof may account for at least 60% by weight, at least 65% by weight, at least 68% by weight, at least 70% by weight, at least 72% by weight, at least 74% by weight, at least 76% by weight, at least 78% by weight, at least 80% by weight, at least 82% by weight, at least 84% by weight, at least 86% by weight, at least 88% by weight, or at least 90% by weight of the plurality of amino acids.

[0060] The plurality of amino acids may include one or more of glycine, arginine, alanine, or a combination of two or more thereof, and optionally one or more of histidine, threonine, valine, proline, or a combination of two or more thereof. For example, the plurality of amino acids may include two or more amino acids selected from glycine, arginine, and alanine, and optionally two or more amino acids selected from histidine, threonine, valine, and proline.

[0061] Based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition, the amount of amino acids in the postbiotic composition and / or its personal care composition can be from about 1% by weight to about 25% by weight. For example, in some cases, based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition, the amount of amino acids present in the postbiotic composition is from about 2% by weight to about 25% by weight, from about 3% by weight to about 25% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 25% by weight, from about 5% by weight to about 25% by weight, from about 7.5% by weight to about 25% by weight, from about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight, from about 15% by weight to about 25% by weight, from about 20% by weight to about 25% by weight; from about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 2% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 3% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 5% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 7.5% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 15% by weight to about 20% by weight; from about 1% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 3% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 7.5% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 10% by weight to about 15% by weight; from about 1% by weight to about 10% by weight, from about 2% by weight to about 10% by weight, from about 3% by weight to about 10% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 10% by weight, from about 5% by weight to about 10% by weight, from about 7.5% by weight to about 10% by weight; from about 1% by weight to about 7.5% by weight, from about 2% by weight to about 7.5% by weight, from about 3% by weight to about 7.5% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 7.5% by weight, from about 5% by weight to about 7.5% by weight; from about 1% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 2% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 3% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 5% by weight; from about 1% by weight to about 4% by weight, from about 2% by weight to about 4% by weight, from about 3% by weight to about 4% by weight, including all of its ranges and sub-ranges.

[0062] According to another aspect of the present invention, a personal care composition is provided. The personal care compositions disclosed herein generally comprise a postbiotic system as disclosed herein, preferably comprising a postbiotic system as disclosed herein in an effective amount. As described above, when such a postbiotic composition is incorporated as a component of a personal care composition, the postbiotic composition is generally referred to as a postbiotic system.

[0063] Depending on, for example, the form of the personal care composition and / or other components and / or ingredients of the personal care composition, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the postbiotic system can be present in the personal care composition in an amount of from about 0.01 wt% to about 70 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the personal care composition can contain the postbiotic system in the following amounts: from about 0.01 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 0.6 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 0.5 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 0.4 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 0.3 wt%; from about 0.05 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.6 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.5 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.4 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.3 wt%; from about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.3 wt%; from about 0.2 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 9 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 0.6 wt%, from about 0.2 wt% to about 0.5 wt%, about 0.2 wt% to about 0.4 wt%; about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 9 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 0.8 wt%; about 0.75 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 0.75 wt% to about 9 wt%, about 0.75 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 0.75 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 0.75 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.75 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.75 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.75 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.75 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 0.75 wt% to about 1 wt%; about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 9 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 3 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 9 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 7 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%; about 5 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 9 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 7 wt%; about 7 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 7 wt% to about 9 wt%; about 8 wt% to about 10 wt%, including any range or sub-range thereof.

[0064] Personal care compositions can be in the form of comprising a higher amount (e.g., from about 10 wt% to about 70 wt% based on the total weight of the personal care composition) of a postbiotic system. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the postbiotic system can be present in the personal care composition in the following amounts: from about 10 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 20 wt%; from about 20 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 30 wt%; from about 25 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 30 wt%; from about 30 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 40 wt%; from about 35 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 35 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 35 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 35 wt% to about 40 wt%; from about 40 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 40 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 40 wt% to about 50 wt%; from about 45 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 45 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 45 wt% to about 50 wt%; from about 50 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 60 wt%; from about 55 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 55 wt% to about 60 wt%; from about 60 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 65 wt% to about 70 wt%, including their ranges or sub-ranges.

[0065] Personal care compositions can comprise one or more polysaccharides. In some cases, the personal care composition comprises the following amounts of polysaccharides based on the total weight of the personal care composition: from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%, or any of their ranges or sub-ranges.

[0066] However, in some embodiments, the personal care composition can be formulated to have a limited and / or minimal amount of polysaccharide. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the total amount of polysaccharide in the personal care composition can be about 5 wt% or less, about 4 wt% or less, about 3 wt% or less, about 2 wt% or less, about 1 wt% or less, about 0.5 wt% or less, about 0.1 wt% or less, or about 0.05 wt% or less. In some embodiments, the personal care composition can be free or substantially free of polysaccharide.

[0067] Examples of polysaccharides include, but are not limited to, sugar isomers, cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate propionate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, gum arabic, agar, alginate, alginic acid, ammonium alginate, amylopectin, calcium alginate, carrageenan calcium, carnitine, carrageenan, dextrin, gelatin, gellan gum, guar gum, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, lithium montmorillonite, hyaluronic acid, hydrated silica, hydroxypropyl chitosan, hydroxypropyl guar gum, karaya gum, seaweed, locust bean gum, natto gum, potassium alginate, carrageenan potassium, propylene glycol alginate, scleroglucan, sodium carboxymethyl dextran, carrageenan, tragacanth gum, xanthan gum, biogum, inulin, and combinations of two or more thereof. The polysaccharide can be selected from the group consisting of fructan, inulin, carrageenan, and combinations of two or more thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the polysaccharide can include sugar isomers.

[0068] Additionally or alternatively, the personal care composition can comprise a fatty alcohol. Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of fatty alcohol in the personal care composition can vary, but in some cases is from about 0.01 wt% to about 12 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of fatty alcohol present in the personal care composition can be from about 0.01 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.1 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.5 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%; from about 4 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, including ranges and sub-ranges therebetween.

[0069] The fatty alcohol can be selected from decanol, undecanol, dodecanol, myristyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol (cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol), isostearyl alcohol, isocetyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, linalool, oleyl alcohol, cis-4-tert-butylcyclohexanol, isotridecyl alcohol, melissyl alcohol, and combinations of two or more thereof. In at least one embodiment, the fatty alcohol is 2-butyl octanol.

[0070] Additional examples of fatty alcohols of note include certain saturated or unsaturated fatty alcohols. Saturated liquid fatty alcohols can be branched and optionally contain at least one aromatic or non-aromatic ring in their structure. However, in some cases, the fatty alcohol is acyclic. Non-limiting examples of liquid saturated fatty alcohols include octyldodecanol, isostearyl alcohol, and 2-hexyldecanol.

[0071] Exemplary unsaturated liquid fatty alcohols typically contain at least one double or triple bond in their structure. For example, unsaturated fatty alcohols can contain several double bonds (e.g., 2 or 3 double bonds), which can be conjugated or non-conjugated. Unsaturated fatty alcohols can be linear or branched, and can be acyclic or contain at least one aromatic or non-aromatic ring in their structure. Liquid unsaturated fatty alcohols can include or be selected from oleyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol, and undecylenyl alcohol.

[0072] The fatty alcohol can be an alkoxylated fatty alcohol, e.g., having from about 1 to about 100 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of alkoxylated fatty alcohol. As examples of alkoxylated fatty alcohols, mention may be made of steareth (e.g., steareth-2, steareth-20, and steareth-21), laureth (e.g., laureth-4 and laureth-12), ceteareth (e.g., ceteareth-10 and ceteareth-20), and cetearyl ethoxylate (e.g., cetearyl ethoxylate-2, cetearyl ethoxylate-10, and cetearyl ethoxylate-20). In at least one case, one or more alkoxylated fatty alcohols include steareth-20. In some cases, one or more alkoxylated fatty alcohols can be only steareth-20.

[0073] The personal care composition can contain fatty alcohol derivatives, such as methyl stearyl ether; 2-ethylhexyl dodecyl ether; stearyl acetate; cetyl propionate; ceteareth series compounds, such as ceteareth-1 to ceteareth-45, which are ethylene glycol ethers of cetyl alcohol, where the numerical designation indicates the number of ethylene glycol moieties present; steareth series compounds, such as steareth-1 to 10, which are ethylene glycol ethers of stearyl alcohol, where the numerical designation indicates the number of ethylene glycol moieties present; ceteareth-1 to ceteareth-10, which are ethylene glycol ethers of cetearyl alcohol (i.e., a mixture of fatty alcohols mainly containing cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol), where the numerical designation indicates the number of ethylene glycol moieties present; the C1-C of the ceteareth, steareth, and ceteareth compounds just described 30Alkyl ethers; polyoxyethylene ethers of branched alcohols, such as polyoxyethylene ethers of octyldodecanol, dodecylpentadecanol, hexyl decanol, and isostearyl alcohol; polyoxyethylene ethers of behenyl alcohol; PPG ethers, such as PPG-9-steareth-3, PPG-11 stearyl ether, PPG8-ceteth-1, and PPG-10 cetyl ether; and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0074] The personal care composition can include one or more polyols, and the amount thereof can vary depending on the form of the personal care composition and / or other components therein. Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of polyol in the personal care composition can be from about 1% to about 30%. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of polyol present in the personal care composition can be from about 1 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 22 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 16 wt%; from about 8 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 8 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 8 wt% to about 22 wt%, from about 8 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 8 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 8 wt% to about 16 wt%; from about 10 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 22 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 16 wt%; from about 12 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 12 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 12 wt% to about 22 wt%, from about 12 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 12 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 12 wt% to about 16 wt%; from about 14 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 14 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 14 wt% to about 22 wt%, from about 14 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 14 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 14 wt% to about 16 wt%, including the ranges and sub-ranges thereof.

[0075] The polyol can be selected from diols or compounds having multiple hydroxyl groups. Within the meaning of the present disclosure, the term "polyol" should be understood to mean an organic molecule containing at least two free hydroxyl groups. The polyol of the personal care composition can be a diol or a compound having multiple hydroxyl groups. In some cases, one or more polyols are selected from C2-C 32 polyol. One or more polyols can have 2 to 32 carbon atoms, 3 to 16 carbon atoms, or 3 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0076] In some cases, the polyols that can be included in a personal care composition include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, glycerin, diglycerin, diethylene glycol, and dipropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. In some cases, the polyol is propylene glycol. In some additional cases, the personal care composition includes at least propylene glycol and optionally one or more polyols other than propylene glycol.

[0077] Non-limiting examples of polyols that can optionally be included in a personal care composition include and / or can be selected from: alkanediols such as glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 2-butene-1,4-diol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, octylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, and 4-methyl-1,2-pentanediol; glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monon-propyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, diethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monon-butyl ether, ethylene glycol monoter-butyl ether, diethylene glycol monoter-butyl ether, 1-methyl-1-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monoter-butyl ether, propylene glycol monon-propyl ether, propylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monon-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, sorbitol, sorbitan, glyceryl triacetate, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0078] One or more polyols can optionally be diols or glycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or the monomethyl, monoethyl, and monobutyl ethers of its ethers, such as the monomethyl ether of propylene glycol; butylene glycol; hexylene glycol; dipropylene glycol; and the alkyl ethers of diethylene glycol, such as the monoethyl or monobutyl ether of diethylene glycol. In some cases, one or more polyols can include or be selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, pentylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, 1,5-pentylene glycol, hexane-1,6-diol, glycerin, diglycerin, octylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. In certain cases, non-limiting examples of polyols that can be included in a personal care composition include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diglycerin, diethylene glycol, and dipropylene glycol, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0079] Personal care compositions can include one or more polyols, which act as humectants. Examples of humectants that can be incorporated into certain embodiments include triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, 1,2 - hexanediol, sugar isomers, and combinations of two or more thereof. In some cases, one or more humectants include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, or polyethylene glycol, and optionally one or more additional humectants.

[0080] Personal care compositions can comprise one or more fatty compounds. In some cases, the personal care composition comprises one or more fatty compounds in an amount from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the personal care composition.In some cases, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the total amount of the fatty compound is from about 0.1 wt% to 20 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 0.5 wt% to 20 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 4 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 7 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 18 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 16 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 14 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 10 wt%, or from about 5 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 7 wt%, or from about 5 wt% to about 6 wt%, including all ranges and sub-ranges thereof.

[0081] The fatty compound(s), if present, can be selected from oils, waxes, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty esters, fatty ethers, triglyceride compounds, and mixtures thereof. The fatty compound can include or be selected from one or more oils. The term "oil" means any fatty substance in liquid form at room temperature (24 °C to 25 °C) and at atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg). The oil can be a hydrocarbon-based oil, such as a saturated hydrocarbon oil, an unsaturated hydrocarbon oil, a lipid, a triglyceride, a natural oil, and / or a synthetic oil. One or more oils can be a synthetic oil and / or a plant-based oil. For example, the oil can be a synthetic oil, such as a mineral oil and / or an alkane (paraffin). Lightweight (low viscosity) highly branched hydrocarbon oils can also be suitable in some cases. In some embodiments, the oil is selected from plant- or vegetable-based oils, such as coconut oil, soybean oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, palm kernel oil, tung oil, jatropha oil, mustard oil, camelina oil, pennycress oil, castor oil, wheat germ oil, almond oil, pistachio oil, poppy oil, pine oil, avocado oil, hazelnut oil, grapeseed oil, rapeseed oil, juniper oil, peach kernel oil, coffee bean oil, jojoba oil, and mixtures thereof.

[0082] Additional skin and / or hair compatible oils include a range of liquid hydrocarbons, such as, linear and branched oils such as liquid paraffin, squalene, squalane, mineral oil, low viscosity synthetic hydrocarbons such as polyalphaolefins and polybutenes. Other available skin and / or compatible oils can be silicones, such as, linear and cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes, organofunctional silicones (alkyl and alkylaryl), and amino silicones.

[0083] In some cases, the fatty compound can include or be selected from one or more waxes. Non-limiting examples of waxes of this class include, for example, synthetic waxes, ozokerite, paraffin wax, ceresin, polyethylene wax, illipe butter, beeswax, carnauba wax, microcrystalline wax, lanolin, lanolin derivatives, candelilla wax, cocoa butter, shellac wax, spermaceti, rice bran wax, kapok wax, sugar cane wax, montan wax, cetyl wax, myrica wax, acacia flower wax, vegetable waxes (such as, helianthus annuus, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, ouricury wax, or Japanese wax or cork fiber wax or sugar cane wax), or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the fatty compound is a fatty ester selected from the group consisting of glycerol fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, ethoxylated fatty acid esters, synthetic esters, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0084] Additionally or alternatively, the personal care composition can comprise one or more thickeners. Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of thickener in the composition can be from about 1 wt% to about 25 wt%. In some cases, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the total amount of one or more thickeners present in the personal care composition is from about 2 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 7.5 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 25 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 7.5 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 20 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 7.5 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 15 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 7.5 wt% to about 10 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 7.5 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 4 wt%, including all ranges and subranges therebetween.

[0085] The thickener can be selected from carboxylic acid polymers, crosslinked polyacrylate polymers, polyacrylamide polymers, gums, and combinations of two or more thereof. Examples of polysaccharides include cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate propionate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, and mixtures thereof.

[0086] Non-limiting examples of carboxylic acid polymers include crosslinked carboxylic acid polymers containing one or more monomers derived from acrylic acid, substituted acrylic acids, and salts and esters of these acrylic acids and substituted acrylic acids, such as carbomers. Non-limiting examples of these gelling gums include gum arabic, agar, alginate, alginic acid, ammonium alginate, amylopectin, calcium alginate, carrageenan calcium, carnitine, carrageenan, dextrin, gelatin, gellan gum, guar gum, guar gum hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, laponite, hyaluronic acid, hydrated silica, hydroxypropyl chitosan, hydroxypropyl guar gum, karaya gum, seaweed, locust bean gum, natto gum, potassium alginate, carrageenan potassium, propylene glycol alginate, scleroglucan, sodium carboxymethyl dextran, carrageenan sodium, tragacanth gum, xanthan gum, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0087] In some cases, personal care compositions can be formulated to have thickening polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylate, sodium polymethacrylate, glyceryl polyacrylate, carboxyvinyl polymer, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl sulfone, maleic acid copolymer, polyethylene oxide, polyallylamine, polyethyleneimine, water-soluble cellulose derivatives (such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate) and / or starch derivatives (such as starch oxide, dialdehyde starch, dextrin, British gum, acetylated starch, starch phosphate, carboxymethyl starch, hydroxyethyl starch, hydroxypropyl starch). In some embodiments, the thickening agent is selected from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyacrylic acid, crosslinked homopolymer of acrylic acid, and acrylate of acrylic acid C 10-30 alkyl ester crosslinked polymer.

[0088] In certain embodiments, the personal care composition can comprise a surfactant. The surfactant can be any anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, or zwitterionic surfactant, or a combination thereof. Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of surfactant in the composition can be from about 0.1 wt% to about 25 wt% or from about 1 wt% to about 25 wt%. In some cases, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of surfactant present in the personal care composition is from about 2 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 7.5 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 25 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 7.5 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 20 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 20 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 7.5 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 15 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 7.5 wt% to about 10 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 7.5 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 7.5 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 4 wt%, including all ranges and subranges thereof.

[0089] In at least one embodiment, multiple surfactants are used to achieve the desired product quality. The primary surfactant provides good foaming ability and cleaning effect, while the secondary surfactant increases mildness properties to prevent skin irritation or excessive drying. To prevent ingredient separation, an emulsifier such as diethanolamine can be added.

[0090] A variety of anionic surfactants can be employed in the personal care composition, including for example long-chain alkyl (C6-C 22) Substances such as long-chain alkyl sulfates, long-chain alkyl sulfonates, long-chain alkyl phosphates, long-chain alkyl ether sulfates, long-chain alkyl α-olefin sulfonates, long-chain alkyl taurates, long-chain alkyl hydroxyethanesulfonates (SCI), long-chain alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates (AGES), sulfosuccinates, etc. These anionic surfactants can be alkoxylated, for example ethoxylated, although alkoxylation is not necessary. These surfactants are generally highly water-soluble in the form of their sodium, potassium, alkyl, ammonium or alkanolammonium salts and can provide high foaming cleaning ability. Other equivalent anionic surfactants can be used. In one embodiment, the anionic surfactant includes sodium laureth sulfate, sodium alkanol ethoxysulfate, and combinations thereof. The anionic surfactant can be in the form of a salt.

[0091] In one embodiment, the anionic surfactant is present in the composition in an amount from 0 wt% to about 15 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the anionic surfactant can be present in the personal care composition in the following amounts: about 0.5 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%; about 1 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 2 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%; about 4 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%; about 6 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 6 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 6 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 6 wt% to about 8 wt%; about 8 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 8 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 8 wt% to about 10 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof. In one embodiment, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the anionic surfactant is present in an amount from about 6 wt% to about 8 wt%.

[0092] Amphoteric surfactants may also be included in the composition. These surfactants are generally characterized by a combination of high surfactant activity, foam formation, and mildness. Amphoteric surfactants include, but are not limited to, derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, where the aliphatic group may be straight-chain or branched-chain, and where one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic hydrotropic group such as carboxyl, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Examples of such compounds include sodium 3-dodecylaminopropionate, sodium 3-dodecylaminopropanesulfonate, N-alkyltaurines, and N-higher alkyl aspartic acids. Additional examples of amphoteric surfactants include, but are not limited to, a series of betaines, including, for example, higher alkyl betaines such as coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl α-carboxyethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethyl betaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyl dimethyl γ-carboxypropyl betaine, and lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) α-carboxyethyl betaine, sulfobetaines such as coco dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, amide betaines, amide sulfobetaines, etc. Betaines having long-chain alkyl groups (especially coco groups), such as those containing amide groups, for example cocoamidopropyl and cocoamidoethyl betaines, may be particularly useful. Amphoteric surfactants may be in the form of salts.

[0093] Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the zwitterionic surfactant may be present in the personal care composition in an amount from 0 wt% to about 15 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the zwitterionic surfactant may be present in the personal care composition in the following amounts: from about 0.5 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%; from about 4 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 8 wt%, from about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%; from about 6 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 6 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 6 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 6 wt% to about 8 wt%; from about 8 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 8 wt% to about 12 wt%, from about 8 wt% to 10 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof. In one embodiment, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the zwitterionic surfactant is present in the personal care composition in an amount from about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%.

[0094] The personal care composition may comprise one or more nonionic surfactants. Examples of nonionic surfactants include: polysorbate 20, long-chain alkyl glucosides having C8-C 22 alkyls; coconut fatty acid monoethanolamide such as cocoamide MEA; coconut fatty acid diethanolamide, fatty alcohol ethoxylates (alkyl polyethylene glycols); alkylphenol polyoxyethylene ethers; alkylthiol polyethylene glycol ethers; fatty amine ethoxylates (alkylamino polyethylene glycols); fatty acid ethoxylates (acyl polyethylene glycols): polypropylene glycol ethoxylates (e.g., PLURONIC TM block copolymers available commercially from BASF); fatty acid alkanolamides (fatty acid amide polyethylene glycols); N-alkyl-N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; sucrose esters; sorbitan esters; polyethylene glycol ethers; and combinations thereof.

[0095] The nonionic surfactant can be selected from secondary alcohol ethoxylates, polyoxyethylene stearyl ethers, polyoxyethylene ethers, and mixtures of two or more of them. The personal care composition can comprise a nonionic surfactant blend comprising two or more fatty alcohol ethoxylates, each having a poly(ethylene oxide) chain length of at least 2. Preferred fatty alcohol ethoxylates generally have a fatty alcohol chain length of C 12 to C 24 , an unsaturation of 0 to 2, and a poly(ethylene oxide) chain length of 2 to 150 ethylene oxide units. For example, the fatty alcohol ethoxylate can have the general formula: CH3--(CH2) x --CH2--O--(CH2--CH2--O--) y H-, where X = 10 to 20 and Y = 2 to 100. In some cases, the blend of fatty alcohol ethoxylates comprises at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate having a long poly(ethylene oxide) chain length and at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate having a short poly(ethylene oxide) chain length. Suitable long-chain length fatty alcohol ethoxylates have a poly(ethylene oxide) chain length greater than 20, preferably 21 to 150, more preferably 21 to 100.

[0096] Examples of long-chain fatty alcohol ethoxylates include stearyl alcohol polyether-100 (100 represents the poly(ethylene oxide) chain length) and stearyl alcohol polyether 21. Other long-chain fatty alcohol ethoxylates can be used, such as cetyl alcohol polyether-100, oleyl alcohol polyether-100, myristyl alcohol polyether-100, and behenyl alcohol polyether-100. Examples of short-chain length fatty alcohol ethoxylates include those having a poly(ethylene oxide) chain length less than or equal to 20, preferably 2 to 20. For example, short-chain length fatty alcohol ethoxylates can be selected from stearyl alcohol polyether-2, stearyl alcohol polyether-10, cetyl alcohol polyether-20, stearyl alcohol polyether-20, myristyl alcohol polyether-20, oleyl alcohol polyether-20, and behenyl alcohol polyether-20.

[0097] The nonionic surfactant can be selected from polyoxyethylene ethers, such as polyoxyethylene stearyl ether compounds. The polyoxyethylene ether can comprise a mixture of high molecular weight saturated fatty alcohols (such as cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol) and ethylene oxide. The polyoxyethylene ether can be selected from ceteth-2, ceteth-3, ceteth-4, ceteth-5, ceteth-6, ceteth-7, ceteth-8, ceteth-9, ceteth-10, ceteth-11, ceteth-12, and combinations of two or more thereof. Examples of polyoxyethylene stearyl ether compounds include steareth-2, steareth-4, steareth-6, steareth-7, steareth-21, steareth-10, steareth-11, steareth-13, steareth-15, steareth-20, or combinations of two or more thereof. The nonionic surfactant can be in the form of a salt.

[0098] Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the nonionic surfactant can be present in the personal care composition in an amount from 0 wt% to about 15 wt%. In one embodiment, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the nonionic surfactant is present in the personal care composition in an amount of: about 0.5 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%; about 1 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 2 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%; about 4 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 8 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%; about 6 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 6 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 6 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 6 wt% to about 8 wt%; about 8 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 8 wt% to about 12 wt%, about 8 wt% to 10 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0099] Cationic surfactants may also be included in the personal care composition. The cationic surfactant(s), if present, may include or be selected from quaternary ammonium compounds, amidoamines, or mixtures thereof. Examples of cationic surfactants that may be suitable for use in personal care compositions include or may be selected from cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate, behenamidopropyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate, stearamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, arachidyltrimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, tricetyldimethylammonium chloride, oleamidopropyldimethylamine, linoleamidopropyldimethylamine, isostearamidopropyldimethylamine, oleylhydroxyethylimidazoline, stearamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldimethylamine, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0100] Additionally, non-limiting examples of cationic surfactants include: cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (e.g., available from Nikko Chemicals under the trade name CA-2350 and from KCI under the trade name CTAC 30KC), stearyltrimethylammonium chloride available from Akzo Nobel under the trade name Arquad 18 / 50, hydrogenated tallow alkyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, stearylpropylene glycol phosphate dimethylammonium chloride, stearamidopropyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, stearamidopropyldimethyl (myristyl acetate) ammonium chloride, and N-(stearoyl cholineformylmethyl) pyridinium chloride Additional cationic surfactants that may be included or excluded in certain embodiments include quaternary ammonium salts such as Quaternium-16, Quaternium-26, Quaternium-27, Quaternium-30, Quaternium-33, Quaternium-43, Quaternium-52, Quaternium-53, Quaternium-56, Quaternium-60, Quaternium-61, Quaternium-62, Quaternium-70, Quaternium-71, Quaternium-72, Quaternium-75, Quaternium-76 hydrolyzed collagen, Quaternium-77, Quaternium-78, Quaternium-79 hydrolyzed collagen, Quaternium-79 hydrolyzed keratin, Quaternium-79 hydrolyzed milk protein, Quaternium-79 hydrolyzed silk protein, Quaternium-79 hydrolyzed soy protein, and Quaternium-79 hydrolyzed wheat protein, Quaternium-80, Quaternium-81, Quaternium-82, Quaternium-83, Quaternium-84, or a combination of two or more thereof. Other cationic surfactants worth mentioning include cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate, behenamidopropyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfate, stearamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, arachidyltrimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, tricetyldimethylammonium chloride, oleamidopropyldimethylamine, linoleamidopropyldimethylamine, isostearamidopropyldimethylamine, oleylhydroxyethylimidazoline, stearamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldimethylamine, and a combination of two or more thereof.

[0101] The cationic surfactant may be present in the composition in an amount from 0 wt% to about 2 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of the cationic surfactant in the personal care composition may be from about 0.05 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1.4 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1.2 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.6 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.4 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.2 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.1 wt%; from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1.4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1.2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.4 wt%; from about 0.3 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1.4 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1.2 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 0.8 wt%; from about 0.6 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1.4 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1.2 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.9 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 1.4 wt%; from about 1.2 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 1.6 wt%; from about 1.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof. In one embodiment, the cationic surfactant is present in the composition in an amount from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.3 wt%.

[0102] In certain embodiments, the personal care composition may further comprise a cationic polymer. The cationic polymer may comprise a mixture of monomer units derived from amine-substituted monomers and / or quaternary ammonium-substituted monomers and / or compatible spacer monomers. Suitable cationic polymers include, for example: 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidine and 1-vinyl-3-methyl-imidazole Copolymers of salts (such as chloride salts), known as polyquaternium-16, such as those commercially available from BASF under the trade name LUVIQUAT (such as LUVIQUAT FC 370); copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, known as polyquaternium-11, such as those commercially available from Gar Corporation (Wayne, New Jersey, USA) under the trade name GAFQUAT (such as GAFQUAT 755N); and cationic polymers containing diallyl quaternary ammonium, including, for example, homopolymers of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride and copolymers of acrylamide and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (known as polyquaternium-6 and polyquaternium-7).

[0103] Other cationic polymers that can be used include polysaccharide polymers, such as cationic cellulose derivatives and cationic starch derivatives. Cationic cellulose includes salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethylammonium-substituted epoxides (known as polyquaternium-10). Another type of cationic cellulose includes polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with lauryldimethylammonium-substituted epoxides (known as polyquaternium-24). Additionally or alternatively, the cationic conditioning polymer can include or be selected from cationic guar gum derivatives, such as guar gum hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride.

[0104] Personal care compositions can include or be selected from polyquaterniums. In one case, one or more cationic polymers are selected from polyquaternium 4, polyquaternium 6, polyquaternium 7, polyquaternium 10, polyquaternium 11, polyquaternium 16, polyquaternium 22, polyquaternium 28, polyquaternium 32, polyquaternium-46, polyquaternium-51, polyquaternium-52, polyquaternium-53, polyquaternium-54, polyquaternium-55, polyquaternium-56, polyquaternium-57, polyquaternium-58, polyquaternium-59, polyquaternium-60, polyquaternium-63, polyquaternium-64, polyquaternium-65, polyquaternium-66, polyquaternium-67, polyquaternium-70, polyquaternium-73, polyquaternium-74, polyquaternium-75, polyquaternium-76, polyquaternium-77, polyquaternium-78, polyquaternium-79, polyquaternium-80, polyquaternium-81, polyquaternium-82, polyquaternium-84, polyquaternium-85, polyquaternium-86, polyquaternium-87, polyquaternium-90, polyquaternium-91, polyquaternium-92, polyquaternium-94, guar gum hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0105] Personal care compositions can comprise alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, polyhydroxy acids, or combinations thereof. For example, the personal care composition can comprise one or more alpha-hydroxy acids, such as those selected from C3 to C7 alpha-hydroxy acids or C4 to C6 alpha-hydroxy acids. The alpha-hydroxy acid can be in the form of a salt, such as a sodium salt or a potassium salt. In at least one embodiment, the salt is a sodium salt (i.e., the cation associated with the salt is sodium). Non-limiting examples of alpha-hydroxy acids include, but are not limited to, mandelic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, phytic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid, hydroxydodecanoic acid, glutaric acid, gluconic acid, or combinations of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the alpha-hydroxy acid is selected from mandelic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, phytic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid, hydroxydodecanoic acid, and combinations thereof. In additional embodiments, the alpha-hydroxy acid is citric acid, mandelic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, or combinations of two or more thereof. In at least one embodiment, the alpha-hydroxy acid is lactic acid.

[0106] Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of alpha-hydroxy acid and / or its salt present in the personal care composition can range from about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the personal care composition can comprise one or more alpha-hydroxy acids and / or its salt in the following amounts: about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0107] Personal care compositions can comprise one or more beta-hydroxy acids or their salts. Non-limiting examples of beta-hydroxy acids include salicylic acid, propionic acid, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid, carnitine, and combinations of two or more thereof. In some cases, the beta-hydroxy acid can be selected from salicylic acid, salicylates, sodium salicylate, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, tropic acid, tricosaic acid, beta-hydroxy acids obtained from white willow bark extract and / or wintergreen leaves, and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0108] Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of β-hydroxy acid or its salt in the personal care composition can be from about 0.05 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1.4 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1.2 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.6 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.4 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.2 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 0.1 wt%; from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1.4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1.2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.8 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.6 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.4 wt%; from about 0.3 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1.4 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1.2 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.3 wt% to about 0.8 wt%; from about 0.6 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1.4 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1.2 wt%, from about 0.6 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.9 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 1.6 wt%, from about 0.9 wt% to about 1.4 wt%; from about 1.2 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, from about 1.2 wt% to about 1.6 wt%; from about 1.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 1.5 wt% to about 1.8 wt%, or any range or sub-range thereof.

[0109] Personal care compositions can comprise one or more polyhydroxy acids or salts thereof. Polyhydroxy acids can include, but are not limited to, glucono delta-lactone, gluconic acid, galactose, lactic acid, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polyhydroxy acid is glucono delta-lactone, lactic acid, or a combination thereof. For example, the polyhydroxy acid can be glucono delta-lactone. Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of polyhydroxy acid and / or its salt present in the personal care composition can range from about 0.1 wt% to about 6 wt%. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the personal care composition can comprise one or more polyhydroxy acids and / or their salts in the following amounts: about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 0.5 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 1 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; about 2 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 3 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, about 3 wt% to about 4 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%; about 4 wt% to about 6 wt%, about 4 wt% to about 5 wt%, or any range or subrange thereof.

[0110] Personal care compositions can comprise one or more pH regulators to increase or decrease the overall pH of the personal care composition. For example, one or more acids can be included to lower the pH of the personal care composition. Examples of suitable acids for lowering the pH of the personal care composition include, but are not limited to, citric acid, acetic acid, etc. Personal care compositions can comprise one or more bases such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc. to increase the pH of the personal care composition. Additional or alternative acids and bases suitable for adjusting the pH of the personal care composition are readily known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0111] The amount of pH regulator in the personal care composition can be based on the desired pH of the final personal care composition and / or product. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the total amount of pH regulator can range from about 0.05 wt% to about 20 wt%. In some cases, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the total amount of pH regulator is about 0.05 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, or about 0.12 wt% to about 5 wt%, including ranges or subranges therebetween.

[0112] In certain embodiments, the pH of the personal care composition is from about 3.5 to about 10.0. In other embodiments, the pH of the personal care composition is from about 3.5 to about 8.0. In some embodiments, the pH of the personal care composition is from about 3.5 to about 7.5. In other embodiments, the pH of the personal care composition is from about 3.5 to about 7.0. In additional embodiments, the pH of the personal care composition is from about 3.5 to about 6.5. Still other embodiments provide a personal care composition having a pH from about 3.5 to about 6.0. Yet other embodiments provide a personal care composition having a pH from about 3.5 to about 5.5. Still other embodiments provide a personal care composition having a pH from about 3.5 to about 5.0. In certain embodiments, the pH of the personal care composition is from about 3.75 to about 4.5. In certain embodiments, the personal care composition is a body wash having a pH from about 4.0 to about 6.0. In other embodiments, the personal care composition is a body lotion having a pH from about 4.0 to about 5.0.

[0113] Additional ingredients may be present in the personal care composition. These additional ingredients include water, proteins, vitamins, emollients, and plant components, as well as ingredients for thickening, preserving, emulsifying, flavoring, pH adjusting, and coloring. The personal care composition may contain any one of the following additional ingredients in an amount from about 0.01 wt% to about 5 wt%. In some cases, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the amount of additional ingredients present in the personal care composition is from about 0.01 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 0.5 wt%, from about 0.01 wt% to about 0.1 wt%; from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.5 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.1 wt%; from about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 0.75 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 0.75 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 0.75 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 0.75 wt% to about 2 wt%, from about 0.75 wt% to about 1 wt%; from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 3 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 2 wt%; from about 2 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 4 wt%, from about 2 wt% to about 3 wt%; from about 3 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 3 wt% to about 4 wt%, including any range or sub-range therebetween.

[0114] Personal care compositions can include additional ingredients such as proteins (e.g., hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed milk protein, hydrolyzed silk protein, and hydrolyzed collagen), vitamins (e.g., panthenol, biotin, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A and D palmitates), humectants / moisturizers (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, sodium pyroglutamate (also known as PCA), amino acid-based surfactants, and HLA), emollients (e.g., esters, isopropyl myristate, decyl oleate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate), plant ingredients (e.g., chamomile, aloe vera, rosemary), as well as preservatives, dyes, pH adjusters, and chelating agents. Additional examples of vitamins that can be included in some personal care compositions include tocopherol, retinol, and ascorbic acid. Vitamin derivatives such as ascorbic acid monopalmitate, tocopherol acetate, and vitamin E palmitate can also be included in certain embodiments of the present invention.

[0115] Non-limiting examples of fragrances and flavors include odor compounds selected from the group consisting of 7-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,1,6,7-tetramethylnaphthalene, α-ionone, β-ionone, γ-ionone, α-isomethylionone, methyl cedryl ketone, methyl dihydrojasmonate, methyl 1,6,10-trimethyl-2,5,9-cyclododecatrien-1-yl ketone, 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyltetralin, 4-acetyl-6-tert-butyl-1,1-dimethylindane, hydroxyphenyl butanone, benzophenone, methyl β-naphthyl ketone, 6-acetyl-1,1,2,3,3,5-hexamethylindane, 5-acetyl-3-isopropyl-1,1,2,6-tetramethylindane, 1-dodecanal, 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde, 7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal, 10-undecene-1-carboxaldehyde, isohexenylcyclohexylcarboxaldehyde, formyl tricyclodecane alkane, condensation products of hydroxycitronellal and methyl anthranilate, condensation products of hydroxycitronellal and indole, condensation products of phenylacetaldehyde and indole, 2-methyl-3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)propanal, ethyl vanillin, piperonal, hexylcinnamaldehyde, amylcinnamaldehyde, 2-methyl-2-(isopropylphenyl)propanal, coumarin, γ-decanoic acid, cyclopentadecalactone, 16-hydroxy-9-hexadecenoic acid lactone, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl Cyclopenta-γ-2-benzopyran, β-naphthyl methyl ether, ambroxan, dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1b]furan, cedryl alcohol, 5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-enyl)-3-methylpentan-2-ol, 2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-2-buten-1-ol, caryophyllene alcohol, tricyclodecenyl propionate, tricyclodecenyl acetate, benzyl salicylate, cedryl acetate, and tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate.

[0116] Additional fragrances may include odor compounds selected from essential oils, balsams and resins from a number of sources, such as Peru balsam, frankincense balsam, styrax, labdanum resin, nutmeg, cinnamon oil, benzoin resin, coriander and bold lavender.

[0117] Further suitable fragrances include odor compounds selected from the group consisting of phenylethyl alcohol, terpineol, linalool, linalyl acetate, geraniol, nerol, 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)cyclohexanol acetate, benzyl acetate and eugenol. The fragrances or perfumes can be used as single substances or in mixtures with one another.

[0118] The personal care composition may also comprise one or more colorants. The colorants may be pigments, dyes, or mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of pigments include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, kaolin, mica, etc. Non-limiting examples of dyes include food dyes suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications, and mixtures thereof. Some color agents (colorants) are referred to as FD&C dyes.

[0119] Based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the colorant may be present in any amount disclosed above for additional ingredients and / or in an amount in the range of from about 0.0001 wt% to about 0.4 wt% (including all percentages and sub-ranges therebetween). In some embodiments, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the colorant may be present in an amount in the range of from about 0.0001 wt% to about 4 wt% (including all percentages and sub-ranges therebetween). In certain embodiments, an emulsifier may be added to prevent ingredient separation.

[0120] In other embodiments, the personal composition may comprise additional ingredients selected from any of the following in any desired amount to achieve a desired effect in the composition (amounts that may be used in some embodiments are provided): one or more alkaline salts such as sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and / or their equivalents (0 wt% to 5 wt%); chelating agents such as tetrasodium EDTA and / or their equivalents (0 wt% to 2 wt%); biocides such as triclosan (2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether), DMDM hydantoin, formaldehyde, and / or imidazolidinyl urea and / or their equivalents (0 wt% to 2 wt%); organic acids such as citric acid and / or formic acid and / or their equivalents (0 wt% to 2 wt%); viscosity modifiers (0 wt% to 2 wt%); fragrances and / or perfumes (0 wt% to 5 wt%); preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde solution, parabens, pentylene glycol, or sorbic acid (0 wt% to 2 wt%); pearlescents such as glycol distearates such as ethylene glycol distearate and fatty acid monoglycol esters (0 wt% to 3 wt%); stabilizers such as fatty acid metal salts such as magnesium stearate, aluminum stearate, and / or zinc stearate (0 wt% to 2 wt%); and dyes and pigments approved and suitable for cosmetic purposes.

[0121] Personal care compositions can be aqueous and, for example, contain water in an amount of from about 1 wt% to about 95 wt% based on the total weight of the personal care composition. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, water can be present in the personal care composition in the following amounts: from about 5 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 40 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 70 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 80 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 90 wt% to about 95 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 40 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 70 wt% to about 90 wt%, from about 80 wt% to about 90 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 80 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 80 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 80 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 80 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 80 wt%, from about 40 wt% to about 80 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 80 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 80 wt%, from about 70 wt% to about 80 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 40 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 70 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 70 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 40 wt% to about 60 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 60 wt%; from about 5 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 10 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 20 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 30 wt% to about 50 wt%, from about 40 wt% to about 50 wt%, including any ranges and subranges thereof.

[0122] In some embodiments, the personal care composition is substantially free of water or water-free. For example, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the personal care composition can contain about 5 wt% or less, about 4 wt% or less, about 3 wt% or less, about 2 wt% or less, about 1 wt% or less, or about 0.5 wt% or less of water. In one embodiment, based on the total weight of the personal care composition, the personal care composition has about 0 wt% water.

[0123] Aspects of the present invention relate to methods for improving the skin by applying one or more personal care compositions. In some embodiments, the method comprises applying one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, or seven personal care compositions). The method can employ the personal care compositions disclosed herein.

[0124] The methods and personal care compositions disclosed herein can be used to alleviate, reduce, and / or treat skin suffering from dryness, hypersensitivity, atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, and the like.

[0125] Examples

[0126] Example 1

[0127] Prepare non-limiting exemplary postbiotic compositions (Systems A to C) according to the formulations shown in Table 1.

[0128] Table 1

[0129]

[0130] Example 2

[0131] A growth inhibition assay was performed to evaluate the effects of Systems A to C on skin bacteria. Specifically, a growth inhibition assay was performed to test whether Systems A to C inhibit or promote the growth of skin bacteria. Pure colonies of Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium striatum, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were each grown overnight in tryptic soy broth (TSB) medium. The turbidity of the bacterial culture solution was adjusted to an optical density (OD) of 0.1 at 610 nm using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Subsequently, 2 milliliters (ml) of the bacterial culture solution was incubated with 2 ml of a solution containing 0.2 wt% of System A, System B, or System C at a temperature of 37 °C for 48 hours. A bacterial sample incubated with only the medium was also prepared for control. The turbidity of each tube was determined after incubation. Each treatment was repeated. If the value is negative, the system inhibits the growth of the corresponding growth, while if the value is positive, the system promotes the growth of the corresponding bacteria. It was determined that at 48 hours of incubation, the solutions containing 0.2 wt% of System A, System B, or System C inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium striatum, and Staphylococcus aureus, but generally maintained or promoted Staphylococcus epidermidis, as Figure 1 shown.

[0132] Example 3

[0133] Ex vivo skin tissue analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of personal care compositions according to aspects of the present invention on skin barrier properties and anti-aging benefits. Solutions were prepared containing 0.2 wt% of System C with the balance being water, 0.5 wt% of System B with the balance being water, 0.5 wt% of System C with the balance being water, and a solution containing retinoic acid. A solution containing 0.05 wt% of retinoic acid with the balance being water was evaluated as a positive control.

[0134] Skin samples were cut into pieces approximately 8 mm × 3 mm and cultured until the planned endpoint. Six skin samples were used per treatment. The skin samples were cultured at the air-liquid interface in stainless steel perforated rings in contact medium (modified Williams’E medium) until the planned endpoint. Informed consent was obtained and retained from the donors by the clinic.

[0135] The solutions prepared in this example were topically applied to their respective skin samples. The application of the solutions was carried out as follows: (1) the skin samples were gently cleaned with a cotton pad, (2) 4 μl samples of each solution were applied on top of the corresponding skin sample, and (3) then the skin samples were covered with a delivery membrane.

[0136] The profilaggrin expression levels in the skin samples were evaluated. Specifically, sections of twelve skin samples were immunostained with an antibody. The amount of antigen present in each slide was evaluated by estimating the intensity and distribution of the pink / red staining within the epidermis using Image J (NIH-USA). The data obtained were normalized according to the analytical surface size expressed in pixels.

[0137] The total expression level of collagen in the skin samples was also evaluated. In particular, the skin sections were stained with Picrosirius Red histochemical staining, which stains collagen fibers purple-red. The papillary dermis was selected for analysis, which is the part of the dermis that is more prone to change in response to the application of the personal care composition.

[0138] To evaluate only the red staining, a deconvolution matrix was applied to the images. Thereafter, the color space of the images was converted from RGB to L*a*b* images, and each pixel of the picture was evaluated according to its L* value. The results obtained were converted into grades of L*, then the selected areas were normalized, and the total amount of collagen was determined using the following equation: total collagen = (L* threshold - measured L*) / pixel. Two slides of each skin sample (i.e., 12 images per treatment) were processed by image acquisition and correlation analysis.

[0139] Evaluate the expression level of type III collagen (“COL3”) in skin samples. Specifically, twelve skin samples were immunostained with an antibody. The papillary dermis was used for this analysis, which is generally more prone to collagen changes in response to the application of personal care compositions. The selected areas were carefully chosen to avoid the risk of including irregularities and aggregates (such as blood vessels, sebaceous glands, or hair follicles). The evaluation was performed by estimating both the color intensity and distribution using IMAGE J (NIH) analysis software. A semi-quantitative evaluation of the dermal markers was obtained.

[0140] All quantitative data were aggregated according to the average score of the application of each personal care composition. Variation measures such as standard deviation and standard error of the mean (sem) were applied to the raw scores. Differences between groups were evaluated by one-way anova permutation test followed by Tukey and t permutation tests.

[0141] The filaggrin expression level of the skin samples is shown in Figure 2 . The total collagen expression level of the skin samples is shown in Figure 3 . The type III collagen expression level of the skin samples is shown in Figure 4 .

[0142] Example 4

[0143] Three non-limiting exemplary compositions (exemplary compositions D to F) can be prepared in the form of serums by incorporating systems A to C from Table 1 according to the formulations shown in Table 2.

[0144] Table 2

[0145]

Claims

1. A postbiotic composition, comprising: (a) A short-chain fatty acid blend, the short-chain fatty acid blend comprising: - A first short-chain fatty acid selected from lactic acid, its salts, and combinations thereof, and (b) A plurality of amino acids, the plurality of amino acids comprising at least 2 amino acids selected from histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

2. The postbiotic composition according to claim 1, wherein, based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition, the first short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt is present in an amount of about 50 wt% to about 90 wt%.

3. The postbiotic composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the short-chain fatty acid blend further comprises: - A second short-chain fatty acid selected from acetic acid, pyruvic acid, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

4. The postbiotic composition according to claim 3, wherein the second short-chain fatty acid is pyruvic acid, sodium pyruvate, or a combination thereof.

5. The postbiotic composition according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the total amount of the first short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt: the total amount of the second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt is about 9:1 to about 2:

1.

6. The postbiotic composition according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, based on the total weight of the postbiotic composition, the second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt is present in an amount of about 1 wt% to about 50 wt%.

7. The postbiotic composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of amino acids comprises at least 3 amino acids selected from histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

8. The postbiotic composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of amino acids comprises at least 4 amino acids selected from histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

9. The postbiotic composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of amino acids comprises at least 5 amino acids selected from histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

10. The postbiotic composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of amino acids comprises at least 6 amino acids selected from histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

11. The postbiotic composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of amino acids consists of glycine, arginine, alanine, or a combination thereof.

12. The postbiotic composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of amino acids consists of glycine, arginine, and alanine.

13. The postbiotic composition according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein at least 50% by weight of the plurality of amino acids is composed of glycine, arginine, alanine, or a combination thereof, based on the total weight of the plurality of amino acids.

14. The postbiotic composition according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein at least 65% by weight of the plurality of amino acids is composed of glycine, arginine, alanine, or a combination thereof, based on the total weight of the plurality of amino acids.

15. A personal care composition comprising: - a polyol; - optionally, a fatty compound; - optionally, a thickening agent; and - a postbiotic system, the postbiotic system comprising: (a) a short-chain fatty acid blend, the short-chain fatty acid blend comprising: (i) a first short-chain fatty acid selected from lactic acid, its salts, and combinations thereof, and (ii) a second short-chain fatty acid selected from acetic acid, pyruvic acid, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof, and (b) a plurality of amino acids, the plurality of amino acids comprising at least 2 amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, their salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.

16. The personal care composition according to claim 15, further comprising: - an α-hydroxy acid and / or its salt, optionally in an amount of about 0.1% to about 6% by weight based on the total weight of the personal care composition.

17. The personal care composition according to claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising: - a β-hydroxy acid and / or its salt, optionally in an amount of about 0.05% to about 2% by weight based on the total weight of the personal care composition.

18. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 17, further comprising: - a polyhydroxy acid and / or its salt, optionally in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight based on the total weight of the personal care composition.

19. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising: - one or more surfactants, optionally in an amount of about 1% to about 25% by weight based on the total weight of the personal care composition.

20. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 19, comprising a polyol in an amount of about 1% to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the personal care composition.

21. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the polyol is a humectant.

22. The personal care composition according to claim 21, wherein the humectant is selected from triethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, 1,2-hexanediol, sugar isomers, and combinations of two or more thereof.

23. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 22, comprising a fatty compound in an amount of about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the personal care composition.

24. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the first short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt is present in an amount of about 50% to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the postbiotic system.

25. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the total amount of the first short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt: the total amount of the second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt is about 9:1 to about 2:

1.

26. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the second short-chain fatty acid and / or its salt is present in an amount of about 1% to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the postbiotic system.

27. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 26, wherein the plurality of amino acids comprises at least 3 amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, salts thereof, and combinations of two or more thereof.

28. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 27, wherein the plurality of amino acids comprises at least 4 amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, salts thereof, and combinations of two or more thereof.

29. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 28, wherein the plurality of amino acids comprises at least 5 amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, salts thereof, and combinations of two or more thereof.

30. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 29, wherein the plurality of amino acids comprises at least 6 amino acids selected from the group consisting of histidine, glycine, threonine, arginine, alanine, valine, proline, salts thereof, and combinations of two or more thereof.

31. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 30, wherein the plurality of amino acids consists of glycine, arginine, alanine, or a combination thereof.

32. The personal care composition according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the plurality of amino acids consists of glycine, arginine, and alanine.

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