Shower gel composition

Abstract

A personal care composition is provided comprising: a vehicle; a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one alkyl polyglucoside; a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms; wherein the weight average molecular weight of the water soluble cellulose ether substrate is MWgt; the molecular weight is 800,000,000 Daltons; and wherein the personal care composition contains lt; 0.01 wt% of an alkyl sulfate and lt; and 0.01 wt% of alkyl ether sulfate.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a personal care composition. Specifically, the invention relates to a personal care composition comprising: a mediator; a surfactant comprising at least one alkyl polyglucan; a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms; wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is >800,000 Daltons; and wherein the personal care composition contains <0.01 wt% of an alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% of an alkyl ether sulfate.

[0002] Conventional personal care systems, such as shaving preparations (e.g., shaving creams and gels), shampoos, conditioners, facial cleansers, hair dyes, skin creams, lotions, underarm products (e.g., deodorants, antiperspirants), personal lubricants, oral care preparations (e.g., oral cleansers, oral moisturizers), hair styling products (e.g., hairspray, mousse), hand soaps, body gels, shower gels, cosmetics, and sunscreens, already utilize commercially available polysaccharides such as nonionic water-soluble polysaccharide ethers (e.g., methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), ethyl hydroxyethylcellulose (EHEC)), hydroxypropyl (HP) guar gum, hydroxyethyl guar gum, and hydroxypropyl starch, as well as other nonionic starch and guar gum derivatives. Some hydrophobically modified polysaccharides are also used in personal care products. The use of polysaccharides in personal care products faces certain processing barriers, including incompatibility with other desired ingredients, insolubility in some other desired ingredients, turbidity (when clarification is required), and formulation stability.

[0003] Shower gel (sometimes also called shower gel) is a general term used to describe liquid formulations containing surfactants for cleansing the body. While sometimes generally considered "soap," these shower gel formulations typically do not contain soap, such as sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids. Regular shower gel formulations usually contain one of several ingredients, including one or more surfactants, various emollients, fragrances, and other personal care ingredients. Compared to regular soap, regular shower gel is less irritating to the skin, lathers better in hard water, and leaves less residue on the skin and bathroom fixtures.

[0004] Conventional shower gel formulations use a surfactant system consisting of a mixture of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) (an anionic surfactant) and cocamidopropyl betaine (an amphoteric surfactant). This surfactant mixture is often referred to as an SLES / betaine surfactant mixture. While relatively inexpensive and effective, there is pressure on consumers to find alternatives to SLES in personal care compositions. Some believe SLES may be irritating to the skin. Others believe SLES may contain low concentrations of 1,4-dioxane. Therefore, some brand owners are seeking to offer “sulfate-free” formulations (i.e., SLES-free personal care compositions, such as shower gels). There is also a perceived consumer demand for benign surfactants derived from biorenewable resources. Two types of such biorenewable surfactants include alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) derived from glucose and other monosaccharides, and sodium glycinate surfactants, such as sodium cocoyl glycinate, which is derived from amino acids such as glycine.

[0005] Consumers expect personal care compositions, such as shower gel formulations, to exhibit a suitable viscosity. This viscosity serves at least two purposes. First, it improves the handling and spreading of the composition. Second, it acts as a sensory cue that consumers tend to associate with product efficacy. Conventional SLES / betaine systems are easily thickened to a suitable viscosity using sodium chloride (an inexpensive and non-toxic material). Personal care compositions formulated with APG or glycine surfactants instead of SLES / betaine tend to be water-containing (non-viscous) and do not thicken with the addition of sodium chloride or other commonly used thickeners. That said, many common polymers used to thicken conventional personal care compositions formulated with SLES / betaine, such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), are incompatible with APG or glycine surfactant compositions.

[0006] Therefore, there is still a need for personal care compositions that are sulfate-free but still exhibit suitable viscosity. Specifically, there is still a need for sulfate-free shower gel compositions.

[0007] The present invention provides a personal care composition comprising: a mediator; a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one alkyl polyglucan; a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain having 8 to 15 carbon atoms; wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is greater than 800,000 Daltons; and wherein the personal care composition contains <0.01 wt% of an alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% of an alkyl ether sulfate.

[0008] This invention provides a personal care composition comprising: a mordant; a surfactant, wherein the surfactant includes at least one alkyl polyglucan; a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group; wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is hydroxyethyl cellulose; wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is >800,000 Daltons; wherein the hydrophobic group is a C8-12 straight-chain or branched alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate; wherein the personal care composition contains <0.01 wt% alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% alkyl ether sulfate; and wherein the personal care composition is a shower gel formulation.

[0009] This invention provides a personal care composition comprising: a mordant; a surfactant, wherein the surfactant includes at least one alkyl polyglucoside; a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group; wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is hydroxyethyl cellulose; wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is >800,000 Daltons; wherein the hydrophobic group is a C8-12 straight-chain or branched alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate; wherein the hydrophobic group is bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate via an ether bond or an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group; wherein the personal care composition contains <0.01 wt% alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% alkyl ether sulfate; and wherein the personal care composition is a shower gel formulation.

[0010] This invention provides a personal care composition comprising: a mordant; a surfactant, wherein the surfactant includes at least one alkyl polyglucoside; a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group; wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is hydroxyethyl cellulose; wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is from 900,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons; wherein the hydrophobic group is a C8-12 straight-chain or branched alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate; wherein the hydrophobic group is bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate via an ether bond or an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group; wherein the personal care composition contains <0.01 wt% alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% alkyl ether sulfate; and wherein the personal care composition is a shower gel formulation. Detailed Implementation

[0011] We have unexpectedly discovered that sulfate-free personal care compositions can be appropriately thickened using a water-soluble cellulose ether matrix substituted with hydrophobic groups having carbon chains of 8 to 15 carbon atoms; wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether matrix is ​​>800,000 Daltons; and wherein the personal care composition contains <0.01 wt% alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% alkyl ether sulfate.

[0012] Unless otherwise indicated, ratios, percentages, parts, etc. are all by weight.

[0013] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the phrase "molecular weight" or Mw refers to the weight-average molecular weight measured in a conventional manner using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and poly(ethylene oxide) standards. GPC techniques are discussed in detail in *Modern Size Exclusion Chromatography*, WW Yau, JJ Kirkland, DD Bly; Wiley-Interscience, 1979, and in *A Guide to Materials Characterization and Chemical Analysis*, JP Sibilia; VCH, 1988, pp. 81-84. Molecular weights reported herein are in Daltons.

[0014] As used herein and in the appendix, “cosmetic acceptable” means an ingredient that is commonly used in personal care compositions, and it is intended to emphasize that materials that are toxic when present in amounts commonly found in personal care compositions are not considered as part of this invention.

[0015] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises: a mediator (preferably, wherein the mediator is selected from the group consisting of water and a mixture of aqueous C1-4 alcohols); a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one alkyl polyglucan (preferably, wherein at least one alkyl polyglucan is selected from the group consisting of lauryl glucoside, cocoyl glucoside, decyl glucoside, and mixtures thereof); and a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms (preferably, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose) (preferably, wherein the hydrophobic group contains a straight-chain or branched carbon chain having 8 to 12 carbon atoms); More preferably, the hydrophobic group is a C8-12 straight-chain or branched alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether matrix via at least one of ether bonds (e.g., a single ether bond or an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group), ester bonds, amide bonds, and carbamate bonds; most preferably, the hydrophobic group is a C8-12 alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether matrix via a single ether bond or an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group; wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether matrix is ​​>800,000 Daltons (preferably 875,000 to 5,000,000 Daltons; more preferably 900,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons; most preferably 1,250,000 to 1,750,000 Daltons); and wherein the personal care composition contains <0.01 wt% of alkyl sulfates and <0.01 wt% of alkyl ether sulfates (preferably, <0.001 wt% of alkyl sulfates and <0.001 wt% of alkyl ether sulfates; more preferably, <0.0001 wt% of alkyl sulfates and <0.0001 wt% of alkyl ether sulfates; most preferably, < the detectable limit of alkyl sulfates and < the detectable limit of alkyl ether sulfates).

[0016] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention contains <0.01 wt% of alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% of alkyl ether sulfate. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention contains <0.001 wt% of alkyl sulfate and <0.001 wt% of alkyl ether sulfate. Even more preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention contains <0.0001 wt% of alkyl sulfate and <0.0001 wt% of alkyl ether sulfate. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention contains <detectable limits of alkyl sulfate and <detectable limits of alkyl ether sulfate.

[0017] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a mediator, wherein the mediator is selected from the group consisting of water, water, and a mixture of C1-4 alcohols. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a mediator, wherein the mediator comprises water. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a mediator, wherein the mediator is water.

[0018] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention contains 50 to 99 wt% of a mediator. More preferably, the personal care composition contains 70 to 95 wt% of a mediator. Most preferably, the personal care composition contains 75 to 90 wt% of a mediator.

[0019] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention contains 50 to 99 wt% water. More preferably, the personal care composition contains 70 to 95 wt% water. Most preferably, the personal care composition contains 75 to 90 wt% water.

[0020] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a surfactant, wherein the surfactant includes at least one alkyl polyglucan. Preferably, the at least one alkyl polyglucan is selected from the group consisting of lauryl glucoside, cocoyl glucoside, decyl glucoside, and mixtures thereof.

[0021] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises an additional surfactant selected from the group consisting of: glycinate (e.g., sodium cocoyl glycinate), betaine (e.g., alkyl betaine, such as cetyl betaine and amide betaine, such as cocamidopropyl betaine), taurine (e.g., sodium methyl cocoyl taurate), glutamate (e.g., sodium cocoyl glutamate), sarcosinate (e.g., sodium lauroyl sarcosinate), hydroxyethyl sulfonate (e.g., sodium cocoyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate, sodium lauroyl methyl hydroxyethyl sulfonate), sulfoacetate (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfoacetate), alanine (e.g., sodium cocoyl alanine), amphoteric acetate (e.g., sodium cocoamphoacetate), sulfonate (e.g., sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate), succinate (e.g., disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate), and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises an additional surfactant, wherein the additional surfactant includes at least one selected from betaine, glycinate, and succinate. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises an additional surfactant, wherein the additional surfactant includes at least one selected from cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoyl glycinate, and disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate.

[0022] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises 0.01 to 35 wt% of a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one alkyl polysaccharide. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises 1 to 30 wt% of a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one alkyl polysaccharide. Even more preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises 4 to 25 wt% of a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one alkyl polysaccharide. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises 10 to 20 wt% of a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one alkyl polysaccharide.

[0023] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Still more preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is hydroxyethyl cellulose.

[0024] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether base material, wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether base material is >800,000 Daltons. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether base material, wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether base material is from 875,000 to 5,000,000 Daltons. Even more preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether base material, wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether base material is from 900,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether base material, wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether base material is from 1,250,000 to 1,750,000 Daltons.

[0025] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is greater than 800,000 Daltons (preferably 875,000 to 5,000,000 Daltons; more preferably 900,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons; most preferably 1,250,000 to 1,750,000 Daltons); and wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is greater than 800,000 Daltons (preferably 875,000 to 5,000,000 Daltons; more preferably 900,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons; most preferably 1,250,000 to 1,750,000 Daltons); and wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is >800,000 Daltons (preferably 875,000 to 5,000,000 Daltons; more preferably 900,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons; most preferably 1,250,000 to 1,750,000 Daltons); and wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is hydroxyethyl cellulose.

[0026] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is substituted with a hydrophobic group having a straight-chain or branched carbon chain of 8 to 12 carbon atoms, said hydrophobic group being bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate via at least one of ether bonds (e.g., a single ether bond or an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group), ester bonds, amide bonds, and carbamate bonds. Still more preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is substituted with a hydrophobic group, wherein the hydrophobic group is a C8-12 straight-chain or branched alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate via at least one of ether bonds (e.g., a single ether bond or an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group), ester bonds, amide bonds, and carbamate bonds. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is replaced with a hydrophobic group, wherein the hydrophobic group is a C8-12 straight-chain or branched alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate by a single ether bond (as in Formula I) or an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group (as in Formula II).

[0027]

[0028] (Formula I)

[0029] (Formula II)

[0030] Cell-O is a water-soluble cellulose ether base material, and R is a C8-12 straight-chain or branched alkyl group.

[0031] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is replaced with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain having 8 to 15 carbon atoms; wherein the degree of substitution (DS) of the hydrophobic group on the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is 0.01 to 1 (more preferably 0.02 to 0.2; most preferably 0.025 to 0.1).

[0032] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises 0.1 to 15 wt% of a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms. Even more preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises 0.25 to 10 wt% of a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms. Still more preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises 0.5 to 5 wt% of a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention comprises 0.75 to 2 wt% of a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms.

[0033] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises at least one personal care ingredient. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises at least one personal care ingredient, wherein the personal care ingredient is selected from the group consisting of: emollients (e.g., hydrocarbon oils, esters, natural oils), cosmetically acceptable siloxanes (e.g., aminodimethylsiloxane, cyclodimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane alcohol, hexadecylmethylsiloxane, hexamethyldisiloxane, methylsiloxane, phenyldimethylsiloxane, stearoyldimethylsiloxane), waxes, soaps, sensory modifiers, lubricants, preservatives (e.g., benzoic acid, sorbic acid, phenoxyethanol), antioxidants (e.g., butylated hydroxytoluene), chelating agents, antimicrobial agents, pH adjusters / buffers / neutralizers, moisturizers (e.g., glycerin, sorbitol, etc.). Mono-esters, lecithin, glycolipids, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, polysaccharides, sorbitol esters, polysorbates (e.g., polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60 and polysorbate 80), diols (e.g., propylene glycol), diol analogs, triols, triol analogs, polymeric polyols), sunscreen active ingredients, vitamins, proteins / amino acids, plant extracts, natural ingredients, bioactive ingredients, fragrances / perfumes, penetrants, polymers / resins / hair styling agents / film-forming agents, surfactants / detergents / emulsifiers / sunscreens, volatiles / propellants / solvents / carriers, liquid media / solvents / carriers, salts, antistatic agents, antifrizz agents, dandruff removers, perming / straightening agents, absorbents, colorants, hard particles and conditioning agents.

[0034] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is a personal care composition selected from the group consisting of: shampoo, leave-in conditioner, rinse-out conditioner, hair dye, hair styling gel, soap, shower gel formulation, sunscreen, etc. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is a personal care composition selected from the group consisting of: shampoo, leave-in conditioner, rinse-out conditioner, hair dye, hair styling gel, soap, shower gel formulation, sunscreen, etc.; wherein the personal care composition contains <0.01 wt% (preferably <0.001 wt%; more preferably <0.0001 wt%; most preferably <detectable limit) of alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% (preferably <0.001 wt%; more preferably <0.0001 wt%; most preferably <detectable limit) of alkyl ether sulfate. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of shampoo, conditioner, hair styling agent, and shower gel formulation; wherein the personal care composition contains <0.01 wt% (preferably <0.001 wt%; more preferably <0.0001 wt%; most preferably <detectable limit) of alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% (preferably <0.001 wt%; more preferably <0.0001 wt%; most preferably <detectable limit) of alkyl ether sulfate. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is a shower gel formulation; wherein the shower gel formulation contains <0.01 wt% (preferably <0.001 wt%; more preferably <0.0001 wt%; most preferably <detectable limit) of alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% (preferably <0.001 wt%; more preferably <0.0001 wt%; most preferably <detectable limit) of alkyl ether sulfate.

[0035] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is a shower gel formulation. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is a shower gel formulation, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one alkyl polyglucoside; wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is hydroxyethyl cellulose (preferably, wherein the weight-average molecular weight (MW) of the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is >800,000 Daltons (preferably 875,000 to 5,000,000 Daltons; more preferably 900,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons; most preferably 1,250,000 to 1,750,000 Daltons); and wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is replaced with a hydrophobic group having a straight-chain or branched carbon chain having 8 to 12 carbon atoms, said hydrophobic group being ether-linked (e.g., by means of an ether bond). At least one of the following bonds (either a single ether bond or an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group), an ester bond, an amide bond, and a carbamate bond is bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate (more preferably, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is substituted with a hydrophobic group, wherein the hydrophobic group is a C8-12 straight-chain or branched alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate via an ether bond (e.g., a single ether bond or an ether bond having a 2-hydroxypropyl group), an ester bond, an amide bond, and a carbamate bond; most preferably, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is substituted with a hydrophobic group, wherein the hydrophobic group is a C8-12 straight-chain or branched alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate via a single ether bond or an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group).

[0036] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is a shower gel formulation, wherein the viscosity of the shower gel formulation is ≥3,000 mPa. The viscosity of the personal care composition of the present invention is, as determined according to the method used in the examples herein. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is a shower gel formulation, wherein the viscosity of the shower gel formulation is 3,000 to 15,000 mPa·s, as determined according to the method used in the examples herein. Even more preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is a shower gel formulation, wherein the viscosity of the shower gel formulation is 4,000 to 12,000 mPa·s, as determined according to the method used in the examples herein. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention is a shower gel formulation, wherein the viscosity of the shower gel formulation is 5,000 to 9,000 mPa·s, as determined according to the method used in the examples herein.

[0037] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises a pH adjuster. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises a pH adjuster, wherein the personal care composition is a shower gel formulation. Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises a pH adjuster, wherein the personal care composition is a shower gel formulation, and wherein the pH of the shower gel formulation is 5 to 9 (preferably 6 to 8; most preferably 6.25 to 7.75).

[0038] Preferably, the pH adjuster is selected from the group consisting of: citric acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, aminoethylpropylene glycol, triethanolamine, monoethanolamine, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and amino-2-methyl-1-propanol. More preferably, the pH adjuster is selected from the group consisting of: citric acid, lactic acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, triethanolamine, and amino-2-methyl-1-propanol. Even more preferably, the pH adjuster is selected from the group consisting of citric acid and sodium hydroxide.

[0039] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises a biocidal agent. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises a biocidal agent selected from the group consisting of phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, sodium benzoate, DMDM ​​hydantoin, 2-ethylhexylglycerol ether, and isothiazolinones (e.g., methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone). Even more preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises a biocidal agent, wherein the biocidal agent is an isothiazolinone (more preferably, wherein the biocidal agent is selected from the group consisting of methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and mixtures thereof; most preferably, wherein the biocidal agent is methylisothiazolinone). Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises a biocidal agent, wherein the biocidal agent is an isothiazolinone (more preferably, wherein the biocidal agent is selected from the group consisting of methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and mixtures thereof; most preferably, wherein the biocidal agent is methylisothiazolinone); and wherein the personal care composition is a shower gel formulation.

[0040] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises soap. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises soap, wherein the soap is selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, sodium laurate, sodium stearate, sodium palmitate, potassium stearate, potassium laurate, potassium stearate, potassium palmitate and mixtures thereof (more preferably, wherein the soap is selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, sodium laurate, potassium stearate, potassium laurate and mixtures thereof; even more preferably, wherein the soap is selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, potassium stearate and mixtures thereof; most preferably, wherein the soap is sodium stearate). Most preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises soap, wherein the soap is selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, sodium laurate, sodium stearate, sodium palmitate, potassium stearate, potassium laurate, potassium stearate, potassium palmitate and mixtures thereof (more preferably, wherein the soap is selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, sodium laurate, potassium stearate, potassium laurate and mixtures thereof; more preferably, wherein the soap is selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, potassium stearate and mixtures thereof; most preferably, wherein the soap is sodium stearate); and wherein the personal care composition is a shower gel formulation.

[0041] Preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises a colorant. More preferably, the personal care composition of the present invention further comprises a colorant, wherein the personal care composition is a shower gel formulation.

[0042] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in the following examples.

[0043] Comparative Examples C1-C9 and Example 1-11

[0044] In each of Comparative Examples C1-C9 and Examples 1-11, the initial components (as indicated in Table 1, in the amounts shown in Table 1) were loaded into a 500 mL four-necked round-bottom flask. A nitrogen inlet was then fitted onto the flask, which was connected to a 60 mL pressure-balanced feeding funnel, a rubber diaphragm cap, a stirrer connected to an electric motor, and a Claisen adapter connected to a Friedrich condenser with a mineral oil evaporator outlet.

[0045] Then, a mixture of glycidyl ether (or alkyl bromide) (types and amounts shown in Table 1) and isopropanol (in amounts shown in Table 1) is added to the feeding funnel. The flask's top space is then purged with a slow, steady stream of nitrogen for one hour while stirring its contents to remove any entrained oxygen.

[0046] While continuing stirring, a 50% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (in the amounts shown in Table 1) was then added dropwise to the contents of the flask using a plastic syringe. After adding the sodium hydroxide solution, the contents of the flask were stirred for one hour, and then a solution of glycidyl ether (or alkyl bromide) in isopropanol from the feeding funnel was added dropwise to the contents of the flask. The contents of the flask were then stirred under nitrogen for 20 minutes. The contents of the flask were then heated under nitrogen using a heating mantle and refluxed for 4.5 hours.

[0047] The contents of the flask were then cooled by placing it in an ice-water bath while maintaining positive nitrogen pressure. Glacial acetic acid (5.0 g) was then added to neutralize the contents using a syringe. The contents were then stirred under nitrogen for 10 minutes. The contents were then vacuum filtered through a large sintered metal Buchner funnel. The resulting filter cake was then washed three times consecutively in the Buchner funnel. First, the filter cake was washed by adding a mixture of water (36 g) and isopropanol (16.4 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring for five minutes, followed by vacuum removal of the washing liquid through the Buchner funnel. Then, the filter cake was washed by adding a mixture of water (20 g) and isopropanol (180 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring for five minutes, followed by vacuum removal of the washing liquid through the Buchner funnel. Finally, the filter cake was washed by adding a mixture of isopropanol (200 g), 40% glyoxal aqueous solution (0.44 g), and acetic acid (0.14 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring the contents for five minutes. The washing liquid was then removed under vacuum through the Buchner funnel. The filter cake was then briefly air-dried and subsequently vacuum-dried overnight at 50°C. The filter cake was then manually ground using a mortar and pestle and sieved through a #30 U.S. sieve to provide the product.

[0048] The quality of the recovered product, as well as the volatile matter and ash content of the product, are provided in Table 2.

[0049] Table 1

[0050] Example 12

[0051] In Example 12, a mixture of CELLOSIZE™ HEC QP-52,000H (33.89 g), isopropanol (174.7 g), and distilled water (27.5 g) was placed in a 500 mL four-necked round-bottom flask. A stirrer and motor, a rubber cap, a nitrogen inlet, a Claisen adapter with a subsurface thermocouple, and a Friedrich condenser connected to a mineral oil evaporator were then attached to the flask. The thermocouple was connected to a J-KEM controller and a heating mantle.

[0052] While stirring the slurry, the headspace of the flask was purged with nitrogen for one hour. Then, using a plastic syringe, 4.37 g of a 50% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution was added dropwise to the contents of the flask. The contents of the flask were stirred under nitrogen for 30 minutes. Then, 3.32 g of 1-bromododecane was added dropwise to the flask over one minute. The contents of the flask were stirred under nitrogen for 10 minutes. The contents of the flask were then refluxed at a set temperature of 100°C for 4.5 hours on a J-KEM controller.

[0053] The contents of the flask were then cooled to room temperature by placing it in an ice-water bath while maintaining positive nitrogen pressure. Glacial acetic acid (6.43 g) was then added to neutralize the contents using a syringe. The contents were then stirred under nitrogen for 10 minutes. The contents were then vacuum filtered through a large sintered metal Buchner funnel. The resulting filter cake was then washed four times consecutively in the Buchner funnel. First, the filter cake was washed by adding a mixture of water (49 g) and isopropanol (221 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring for five minutes, followed by vacuum removal of the washing liquid through the Buchner funnel. Then, the filter cake was washed by adding a mixture of water (20 g) and isopropanol (180 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring for five minutes, followed by vacuum removal of the washing liquid through the Buchner funnel. The filter cake was then washed by adding isopropanol (180 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring the contents for five minutes, followed by removing the washing liquid through a vacuum filter using the Buchner funnel. Finally, the filter cake was washed by adding isopropanol (180 g), 40% glyoxal aqueous solution (0.60 g), and acetic acid (0.20 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring the contents for five minutes, followed by removing the washing liquid through a vacuum filter using the Buchner funnel. The filter cake was then air-dried and subsequently vacuum-dried overnight at 50°C. The filter cake was then manually ground using a mortar and pestle and sieved through a #30 US sieve to provide the product.

[0054] The quality of the recovered product, as well as the volatile matter and ash content of the product, are provided in Table 2.

[0055] Example 13

[0056] In Example 13, a mixture of CELLOSIZE™ HEC QP-52,000H (33.78 g), isopropanol (174.9 g), and distilled water (27.3 g) was placed in a 500 mL four-necked round-bottom flask. A stirrer and motor, a rubber cap, a nitrogen inlet, a Claisen adapter with a subsurface thermocouple, and a Friedrich condenser connected to a mineral oil evaporator were then attached to the flask. The thermocouple was connected to a J-KEM controller and a heating mantle.

[0057] While stirring the slurry, the headspace of the flask was purged with nitrogen for one hour. Then, using a plastic syringe, 50% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (5.43 g) was added dropwise to the contents of the flask. The contents of the flask were stirred under nitrogen for 30 minutes. Then, 1-bromododecane (6.67 g) was added dropwise to the flask over one minute. The contents of the flask were stirred under nitrogen for 10 minutes. The contents of the flask were then refluxed at a set temperature of 100°C for 4.5 hours on a J-KEM controller.

[0058] The contents of the flask were then cooled to room temperature by placing it in an ice-water bath while maintaining positive nitrogen pressure. Glacial acetic acid (6.29 g) was then added to neutralize the contents using a syringe. The contents were then stirred under nitrogen for 10 minutes. The contents were then vacuum filtered through a large sintered metal Buchner funnel. The resulting filter cake was then washed four times consecutively in the Buchner funnel. First, the filter cake was washed by adding a mixture of water (49 g) and isopropanol (221 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring for five minutes, followed by vacuum removal of the washing liquid through the Buchner funnel. Then, the filter cake was washed by adding a mixture of water (20 g) and isopropanol (180 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring for five minutes, followed by vacuum removal of the washing liquid through the Buchner funnel. The filter cake was then washed by adding isopropanol (180 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring the contents for five minutes, followed by removing the washing liquid under vacuum through the Buchner funnel. Finally, the filter cake was washed by adding isopropanol (180 g), 40% glyoxal aqueous solution (0.60 g), and acetic acid (0.20 g) to the filter cake in the Buchner funnel and stirring the contents for five minutes, followed by removing the washing liquid under vacuum through the Buchner funnel. The filter cake was then briefly air-dried and then vacuum-dried overnight at 50°C. The filter cake was then manually ground using a mortar and pestle and sieved through a #30 US sieve to provide the product.

[0059] The quality of the recovered product, as well as the volatile matter and ash content of the product, are provided in Table 2.

[0060] Volatile content

[0061] The volatile content (in wt%) of the products reported in Table 2 was determined according to ASTM D-2364.

[0062] Ash content

[0063] The ash content (in wt%) of the products reported in Table 2 was determined according to ASTM D-2364, where the ash content is reported as sodium acetate.

[0064] Viscosity

[0065] The viscosity (corrected for ash and volatiles) of a 1 wt% aqueous solution of the product was determined using a TA Instruments DHR-3 rheometer at 25 °C. The rheometer was equipped with a 60 mm stainless steel, 0.5° cone-plate sensor with a gap set to 17 μm and a shear rate of 6.31 s⁻¹. The results are presented in Table 2.

[0066] Table 2

[0067] Substitutability

[0068] For the product polymers prepared according to Examples 1-3 and 5-7, the degree of substitution of the glycidyl ether (hydrophobic group) substituents on the water-soluble cellulose ether matrix was determined by analysis of 1H NMR spectra acquired using a Varian Inova 600 MHz spectrometer with the following acquisition parameters: 10-second relaxation delay, 2-second acquisition time, 90-degree pulse 7.25 μs, and 128–256 scans. All measurements were performed at 10 °C without sample rotation and calibrated with ethylene glycol. The HOD peak of the 1H NMR spectra at this temperature was 4.9 ppm. The degrees of substitution determined by analysis are provided in Table 3.

[0069] Table 3

[0070] Comparative Example C10

[0071] The hexadecyl-modified CELLOSIZE™ QP-100MH used in this article was prepared according to Example 22 of U.S. Patent No. 9,266,971.

[0072] Comparative Examples F1-F5 and Examples 14-19: Shower Gel Formulations

[0073] Deionized water was added to a beaker. A heat source set to 60°C was brought into contact with the beaker. While the contents of the beaker were being heated, cocamidopropyl betaine (Amphosol® CA, Stepan Company) and decyl glucoside (EcoSense™ 3000, Dow Chemical) were added to the beaker. Once the contents of the beaker reached 60°C, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate (Mackanate® LO, Solvay Novecare) was added to the beaker. The contents of the beaker were stirred for 15 minutes, after which the heat source was removed from contact with the beaker. Once the contents of the beaker cooled to 35°C, the additives shown in Table 5 were added to the contents of the beaker. The pH of the contents of the beaker was then adjusted to 6.5 with citric acid, and methylisothiazolinone (Neolone 950, Dow Chemical) was added to obtain a shower gel formulation with the composition shown in Table 4. The resulting shower gel formulation was allowed to stand for two (2) days to observe phase separation. The observations are presented in Table 5.

[0074] Table 4

[0075] Table 5

[0076] Flash Bubble

[0077] Flash foam measurements were obtained using an Oster® 16 high-speed blender, model 6878-042, and a 1000 mL graduated cylinder, following the procedure below. The shower gel formulation sample (5 g) and water (145 g) shown in Table 6 were added to the blender. The blender contents were blended for ten seconds at the “Grate” setting. The blender contents were then poured into a 1000 mL graduated cylinder. The initial foam height H0 was recorded. After two minutes, the initial liquid level L0 was recorded. The flash foam volume reported in Table 6 was determined using the following equation.

[0078] Flash memory foam (in mL) = H0 - L0.

[0079] The viscosity of the shower gel was measured at 25°C using a TA Instruments DHR-3 rheometer equipped with a 60 mm stainless steel, 0.5° cone-plate sensor with a gap set to 17 micrometers. The results are provided in Table 6.

[0080] Table 6

Claims

1. A shower gel formulation comprising: 75 to 90 wt% of a mediator, wherein the mediator is water; 10 to 20 wt% of a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one alkyl polyglucan, wherein the at least one alkyl polyglucan is selected from the group consisting of lauryl glucoside, cocoyl glucoside, decyl glucoside and mixtures thereof; 0.75 to 2 wt% of a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with a hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms, wherein the hydrophobic group having a carbon chain of 8 to 15 carbon atoms is a C8 straight-chain or branched alkyl group bonded to the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate by a single ether bond as shown in Formula I or by an ether bond and a 2-hydroxypropyl group as shown in Formula II. (Formula I) (Formula II) Cell-O is a water-soluble cellulose ether matrix, and R is a C8 straight-chain or branched alkyl group. The water-soluble cellulose ether substrate has a weight-average molecular weight (MW) > 800,000 Daltons, and the water-soluble cellulose ether substrate is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose. The shower gel formulation contains <0.01 wt% alkyl sulfate and <0.01 wt% alkyl ether sulfate; and The shower gel formulation is thickened using a water-soluble cellulose ether substrate substituted with the hydrophobic group.

2. The shower gel formulation according to claim 1, further comprising a pH adjuster.

3. The shower gel formulation according to claim 1, further comprising a biocidal agent.

4. The shower gel formulation according to claim 1, further comprising a fragrance.

5. The shower gel formulation according to claim 1, further comprising a colorant.

6. The shower gel formulation according to claim 1, further comprising soap.

7. The shower gel formulation according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether base material is hydroxyethyl cellulose.

8. The shower gel formulation according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble cellulose ether base material has a weight-average molecular weight (MW) of 900,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons.

9. The shower gel formulation according to claim 8, further comprising at least one of the following: a pH adjuster, a biocide, a fragrance, a colorant, and soap.

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