Uses of deodorant compositions for reducing malodour on clothing

Abstract

The invention concerns the use of a topically-applied cosmetic composition comprising a zinc organometallic salt or complex for reducing malodour on clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of said cosmetic composition.

Description

[0001] USES OF DEODORANT COMPOSITIONS FOR REDUCING MALODOUR ON CLOTHING

[0002] Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention concerns the use of specific topically-applied cosmetic compositions for reducing malodour on clothing.

[0004] Background

[0005] The topical application of deodorant compositions to reduce malodour on the surface of the human body has been known for many years. Likewise, the application of fabric treatments to reduce malodour on clothing is also well known.

[0006] WO 2001 / 07002 A1 (Kao, 2001) discloses a method for deodorizing an object wherein the object is clothes or body.

[0007] JP2 2007 / 2822799 A2 (Kao, 2007) discloses a water-based deodorant for reducing the smell of sweat and sebum on clothing.

[0008] WO 2018 / 195613 A1 (L’Oreal, 2018) discloses a method for deodorizing keratinic or textile material.

[0009] WO 2016 / 096897 A1 (L’Oreal, 2018) discloses a cosmetic method for controlling odours that can be used on the skin and on materials for deodorizing malodourous environments such as shoe soles or clothing.

[0010] WO 2016 / 090247 A1 (Mary kay Inc., 2016) discloses a method of applying a cosmetic composition to skin, hair or clothing. Summary of the Invention

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing malodour on clothing worn in proximity to the skin of the human body via the topical application of a cosmetic composition.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing the transfer of malodour from the skin of the human body to clothing worn in proximity thereto.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing the malodour trapped in clothing worn in proximity to the skin of the human body to which a cosmetic product has been applied.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the fresh smell of clothing worn in proximity to the skin of the human body to which a cosmetic product has been applied.

[0015] In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a topically-applied cosmetic composition comprising a zinc organometallic salt or complex and a carrier material for reducing malodour on clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of said cosmetic composition.

[0016] In an aspect of the invention related to the first aspect referred to immediately above, there is provided the use of a topically-applied zinc organometallic salt or complex for reducing malodour on clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of the non-aluminium deodorant active.

[0017] In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a topically-applied cosmetic composition comprising a zinc organometallic salt or complex and a carrier material for making clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of said cosmetic composition smell fresher. In an aspect of the invention related to the second aspect referred to immediately above, there is provided the use of a topically-applied zinc organometallic salt or complex for making clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of the non-aluminium deodorant active.

[0018] In a third aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a topically-applied cosmetic composition comprising a zinc organometallic salt or complex and a carrier material for reducing malodour trapped in clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of said cosmetic composition.

[0019] In an aspect of the invention related to the third aspect referred to immediately above, there is provided the use of a topically-applied zinc organometallic salt or complex for reducing malodour trapped in clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of the non-aluminium deodorant active.

[0020] In a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a topically-applied cosmetic composition comprising a zinc organometallic salt or complex and a carrier material for reducing the transfer of malodour to clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of said cosmetic composition.

[0021] In an aspect of the invention related to the fourth aspect referred to immediately above, there is provided the use of a topically-applied zinc organometallic salt or complex for reducing the transfer of malodour to clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of the zinc organometallic salt or complex.

[0022] Detailed Description

[0023] For all aspects of the invention, the benefits are of particular note when sportswear and / or synthetic clothing is the clothing worn, especially when the clothing comprises lycra®. For such clothing, odour transfer and trapping can be of particular relevance. To the best of our knowledge, the use of a topically-applied cosmetic composition comprising a zinc organometallic salt or complex and a carrier material to reduce malodour on clothing has not been previously disclosed nor suggested in the prior art.

[0024] In preferred embodiments, the topically-applied deodorant composition does not comprise any aluminium-containing antiperspirant active. In particularly preferred embodiments, the topically-applied deodorant composition does not comprise any aluminium-containing material. By avoiding aluminium-containing materials, a more natural means of reducing odour on clothing may often be achieved.

[0025] In preferred embodiments, the topically-applied deodorant composition does not comprise any antiperspirant active. In such embodiments, the benefits of the invention are particularly unexpected since there is no reduction in perspiration and its possible transfer to clothing worn in proximity to the skin.

[0026] Herein, topical application refers to application to the skin of the human body, in particular to the underarm regions of the human body.

[0027] Herein, deodorant actives are materials that reduce malodour, typically following topical application to the skin of the human body.

[0028] Herein, antiperspirant actives are materials that reduce perspiration on the skin of the human body, typically following topical application.

[0029] Herein, a non-aluminium deodorant active is a material that does not comprise aluminium in any form, whether charged, uncharged, complexed or in any other form.

[0030] Herein, “odour” and “malodour” are used interchangeably.

[0031] Herein, methods and uses should be understood to be cosmetic methods / uses, i.e. non- therapeutic methods / uses.

[0032] Herein, all percentages, parts, and ratios are by weight, unless otherwise indicated. Herein, references to an amount of a material or materials refer to the total amount of material(s) of the type indicated.

[0033] Herein, references to an amount of a material are with reference to the total composition of which it is a part, unless otherwise indicated.

[0034] Herein, “application” and “applied” relate to application to the skin of the human body, in particular the underarm regions, unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0035] Herein, features expressed as “preferred” with regard to a particular aspect of the invention should be understood to be preferred with regard to each aspect of the invention.

[0036] Herein, preferred, particularly preferred and especially preferred features of the invention are particularly preferred when used in combination with other preferred, particularly preferred, and especially preferred features of the invention.

[0037] Herein, “ambient conditions” refer to 20°C and 1 atmosphere pressure, unless otherwise indicated.

[0038] Herein, the word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of’ or “composed of.” In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive.

[0039] Herein, except in the examples or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description and claims indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and / or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about”.

[0040] Herein, numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. In preferred embodiments, the zinc organometallic salt or complex is an antimicrobial deodorant active. Such deodorant actives are typically antibacterial actives, acting to counter odour-causing bacteria on the skin surface.

[0041] In preferred embodiments, the zinc organometallic salt or complex is an odour absorber, i.e. a material that can absorb odour, whether in the liquid or gaseous state,

[0042] In particularly preferred embodiments, the zinc organometallic salt or complex is both an antimicrobial deodorant active and an odour absorber. Having a deodorant active that can act by both these mechanisms enhances the benefits of the invention.

[0043] In preferred embodiments, a deodorant active that is an organic antimicrobial compound other than ethanol is employed. Ethanol may also be included in compositions used in such embodiments.

[0044] Herein, a material described as “organic” comprises covalently-bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms.

[0045] Ethanol may be used as a preferred component in compositions used in the present invention.

[0046] Herein, an organometallic salt or complex is a compound comprising a metal and an organic moiety. The metal is often in a partial or fully ionic (cationic) state.

[0047] A preferred organometallic salt or complex for use in the present invention is a zinc dicarboxylate salt of a fatty acid having from 8 to 28 carbon atoms, particularly zinc neodecanoate or zinc neodecanoate and especially zinc neodecanoate.

[0048] Another preferred organometallic salt or complex for use in the present invention is a complex of a zinc salt and a p-amino acid, such as 2-amino-1-butanol. Such complexes are disclosed in WO 2020 / 030441 A1 (Unilever, 2020). The zinc organometallic salt or complex is preferably used at a level of from 1 to 95% and more preferably from 2 to 90% of the composition in which it is present, ignoring any volatile propellant present therein. In particularly preferred embodiments, zinc organometallic salt or complex is used at a level of from 0.5 to 10%, more preferably from 1 to 8%, and most preferably from 2 to 6% of the composition in which it is present, ignoring any volatile propellant present therein.

[0049] The carrier material is typically one or more liquid carrier fluids. Suitable liquid carrier fluids are hydrocarbon oils, ester oils and ether oils. Silicone oils may also be employed; however, preferred embodiments are free from silicone oil, in particular cyclic silicone oils, such cyclopentasiloxane.

[0050] Suitable carrier materials can be selected from alkyl ether oils having a boiling point of above 100°C and especially above 150°C, including polyalkyleneglycol alkyl ethers. Such ethers desirably comprise between 10 and 20 ethylene glycol or propylene glycol units and the alkyl group commonly contains from 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Preferred ether oils include polypropylene glycol alkyl ethers such as PPG-14-butylether and PPG-15-stearyl ether.

[0051] Suitable carrier materials can include one or more triglyceride oils. The triglyceride oils commonly comprise the alkyl residues of aliphatic C?to C20 alcohols, the total number of carbon atoms being selected in conjunction with the extent of olefinic unsaturation and / or branching to enable the triglyceride to be liquid at 20°C. One example is jojoba oil. Particularly preferably, in the triglyceride oil the alkyl residues are linear C groups having one, two or three olefinic degrees of unsaturation, two or three being optionally conjugated, many of which are extractable from plants (or their synthetic analogues), including triglycerides of oleic acid, linoleic acid, conjugated linoleic acids, linolenic acid, petroselenic acid, ricinoleic acid, I inolenelaidic acid, trans 7-octadecenoic acid, parinaric acid, pinolenic acid, punicic acid, petroselenic acid and stearidonic acid.

[0052] Suitable carrier materials can include those derived from unsaturated C acids, including coriander seed oil, impatiens balsimina seed oil, parinarium laurinarium kernel fat oil, sabastiana brasilinensis seed oil, dehydrated castor seed oil, borage seed oil, evening primrose oil, aquilegia vulgaris oil, sunflower (seed) oil and safflower oil. Other suitable oils are obtainable from hemp, and maize corn oil. An especially preferred oil by virtue of its characteristics is sunflower (seed) oil.

[0053] Further suitable carrier materials can also be emollient oils, such as alkyl or alkyl-aryl ester oils having a boiling point of above 150°C (and a melting point of below 20°C). Such ester oils include oils containing one or two alkyl groups of 12 to 24 carbon atoms length, including isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate and myristyl palmitate.

[0054] The carrier material is preferably present at a level of from 1 to 90%, more preferably from 3 to 70% and most preferably from 5 to 50% of the composition in which it is present, ignoring any volatile propellant present therein.

[0055] A preferred additional component of compositions used in the present invention is a fragrance. When employed, the fragrance may be included at from 0.1 to 10%, preferably at from 0.5 to 5%, and more preferably at from 0.5 to 2.5%, excluding any volatile propellant that may be present in the composition. The presence of a fragrance can enhance the benefits of the invention, by introducing a further mechanism of action: malodour masking.

[0056] In preferred embodiments, the cosmetic composition is topically applied as a spray, typically from an aerosol dispenser, and often pressurised by a liquified volatile propellant, such as LPG.

[0057] When a spray is used to apply the cosmetic composition, the composition typically comprising a base and a propellant, the base being all the components of the composition except the propellant. The base to propellant ratio is typically from 5: 90 to 50: 50 and preferably from 10: 90 to 30: 70.

[0058] In preferred embodiments, the cosmetic composition is a body spray, by which is meant a spray product suitable for topical application across the whole of the human body. Such compositions are preferably fragranced compositions. In preferred embodiments, the cosmetic composition is topically applied to the underarm regions of the human body, preferably as a spray. It is in such regions where the benefits of the invention are often greatest.

[0059] Examples

[0060] Transfer of odour from the underarm regions of the human body to T-shirts worn by panelists was assessed in the following test. The test was a sequential monadic, fully rotated design with a washout period ahead of each product use.

[0061] 152 female panelists, aged 18 - 55, were recruited. Each was a regular antiperspirant or deodorant users (at least 4 times per week). Two products (Example 1 and Example 2 as detailed in Table 1) were tested. Both products were given to the panelists unbranded.

[0062] In a first stage, the panelists completed a 7-day “wash-out” prior to the test using a commercial bodywash and body-spray supplied to them. On the morning of the next day, the panelists again used the bodywash supplied to them, but then applied one of the test products, Example 1 or Example 2, to each underarm and put on a T-shirt, also supplied to them. They each wore their T-shirt for 24 hours prior to removing it and heat-sealing it into an aluminium pouch using an iron. Following removal of their “24-hour” T-shirt, the panelists did not wash their upper bodies and nor did they apply any further test product. Instead, they put on a second T-shirt supplied to them and wore this for a further 24 hours. Following this period, they each removed their “48-hour” T-shirt and heat-sealed it into an aluminium pouch using an iron.

[0063] In a second stage, each panelist completed a 4-day “wash-out” as described for the first stage before repeating the first stage procedure using the other of Example 1 or Example 2 not used by the panelist during the first stage.

[0064] 76 of the panelists applied Example 1 in the first stage and Example 2 in the second stage and 76 of the panelists applied Example 2 in the first stage and Example 1 in the second stage, thereby eliminating any order of application effect. The T-shirts used were white polycotton, from Brennards Textiles. The T-shirts were washed with un-fragranced washing powder (Zero Neutral) prior to use. Each participant received four T-shirts: two for each product (Example 1 and Example 2) at each of the two removal time points (24 and 48 hours following application of the test product).

[0065] The “24-hour” and “48-hour” T-shirts were returned to a Unilever laboratory where they were refrigerated to reduce any malodour change prior to malodour assessment. The malodour assessment was performed by an expert panel. The T-shirts were removed from their aluminium pouch and allowed to equilibrate to room temperature before being assessed using a 1 - 5 malodour line scale. The T-shirts were evaluated inside out; the left underarm of each shirt being assessed first and the right underarm being assessed second. A 1-minute interval was allowed before assessment of each subsequent T-shirt. Four to six assessors, depending on assessor availability, rated each of the 608 T-shirts. The mean malodour score for each assessment are indicated at the bottom of Table 1.

[0066] The malodour scores found in the underarm regions of the T-shirts worn in proximity to the armpit to which Example 1 had been applied were significant the lower after both 24 hours and 48 hours.

[0067] Table 1

[0068] S.E. = standard error.

Claims

Claims1. Use of a topically-applied cosmetic composition comprising a zinc organometallic salt or complex and a carrier material for reducing malodour on clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of said non-aluminium deodorant active or said cosmetic composition.

2. Use according to claim 1 for making clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of said cosmetic composition smell fresher.

3. Use according to claim 1 or claim 2 for reducing malodour trapped in clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of said cosmetic composition smell fresher.

4. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there is a reduction in the transfer of malodour to clothing worn in proximity to the site of topical application of said cosmetic composition smell fresher.

5. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the zinc organometallic salt or complex is a zinc dicarboxylate salt of a fatty acid having from 8 to 28 carbon atoms.

6. Use according to claim 5, wherein the deodorant active is zinc neodecanoate.

7. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cosmetic composition comprises a fragrance.

8. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cosmetic composition is applied as a spray to the surface of the human body.

9. Use according to claim 8 wherein the cosmetic composition is a body spray.

10. Use according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cosmetic composition is applied to the underarm regions of the human body.

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