Humectant and method for using humectant

Abstract

To provide a humectant suitable for imparting a moisturizing function to a target object.SOLUTION: A humectant according to the present disclosure comprises water and a humectant compound.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The following disclosure relates to moisturizers and methods of using the moisturizers. [Background technology]

[0002] Regarding a method for imparting a moisturizing function to any object, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for imparting a moisturizing composition containing an anionic polymer, a cationic polymer, a polyhydric alcohol, and an aqueous liquid to a nonwoven fabric or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4892400 specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a moisturizer suitable for imparting a moisturizing function to an object, and a method for using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The moisturizer of the present disclosure 1 contains water and a humectant compound. The moisturizer of Disclosure 2 is the moisturizer of Disclosure 1, in which the content of the humectant compound is 50 parts by mass or more and 400 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the water content. The moisturizing agent of the present disclosure 3 is the moisturizing agent of the present disclosure 1 or 2, in which the total content of the water and the humectant compound is 60% by mass or more in 100% by mass of the moisturizing agent. The moisturizer of the present disclosure 4 is any of the moisturizers of the present disclosure 1 to 3, which contains, as the humectant compound, a hetero compound having a structure in which a hydrogen atom is bonded via a hetero atom to a carbon atom of an organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The moisturizing agent of the present disclosure 5 is the moisturizing agent of the present disclosure 4, in which the heteroatom is a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom. The moisturizing agent of the present disclosure 6 is the moisturizing agent of the present disclosure 4 or 5, wherein the hetero compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols having three or more hydroxyl groups in one molecule, and (poly)alkylene glycols having an average of 1 to 500 oxyalkylene groups having 2 to 20 carbon atoms in one molecule. The moisturizing agent of the seventh disclosure is any one of the moisturizing agents of the first to sixth disclosures, which contains (poly)glycerin as the humectant compound. The moisturizing agent of the eighth disclosure is any one of the moisturizing agents of the first to sixth disclosures, which contains glycerin and polyglycerin as the humectant compound. The moisturizing agent of the ninth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the moisturizing agents of the first to eighth aspects of the present disclosure, which is a moisturizing agent used in synthetic fiber fabrics. The moisturizing agent of the tenth disclosure is the moisturizing agent of the ninth disclosure, in which the synthetic fiber fabric has at least one selected from the group consisting of a raised portion and a pile portion. The moisturizing agent of the eleventh disclosure is any one of the moisturizing agents of the first to eighth disclosures, which is used for at least one fabric selected from the group consisting of raised fabrics and pile fabrics. The moisturizing agent of the present disclosure 12 is the moisturizing agent of the present disclosure 11, wherein the fabric is a synthetic fiber fabric, a flannel fabric, or a fur fabric. A method of using the moisturizer of Disclosure 13 of the present invention is a method of using any of the moisturizers of Disclosures 1 to 12 of the present invention on a synthetic fiber fabric. A method of using the moisturizing agent of Disclosure 14 is a method of using any of the moisturizing agents of Disclosures 1 to 12 on at least one fabric selected from the group consisting of raised fabrics and pile fabrics. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a moisturizer suitable for imparting a moisturizing function to an object and a method for using the same. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1]This is a photograph taken in evaluation test III of one subject wearing arm covers on both arms. [Diagram 2] 13 is a graph showing the results of evaluation test III. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] In this specification, the terms "comprise" and "comprise at least" mean that other components may also be included, unless otherwise specified. The term "or" indicates options that can be appropriately combined, unless otherwise specified. For example, the description "A, B or C" means that it may be any one of A, B and C, or a combination of two or more of A, B and C. In addition, the numerical range "A to B" means A or more and B or less. "A or more" includes the numerical value A, and "B or less" includes the numerical value B.

[0009] The moisturizer of the present embodiment can impart moisturizing function to the target object, such as moisturizing skin and hair. The moisturizer includes water and a humectant compound. The moisturizer may further include other components (also referred to as "other components"). As each component, one or more types can be used. Thus, moisturizers including a composition that includes water and a humectant compound and may further include other components are also included in the moisturizers of the present disclosure.

[0010] In the moisturizer, the total content of water and humectant compound is preferably 60% by mass or more in 100% by mass of the moisturizer. This makes the moisturizer more suitable for imparting moisturizing function to an object. The total content of water and humectant compound is more preferably 70% by mass or more, even more preferably 80% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 90% by mass or more in 100% by mass of the moisturizer.

[0011] The water is not particularly limited, but examples of the water that can be preferably used include pure water, ion-exchanged water, distilled water, purified water, and tap water.

[0012] The humectant compound is a water-soluble compound that can bond with water by ionic bonding. Therefore, the humectant compound can have a humectant effect, which is an effect of retaining moisture by ionic bonding. The humectant compound may also have an emollient effect, which is an effect of suppressing evaporation of moisture, in addition to the humectant effect. When a moisturizing agent is obtained by using a compound having only an emollient effect instead of a humectant compound, when the moisturizing agent is supplied to, for example, a fabric product (such as clothing), the comfort of wearing, the touch, and the aesthetics of the supplied fabric product may be deteriorated. The moisturizing agent of the present embodiment contains a compound having a humectant effect (i.e., a humectant compound) together with water, and therefore can exhibit a moisturizing effect without impairing the comfort of wearing, the touch, and the aesthetics of the fabric product, which is preferable.

[0013] The moisturizer preferably contains, as the humectant compound, a hetero compound (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "hetero compound") having a structure in which a hydrogen atom is bonded to a carbon atom of an organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms via a hetero atom, which makes the moisturizer more suitable for imparting a moisturizing function to an object.

[0014] The heteroatom of the hetero compound is not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, an oxygen atom (O), a nitrogen atom (N), a sulfur atom (S), etc. Among them, the heteroatom is more preferably a nitrogen atom (O) or an oxygen atom (N). The structure in which hydrogen bonds are bonded via an oxygen atom may be, for example, a hydroxyl group (-OH), etc. In addition, the structure in which hydrogen bonds are bonded via a nitrogen atom may be an amino group, etc. The amino group includes both a primary amino group (-NH2) and a secondary amino group (-NH-).

[0015] The organic group means a functional group containing one or more carbon atoms. The organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is preferably a group in which one carbon atom is bonded to a heteroatom (e.g., a carbonyl group), or a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms which may contain a heteroatom. The hydrocarbon group may be linear or may have a branched structure or a ring structure. The heteroatom which may be contained is not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, an oxygen atom (O), a nitrogen atom (N), or a sulfur atom (S), and more preferably a nitrogen atom (O) or an oxygen atom (N). For example, the above-mentioned hydrocarbon group containing an oxygen atom as a heteroatom also includes a hydrocarbon group containing an ether bond (-O-) or an ester bond (-C(=O)-) in the structure. The above-mentioned hydrocarbon group may have a substituent. Specifically, the above-mentioned hydrocarbon group preferably includes one in which at least one hydrogen group bonded to a carbon is replaced by a substituent (functional group) other than a hydrogen group. The number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon group (excluding the number of carbon atoms in the substituent) is preferably 2 or more and 20 or less, more preferably 3 or more and 18 or less, and even more preferably 3 or more and 15 or less.

[0016] The hetero compound is preferably at least one of a compound (i) having a structure in which one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH) are bonded to a carbon atom of an organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and a compound (ii) having a structure in which an amino group (-NH2 or -NH-) is bonded to a carbon atom of an organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. When the moisturizing agent contains such a hetero compound, it becomes more suitable for imparting moisturizing function to an object. Among them, the hetero compound is more preferably the compound (i). As the compound (ii), for example, urea, sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate, etc. are preferably exemplified.

[0017] The compound (i) may be a compound having two or more hydroxyl groups (also referred to as "polyhydric alcohol"). For example, polyvinyl alcohol, sugar alcohol, or (poly)alkylene glycol is preferably used as the compound (i). The average degree of polymerization of polyvinyl alcohol is not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, 100 to 2000. The compound (i) is more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols and (poly)alkylene glycols. In particular, the hetero compound is more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols having three or more hydroxyl groups in one molecule, and (poly)alkylene glycols having an average of 1 to 500 oxyalkylene groups having 2 to 20 carbon atoms in one molecule.

[0018] The sugar alcohol is a polyhydric alcohol obtained by reducing the carbonyl group of a sugar molecule. The sugar molecule may be a monosaccharide or a polysaccharide, but is preferably a monosaccharide. The sugar alcohol is preferably a sugar alcohol having three or more hydroxyl groups in one molecule. That is, the number of hydroxyl groups in one sugar alcohol molecule is preferably three or more, and is also preferably five or more. The number of hydroxyl groups in one sugar alcohol molecule is preferably 20 or less, more preferably 15 or less, and even more preferably 10 or less. The range of the number of hydroxyl groups in one sugar alcohol molecule is preferably 3 to 20, more preferably 3 to 15, and even more preferably 3 to 10.

[0019] The sugar alcohol is preferably, for example, (poly)glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, maltitol, erythritol, lactitol, reduced starch syrup, or isomalt. Among them, the sugar alcohol is preferably (poly)glycerin. The moisturizer preferably contains (poly)glycerin as the humectant compound. (Poly)glycerin means at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin and polyglycerin. Polyglycerin means a glycerin polymer, such as a dimer (diglycerin) or a trimer (triglycerin), an n-mer (n is an integer of 2 or more). n is preferably 2 or more and 10 or less, more preferably 2 or more and 5 or less, and even more preferably 2.

[0020] The (poly)alkylene glycol means at least one selected from the group consisting of monoalkylene glycols having an average number of moles of oxyalkylene groups added of 1, and polyalkylene glycols having an average number of moles of oxyalkylene groups added of 2 or more. The number of carbon atoms in the oxyalkylene group is preferably 2 or more and 20 or less, more preferably 2 or more and 10 or less, even more preferably 2 or more and 5 or less, and particularly preferably 2 or more and 3 or less. In addition, among the (poly)alkylene glycols, the average number of moles of oxyalkylene groups added in the polyalkylene glycol is preferably 2 or more and 500 or less. Among the (poly)alkylene glycols, the average number of moles of oxyalkylene groups added in the polyalkylene glycol is more preferably 50 or more and 400 or less, and even more preferably 200 or more and 300 or less.

[0021] Therefore, the (poly)alkylene glycol preferably contains at least one of a monoalkylene glycol having an oxyalkylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms and a polyalkylene glycol having an average of 2 to 500 oxyalkylene groups having 2 to 20 carbon atoms in one molecule. The (poly)alkylene glycol more preferably contains at least one of a monoalkylene glycol having an oxyalkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and a polyalkylene glycol having an average of 50 to 400 oxyalkylene groups having 2 to 10 carbon atoms in one molecule. The (poly)alkylene glycol further preferably contains at least one of a monoalkylene glycol having an oxyalkylene group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms and a polyalkylene glycol having an average of 200 to 300 oxyalkylene groups having 2 to 5 carbon atoms in one molecule. It is particularly preferable that the (poly)alkylene glycol contains at least one selected from the group consisting of monoalkylene glycols having an oxyalkylene group having 2 to 3 carbon atoms and polyalkylene glycols having an average of 200 to 300 oxyalkylene groups having 2 to 3 carbon atoms in one molecule.

[0022] It is particularly preferable that the moisturizing agent contains (poly)glycerin as the fucement compound. As the (poly)glycerin, both moisturizing agents containing only glycerin and moisturizing agents containing glycerin and polyglycerin are preferable. In the latter moisturizing agent, as described above, the polyglycerin is preferably a dimer to decamer of glycerin, more preferably a dimer to pentamer, and even more preferably a dimer (i.e., diglycerin).

[0023] The proportion of (poly)glycerin in 100% by mass of the above-mentioned Fukement compound (i.e., the total content of glycerin and polyglycerin) is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more, even more preferably 30% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 40% by mass or more. The upper limit of the proportion of (poly)glycerin in 100% by mass of the above-mentioned Fukement compound is preferably 100% by mass. The mass ratio of glycerin to polyglycerin (glycerin / polyglycerin) is preferably 10-100 / 0-90, more preferably 40-100 / 0-60, and even more preferably 55-100 / 0-45.

[0024] The moisturizing agent may preferably contain, as the Fukement compound, (poly)glycerin and a sugar alcohol other than (poly)glycerin. The sugar alcohol other than (poly)glycerin is preferably at least one compound selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, maltitol, erythritol, lactitol, reduced starch syrup and isomalt. The proportion of sugar alcohol other than (poly)glycerin in 100% by mass of the Fukement compound is preferably 70% by mass or less, more preferably 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 40% by mass or less. The lower limit of the proportion of sugar alcohol other than (poly)glycerin in 100% by mass of the Fukement compound is preferably 0% by mass.

[0025] In the moisturizer, the content of the humectant compound (meaning the total amount when two or more kinds are used) is preferably 50 parts by mass or more and 400 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the water content. This allows the moisturizing effect to be exerted for a longer period in the object to which the moisturizer is supplied, and makes it easier to supply the moisturizer to the object. From the viewpoint of further enhancing the moisturizing effect, the content of the humectant compound is more preferably 100 parts by mass or more, and even more preferably 200 parts by mass or more, per 100 parts by mass of the water content. In addition, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the ease of supply to the object, the content of the humectant compound is more preferably 350 parts by mass or less, more preferably 300 parts by mass or less, and particularly preferably 250 parts by mass or less, per 100 parts by mass of the water content. The range of the content of the humectant compound is more preferably from 100 parts by mass to 350 parts by mass, even more preferably from 200 parts by mass to 300 parts by mass, and particularly preferably from 200 parts by mass to 250 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the water content.

[0026] The form of the water and the humectant compound contained in the moisturizer is not particularly limited. In the moisturizer, the water and the humectant compound may be, for example, dissolved or dispersed in each other. It is also preferable that the moisturizer contains a part of the humectant compound dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution, and the remaining part of the humectant compound.

[0027] The moisturizer may contain other components as necessary within a range that does not impair the effect of imparting moisturizing function to the target object. The other components are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include crystallization inhibitors, compounds that improve the affinity between water and humectant compounds (also referred to as affinity improvers), deodorants, antibacterial agents, fragrances, cooling agents, warming agents, waterproofing agents, water repellents, insect repellents, and antistatic agents, and these may be included as other components in the moisturizer. The content of other components in the moisturizer may be appropriately set according to the performance of each component. In the moisturizer, for example, the total content of other components is preferably 40% by mass or less in 100% by mass of the moisturizer. The total content of other components in 100% by mass of the moisturizer is more preferably 30% by mass or less, even more preferably 20% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 10% by mass or less.

[0028] For example, when the moisturizing agent contains a compound that easily crystallizes (such as sorbitol) as the humectant compound, the moisturizing agent preferably further contains a crystallization inhibitor. Such moisturizing agents are suitable because they have excellent moisturizing function-imparting effects and at the same time sufficiently suppress the impact on the aesthetics of the object to which the moisturizing agent is added (such as clothing). Examples of crystallization inhibitors include LM pectin and gum arabic. It is also preferable that the moisturizing agent further contains an affinity improver in addition to the humectant compound. A preferred example of the affinity improver is alcohol. A specific example of the alcohol as the affinity improver is primary alcohol or aromatic alcohol having a carbon chain (which may be linear or branched) having about 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0029] The form of the moisturizing agent is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, any of liquid, paste, gel, etc. The moisturizing agent can be prepared by mixing the above-mentioned components. The mixing method is not particularly limited.

[0030] The moisturizing agent of the present embodiment allows the moisturizing effect to be expressed in the object to which the moisturizing agent is supplied, and is easy to supply to the object. Therefore, it is suitable for imparting a moisturizing function to the object. The moisturizing agent is preferably supplied to the object so that the moisturizing agent adheres to the surface of the object (object to be supplied), and is preferably supplied so that the moisturizing agent covers at least a part of the surface of the object (i.e., the moisturizing agent adheres to at least a part of the surface of the object). For example, it is preferable to spray, immerse or apply the moisturizing agent to the surface of the object, and it is more preferable to spray it. When spraying, the moisturizing agent is used in a state where it is put into a spraying device such as a spray device, and such a spraying device containing the moisturizing agent is one of the preferred forms of use of the moisturizing agent of the present disclosure. The application device containing the moisturizing agent is also one of the preferred forms of use of the moisturizing agent of the present disclosure. The spraying device may be a so-called aerosol type spraying device in which liquefied gas or compressed gas and the moisturizing agent are sealed in a container having a valve, and the moisturizing agent is released from the valve by the force of the gas. The spray device is preferably a device that sprays the moisturizer from an electric spray nozzle such as a two-fluid nozzle. A spray device equipped with an electric spray nozzle can stably spray the moisturizer even when the amount of spray per unit time is small.

[0031] The object to which the moisturizer is supplied may be any non-living object, but is preferably a fabric product. That is, the moisturizer is preferably a moisturizer supplied to a fabric product. Among fabric products, fabric products that come into contact with the skin are more preferable. By using a fabric product supplied with the moisturizer in contact with the skin, the moisturizing effect of the skin, hair, etc. is fully exerted. In addition, the moisturizing effect can be exerted for a longer period of time when the fabric product supplied with the moisturizer is used in contact with the skin than when a commercially available moisturizer that is directly supplied to the skin is used. Note that the fabric product includes products containing nonwoven fabric and products containing woven fabric.

[0032] The cloth products that come into contact with the skin are preferably clothing, bedding, towels, medical textiles, etc. Among these, at least one selected from the group consisting of clothing and bedding is more preferable. Examples of clothing include underwear, socks, tights, stockings, gloves, arm covers, neck warmers, leg warmers, mufflers, scarves, handkerchiefs, hats, etc. Examples of bedding include pillowcases, futon covers, sheets, bedsheets, blankets, towel blankets, swaddling cloths, etc. Examples of towels include various towels, and examples of medical textiles include bandages, gauze, supports, etc.

[0033] In particular, the object to which the moisturizer is to be applied is preferably a synthetic fiber fabric, and the moisturizer is preferably a moisturizer used in synthetic fiber fabrics. Synthetic fiber fabrics are fabrics formed using at least synthetic fibers. The synthetic fibers are preferably, for example, polyethylene (also called PE) or polyester, and among polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate (also called PET). Thus, the synthetic fiber fabric is preferably obtained from at least one type selected from the group consisting of PE and PET.

[0034] The synthetic fiber fabric preferably has at least one selected from the group consisting of a raised portion and a pile portion. The raised portion is a portion where the fibers on the surface of the fabric are fluffy, and the pile portion is a portion (e.g., cut pile) or a loop (e.g., loop pile) formed by the fibers on the surface of the fabric. The raised portion also includes a pile portion that is cut and fluffy as necessary. Among them, the synthetic fiber fabric more preferably has a raised portion, and is even more preferably a fleece fabric. The fleece fabric is a fabric in which a woolen fabric is shrunk and then raised, and a finish is applied to make the fluff dense to the extent that the weave is not visible, and means a fabric with uniform fluff, and is formed, for example, using synthetic fibers. The fleece fabric can be said to be an example of a synthetic fiber fabric with a raised portion.

[0035] The object to which the moisturizer is to be supplied is also preferably at least one fabric (also referred to as fabric X) selected from the group consisting of raised fabric and pile fabric, and the moisturizer is also preferably a moisturizer used for at least one fabric selected from the group consisting of raised fabric and pile fabric. A raised fabric is a fabric having a raised portion, and a pile fabric is a fabric having a pile portion. The fabric X is more preferably a synthetic fiber fabric, a flannel fabric, or a fur fabric, and is even more preferably a synthetic fiber fabric. The synthetic fiber fabric is as described above. Among them, the fabric X is particularly preferably a fleece fabric.

[0036] The fleece fabric supplied with the moisturizing agent can exhibit a significantly higher moisturizing effect for a longer period of time than, for example, a cotton fabric supplied with the moisturizing agent. In particular, when the moisturizing agent contains glycerin and polyglycerin as humectant compounds, such an effect is significantly exhibited. Thus, the method of using the moisturizing agent in a synthetic fiber fabric, and the method of using the moisturizing agent in at least one fabric selected from the group consisting of a raised fabric and a pile fabric, are included in the present disclosure. In addition, the use of a mixture containing water and the humectant compound (i.e., the moisturizing agent of the present disclosure) as a moisturizing agent to be supplied to a synthetic fiber fabric, and the use of a mixture containing water and the humectant compound (i.e., the moisturizing agent of the present disclosure) as a moisturizing agent to be supplied to at least one fabric selected from the group consisting of a raised fabric and a pile fabric are also included in the present disclosure. EXAMPLES

[0037] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. Unless otherwise specified, "%" means "% by mass".

[0038] (Examples 1 to 5, Comparative Examples 1 and 2) For each example, a moisturizer was prepared by mixing the components shown in Table 1 in the composition ratio shown in Table 1. The moisturizers thus obtained were subjected to the following evaluation test I to evaluate their moisturizing function-imparting effect.

[0039] (Evaluation Test I) A moisturizer having the following composition was sprayed at 0.6 mg / cm2 onto the inner surface of the right arm of a pair of 100% cotton arm covers using an electric sprayer. 2 The moisturizer was sprayed for 2 minutes, and then dried for 3 minutes. After that, the right arm cover with the moisturizer was worn on the right arm, and the left arm cover without the moisturizer was worn on the left arm, and left for 5 hours. The moisture content of the skin before wearing and after wearing for 5 hours were measured at the same location, and "Δ" was calculated using the following formulas (1) to (3). The results are shown in Table 1. Change in moisture content A: On the right arm where an arm cover sprayed with moisturizer was worn, the change was calculated by subtracting the moisture content of the skin before wearing from the moisture content of the skin after wearing the arm cover for 5 hours in the same location on the right arm (see formula (1)). Change in moisture content B: For the left arm wearing the left arm side arm cover without spraying moisturizer, the moisture content of the skin before wearing was subtracted from the moisture content of the skin after wearing for 5 hours in the same place (see formula (2)). The measurement device used was "Moisture checker" manufactured by Scalar Corporation. It can be said that the larger the Δ, the higher the moisturizing effect obtained. Based on the Δ values ​​shown in Table 1, evaluation was performed on a 5-point scale from 1 to 5. The higher the number on the 5-point scale, the higher the moisturizing effect obtained. This evaluation test was carried out under conditions of room temperature of 23°C and humidity of 40%. Change in moisture content A = moisture content of skin after wearing for 5 hours - moisture content of skin before wearing (1) Change in moisture content B = moisture content of skin after wearing for 5 hours - moisture content of skin before wearing (2) Δ=Moisture content change A - Moisture content change B (3)

[0040] [Table 1]

[0041] The following products were used as each component listed in Table 1. Water: Ion-exchanged water Glycerin: "Concentrated Cosmetic Glycerin (Product Code: B0002193)" manufactured by Kao Corporation Sorbitol: "Sorbitol (product code: B0002769)" manufactured by Kao Corporation Diglycerin: "Diglycerin S" manufactured by Sakamoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Propanediol: Product name of DuPont Specialty Products Co., Ltd.: "ZEMEA(R) Select Propanediol"

[0042] In Examples 1 to 5, a higher moisturizing effect was obtained compared to Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Therefore, it was found that the moisturizers obtained in Examples 1 to 5 are excellent in the effect of imparting moisturizing function to clothes.

[0043] In addition, the moisture content (p) after the arm cover with moisturizer applied was worn on the subject's skin for 5 hours was compared with the moisture content (q) after the subject applied a commercially available moisturizer that is applied directly to the skin to the skin and then wore an arm cover without moisturizer applied for 5 hours on the area where the moisturizer was applied. As a result, regardless of which of the arm covers with moisturizers applied in Examples 1 to 5 was used, the moisture content (p) after the arm cover was worn on the subject's skin for 5 hours was much higher than the moisture content (q).

[0044] Next, in order to examine the effect of supplying a moisturizer to a fleece fabric, the following evaluation tests II to IV were carried out using the moisturizer obtained in Example 3 (referred to as "moisturizer A"). In the following tests, a commercially available arm cover made of 100% polyester fleece fabric (i.e., an arm cover made of fleece material) was used as the arm cover.

[0045] (Evaluation Test II) Except for using moisturizer A and using arm covers made of fleece material, "Δ" was calculated in the same manner as in Evaluation Test I. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0046] [Table 2]

[0047] Comparing the results of Evaluation Test I and Evaluation Test II, it was found that the skin remained moisturized for a longer period of time when wearing the fleece arm cover than when wearing the cotton arm cover. In other words, it was found that the moisturizing effect of the moisturizer was particularly noticeable when applied to fleece fabric rather than cotton fabric.

[0048] (Evaluation Test III) A pair of fleece arm covers (for both arms) was prepared for each subject. Moisturizer A was applied to one of the pair of arm covers for each subject. Specifically, Moisturizer A was sprayed onto the inner surface of each arm cover using an electric sprayer. At that time, the adhesion density of Moisturizer A on each arm cover was set to 0.4 mg / cm. 2 Each subject wore the arm cover thus obtained (referred to as "arm cover a") on their right arm. Each subject wore another arm cover (referred to as "arm cover c") on their left arm. Note that no moisturizer A was applied to arm cover c.

[0049] In addition to the above, for comparison, a pair of fleece arm covers (for both arms) was prepared for each subject. Each subject directly applied commercially available moisturizer B (0.25 g) to their right arm and then wore an arm cover (referred to as "arm cover b"). Each subject wore another arm cover (referred to as "arm cover d") on their left arm without applying anything. Moisturizer B is a commercially available emulsion for dry and very dry skin that is said to have a long-lasting moisturizing effect, and has both humectant and emollient properties. Moisturizer A was not applied to arm covers b and d.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a photograph of one subject wearing arm covers on both arms. Each subject wore the arm covers on both arms as described above, and then waited for five hours with the arm covers on. After five hours, the arm covers were removed, and the moisturizing sensation on each arm was evaluated on a five-point scale as follows. In this test, there were a total of six subjects, including three healthy adult men in their 50s and three healthy adult women in their 50s to 60s.

[0051] Note that the day when each subject wore arm covers a and c (February 29, 2024) was different from the day when each subject wore arm covers b and d (March 1 of the same year), but the time, weather, temperature, and humidity when the test was conducted were approximately the same.

[0052] (Evaluation Criteria 1) The evaluation criteria when the arm covers a and c were worn are as follows: Note that the arm cover c did not contain moisturizer A. 5: When wearing arm cover a with moisturizer A on it, it felt like my skin was very moisturized for a long time compared to when wearing arm cover c. 4: When wearing arm cover a with moisturizer A on it, it felt like the skin was moisturized for a longer period of time than when wearing arm cover c. 3: When wearing arm cover a with moisturizer A on it, the skin felt more moisturized for a longer period of time than when wearing arm cover c. 2: There was almost no difference in moisturizing effect felt between wearing arm cover a with moisturizer A on it and wearing arm cover c. 1: No difference in moisturizing effect was felt at all between wearing arm cover a with moisturizer A on it and wearing arm cover c.

[0053] (Evaluation Criteria 2) The evaluation criteria when wearing arm covers b and d are as follows: Moisturizer B was applied to the right arm of each subject, and Moisturizer B was not applied to the left arm. 5: When applying moisturizer B directly to the skin and then wearing arm cover b, it felt like my skin stayed much more moisturized for a long time than when wearing arm cover d. 4: It was felt that applying moisturizer B directly to the skin and then wearing arm cover b kept the skin moisturized for a longer period of time than wearing arm cover d. 3: I somehow felt that my skin stayed moisturized for a longer period of time when I applied moisturizer B directly to my skin and then wore arm cover B, compared to when I wore arm cover D. 2: There was almost no difference in moisturizing effect between applying moisturizer B directly to the skin and then wearing arm cover b and wearing arm cover d. 1: There was no noticeable difference in moisturizing effect between applying moisturizer B directly to the skin and then wearing arm cover b and wearing arm cover d.

[0054] As a result, the average score of the six subjects was 4.8 points (see Evaluation Criteria 1 above) when wearing arm covers a and c, and 2.8 points (see Evaluation Criteria 2 above) when wearing arm covers b and d. In other words, the subjects felt that their skin was more moisturized for a long period of time when wearing arm cover a with moisturizer A on it than when they applied moisturizer B directly to the skin and wore arm cover c on top of it. Therefore, it can be said that moisturizing the skin through clothing with moisturizer A on it has a higher moisturizing effect than applying moisturizer B directly to the skin.

[0055] Here, as described above, moisturizer B is a milky lotion for dry skin and very dry skin that is said to have a long-lasting moisturizing effect, and it has both humectant and emollient properties. It was expected that the moisturizing effect (especially the long-lasting moisturizing effect) would be equal to or higher when moisturizer B was applied directly to the skin and then arm cover c was worn over it than when arm cover a with moisturizer A was worn, but in fact, the opposite was true, and arm cover a with moisturizer A was much more effective. This would be a very surprising effect for those skilled in the art.

[0056] (Evaluation Test IV) (Test Example 1) When the evaluation test III was performed, the following changes in moisture content a and c were calculated for each subject. The measuring instruments used were the "Cutometer (registered trademark) MPA580" (device) and "Corneometer (registered trademark) CM825" (probe) manufactured by Integral Corporation. The change in moisture content a was calculated by subtracting the moisture content of the skin of the right arm before wearing arm cover a from the moisture content of the skin of the right arm after wearing arm cover a for 5 hours. The measurement location was the same before and after wearing arm cover a for 5 hours. The change in moisture content c was calculated by subtracting the moisture content of the skin of the left arm before wearing the arm cover c from the moisture content of the skin of the left arm after wearing the arm cover c for 5 hours. The measurement location was the same before and after wearing the arm cover c for 5 hours. Then, "Δ1" was calculated by subtracting the amount of change in moisture content c from the amount of change in moisture content a.

[0057] Similarly, when the evaluation test III was performed, the following changes in moisture content b and d were calculated for each subject. The measuring instruments used were the "Cutometer (registered trademark) MPA580" (device) and "Corneometer (registered trademark) CM825" (probe) manufactured by Integral Corporation. The change in moisture content b was calculated by subtracting the moisture content of the skin of the right arm before wearing arm cover b and after applying moisturizer B from the moisture content of the skin of the right arm after wearing arm cover b for 5 hours. The measurement location was the same before and after wearing arm cover b for 5 hours. The change in moisture content d was calculated by subtracting the moisture content of the skin of the left arm before wearing the arm cover d from the moisture content of the skin of the left arm after wearing the arm cover d for 5 hours. The measurement location was the same before and after wearing the arm cover d for 5 hours. Then, "Δ2" was calculated by subtracting the amount of change in moisture content d from the amount of change in moisture content b.

[0058] Δ1 and Δ2 for each subject are shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 is a graph showing the results of evaluation test III. In Figure 2, Δ1 is shown as a bar graph, and Δ2 is shown as a dot. A, B, C, D, E, and F shown on the horizontal axis are the names of each of the six subjects. For example, for subject A, Δ2 was about 0 (actually -0.3), while Δ1 was about 20.0 (actually 20.1). The average values ​​of Δ1 for the six subjects and the average values ​​of Δ2 for the six subjects are shown in Table 3.

[0059] [Table 3]

[0060] The results of FIG. 2 and Table 3 (Test Example 1) can be said to support the moisturizing sensation felt by each subject in Evaluation Test III.

[0061] (Test Example 2) For reference, the following tests were performed: As the arm cover a in the evaluation test III, an arm cover made of 100% cotton was used, and the adhesion density of the moisturizing agent A in the arm cover a was 1.0 mg / cm 2 The moisture content changes a and c were calculated for each subject in the same manner as in Evaluation Test IV, except that Δ1 was calculated. The average value of Δ1 for the six subjects is shown in Table 3. However, this test was conducted in June 2023.

[0062] Comparing the results (Δ1) of Test Example 1 and Test Example 2, it was found that the skin was moisturized for a longer period of time when the fleece arm cover was worn than when the cotton arm cover was worn. In addition, considering that Test Example 2 was conducted in summer, whereas Test Example 1 was conducted in winter when the skin is prone to dryness, and that the adhesion density of Moisturizing Agent A was higher in Test Example 2, it was expected that Δ1 in Test Example 2 would be higher, but in fact, the opposite was true, and Δ1 in Test Example 1 was significantly higher than Δ1 in Test Example 2. Even taking this into consideration, it was found that the moisturizing function-imparting effect of the above-mentioned moisturizing agent is particularly noticeable when applied to fleece cloth rather than cotton cloth. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] a, c: Right arm cover b, d: Left arm cover

Claims

1. A moisturizer comprising water and a humectant compound.

2. The moisturizing agent according to claim 1 , wherein the content of the humectant compound is 50 parts by weight or more and 400 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the water content.

3. The moisturizer according to claim 1 , wherein the total content of the water and the humectant compound is 60% by mass or more based on 100% by mass of the moisturizer.

4. The moisturizing agent according to claim 1, comprising, as the humectant compound, a hetero compound having a structure in which a hydrogen atom is bonded via a hetero atom to a carbon atom possessed by an organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

5. The moisturizing agent according to claim 4 , wherein the heteroatom is a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom.

6. The moisturizing agent according to claim 4, wherein the hetero compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols having three or more hydroxyl groups in one molecule, and (poly)alkylene glycols having an average of 1 to 500 oxyalkylene groups having 2 to 20 carbon atoms in one molecule.

7. The moisturizer of claim 1 , comprising as the humectant compound (poly)glycerin.

8. The moisturizer of claim 1 , comprising as the humectant compound glycerin and polyglycerin.

9. The moisturizing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is used for synthetic fiber fabrics.

10. The moisturizing agent according to claim 9 , wherein the synthetic fiber fabric comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a raised portion and a pile portion.

11. The moisturizing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is used for at least one fabric selected from the group consisting of raised fabrics and pile fabrics.

12. The moisturizer of claim 11, wherein the fabric is a synthetic fiber fabric, a flannel fabric, or a fur fabric.

13. A method for using the moisturizing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 8 on a synthetic fiber fabric.

14. A method for using a moisturizing agent, comprising applying the moisturizing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to at least one fabric selected from the group consisting of raised fabrics and pile fabrics.

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