Hair softening agent, hair composition, hair treatment method, and hair softening method

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of softening hair, including black hair and gray hair.SOLUTION: Hair can be softened by using one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain. When softening gray hair, it is preferable to use one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and Rosa canina fruit oil, together with triglycerides having a branched chain.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair softening agent, a hair composition, a hair treatment method, and a hair softening method.

Background Art

[0002] Components and compositions used for hair have been proposed to have various functions for hair. For example, in Patent Document 1, a hair cosmetic containing silicone powder, microcrystalline wax and / or polyethylene wax having a specific melting point or higher, and a cationic polymer in a specific range has excellent finger combability when rinsed with water after being applied to hair, and gives the hair a firmness, stiffness feeling and volume feeling after drying.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Among consumers of hair cosmetics, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, there is a demand for giving the hair a firmness, stiffness feeling and volume feeling. On the other hand, as a function different from the firmness, stiffness feeling, etc. for hair, there is a demand for softening hair.

[0005] Regarding the demand for softening hair, several techniques have been proposed, but depending on the state of the hair, it may be difficult to soften the hair. For example, hair includes black hair and white hair due to differences in the type and amount of melanin pigment in the hair, but white hair tends to be less flexible than black hair, and it may be difficult to soften it.

[0006] Therefore, regardless of the type of hair such as black hair or white hair, new technologies for softening hair are in demand.

[0007] Based on the above circumstances, the problems of the present invention are as follows. The first problem of the present invention is to provide a hair softening agent. The second problem of the present invention is to provide a hair composition capable of softening hair. The third problem of the present invention is to provide a hair treatment method for softening hair. The fourth problem of the present invention is to provide a method for softening hair.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that if one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain are used for hair, the hair can be softened regardless of whether it is white hair or black hair, and thus the present invention has been completed.

[0009] The present invention includes the following inventions [1] to [7].

[0010] [1] The hair softening agent contains one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain.

[0011] [2] The hair softening agent for white hair according to [1] contains one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina bala fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain.

[0012] [3] The hair composition is formulated with one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina bala fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain.

[0013] The hair composition of [4] is the hair composition of [3] and is for use on white hair.

[0014] The hair treatment method of [5] is a hair treatment method using the softening agent for white hair of [1] or [2], or the hair composition of [3] or [4].

[0015] The hair softening method of [6] is a hair softening method using one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, and triglycerides having branched chains.

[0016] The hair softening method of [7] is the hair softening method of [6], and is a method for softening white hair using one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina bala fruit oil, and triglycerides having branched chains.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the hair softening agent of the present invention, a hair softening agent can be provided. According to the hair composition of the present invention, a hair composition capable of softening hair can be provided. According to the hair treatment method of the present invention, a hair treatment method for softening hair can be provided. According to the hair softening method of the present invention, a hair softening method can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Based on the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment"), the present invention will be described below.

[0020] <Hair Softener> The hair softener of this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "the softener of this embodiment") contains one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain. According to the softener of this embodiment, the hair can be softened.

[0021] 〔Safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, triglycerides having a branched chain〕 For the safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina bala fruit oil used in the softener of this embodiment, commercially available products may be used, or those obtained by operations such as extraction by known methods may be used. Also, commercially available products may be used for the triglycerides having a branched chain used in the softener of this embodiment.

[0022] The softener of this embodiment may contain only any one selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain, or may contain two or more. Also, the softener of this embodiment may contain one or more triglycerides having a branched chain.

[0023] In addition, the softening agent of the present embodiment may or may not contain other optional components in addition to one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain. For example, the softening agent of the present embodiment may consist of only one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain.

[0024] (Sunflower oil) The sunflower oil used in the softening agent of the present embodiment is an oil obtained from the seeds of safflower. As the sunflower oil, those containing components with a cosmetic display name of sunflower oil (for example, raw materials for cosmetics containing sunflower oil) may be used.

[0025] (Corn germ oil) The corn germ oil used in the softening agent of the present embodiment is an oil obtained from the germ of corn. As the corn germ oil, those containing components with a cosmetic display name of corn germ oil (for example, raw materials for cosmetics containing corn germ oil) may be used.

[0026] (Perilla seed oil) The perilla seed oil used in the softening agent of the present embodiment is an oil obtained from the seeds of perilla. As the perilla seed oil, those containing components with a cosmetic display name of perilla seed oil (for example, raw materials for cosmetics containing perilla seed oil) may be used.

[0027] (Canina bala fruit oil) The canina bala fruit oil used in the softening agent of the present embodiment is an oil obtained from the fruit of canina bala. As the canina bala fruit oil, those containing components with a cosmetic display name of canina bala fruit oil (for example, raw materials for cosmetics containing canina bala fruit oil) may be used.

[0028] (Triglycerides having a branched chain) The triglyceride having a branched chain used in the softening agent of the present embodiment is a triester of a branched fatty acid and glycerin. The branched fatty acid is, for example, a branched fatty acid having 8 to 40 carbon atoms.

[0029] The triglyceride having a branched chain used in the softening agent of the present embodiment may be, for example, a triglyceride having 8 to 40 carbon atoms with a branched chain, or a triglyceride having 8 to 20 carbon atoms with a branched chain.

[0030] The softening agent of the present embodiment can contain one or more triglycerides having a branched chain. Examples of the triglyceride having a branched chain used in the softening agent of the present embodiment include glyceryl triisononanoate (cosmetic display name: triisononanoin), glyceryl triisopalmitate (cosmetic display name: triisopalmitin), glyceryl tri(2-ethylhexanoate) (cosmetic display name: triethylhexanoin), glyceryl triisostearate (cosmetic display name: triisostearin), glyceryl tributyrate (C10-40) (cosmetic display name: same as above), glyceryl tributyrate (C12-31) (cosmetic display name: same as above).

[0031] From the viewpoint of making white hair softer among hairs, the softening agent of the present embodiment preferably contains one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina fruit oil, and more preferably contains one or two selected from corn germ oil and safflower oil.

[0032] From the viewpoint of making black hair softer among hairs, the softening agent of the present embodiment preferably contains one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and triglyceride having a branched chain, more preferably contains one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, and triglyceride having a branched chain, and even more preferably contains one or two selected from safflower oil and corn germ oil.

[0033] In the softening agent of this embodiment, the blending amount of one or more of sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina rose fruit oil, and triglyceride having a branched chain may be set as appropriate.

[0034] In the softening agent of this embodiment, the blending amount of one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina rose fruit oil, and triglyceride having a branched chain (which refers to the total blending amount of sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina rose fruit oil, and triglyceride having a branched chain contained in the softening agent of this embodiment. In the following description, it is used in the same meaning) may be set as appropriate. In the following description, the blending amount of one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina rose fruit oil, and triglyceride having a branched chain may be referred to as "total blending amount of sunflower oil and the like".

[0035] The total blending amount of sunflower oil and the like in the softening agent of this embodiment is, for example, 0.01% by mass or more. From the viewpoint of making white hair softer, 0.05% by mass or more is preferable, 0.07% by mass or more is more preferable, and 0.1% by mass or more is even more preferable.

[0036] The total blending amount of sunflower oil and the like in the softening agent of this embodiment is, for example, 10% by mass or less. From the viewpoint of reducing the risk of greasiness on the hair, 5% by mass or less is preferable.

[0037] (Combination of specific vegetable oil and triglyceride having a branched chain) From the viewpoint of making white hair softer, the softening agent of this embodiment preferably contains one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina rose fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain.

[0038] In the following description, the blending amount of one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina bala fruit oil (total blending amount of safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina bala fruit oil) is referred to as the "blending amount of specific vegetable oil".

[0039] (mass ratio) When the softening agent of this embodiment contains one or more selected from safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina bala fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain, the mass ratio of the blending amount of the specific vegetable oil to the blending amount of the triglyceride having a branched chain may be set as appropriate. In the following description, the mass ratio of the blending amount of the specific vegetable oil to the blending amount of the triglyceride having a branched chain may be referred to as the "ratio of specific vegetable oil / triglyceride having a branched chain".

[0040] In the softening agent of this embodiment, the ratio of specific vegetable oil / triglyceride having a branched chain may be, for example, 0.1 or more and 10 or less, or may be 0.5 or more and 2 or less.

[0041] (blending amount of specific vegetable oil) The blending amount of the specific vegetable oil in the softening agent of this embodiment is, for example, 0.01% by mass or more. From the viewpoint of making white hair softer, 0.05% by mass or more is preferable, 0.07% by mass or more is more preferable, and 0.1% by mass or more is even more preferable.

[0042] The blending amount of the specific vegetable oil in the softening agent of this embodiment is, for example, 10% by mass or less. From the viewpoint of reducing the risk of stickiness on the hair, 5% by mass or less is preferable.

[0043] (blending amount of triglyceride having a branched chain) The blending amount of the triglyceride having a branched chain in the softening agent of this embodiment is, for example, 0.01% by mass or more. From the viewpoint of making white hair softer, 0.05% by mass or more is preferable, 0.07% by mass or more is more preferable, and 0.1% by mass or more is even more preferable.

[0044] The blending amount of the triglyceride having a branched chain in the softening agent of the present embodiment is, for example, 10% by mass or less, and preferably 5% by mass or less from the viewpoint of reducing the risk of stickiness on the hair.

[0045] (Optional component) The softening agent of the present embodiment may be one in which components other than the above-mentioned safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, and triglyceride having a branched chain (referred to as "optional components") are blended. The types and blending amounts of the optional components can be appropriately set according to the dosage form of the softening agent of the present embodiment. Examples of the optional components include anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, nonionic surfactants, higher alcohols, lower alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, saccharides, animal oils, vegetable oils (excluding safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina bala fruit oil), ether oils, ester oils (excluding triglycerides having a branched chain), fatty acids, hydrocarbons, waxes, silicones, synthetic polymer compounds, semi-synthetic polymer compounds, natural polymer compounds, proteins, animal and plant extracts, microbe-derived substances, inorganic compounds, fragrances, preservatives, ultraviolet absorbers, acids, alkalis, pigments, and water.

[0046] (Dosage form) The dosage form of the softening agent of the present embodiment can be appropriately selected, and examples include liquid, cream, wax, gel, foam (bubbly), and mist (foggy).

[0047] (Method of use) The softening agent of the present embodiment may be used on the hair or as a blending raw material for hair cosmetics or quasi-drugs. When the softening agent of the present embodiment is used on the hair, a known method of use in hair compositions may be adopted according to the dosage form.

[0048] (Target hair) In the softening agent of the present embodiment, the hair to be used is not particularly limited. The hair may have no chemical treatment history such as oxidative hair dye, hair bleaching agent, permanent wave, or hair straightening agent, or may have a chemical treatment history such as oxidative hair dye, hair bleaching agent, permanent wave, or hair straightening agent.

[0049] The softening agent of the present embodiment may be used, for example, for white hair, for black hair, or for both black and white hair. Therefore, the softening agent of the present embodiment may be used as a softening agent for white hair or as a softening agent for black hair.

[0050] In this specification, "white hair" refers to hair having a lightness L* of 60 or more when the hair is measured. Also, "black hair" refers to hair having a lightness of less than 60. The lightness L* of the hair can be measured by a spectrophotometer (for example, CM-5 manufactured by Konica Minolta).

[0051] Although white hair tends to be less flexible than black hair, the softening agent of the present embodiment can soften white hair even when used for white hair.

[0052] (Product form) The product form as the softening agent of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include product forms that can be usually used as raw materials for manufacturing hair cosmetics or quasi-drugs, or for manufacturing hair cosmetics or quasi-drugs.

[0053] The softening agent of the present embodiment may be formulated in a cosmetic or quasi-drug for white hair. As the blending amount, for example, the softening agent of the present embodiment in the cosmetic or quasi-drug for white hair is 0.05% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less.

[0054] (Manufacturing method) The softening agent of the present embodiment can be manufactured using known manufacturing methods for cosmetics, quasi-drugs, or raw materials for cosmetics or quasi-drugs.

[0055] <Hair composition> The hair composition of this embodiment contains one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina rose fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain. In addition, the sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina rose fruit oil, and triglyceride having a branched chain in the hair composition of this embodiment are the same as those described in the softener of this embodiment.

[0056] The blending amount of the specific vegetable oil (total blending amount of sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina rose fruit oil) and the blending amount of the triglyceride having a branched chain in the hair composition of this embodiment may be set as appropriate. The "blending amount of the specific vegetable oil", "blending amount of the triglyceride having a branched chain", and "ratio of the specific vegetable oil / triglyceride having a branched chain" in the hair composition of this embodiment are the same as those described in the (combination of the specific vegetable oil and the triglyceride having a branched chain) in the softener of this embodiment described above.

[0057] In addition to one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina rose fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain, other blending components can be appropriately blended in the hair composition of this embodiment. The other blending components are the same as the optional components in the softener of this embodiment described above.

[0058] (Dosage form) The dosage form of the hair composition of this embodiment can be appropriately selected, and examples include liquid, cream, wax, gel, foam (bubbly), and mist (foggy).

[0059] (Method of use) The hair composition of this embodiment can adopt the method of use in known hair cosmetics or quasi-drugs, for example, according to the dosage form and product form.

[0060] (Target hair) The target hair of the hair composition of the present embodiment is the same as the target hair in the softening agent of the present embodiment described above.

[0061] Although white hair tends to be less flexible than black hair, the hair composition of the present embodiment can soften white hair even when used on white hair. Therefore, the hair composition of the present embodiment may be a hair composition for use on white hair.

[0062] The hair composition of the present embodiment may be used on a person with no white hair on the head, may be used on a person with both black and white hair on the head, or may be used on a person with only white hair on the head. Further, the hair composition of the present embodiment may be used on a person in their 40s or older, who is more likely to have a tendency for white hair to be visible on the head.

[0063] (Product form) The product form of the hair composition of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include product forms that can be usually used as hair cosmetics or quasi-drugs.

[0064] Examples of the product form of the hair composition of the present embodiment include hair care agents (hair shampoos, hair rinses, conditioners, hair treatments, etc.), hair styling agents (hair waxes, etc.), hair coloring agents (hair dyes, oxidative hair dyes, etc.), permanent wave agents, hair straightening agents, hair growth agents (hair tonics, hair lotions, etc.).

[0065] When the hair composition of the present embodiment is a hair composition for use on white hair, for example, it can be in the product form of a hair composition for white hair (cosmetics for use on white hair, quasi-drugs for use on white hair, etc.), or a hair composition whose package, pamphlet, instruction manual, etc. display that it is for use on white hair and the effects on white hair.

[0066] When the hair composition of the present embodiment is a hair composition for use on gray hair, its product forms include, for example, hair care agents for gray hair (hair shampoos for gray hair, hair rinses for gray hair, conditioners for gray hair, hair treatments for gray hair, etc.), hair styling products for gray hair (hair waxes for gray hair, etc.), hair coloring agents for gray hair (hair dyes for gray hair, oxidative hair dyes for gray hair, etc.), permanent wave agents for gray hair, hair straightening agents for gray hair, and hair growth agents for gray hair (hair tonics for gray hair, hair lotions for gray hair, etc.).

[0067] (Manufacturing method) The hair composition of the present embodiment can be manufactured using known methods for manufacturing cosmetics or quasi-drugs.

[0068] (Hair treatment method) The hair treatment method of the present embodiment is a hair treatment method using the softening agent of the present embodiment described above, or the hair composition of the present embodiment.

[0069] The hair treatment method of the present embodiment can be used in the same manner as the method of using the softening agent of the present embodiment (excluding the method of using it as a blending raw material for hair cosmetics or quasi-drugs), or the method of using the hair composition of the present embodiment.

[0070] (Method for softening hair) The method for softening hair of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "the softening method of the present embodiment") uses one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain.

[0071] The sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain used in the softening method of the present embodiment are the same as the corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina fruit oil, sunflower oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain used in the softening agent of the present embodiment described above.

[0072] In addition, the amount of use of one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina rose fruit oil, and triglycerides having a branched chain in the softening method of this embodiment may be appropriately set. For example, the amount of use per 100 g of hair is 0.0003 g or more and 0.15 g or less. From the viewpoint of making the hair softer, it is preferably 0.001 g or more and 0.075 g or less, and more preferably 0.003 g or more and 0.01 g or less.

[0073] (Combination of specific vegetable oil and triglyceride having a branched chain) The softening method of this embodiment can make white hair softer by using in combination one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina rose fruit oil and a triglyceride having a branched chain. Therefore, the softening method of this embodiment can be, for example, a method for softening white hair using one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina rose fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain.

[0074] The amount of use of the specific vegetable oil and the amount of use of the triglyceride having a branched chain in the softening method of this embodiment may be appropriately set. In the softening method of this embodiment, the amount of use per 100 g of hair in the specific vegetable oil is, for example, 0.0001 g or more and 0.1 g or less. From the viewpoint of making the hair softer, it is preferably 0.0005 g or more and 0.05 g, and more preferably 0.001 g or more and 0.03 g or less. Further, in the softening method of this embodiment, the amount of use per 100 g of hair in the triglyceride having a branched chain is, for example, 0.0001 g or more and 0.1 g or less. From the viewpoint of making the hair softer, it is preferably 0.0005 g or more and 0.05 g, and more preferably 0.001 g or more and 0.03 g or less.

[0075] The method for softening hair of this embodiment can be used in the same manner as the method of use in the softening agent of this embodiment (excluding the method of use as a blending raw material for hair cosmetics or quasi-drugs), or the method of use in the hair composition of this embodiment.

Example

[0076] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples, but the present invention is not construed in a limited manner based on the description of these examples.

[0077] 〔Examples 1 - 5, Comparative Examples 1 - 3〕 Using the samples of Examples 1 - 5 and Comparative Examples 1 - 3, the flexibility of black hair and white hair was evaluated.

[0078] (Manufacture of Samples of Examples 1 - 5 and Comparative Examples 1 - 3) The samples of Examples 1 - 5 and Comparative Examples 1 - 3 were prepared by mixing various components selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina bala fruit oil, glyceryl triisostearate, grape seed oil, olive oil, evening primrose oil, and cyclopentasiloxane according to a conventional method so as to have the compositions shown in Table 1 below. All of the prepared samples of Examples 1 - 5 and Comparative Examples 1 - 3 were in liquid form.

[0079] In the notations in the component columns shown in Table 1 below, the numerical values indicate mass %, and “-” indicates that the component is not blended.

[0080] (Evaluation Method: Examples 1 - 5, Comparative Examples 1 - 3) From four Japanese women with a mixture of black and white hair (the proportion of white hair in the whole head of hair was about 20 - 50%), hair bundles about 20 cm long were collected, and black hair and white hair were sorted separately for each person. Subsequently, 15 hairs were taken out from the sorted black hair, the direction of the hair was aligned from the root part to the tip part, and the hair at the root part was fixed with a fiber - containing tape. Then, from the root part fixed with the tape, a 2 - cm part toward the tip part was further fixed with a fiber - containing tape (weight 30.1 mg) having a size of 10 mm in width × 8 mm in length. After that, the hair protruding from the tape was cut off, and a plurality of black - hair bundles were created. Separately from the black - hair bundles, a plurality of white - hair bundles were also created in the same manner for the white hair sorted for each person.

[0081] When the selected black hair and white hair were measured with a spectrophotometer (CM-5, manufactured by Konica Minolta), the lightness L* of the black hair was less than 60, and the lightness L* of the white hair was also less than 60.

[0082] Figure 1 shows a reference photo of the hair bundle created above. The left side of the front in Figure 1 is the white hair bundle, and the right side of the front is the black hair bundle. Also, the upper part of the front of the hair bundle is the hair at the root part, and the lower part is the hair at the tip part.

[0083] The black hair bundle or white hair bundle created above was left overnight under the conditions of 25°C and 50% humidity. All the following treatments and measurements were carried out under the conditions of 25°C and 50% humidity.

[0084] The tape at the root part of the hair bundle was fixed to the corner of the table so as to be horizontal on the table, and the tape at the tip part of the hair bundle was directed towards the space without the table (Figure 2). Then, the length by which the hair bundle drooped from the boundary point between the tape and the hair at the root part of the hair bundle to the boundary point between the tape and the hair at the tip part of the hair bundle was read with graph paper, and the drooping width ΔL before treatment of each hair bundle was measured (Figure 3).

[0085] Figure 2 shows a reference photo indicating the state of the hair bundle when measuring the drooping width ΔL before or after treatment. The left side in Figure 2 is the white hair bundle, and the right side is the black hair bundle. The tape on the right side of the front of each hair bundle photo is the hair at the root part, and the left side of the front is the hair at the tip part. Also, Figure 3 shows a reference diagram for measuring the drooping width ΔL in the white hair bundle.

[0086] Note that the measurement of the drooping width ΔL was carried out 4 times for one hair bundle by changing the position of the tape at the root part up, down, left, and right, and the average drooping width ΔLave (before treatment) in the 4 measurements was calculated. The value of the average drooping width ΔLave (before treatment) is the average value (N = 20) in the black hair bundles or white hair bundles created with 5 each from 4 people.

[0087] Subsequently, 0.03 g of each of the samples of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 described in Table 1 was dropped onto each white hair bundle and each black hair bundle, and left for 5 minutes for treatment. Thereafter, from each treated hair bundle, each sample was wiped off from the hair bundle with a disposable paper wiper wetted with water, and then the hair bundle was wiped with a dry disposable paper wiper and left overnight. Then, in the same procedure as the measurement of the dripping width ΔL before the above-described treatment, the dripping width of the treated hair bundle was measured, and thereafter, the average dripping width ΔLave (after treatment) was calculated. The value of the average dripping width ΔLave (after treatment) is the average value of N = 20 (five hair bundles were created from each of four persons).

[0088] From the white hair bundles and black hair bundles using the samples of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the ratio of the dripping width (before treatment / after treatment) was calculated from the following formula. When the numerical value of the ratio of the dripping width (before treatment / after treatment) exceeds 1, it indicates that the hair has been softened, and the larger the numerical value, the more the hair has been softened. Ratio of dripping width (before treatment / after treatment) = average dripping width ΔLave (after treatment) / dripping width ΔLave (before treatment)

[0089] (Evaluation Results) Table 1 below shows the evaluation results when the samples of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were used.

[0090]

Table 1

[0091] From the results shown in Table 1, the samples of Examples 1 to 5 had a ratio of the falling width of white hair and black hair exceeding 1, while the samples of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 had a ratio of the falling width of white hair and black hair of 1 or less. Therefore, the samples of Examples 1 to 5 were able to soften the hair compared to the samples of Comparative Examples 1 to 3. The vegetable oils used in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 had a common point that the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids in the fatty acid composition of the fats and oils contained in the vegetable oils was relatively high. However, from the results in Table 1, it can be seen that the specific vegetable oils used in Examples 1 to 4 can soften the hair. A graph showing the evaluation results in Table 1 is shown in Figure 4. The gray bars in the graph of Figure 4 are the results of the falling width of white hair, and the black bars in the graph are the results of the falling width of black hair, respectively.

[0092] From the results shown in Table 1, the samples of Examples 1 to 4 containing safflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, or canina bala fruit oil, which are specific vegetable oils, tend to have a significantly increased ratio of the falling width of white hair compared to the ratio of the falling width of black hair, indicating that they are superior in softening white hair. Also, the sample of Example 5 containing glyceryl triisostearate, which is a triglyceride with a branched chain, tends to have a significantly increased ratio of the falling width of black hair compared to the ratio of the falling width of white hair, indicating that it is superior in softening black hair.

[0093] [Examples 6 to 8] The softness of white hair was evaluated using the softening agents of Examples 6 to 8.

[0094] (Production of Samples of Examples 6 to 8) The samples of Examples 6 to 8 were produced by mixing various components selected from corn germ oil, glyceryl triisostearate, and cyclopentasiloxane by a conventional method so as to have the compositions shown in Table 2 below. The produced samples of Examples 6 to 8 were all liquid.

[0095] In the notations in the component columns shown in Table 2 below, the numerical values indicate mass%, and "-" indicates that the component is not blended.

[0096] (Evaluation method: Examples 6 to 8) The hair bundles used for evaluating the samples of Examples 6 to 8 were collected from four Japanese women with a mixture of black and white hair (the proportion of white hair in the whole head was about 20 to 50%). Hair bundles about 20 cm long were collected, and black hair bundles or white hair bundles were created in the same manner as the evaluation methods in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3. Then, in the same manner as the evaluation methods in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the average sag width ΔLave (before treatment) and the average sag width ΔLave (after treatment) were obtained from the white hair bundles before and after treatment of each sample in Examples 6 to 8, and the sag width (before treatment / after treatment) was calculated. The value of the average sag width ΔLave (before treatment) is the average value (N = 12) in the black hair bundles or white hair bundles created three each from four people.

[0097] (Evaluation results) Table 2 below shows the evaluation results when the samples of Examples 6 to 8 were used.

[0098]

Table 2

[0099] From the results shown in Table 2, it can be seen that the samples of Examples 6 to 8 have a numerical value of the sag width of white hair exceeding 1, indicating that the white hair has become soft. In addition, the sample of Example 7 containing both corn germ oil and glyceryl triisostearate has a significantly increased numerical value of the sag width of white hair compared to Examples 6 and 8 containing only one of corn germ oil and glyceryl triisostearate. Therefore, it can be seen that the white hair has become soft due to the synergistic effect of corn germ oil and glyceryl triisostearate. A graph showing the evaluation results in Table 2 is shown in FIG. 5.

[0100] (Formulation Examples 1 to 2) Formulation Examples 1 to 2 are shown below. These Formulation Examples 1 to 2 can be manufactured by appropriately using the manufacturing methods in known cosmetics and can be used by appropriately using the usage methods in known cosmetics.

[0101] Formulation Example 1: Hair Shampoo Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 12% by mass Cocamidopropyl Betaine 3% by mass Sunflower Oil 0.05% by mass Corn Germ Oil 0.05% by mass Perilla Seed Oil 0.05% by mass Rose Hip Fruit Oil 0.05% by mass Glyceryl Triisostearate 0.2% by mass Polyquaternium - 10 0.1% by mass Methylparaben 0.2% by mass Fragrance 0.1% by mass Purified Water 84.2% by mass

[0102] Formulation Example 2: Hair Treatment Stearyl Trimonium Chloride 2% by mass Cetanol 3% by mass Stearyl Alcohol 3% by mass Sunflower Oil 0.5% by mass Corn Germ Oil 0.5% by mass Perilla Seed Oil 0.5% by mass Rose Hip Fruit Oil 0.5% by mass Glyceryl Triisostearate 2% by mass Dimethicone 2% by mass Amodimethicone 1% by mass Phenoxyethanol 0.2% by mass Glycerin 3% by mass Fragrance 0.1% by mass Purified Water 84.4% by mass

Claims

1. A hair softening agent comprising one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina rose fruit oil, and triglycerides having branched chains.

2. The softening agent according to Claim 1, comprising one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina rose fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain.

3. A hair composition containing one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina rose fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain.

4. The hair composition according to Claim 4, for use on white hair.

5. A hair treatment method using the softening agent according to Claim 1 or 2, or the hair composition according to Claim 3 or 4.

6. A method for softening hair using one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, canina rose fruit oil, and triglycerides having branched chains.

7. The method for softening white hair according to Claim 6, using one or more selected from sunflower oil, corn germ oil, perilla seed oil, and canina rose fruit oil, and a triglyceride having a branched chain.

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