Hairspray composition, methods, and uses thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hairspray composition comprising a styling agent, an aqueous solvent and a propellant agent. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a product comprising said hairspray composition.

Description

D E S C R I P T I O NHAI RSPRAY COMPOSITION, METHODS, AND USES TH EREOFTECH NICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to hairspray composition, specifically to an aqueous (preferably alcohol-free) hairspray composition comprising a styling agent, an aqueous solvent and a propellent agent. The composition provides good holding and drying properties.BACKGROUND

[0002] A hairspray composition is a type of hair styling product designed to hold hairstyles in place by forming a stiff, yet flexible film on the hair strands. Hairspray compositions typically comprise styling agents (film-forming agents), solvents, propellants, and various additives such as fragrances, conditioning agents, and UV protectants. The styling agents are responsible for providing the hold, while the solvent ensures that these agents are evenly distributed when sprayed.

[0003] Traditional hairspray formulations often rely heavily on alcohol as a solvent, which can damage the hair and the scalp. Alcohol-based hairsprays can strip the hair of its natural moisture, leading to dryness and potential damage with prolonged use. Nonetheless, it is difficult to substitute alcohol for another solvent and maintain adequate solubility of the other components of the hairspray composition, as well as assure a proper drying time.

[0004] Additionally, the propellant gases used in traditional sprays, such as organofluoride gases, in particular 1,1-difluoroethane, despite providing good performance to the hairspray composition, their use have raised environmental concerns due to their contribution to air pollution and ozone layer depletion. Nonetheless, removing the propellant gas or substituting it for a more sustainable and ecofriendly propellant gas, while maintaining the expected performance, is a challenging task.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a hairspray composition that offer good hold and drying times while being more environmentally friendly and gentle on hair and scalp.

[0006] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.GENERAL DESCRI PTION

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a hairspray composition comprising a styling agent, an aqueous solvent and a propellant agent. It was surprisingly found that the composition of the present disclosure allows to obtain an alcohol-free, aqueous hairspray composition, while maintaining adequate performance, in particular regarding drying time, holding level, curly time retention, reduced residue and also preventing frizz.

[0008] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a hairspray composition comprising:5-30 % (w / w) of a styling agent;20-60% (w / w) of an aqueous solvent;20-65% (w / w) of a propellant agent;0.2-1 % (w / w) of at least a humectant agent;0.05-0.2 (w / w) of at least a plasticizer agent; wherein: the styling agent is vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer (VP / VA copolymer); the aqueous solvent is water; the propellent agent is dimethyl ether; the composition is an alcohol-free hairspray composition.

[0009] Unexpectedly, it was found that the hairspray composition of the present disclosure — despite being free of alcohol and relying on dimethyl ether as the sole propellant— was able to deliver good styling performance, including excellent hair stiffness, long-lasting curl retention (at least 48 hours), good drying time, and a low level of visible residues. This is particularly surprising in light of the general technical prejudice that alcohol is necessary in hairspray formulations to promote rapid evaporation and solubility of the remaining components, especially when using aqueous solvents and less volatile propellants. The observed performance advantages were achieved through the synergistic combination of three key components: vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer (VP / VA copolymer) as the styling agent, an humectant agent and a plasticizer agent. The amount and combination of these components produce a synergistic effect, unexpectedly overcoming the limitations typically associated with alcohol-free, water-based aerosol hairsprays.

[0010] The composition of the present disclosure showed also to be stable and suitable to be manufacture at an industrial scale.

[0011] The performance benefits of the present alcohol-free, water-based hairspray composition are further supported by comparative testing, as shown in Table 4. Specifically, it was observed that the removal of the humectant agents and the plasticizer agent from the formulations developed led to a marked reduction in performance across critical evaluation parameters.

[0012] The hairspray composition of the present disclosure unexpectedly provides the following advantages:Performance: The composition offers good holding level, drying time, curly time retention and residue level, comparable to or better than traditional alcohol-based hairsprays;Hair / scalp health: The alcohol-free formulation is less drying to the hair and scalp, maintaining its moisture balance;Sustainability: The use of an aqueous solvent makes the composition eco-friendlier, as well as the use of a propellant with a lower GWP (Global Warming Potential).

[0013] The present solution provides an aqueous hairspray composition (preferably an aqueous, alcohol-free hairspray composition) that unexpectedly maintains performance metrics comparable to traditional alcohol-based formulations. This solution addresses the need for effective drying time, holding level, and curl retention while reducing the deposition of residue in the hair. This surprising result is achieved through the specific combination of ingredients that synergistically deliver the desired properties without the use of alcohol. The solution in the hairspray composition of the present disclosure is that this formulation can deliver the same, if not superior, performance characteristics of alcohol-based hairsprays, marking a significant advancement in hair care technology.

[0014] Additionally, using dimethyl ether as propellant agent, the hairspray composition of the present disclosure does not require the use of organofluoride gases, in particular 1,1- difluoroethane, as propellent gas for effective dispensing, therefore allowing to obtain more cost-effective and sustainable products.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the plasticizer agent is selected from the list consisting of: polyethylene glycol, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, diethyl phthalate, dimethicone, isopropyl myristate, lauryl lactate, triethyl citrate, or mixtures thereof.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the plasticizer agent is triethyl citrate.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the humectant agent is selected from the list consisting of: pentylene glycol, propanediol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, betaine, glycerin, or mixtures thereof.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the humectant agent is glycerin, panthenol, or mixtures thereof.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the humectant agent is a mixture of panthenol and glycerin.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the humectant agent is glycerin.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the hairspray composition comprises:5-30 % (w / w) of a styling agent;20-60% (w / w) of an aqueous solvent;20-65% (w / w) of a propellant agent;0.1-1 % (w / w) of at least a humectant agent;0.01-0.3 (w / w) of at least a plasticizer agent; wherein: the styling agent is vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer (VP / VA copolymer); the aqueous solvent is water; the propellent agent is dimethyl ether; the humectant agent is glycerin, panthenol, or mixtures thereof; the plasticizer agent is triethyl citrate; the composition is an alcohol-free hairspray composition.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer is the sole styling agent.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the dimethyl ether is the sole propellent.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises 4 -14 % (w / w) of styling agent; preferably 4 -10 % (w / w); more preferably 6 -10% (w / w).

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises 16-30 % (w / w) of the styling agent. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises 17-30 % (w / w) of the styling agent; preferably 24-30 % (w / w); more preferably 24-28 % (w / w). It was surprisingly found that when the styling agent is present in an amount ranging from 16 to 30% (w / w) in combinationwith a mixture of glycerin and panthenol as the humectant agents and triethyl citrate as the plasticizer agent, the composition exhibited an extra strong stiffness effect, with measured values of hair stiffness exceeding 30 g.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises 40-70% (w / w) of aqueous solvent; preferably 40-60 % (w / w); more preferably 42-55% (w / w).

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises 30 -55 % (w / w) of propellant agent; preferably 35 -50 % (w / w); more preferably 40-50% (w / w).

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises 0.1-2% (w / w) of humectant agent; preferably 0.1-1% (w / w); more preferably 0.2-1% (w / w).

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises 0.05-0.2% (w / w) of plasticizer agent; preferably 0.05-0.15% (w / w).

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the hairspray composition further comprises a preservative agent. In a preferred embodiment, the hairspray composition comprises 0.1-2 % (w / w) of a preservative agent; preferably 0.2-1.4 % (w / w); more preferably 0.4-1 % (w / w).

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the preservative agent is selected from the list consisting of: caprylyl glycol, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, methylparaben, propylparaben, phenoxyethanol, ethylexylglycerin, or mixtures thereof; preferably a mixture of phenoxyethanol and ethylexylglycerin.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the composition without propellant has a kinematic viscosity ranging from 5-65 cSt, wherein the viscosity is measured at 20°C + / - 0.1°C using a Simple U-tube (or Ostwald-Type) Capillary Viscosimeter, according to ASTMD 445-24 and USP-NF, MET. <911> Viscosity. The viscosity was measured using a 150 tube size.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the composition without propellant has a kinematic viscosity ranging from 6-65 cSt, wherein the viscosity is measured at 20°C + / - 0.1°C, using a Simple U-tube (or Ostwald-Type) Capillary Viscosimeter, according to ASTMD 445-24 and USP-NF, MET. <911> Viscosity. The viscosity was measured using a 150-tube size.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the composition without propellant has a kinematic viscosity ranging from 7-65 cSt, preferably ranging from 7-20 cSt, more preferably ranging from 8-20 cSt, wherein the viscosity is measured at 20°C + / - 0.1°C, using a Simple U-tube (or Ostwald-Type)Capillary Viscosimeter, according to ASTMD 445-24 and USP-NF, MET. <911> Viscosity. The viscosity was measured using a 150 tube size.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the hairspray composition further comprises one or more thermal protectors, one or more UV protectors, one or more conditioning agents, one or more antipollution agents, one or more volume agents, one or more natural extracts, or mixtures thereof.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the hairspray composition further comprises at least an extract; preferably the fragrance is selected from the list consisting of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract; Betula Alba Bark Extract; Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract; Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract; Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract; Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract; Gleditsia Australis Seed Extract; Lamium Album Flower Extract; Panax Ginseng Root Extract; Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract; Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract; Camellia Japonica Phytoplacenta Extract; Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract; Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice; Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract; Camellia Japonica Phytoplacenta Extract; Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice; Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract; Polyporus Umbellatus (Mushroom) Extract; Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Bran Extract; or mixtures thereof.

[0037] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a product comprising the hairspray composition herein described and a packaging material for packaging and delivering the hairspray composition.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the packaging material is a container comprising a spraying device.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the packaging material is a container comprising a spraying device selected from the list consisting of: a bag-on-valve, an aerosol can or a pump spray; preferably the packaging material is an aerosol can.

[0040] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a product comprising the hairspray composition herein described and an aerosol can for delivering the hairspray composition as an aerosol; preferably the aerosol can is a metal aerosol can.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the inner pressure of the aerosol can or container ranges from 6 - 10 bar (600 - 1000 KPa); preferably 7-9 bar (700 - 900 KPa); more preferably 7 - 8 bar (700 - 800 KPa), when measured at 20°C.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of invention.

[0043] Figure 1: Hair tresses after application of the composition of example 1.

[0044] Figure 2: Hair tresses after application of the composition of example 6.

[0045] Figure 3: Hair tresses after application of the composition of comparative example 3.

[0046] Figure 4: Hair tresses after application of the composition of comparative example 4.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present disclosure relates to a hairspray composition comprising a styling agent, an aqueous solvent and a propellant agent.

[0048] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an alcohol-free hairspray composition, comprising 1-15 % (w / w) of a styling agent; 35-80% (w / w) of an aqueous solvent; and 15-60% (w / w) of a propellant agent.

[0049] A styling agent is a hair styling polymer used for hair setting.

[0050] Vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer (VP / VA copolymer), is a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl Acetate. It is identified by the CAS Number 25086-89-9

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the VP / VA copolymer of the present disclosure is a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate in a ratio of 6:4, and has an average molecular weight of: 40000 g / mol. It is a water-soluble VP / VA copolymer.

[0052] "Alcohol-free" means that the composition of the present disclosure does not contain any type of alcohol; preferably the composition of the present disclosure does not contain ethyl alcohol (ethanol), isopropyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol.

[0053] In an embodiment, "alcohol-free" for a product means that it does not contain any type of alcohol beyond a specific, very low threshold known as the limit of quantification (LOQ). The LOQis the smallest concentration of alcohol that can be reliably measured by analytical methods. Typically, this threshold is set at such a low level that the amount of alcohol present is negligible and has no significant effect on the product's properties or on the consumer. Preferably, alcohol-free means that the composition of the present disclosure does not contain any alcohol used as a solvent or drying agent, in particular, ethyl alcohol (ethanol), isopropyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol).

[0054] In an embodiment, "alcohol-free" means less than about 1% (w / w), preferably less than 0.8% (w / w), more preferably less than 0.5% (w / w), even more preferably less than 0.4% (w / w), even more preferably less than 0.3% (w / w), even more preferably about 0%, by total weight of composition.

[0055] In all embodiments of the present invention, all percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless specifically stated otherwise. All ratios are weight ratios, unless specifically stated otherwise. All ranges are inclusive and combinable.

[0056] The hairspray composition of the present disclosure provides several advantages:Healthier for hair: alcohol is responsible for damaging the hair, it dries the hair and it increase or worsens the spit end. Alcohol strip moisture from hair / scalp, leading to dryness and brittleness. The alcohol-free hairspray composition of the present disclosure helps retain moisture, keeping hair hydrated and healthy;Reduced irritation / safer for sensitive skin: The alcohol-free hairspray composition of the present disclosure is gentler and do not cause dryness or irritation, being more suitable for people with sensitive scalp;Eco-Friendly: The alcohol-free hairspray composition of the present disclosure is more environmentally friendly, with fewer harsh chemicals;Economical: The alcohol-free hairspray composition of the present disclosure is more cost-effective as water is a less expensive ingredient than alcohol;Suitable for all hair types: The alcohol-free hairspray composition can be used on all hair types, including chemically treated or colored hair, without causing damage or altering the color.EXAMPLES

[0057] Table 1 provides the general composition of the hairspray composition of examples 1-8 of the present disclosure.

[0058] Table 1. General composition of the hairspray composition of examples 1-8 of the present disclosure.

[0059] Tables 2-4 provides the composition of the hairspray composition of examples 1-8 of the present disclosure, as well as the composition of comparative examples 1-4. The results obtained in the Hair Stiffness test, Curl retention test, Dry time test and residue are also provided.

[0060] Table 2. Hairspray Composition of examples 1-6 and the corresponding results obtained*.*The compositions of the present disclosure may further comprise additional agents, as hermal protectors, uv protectors, conditioning agents, antipolution agents, voluming agents, natural extracts, among others.

[0061] Table 3. Hairspray Composition of examples 7-8 and comparative examples 1-2 and the corresponding results obtained****.* Benchmark ljngredients: Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Alcohol Denat., Vinyl Caprolactam / Vp / Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Butane, Isobutane, Parfum, C13-15 Alkane, Pentylene Glycol, Propane, Aqua, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethyl Citrate, Panthenol, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauryl Pyrrolidone, Opuntia Ficus-lndica Extract, Vanillin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid** Benchmark 2_lngredients: Alcohol Denat., Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Acrylates / T-ButylacrylamideCopolymer, Aqua, Parfum, C13-15 Alkane, Pentylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethyl Citrate, Panthenol, Triticum Vulgare BranExtract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Opuntia Ficus-lndica Extract, Vanillin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid*** Residue Scale: 1 - low or no residue (microscopic evaluation), no residue under naked eye; 2 - very few white particles under microscopic evaluation, very low residue under naked eye; 3 - few white particles under microscopic evaluation (possible to count), low particles under naked eye; 4 - moderate white particles under microscopic evaluation (not possible to count) / white haze under naked eye; 5 - intense white particles; whitish hair.*****The compositions of the present disclosure may further comprise additional agents, as thermal protectors, UV protectors, conditioning agents, antipollution agents, volume agents, natural extracts, among others.

[0062] As depicted in Tables 2-3, surprisingly the hairspray compositions of the present disclosure, comprising water as solvent and vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer as styling agent, provided good results in all the parameters assessed, in particular hair stiffness test, curl retention test, dry time test and residue test. In particular, the hairspray compositions of the present disclosure, despite using water as solvent, showed a suitable drying time, generally below 60 seconds, and in examples 6 and 8, similar to the benchmark compositions (which uses an organic solvent (ethanol) as a solvent, and without negatively impacting other performance characteristics. Additionally, the specific qualitative and quantitative compositions developed allowed to avoid issues in solubility of the remaining components of the hairspray composition in the chosen solvent.

[0063] The compositions of the present disclosure, despite being free of alcohol and relying on dimethyl ether as the sole propellant, were able to deliver good styling performance, including good hair stiffness, long-lasting curl retention (at least 48 hours), good drying time, and a low level of visible residues. The observed performance advantages were achieved through the synergistic combination of three key components: vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer (VP / VA copolymer) as the styling agent, humectant agent (in particular, glycerin and panthenol) and a plasticizer agent (in particular, triethyl citrate). The amount and combination of these components produce a synergistic effect, unexpectedly overcoming the limitations typically associated with alcohol-free, water-based aerosol hairsprays.

[0064] Table 4. Comparison of results obtained with example 1 and example 6 with comparative example 3 and comparative example 4, respectively.NP: not performed

[0065] The performance benefits of the present alcohol-free, water-based hairspray compositions are further supported by comparative testing, as shown in Table 4. Specifically, it was observed that the removal of the humectant agents (glycerin and panthenol) and the plasticizer agent (triethyl citrate) from the formulations of Example 1 and Example 6 (yielding comparative examples 3 and comparative example 4, respectively) led to a marked reduction in performance across critical evaluation parameters. While hair stiffness was not negatively impacted, the dry time was significantly extended in the absence of the humectant and plasticizer agents, rising from 40-50 seconds to 60-80 seconds in comparative example 3, and from 25-35 seconds to 35-45 seconds in comparative example 4. Importantly, a shorter dry time is a key attribute for consumer acceptance of hairspray products. Furthermore, in comparative example 4, the removal of these agents resulted in a notably higher residue level (4 versus 1 in example 6), which is highly undesirable in hair styling compositions due to aesthetic and tactile concerns. These findings reinforce the unexpected synergistic effect of the VP / VA copolymer, humectantagent, and plasticizer agent. Only their combined presence ensures a balanced optimization of critical parameters such as dry time, styling performance, and low residue deposition, thereby achieving a superior product profile that is not predictable from the individual components aloneShelf-life Stability & Compatibility

[0066] Accelerated stability and compatibility evaluation study, are designed to speed up naturally occurring destabilization processes due to intrinsic or extrinsic factors and which predicts the product behavior over the long term.

[0067] With the data provided, it can be foreseen the stability of the product and the compatibility of the formulation with the containing packaging materials.

[0068] In the test carried out, 4 samples of finished product i.e., product comprising all the ingredients, including the propellant agent) and 1 bulk bottle (i.e., product comprising all the ingredients, excluding the propellent agent) of example 3 are placed in an oven at 40°C for each time point IM, 2M, 3M. After this time, the samples are evaluated according to the product specifications and the respective acceptance criteria. The organoleptic characteristics are also compared with the retention sample stored at 5°C. One of the finished product samples is used for microbiological control.

[0069] Real Time Stability Test, are designed to confirm the stability limits of the product and to test the estimated expiry date using the accelerated stability test.

[0070] This study is carried out through a period equivalent to the expiry time estimated during the accelerated stability and compatibility test previously mentioned. It is used to evaluate the behavior of the product under normal storage conditions and to confirm the Shelf Life of the Product.

[0071] In the test carried out, 4 samples of finished product (i.e., product comprising all the ingredients, including the propellant agent) and 1 bulk bottle (i.e., product comprising all the ingredients, excluding the propellent agent) of example 3 are placed at 25°C for 3M. After this time, the samples are evaluated according to the product specifications and the respective acceptance criteria. The organoleptic characteristics are also compared with the retention sample stored at 5°C. One of the finished product samples is used for microbiological control.

[0072] As well as in the accelerated study, the Bulk Product, Finished Product, and its Packaging Components, should be assessed in these time points, according to the product specifications (organoleptical, physicochemical and microbiological parameters) and respective Acceptance Criteria.

[0073] Freeze & Thaw Tests are Cycling Tests in which the temperature is changed at regular intervals and which, therefore, subject the pack to varying rather than static stresses, are sometimes more severe tests than continuous storage tests. This test can provide evidence of product precipitation or deposition, and whether the reaction is reversible. This data is also applicable to determining how robust a product is to extreme fluctuations in temperature during distribution and storage.

[0074] For this test, 6 samples of finished product and 1 sample of bulk (in a glass bottle) are placed a temperature variations (or cycles of temperature) of -10°C and 40°C, during 7 days at each temperature, in a total of 3 cycles (42 days). After this time, samples are assessed according to the product specifications and respective Acceptance Criteria. Finished product specifications are measured and also packaging components are evaluated for possible issues of incompatibility bulk with packaging.

[0075] Accelerated stability test of IM, 2M, 3M, Real time stability test of 3M and Freeze & Thaw test of 42 days (3 cycles) were performed for example 3 according to the method described, and these were the results obtained:

[0076] Table 5. Stability results of example 3.

[0077] As depicted in Table 5, all the values are within specifications and compliant with the acceptance criteria under stability. Additionally, no defects were detected in the packaging, ensuring good compatibility between the product and the packaging components. The product passes the 3 months stability testing.Viscosity

[0078] Table 6 summarizes the results obtained in the viscosity assay of compositions of examples 1-6, without the propellent agent (dimethyl ether). The viscosity measurement was carried out by Ubbelohde tube, as detailed below in the "Material and methods" section.Table 6. Viscosity resultsMATERIAL AND METHODS

[0079] Hair Stiffness Test - Ex. vivo Own Internal Method n = x hair tresses, (5 hair tresses per product), evaluated on the efficacy of hair stiffness after product application strength measurement (g);Hair tresses are washed with SLS solution 7%(w / w) and dried;Products are randomized accordingly;The product is applied to the hair tress in a 1:4 ratio;The stiffness of each hair tress is evaluated after product application using Texture Analyser TA. XTplusC with Hair Stiffness Rig;The Measurement was performed on 3 locations;The resistance force to bend the hair on 10 mm was provided by the software Exponent Connect® (Stable Micro Systems).

[0080] It is considered that the hair composition has a flexible hold with a stiffness result ranging from 0 g to 10 g; a Normal Hold with a stiffness result ranging from 11 g to 15 g, an Extra Strong Hold with a stiffness result ranging from 30 g to 40g, and an Ultra Strong Hold with a stiffness result over 41 g.

[0081] Dry time test: Ex. vivo Own Internal Method n = x hair tresses, (5 hair tresses per product), evaluated on the dry time after product application (s);Hair tresses are washed with SLS solution 7%(w / w) and dried;Products are randomized accordingly;The product is applied to the hair tress in a 1:4 ratio;Time is counted until the hair is completely dry (evaluated by sensorial perception).

[0082] It is considered that the hair composition has an acceptable performance with a dry time equal or below 50 seconds and an excellent performance with a dry time equal or below 20 seconds.

[0083] Curl Retention - Ex vivo Own Internal Methodn = x hair tresses, (5 hair tresses per product), evaluated on the efficacy of curl retention after cosmetic product application;Hair tresses are washed with SLS solution 7%(w / w) and dried;Lenth of each hair tress is measured (TO);Products are randomized accordingly;Hair Tresses are curled with curling iron;The product is applied to the hair tress in a 1:4 ratio;Curled Hair Tresses are immediately placed on millimetric paper;The length of the curled hair is measured (Tl)After 24h and 48h, the curl length is measured (T24 and T48);The Curl Retention at each time point is calculated according to the Equation:

[0084] It is considered that the hair composition has an acceptable performance with a curl retention time equal or above 24 h and an excellent performance with a curl retention time equal or above 48 h.

[0085] Residue test - Ex. vivo Own Internal Method n = x hair tresses, (5 hair tresses per product), evaluated on the dry time after product application (s);Hair tresses are washed with SLS solution 7%(w / w) and dried;Products are randomized accordingly;The products are applied to the hair tress in a 1:4 ratio;The Hairtress is evaluated under naked eye and under microscopic evaluation (Digital Microscope VHX-970F, Keyence)The residue is scored according to the scale:1 - low or no residue (microscopic evaluation), no residue under naked eye;2 - very few white particles under microscopic evaluation, very low residue under naked eye;3 - few white particles under microscopic evaluation (possible to count), low particles under naked eye;4 - moderate white particles under microscopic evaluation (not possible to count) / white haze under naked eye;5 - intense white particles; whitish hairImages of the hair were taken under the microscope.

[0001] This test has a range between 1 (low residue) and 5 (high residue). A result of 1 means low or no residue (microscopic evaluation); no residue under naked eye. This result was confirmed using the VHX-970F microscope.

[0086] It is considered that the hair composition has an acceptable performance with a residue level equal or below 2, and a good performance with a residue level equal to 1.Viscosity

[0087] In the state of the art, the viscosity may be measured by many methods. In the present disclosure the viscosity measurement (Kinetic viscosity) was carried out by the Simple U-tube (or Ostwald-Type) Capillary Viscosimeter according to USP-NF method and ASTMD 445-24. The viscosity was measured at 20 °C and using a universal 150 tube size.Product comprising the hairspray composition

[0088] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a product comprising the hairspray composition herein described and a packaging material for packaging and delivering the hairspray composition, preferably a container comprising a spraying device.

[0089] As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a sample" includes a plurality of samples, including mixtures thereof.

[0090] Whenever the term "at least," "greater than," or "greater than or equal to" precedes the first numerical value in a series of two or more numerical values, the term "at least," "greater than" or "greater than or equal to" applies to each of the numerical values in that series of numerical values. For example, greater than or equal to 1, 2, or 3 is equivalent to greater than or equal to 1, greater than or equal to 2, or greater than or equal to 3.

[0091] The terms "determining," "measuring," "evaluating," "assessing," "assaying," and "analyzing" are often used interchangeably herein to refer to forms of measurement. The terms include determining if an element is present or not (for example, detection). These terms can include quantitative, qualitative or quantitative and qualitative determinations. Assessing can be relative or absolute. "Detecting the presence of" can include determining the amount of something present in addition to determining whether it is present or absent depending on the context.

[0092] As used herein, the terms "pharmaceutically acceptable" and "cosmetically acceptable" are used interchangeably and refer to those compounds, materials, compositions, and / or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problems or complications commensurate with a reasonable benefit / risk ratio. More specifically, pharmaceutically acceptable refers to a material, compound, or composition which is suitable for use in contact with the skin, scalp, or hair. Pharmaceutically acceptable materials are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0093] Furthermore, where the claims recite a composition, it is to be understood that methods of using the composition for any of the purposes disclosed herein are included, and methods of making the composition according to any of the methods of making disclosed herein or other methods known in the art are included, unless otherwise indicated or unless it would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that a contradiction or inconsistency would arise.

[0094] Where ranges are given, endpoints are included. Furthermore, it is to be understood that unless otherwise indicated or otherwise evident from the context and / or the understanding of one of ordinary skill in the art, values that are expressed as ranges can assume any specific value within the stated ranges in different embodiments of the invention, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is also to be understood that unless otherwise indicated or otherwise evident from the context and / or the understanding of one of ordinary skill in the art, values expressed as ranges can assume any subrange within the given range, wherein the endpoints of the subrange are expressed to the same degree of accuracy as the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range. The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0095] The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof. The above-described embodiments are combinable.

[0096] The following dependent claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims

C L A I M S1. Hairspray composition comprising:5-30 % (w / w) of a styling agent;20-60% (w / w) of an aqueous solvent;20-65% (w / w) of a propellant agent;0.1-1 % (w / w) of at least a humectant agent;0.05-0.2 (w / w) of at least a plasticizer agent; wherein: the styling agent is vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer; the aqueous solvent is water; the propellent agent is dimethyl ether; the composition is an alcohol-free hairspray composition.

2. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the plasticizer agent is selected from the list consisting of: polyethylene glycol, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, diethyl phthalate, dimethicone, isopropyl myristate, lauryl lactate, triethyl citrate, or mixtures thereof.

3. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the plasticizer agent is triethyl citrate.

4. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the humectant agent is selected from the list consisting of: pentylene glycol, propanediol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, betaine, glycerin, or mixtures thereof.

5. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the humectant agent is glycerin, panthenol, or mixtures thereof.

6. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the humectant agent is a mixture of panthenol and glycerin.

7. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the humectant agent is glycerin.

8. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims comprising:5-30 % (w / w) of a styling agent;20-60% (w / w) of an aqueous solvent;20-65% (w / w) of a propellant agent;0.1-1 % (w / w) of at least a humectant agent;0.01-0.3 (w / w) of at least a plasticizer agent; wherein: the styling agent is vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer; the aqueous solvent is water; the propellent agent is dimethyl ether; the humectant agent is glycerin, panthenol, or mixtures thereof; the plasticizer agent is triethyl citrate; the composition is an alcohol-free hairspray composition.

9. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the vinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate copolymer is the sole styling agent.

10. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the dimethyl ether is the sole propellent.

11. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims comprising 4 -14 % (w / w) of styling agent; preferably 4 -10 % (w / w); more preferably 6 -10% (w / w).

12. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims comprising 16-30 % (w / w) of the styling agent.

13. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims comprising 17-30 % (w / w) of the styling agent; preferably 24-30 % (w / w); more preferably 24-28 % (w / w).

14. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims comprising 40-70% (w / w) of aqueous solvent; preferably 40-60 % (w / w); more preferably 42-55% (w / w).

15. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims comprising 30 -55 % (w / w) of propellant agent; preferably 35 -50 % (w / w); more preferably 40-50% (w / w).

16. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims comprising 0.1-2% (w / w) of humectant agent; preferably 0.1-1% (w / w); more preferably 0.2-1% (w / w).

17. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims comprising 0.05-0.2% (w / w) of plasticizer agent; preferably 0.05-0.15% (w / w).

18. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims further comprising a preservative agent.

19. Hairspray composition according to the previous claim comprising 0.1-2 % (w / w) of a preservative agent; preferably 0.2-1.4 % (w / w); more preferably 0.4-1 % (w / w).

20. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims 18-19 wherein the preservative agent is selected from the list consisting of: caprylyl glycol, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, methylparaben, propylparaben, phenoxyethanol, ethylexylglycerin, or mixtures thereof; preferably a mixture of phenoxyethanol and ethylexylglycerin.

21. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the composition without propellant has a kinematic viscosity ranging from 5-65 cSt, wherein the viscosity is measured at 20°C + / - 0.1°C using a Simple U-tube Capillary Viscosimeter.

22. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the composition without propellant has a kinematic viscosity ranging from 6-65 cSt, wherein the viscosity is measured at 20°C + / - 0.1°C, using a Simple U-tube Capillary Viscosimeter.

23. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims wherein the composition without propellant has a kinematic viscosity ranging from 7-65 cSt, preferably ranging from 7-20 cSt, more preferably ranging from 8-20 cSt, wherein the viscosity is measured at 20°C + / - 0.1°C, using a Simple U-tube Capillary Viscosimeter.

24. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims further comprising one or more thermal protectors, one or more UV protectors, one or more conditioning agents, one or more antipollution agents, one or more volume agents, one or more natural extracts, or mixtures thereof.

25. Hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims further comprising at least an extract.

26. Hairspray composition according to the previous claim wherein the extract is selected from the list consisting of Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract; Betula Alba Bark Extract; Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract; Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract; Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract; Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract; Gleditsia Australis Seed Extract; Lamium Album Flower Extract; Panax Ginseng Root Extract; Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract; Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract; Camellia Japonica Phytoplacenta Extract; Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice; Polyporus Umbellatus Extract; Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract; or mixtures thereof.

27. Product comprising the hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims and a packaging material for packaging and delivering the hairspray composition.

28. Product according to the previous claim wherein the packaging material is a container comprising a spraying device.

29. Product according to the previous claim wherein the packaging material is a container comprising a spraying device selected from the list consisting of: a bag-on-valve, an aerosol can or a pump spray; preferably an aerosol can.

30. Product comprising the hairspray composition according to any of the previous claims 1-26 and an aerosol can for delivering the hairspray composition as an aerosol.

31. Product according to any of the previous claims 27-30 wherein the inner pressure of the aerosol can or container ranges from 6 - 10 bar (600 -1000 KPa); preferably 7-9 bar (700 - 900 KPa); more preferably 7- 8 bar (700 - 8000 KPa); when measured at 20°C.

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