Acyl Glutamate Surfactant Formulation for Low pH Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal care compositions with low pH levels struggle to maintain clarity and stability while using acyl glutamate as the primary surfactant, as they tend to precipitate and compromise foaming and cleansing performance, and are associated with regulatory issues due to preservative systems used at higher pH levels.
Innovation Solution
Formulating low pH, aqueous-based isotropic compositions where acyl glutamate is the primary surfactant, combined with specific preservative systems effective at low pH, and optimizing surfactant ratios to ensure clarity and stability, while minimizing shorter chain glutamate and using structurants to enhance structuring and solubility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If acyl glutamate is used as the primary surfactant at low pH levels, then mildness is improved, but clarity and stability deteriorate due to precipitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the pH level (maintaining it below 7.0, preferably between 4.0-6.5) and adjusting the chain length distribution of the acyl glutamate surfactant (using C8-C20 fatty acid chains). These parameter adjustments prevent precipitation while maintaining mildness, resolving the contradiction between skin gentleness and composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite surfactant systems combining acyl glutamate with other surfactants (such as alkyl polyglucosides, amino acid surfactants, or conventional anionic surfactants) to create a synergistic formulation. This composite approach maintains clarity and stability while preserving the mildness benefits of acyl glutamate as the primary surfactant.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If acyl glutamate is used as the primary surfactant at low pH levels, then mildness is improved, but foaming and cleansing performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite surfactant formulations where acyl glutamate (providing mildness) is combined with complementary surfactants that enhance foaming and cleansing. Typical combinations include acyl glutamate with alkyl polyglucosides or amino acid surfactants, creating a synergistic system that delivers both gentleness and effective cleansing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the local properties of different surfactant components within the formulation. By selecting specific fatty acid chain lengths (C8-C20) and adjusting the ratio of acyl glutamate to co-surfactants, the formulation achieves localized optimization where acyl glutamate provides mildness while complementary surfactants contribute enhanced foaming and cleansing capabilities.
3Reliability
If preservative systems commonly used at higher pH are used, then preservation effectiveness is improved, but regulatory issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the pH level to below 7.0 (preferably 4.0-6.5), which fundamentally alters the effectiveness profile of different preservative systems. This pH adjustment enables the use of preservatives that are effective at lower pH levels and avoids those with regulatory restrictions, thereby resolving the contradiction between preservation effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
4Stability of the object's composition
If shorter chain glutamate is minimized, then solubility and structuring are improved, but foaming performance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the fatty acid chain length distribution within the C8-C20 range. This controlled variation in chain length parameters allows the formulation to achieve an optimal balance: sufficient solubility and structuring (requiring some shorter chains) while maintaining adequate foaming performance (requiring sufficient longer chains), thereby resolving the contradiction between clarity and foam volume.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compositions achieve stable, clear, and mildly foaming personal care products that avoid regulatory issues by using acyl glutamate as the primary surfactant at low pH levels, maintaining clarity and stability, and providing effective preservation.
Implementation Method 1
Anionic surfactants, however, also tend to be harsh on the skin... such acylamino acids are contemplated as co-surfactants to alleviate harshness of primary anionic surfactants
Implementation Method 2
Synthetic detergents, such as cationic, anionic, amphoteric, non-ionic surfactants, are widely used in personal care cleaning compositions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to compositions comprising salt of acyl glutamate as primary surfactant or primary anionic surfactant and which further comprise specific preservative systems.