Compact Sulfate-Free Shampoo Composition With Acyl Glutamate Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Formulating a stable, compact shampoo composition that is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants is challenging due to issues with lather volume, cleansing, stability, and clarity, especially when high surfactant levels lead to phase separation and product instability, particularly in low viscosity formulas.
Innovation Solution
A shampoo composition comprising 18% to 40% surfactant system with a weight ratio of acyl glutamate to total surfactant between 0.30 to 1, including 3% to 10% decyl glycoside, a pH of 6 to 8, and a viscosity of less than 35 centipoise, using a combination of anionic and zwitterionic surfactants without sulfate-based surfactants, and avoiding thickeners like acrylate polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sulfate-free surfactants are used to be gentler on hair and skin, then skin compatibility is improved, but lather volume and cleansing effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sulfate-free surfactants (acyl glutamate, decyl glycoside, and other anionic/zwitterionic surfactants) into a synergistic blend that achieves both gentle skin compatibility and sufficient lather volume, resolving the contradiction between mildness and cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite surfactant system comprising multiple different surfactant types (anionic acyl glutamates, nonionic decyl glycosides, and zwitterionic surfactants) that work together to provide both the gentleness required for sensitive skin and the lather performance traditionally associated with sulfates
2Quantity of substance
If high surfactant levels are used to improve lather volume and cleansing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but product stability deteriorates due to phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the pH range (5.5-7.5) and the specific weight ratios of different surfactants (particularly maintaining acyl glutamate at 30-70% of total surfactants) to prevent phase separation while achieving sufficient lather volume, thus resolving the stability-lather contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a balanced surfactant composition where each component has a specific functional role: acyl glutamates provide bulk and mildness, decyl glycoside enhances lather stability, and zwitterionic surfactants contribute to overall system stability, with each component optimized at its ideal concentration
3Ease of operation
If low viscosity is used for easy dispensing through pump foamer, then ease of operation is improved, but surfactant concentration must be reduced which worsens lather volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains low viscosity (≤35 cP) while keeping high total surfactant levels (18-40%) by controlling the specific composition and ratios of surfactant components, enabling both easy pump dispensing and sufficient lather generation
4Quantity of substance
If compact shampoo composition is used to increase surfactant concentration, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but formulation complexity increases due to stability challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the formulation challenge by establishing specific parameter ranges: pH 5.5-7.5, acyl glutamate 30-70% of total surfactants, decyl glycoside 3-10%, and total surfactants 18-40%, which ensures stability while maintaining high surfactant concentration for compact formulation
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 composition achieves phase stability, sufficient lather, and effective cleansing while maintaining low viscosity, suitable for dispensing through a mechanical pump foamer, addressing the instability issues of sulfate-free surfactants in compact shampoos.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant system wherein the surfactant system comprises: i) from about 5% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, acyl glutamate; ii) from about 5% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, co-surfactant wherein the co-surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a compact, stable shampoo composition comprising: from about 18% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant system wherein the surfactant system comprises: i) from about 5% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, acyl glutamate; ii) from about 5% to about 40%, by weight of the composition, co-surfactant wherein the co-surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, and combinations thereof; wherein the shampoo composition is substantially free of sulfate-based surfactants; wherein the weight ratio of acyl glutamate to total surfactant is from about 0.30 to about 1; from about 3% to about 10% of decyl glycoside; from about 0.01% to about 10% of a scalp care active wherein the composition has a deposition efficiency of from about 1.2× to about 2× that of a liquid control composition; wherein the pH is from about 6 to about 8; wherein the composition has a viscosity of less than or equal to about 35 centipoise.