C8-C10 and C≥11 Alkane Excipient for Cyclomethicone Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a cosmetic excipient with physicochemical and sensory characteristics similar to cyclomethicones to replace them in cosmetic formulations, while addressing concerns about environmental and human health impacts.

Innovation Solution

A mixture of alkanes, specifically C8-C10 and C ≥ 11 alkanes, is used to create a cosmetic excipient with a flash point below 69°C, providing stability and sensory properties similar to cyclomethicones, and is derived from natural alcohols to ensure environmental safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cyclomethicones are used in cosmetic formulations, then stability and sensory properties are improved, but environmental and human health concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidenvironmental and human health impacts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing cyclomethicones with a specific mixture of alkanes (C8-C10 and C≥11) having controlled flash points below 69°C. This parameter change maintains the stability and sensory properties while eliminating the harmful environmental and health effects associated with cyclomethicones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material approach by combining specific alkane components (C8-C10 alkanes and C≥11 alkanes) in a controlled mixture. This composite alkane mixture replicates the performance characteristics of cyclomethicones while providing environmental and health benefits, resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If alkane mixtures are used to replace cyclomethicones, then environmental safety is improved, but flash point control becomes critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidflash point
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the flash point parameter by selecting specific alkane components (C8-C10 and C≥11) and their proportions in the mixture. This parameter change ensures environmental safety while maintaining the flash point below 69°C, which is critical for cosmetic formulation stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If C8-C10 alkanes are included in the mixture, then volatility characteristics are maintained, but emulsion stability becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevolatilityVSAvoidemulsion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite alkane mixture combining C8-C10 alkanes (for volatility) with C≥11 alkanes (for emulsion stability). This composite approach allows the lighter C8-C10 alkanes to provide desired volatility characteristics while the heavier C≥11 alkanes contribute to emulsion stability, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 alkane mixture achieves stable emulsions with better dispersibility and spreading properties, making it suitable for makeup and sun products, while being free of harmful impurities and maintaining volatility characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining volatility characteristics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolatility: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

flash point below 69°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlash point:

Implementation Method 3

achieves stable emulsions with better dispersibility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Implementation Method 4

better dispersibility and spreading properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersibility: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentEP3773432B1Cosmetic excipient comprising a c8-c10 alkane and a c>=11 alkane
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 BIOSYNTHIS
  • EP3773432B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3773432B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3773432B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a cosmetic excipient comprising an alkane mixture, said alkane mixture comprising at least one C8-C10 alkane, and at least one C ≥11 alkane, characterised in that said at least one C8-C10 alkane is present in a weight percentage which is lower than or equal to approximately 40% (≤ 40%) of the total weight of said alkane mixture.