Linear Alkanediol Compositions for Sebum and Malodour Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries seek multifunctional, nature-derived, biodegradable ingredients that enhance antioxidation, improve sensory properties, control sebum, manage malodour, modulate fragrance notes, and suppress unpleasant odours without compromising stability, skin tolerance, and formulation compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising specific combinations of linear 1,2-alkanediols and linear 2,3-alkanediols with carbon chains of 7 to 9 atoms, which provide synergistic effects in antimicrobial activity, sebum control, malodour management, and fragrance modulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If single multifunctional ingredients are used to reduce formulation complexity, then formulation simplicity improves, but achieving sufficient efficacy in multiple functions simultaneously becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation complexityVSAvoidefficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two different diol compounds (1,2-pentanediol and 1,2-hexanediol) in specific ratios to create a composite ingredient system that delivers multiple functions (antimicrobial, sebum control, sensory improvement, fragrance modulation) with enhanced efficacy that neither compound achieves alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If concentration of active ingredients is increased to improve efficacy, then functional performance improves, but skin tolerance and safety may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveefficacyVSAvoidskin tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration ratio between 1,2-pentanediol and 1,2-hexanediol within specific ranges (0.01-10% and 0.01-5% respectively) to achieve sufficient antimicrobial and sebum control efficacy while maintaining skin compatibility and avoiding irritation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If lipophilic components are added to improve cosmetic performance, then sensory properties and skin feel improve, but malodour and instability increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensory propertiesVSAvoidmalodour
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the lipophilic nature of the diol compounds to solubilize fragrance ingredients and improve skin feel, while simultaneously leveraging their antimicrobial properties to prevent malodour formation by controlling the microflora that causes unpleasant odours

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If antimicrobial agents are used to control skin flora and prevent malodour, then malodour management improves, but fragrance notes may be interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalodour managementVSAvoidfragrance notes
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects specific diol compounds with particular carbon chain lengths (C5-C6) that provide antimicrobial activity against malodour-causing bacteria while having minimal interference with fragrance perception, creating localized effectiveness different from general antimicrobials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4110277B1Compositions comprising (BIO)-alkanediols
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SYMRISE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4110277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4110277B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4110277B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to compositions, including cosmetic, pharmaceutical or homecare compositions, comprising at least one linear 2,3-alkanediol having a carbon chain of 5 to 13 atoms. The compositions may further comprise at least one linear 1,2-alkanediol having a carbon chain of 5 to 13 carbon atoms. Additionally, the present invention relates to the use of the compositions of the present invention for enhancing the antioxidative effect of an antioxidant, for improving the sensory properties, i.e. skin sensation, of a liquid lipophilic component, for sebum control, or for malodour management, or for modulating fragrance notes, or for modification of fragrance notes, or for suppression of fragrance notes, or for topical applications, or for coverage of the malodour of 1-octen-3-ol, or for masking insect alluring odours, or for repelling insects.