Aqueous Perfume Emulsion Using Volatile Alkanes for Fragrance Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aqueous perfuming cosmetic compositions with high water content struggle to effectively diffuse perfumes due to non-volatile or weakly volatile emollients, leading to reduced fragrance release and skin irritation concerns, while alternative solvents like ethanol and cyclic silicone oils have drawbacks such as altering olfactory characteristics and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous perfuming composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion with a water content of 30-80% and at least 2% perfume substance, incorporating volatile linear alkanes with 7-14 carbon atoms to enhance perfume diffusion and stability, which are derived from plant origins and have a controlled evaporation rate and vapor pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-volatile or weakly volatile emollients (oils, silicones, esters) are used in high water content cosmetic compositions, then the composition provides good emollient and softening properties, but the perfume diffusion is reduced and the fragrance release is stifled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces volatile linear alkanes as intermediary substances that mediate between the non-volatile emollients and the perfume compounds. These alkanes form a volatile phase that carries and releases perfume molecules, allowing the emollients to maintain their skin-conditioning properties while the alkanes provide the necessary volatility for fragrance diffusion. The alkanes act as a bridge that prevents the perfume from being 'stifled' by the non-volatile emollient base.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the volatility parameter of the cosmetic composition by incorporating volatile linear alkanes with specific carbon chain lengths (C10-C16). These alkanes have controlled vapor pressures that allow them to evaporate at skin temperature, creating a volatile carrier phase. This parameter change enables the composition to simultaneously maintain emollient properties (from non-volatile oils) and achieve effective perfume diffusion (through volatile alkane evaporation).
2Productivity
If ethanol is used to improve perfume diffusion, then the diffusion is enhanced, but the olfactory characteristics are altered and skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs volatile linear alkanes as temporary, evaporating carriers that perform their function of transporting perfume molecules during application and then dissipate. These alkanes are designed to be short-lived on the skin surface, evaporating completely to leave no residue. This approach provides effective perfume diffusion without the persistent skin penetration and irritation issues associated with ethanol, and without altering the perfume's olfactory characteristics since the alkanes are odorless carriers.
3Productivity
If high perfume concentration is used to overcome the fixing effect of emollients, then the fragrance release is improved, but skin irritation potential increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The volatile linear alkanes serve as intermediary carriers that solubilize and transport perfume molecules to the skin surface without requiring high perfume concentrations in the bulk formulation. The alkanes create a separate volatile phase that delivers perfume molecules efficiently, allowing lower overall perfume concentrations while maintaining effective fragrance release. This reduces both the skin irritation potential and cost associated with high perfume loading.
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 effectively improves perfume diffusion and stability, reducing skin irritation and environmental impact, while maintaining the freshness and olfactory characteristics of the perfumes, making it suitable for cosmetic applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one volatile linear alkane or a mixture of volatile linear alkanes, said volatile alkane(s) comprising from 7 to 14 carbon atoms
Implementation Method 2
the diffusion of the perfume is improved which can be easily stored and manufactured
Implementation Method 3
an aqueous perfuming composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising in a cosmetically acceptable medium
Data Source
AI summary
Aqueous perfume composition comprises, in a medium, (a) at least 5 wt.% of water; (b) at least 2 wt.% of a perfuming substance, and (c) at least one volatile linear alkane or its mixture.