Solid Cosmetic Composition with Aqueous Spheroids for Stable Phase Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic compositions fail to stably combine immiscible aqueous and anhydrous phases, leading to deformation, coalescence, and the inability to achieve attractive visual and tactile properties, persistence, and allergenicity issues due to surfactant use.

Innovation Solution

A solid cosmetic composition comprising aqueous spheroids with a hydrophilic gelling agent and water dispersed in an anhydrous continuous phase with hydrocarbon-based oil and/or silicone oil, minimizing surfactant content, and using specific processing to maintain phase stability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If aqueous spheroids are incorporated into a hot liquid anhydrous continuous phase by stirring, then the composition can be manufactured, but the aqueous spheroids are damaged by making them partly coalesce or by deforming them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturability of solid cosmetic compositionVSAvoidintegrity of aqueous spheroids
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the anhydrous continuous phase from liquid to solid, and adjusts the temperature parameter to room temperature or below. This prevents the damage to aqueous spheroids that occurs during high-temperature liquid processing, while still enabling manufacturing through controlled incorporation methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a liquid carrier as an intermediary medium to transport and disperse aqueous spheroids into the solid anhydrous continuous phase. This intermediary allows gentle incorporation without direct contact between the spheroids and the solid matrix, preventing deformation and coalescence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the composition is made solid at room temperature, then it can be formulated in various forms (stick, cast), but it must also be supple enough for easy application by rubbing or sponge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveform flexibilityVSAvoidease of application
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a macroscopically heterogeneous composition where aqueous spheroids are dispersed within the solid anhydrous continuous phase. This results in different local properties: the solid matrix provides structural integrity for various forms, while the aqueous spheroids provide flexibility and ease of application through their liquid-like characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining solid anhydrous continuous phase with dispersed aqueous spheroids. This composite structure enables the composition to simultaneously achieve solid form versatility and supple application characteristics, as the two phases contribute different mechanical properties to the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If surfactants are used to stabilize the composition, then phase stability is improved, but allergenicity and poor persistence on skin occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase stabilityVSAvoidallergenicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates surfactants from the formulation entirely. Instead of using surfactants for stabilization, the invention relies on the physical dispersion of aqueous spheroids within the solid anhydrous continuous phase, achieving stability through the inherent properties of the phases rather than chemical stabilizers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive and potentially harmful surfactant molecules with a simple physical dispersion system. The stabilization is achieved through the mechanical and physical properties of the phase separation rather than through chemical surfactant molecules, eliminating the harmful effects associated with surfactant use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Illumination intensity

If aqueous spheroids are dispersed in solid anhydrous continuous phase, then visual attraction and freshness effect are enhanced, but the composition becomes macroscopically heterogeneous requiring special processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual attractionVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-dispersing aqueous spheroids in a liquid carrier before incorporating them into the solid anhydrous continuous phase. This preliminary dispersion step ensures uniform distribution and prevents aggregation during the final solidification process, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving the desired visual heterogeneity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides a visually attractive, easy-to-apply, and stable cosmetic product with enhanced freshness and persistence effects, avoiding surfactant-related allergenicity, and allowing industrial-scale packaging without additional steps.

Implementation Method 1

aqueous spheroids comprising at least one hydrophilic gelling agent and water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel formation: Gel

Implementation Method 2

aqueous spheroids being dispersed in an anhydrous continuous phase... in which the aqueous spheroids are suspended and stabilized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuspension: Suspension

Data Source

PatentUS12409108B2Solid cosmetic composition containing aqueous spheroids dispersed in a solid continuous anhydrous phase
Publication Date: 2025.09.09 LVMH RECH

AI summary

The invention relates to a solid cosmetic composition comprising aqueous spheroids dispersed in a solid anhydrous continuous phase. The invention is also directed toward a process for preparing a solid cosmetic composition according to the invention, and also a process for making up and/or caring for bodily and/or facial skin using a solid cosmetic composition according to the invention. The invention is also directed toward a stick or a solid gel cast in a dish or a pot, and more particularly a lipstick, a foundation, and an antisun stick, comprising a cosmetic composition according to the invention.