Cationic-Anionic Surfactant Ratio for Hair Conditioning and Rinsability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic compositions fail to provide effective conditioning and moisturizing benefits while ensuring fast and efficient rinsability, particularly for chemically treated or damaged hair, which often suffer from residual alkalinity and damage from chemical treatments.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic composition comprising anionic surfactants with at least two carboxylate salt groups, cationic surfactants, fatty alcohols, and a cosmetically acceptable solvent, with a mole ratio of cationic to anionic surfactants ranging from 5:1 to 1:5, that provides conditioning, moisturizing, and rinsability benefits, even on pre-alkalized hair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cationic surfactants are used to provide conditioning and moisturizing benefits, then hair care performance is improved, but rinsability deteriorates due to residue formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconditioning and moisturizing benefitsVSAvoidresidue formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by combining cationic surfactants with specific anionic compounds (carboxylates, sulfonates, or sulfates) in controlled amounts. This parameter change modifies the surfactant properties to maintain conditioning benefits while improving rinsability by reducing residue formation on hair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surfactant system by combining cationic surfactants with anionic compounds. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit both the conditioning properties of cationic surfactants and the rinsability improvements provided by the anionic compounds, achieving a balance between beneficial effects and residue reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If chemical treatments are applied to alter hair color or shape, then cosmetic performance is improved, but hair damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecosmetic performanceVSAvoidhair damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of residual alkalinity from chemical treatments into a beneficial opportunity by formulating compositions that specifically address alkaline-damaged hair. The cationic surfactants neutralize the residual alkalinity, transforming the harmful chemical residue into a chance to provide targeted conditioning and repair benefits to the damaged hair structure.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Productivity

If rinse-off compositions are designed for quick removal, then rinsability is improved, but conditioning benefit deposition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverinsability speedVSAvoidconditioning benefit deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the composition to achieve rapid rinsability while maintaining conditioning deposition. By adjusting surfactant concentration, molecular weight, and the specific ratio of cationic to anionic components, the composition rinses quickly yet leaves sufficient conditioning agents on the hair to provide lasting benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 conditions and moisturizes hair, enhances manageability, and ensures fast rinsability with reduced water usage, while maintaining a lightweight, non-greasy feel, and improves the deposition of active agents on hair.

Implementation Method 1

cationic surfactants... having a mole ratio of the at least one cationic surfactant to the at least one anionic surfactant ranging from about 5:1 to about 1:5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 2

at least one anionic surfactant having at least two carboxylate salt groups... at least one cationic surfactant... mole ratio ranging from about 5:1 to about 1:5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant interaction: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS20220202674A1Cosmetic and personal care compositions containing cationic surfactants and anionic compounds

Publication Date: 2022.06.30 LOREAL SA

AI summary

The instant disclosure relates to cosmetic compositions that include an anionic surfactant having at least two carboxylate salt groups; a cationic surfactant, including a cationizable surfactant; a fatty alcohol; and a cosmetically acceptable solvent; wherein the molar ratio of the cationic surfactant to the anionic surfactant ranges from about 5:1 to about 1:5. Methods for using such cosmetic compositions are also provided.