Chitosan Silica Polymer Styling Agents for Humid Hold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cosmetic styling agents for temporarily shaping keratin-containing fibers face challenges in achieving strong hold, particularly in humid environments, and often require multiple polymers that can react or deposit on the skin and hair, leading to undesired accumulation and skin or hair strain.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic agent combining chitosan or its derivatives, hydrophobic pyrogenic silicic acid, and non-ionic, anionic, or amphoteric film-forming polymers in a cosmetic carrier, such as lotions or gels, to enhance curl retention and hairstyle hold while maintaining hair fullness and softness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple polymers are used to achieve various effects, then the styling agent can provide multiple functions (hold, moisture resistance, conditioning), but the formulation becomes complex with potential polymer reactions, precipitations, and durable deposits on skin and hair

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple functionsVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple polymer functions into a single copolymer structure containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments. This merging approach allows the styling agent to provide hold, moisture resistance, and conditioning effects through one integrated polymer rather than multiple separate polymers, reducing formulation complexity and avoiding polymer interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite polymer structure with hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments integrated at the molecular level. This composite material approach enables the single polymer to exhibit multiple properties (water solubility, moisture resistance, film-forming capability) that would traditionally require separate polymer components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple polymers are used to achieve various effects, then the styling agent can provide multiple functions, but polymer deposits accumulate on skin and hair causing strain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple functionsVSAvoidpolymer accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the polymer structure by incorporating hydrophilic segments that enhance water solubility and washability. This parameter change in the polymer's chemical structure allows the styling agent to be easily removed with water, preventing accumulation on skin and hair while maintaining multiple styling functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If hair absorbs moisture in humid environments, then hair strands become limp, but this reduces curl retention and hairstyle hold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture absorptionVSAvoidcurl retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces hydrophobic segments at specific locations within the polymer structure to create water-repelling zones. These local hydrophobic regions prevent moisture absorption at critical points along the hair shaft, maintaining curl retention in humid environments while allowing the rest of the polymer to provide conditioning and hold

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If a single polymer is used instead of multiple polymers, then formulation complexity is reduced, but achieving multiple effects (hold, moisture resistance, conditioning) becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation simplicityVSAvoidmultiple effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single polymer into functional segments - hydrophilic segments for moisture resistance and washability, hydrophobic segments for hold and moisture barrier properties, and film-forming segments for conditioning. This segmentation within a single polymer molecule enables multiple effects while maintaining formulation simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 combination significantly improves curl retention and hairstyle hold, even in humid conditions, while providing a balanced conditioning effect and maintaining hair fullness, ensuring the agent is universally usable across various hair types.

Implementation Method 1

at least one non-ionic, anionic, or amphoteric film-forming polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFilm formation:

Implementation Method 2

at least one hydrophobic pyrogenic silicic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS10357443B2Active-substance mixtures for styling agents

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

Cosmetic agents and methods for temporarily shaping keratin-containing fibers using the cosmetic agents are provided herein. In one embodiment, the cosmetic agent includes a cosmetic carrier. The cosmetic agent further includes at least one chitosan or derivative thereof. The cosmetic agent further includes at least one hydrophobic pyrogenic silicic acid. The cosmetic agent also includes at least one non-ionic, anionic, or amphoteric film-forming polymer. In another embodiment, the method includes the step of using the cosmetic agent for temporarily shaping keratin-containing fibers.