Hair Conditioner Composition With Gel Network and Low-Salt Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for hair conditioner compositions that use behenamidopropyl dimethylamine as a cationic surfactant, which meet EWG VERIFIED™ and Whole Foods® Premium Body Care Unacceptable Ingredients standards, while maintaining effective conditioning performance and antimicrobial safety without traditional surfactants and preservatives.
Innovation Solution
A hair conditioner composition comprising an aqueous carrier, behenamidopropyl dimethylamine, fatty alcohol, and a specific molar ratio, with a uniform gel network and d-spacing less than 32 nm, using sodium benzoate and glycol or glyceryl esters as preservatives, to achieve EWG VERIFIED™ and 'risk-free' status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional cationic surfactants and preservatives are replaced with behenamidopropyl dimethylamine and EWG VERIFIED™ preservatives, then the product meets EWG VERIFIED™ and Whole Foods® Premium Body Care standards, but the conditioning performance and antimicrobial safety may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration of behenamidopropyl dimethylamine (2.75-6 wt%) and fatty alcohol (3-8 wt%) to achieve the desired conditioning performance while meeting EWG VERIFIED™ standards. The precise control of these parameters ensures both safety compliance and effective hair conditioning without compromising performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite formulation combining behenamidopropyl dimethylamine with specific fatty alcohols and EWG VERIFIED™ preservatives (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, calcium gluconate). This composite approach allows the product to simultaneously achieve environmental compliance, effective conditioning, and antimicrobial protection through synergistic interactions between components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the conditioner composition is modified to use behenamidopropyl dimethylamine, then the product achieves EWG VERIFIED™ status, but the gel network structure and d-spacing may be negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific concentration ranges for behenamidopropyl dimethylamine (2.75-6 wt%) and fatty alcohol (3-8 wt%) to optimize the gel network structure. This precise parameter control ensures the formation of a stable lamellar gel network with appropriate d-spacing, maintaining both environmental compliance and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a specific lamellar gel network structure with controlled d-spacing <32 nm through the localized arrangement of behenamidopropyl dimethylamine and fatty alcohol molecules. This local structural organization ensures optimal conditioning performance while maintaining the overall gel network stability required for product consistency.
3Ease of manufacture
If the molar ratio of behenamidopropyl dimethylamine to fatty alcohol is not optimized, then formulation is simpler, but the conditioning effect and product performance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines a specific molar ratio range of behenamidopropyl dimethylamine to fatty alcohol (9:50 to 2:3) to optimize conditioning performance. This parameter specification provides clear formulation guidelines that balance manufacturing simplicity with reliable hair conditioning effects, ensuring consistent product quality.
4Reliability
If salt content is increased to improve preservation, then antimicrobial protection is enhanced, but the gel network structure and product texture are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent limits salt content to less than 1.5 wt% and specifies precise concentrations of EWG VERIFIED™ preservatives (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, calcium gluconate) to achieve effective antimicrobial protection. This controlled approach maintains product texture and gel network integrity while ensuring adequate preservation through the synergistic action of multiple low-concentration preservatives.
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 good conditioning performance, long-lasting clean feel, and effective antimicrobial protection, meeting EWG and Whole Foods® standards, with reduced washing frequency and improved hair volume.
Implementation Method 1
the composition comprises a uniform gel network; wherein the composition comprises d-spacing of less than 32 nm, as measured according to the d-spacing (Lβ-basal spacing) of Lamella Gel Network Test Method
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A hair conditioner composition containing an aqueous carrier, from about 2.5 wt% to about 6.7 wt% of a behenamidopropyl dimethylamine, from about 3 wt% to about 8 wt% of a fatty alcohol; and less than 1.5 wt% of a salt. The molar ratio of behenamidopropyl dimethylamine to fatty alcohol can be from about 7:50 to about 4:5. The conditioner composition can have a uniform gel network. The composition can have d-spacing of less than 32 nm, as measured according to the d-spacing (Lβ-basal spacing) of Lamella Gel Network Test Method.