Cosmetic Gel Composition with High Salt Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slimming cosmetic products with high inorganic salt concentrations face stability issues and provide either low spreadability and heaviness or short residence time on the skin, failing to combine effectiveness with pleasantness and stability.

Innovation Solution

A gel cosmetic composition with a viscosity range of 50,000 to 200,000 mPa*s, containing 8-15% inorganic salt, 0.5-3% caffeine, 5-20% ethanol, and an association of xanthan gum with a cellulose derivative, excluding emulsifying agents and fat components, which ensures stability, spreadability, and prolonged skin residence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the concentration of inorganic salts is increased to achieve effective slimming action, then the slimming effectiveness is improved, but the formulation stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of inorganic saltsVSAvoidformulation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specific association of xanthan gum with cellulose derivative as a mediating stabilizing system that enables high inorganic salt concentration (8-15%) to be maintained without compromising formulation stability. This gel-forming association acts as an intermediary structure that prevents salt crystallization and maintains homogeneous distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameter by formulating a gel composition with specific viscosity (50,000-200,000 mPa*s) that can accommodate high salt concentrations. The gel matrix transforms the formulation from a liquid or emulsion state to a structured gel state, fundamentally changing how the inorganic salts are held and stabilized within the composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the product is formulated as an emulsion with fat components to improve stability, then the formulation stability is improved, but the spreadability and skin lightness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoidspreadability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates emulsifiers and fat components from the formulation, replacing the traditional emulsion stability mechanism with a gel-based stabilization system using xanthan gum and cellulose derivative association. This removal of heavy emulsive components directly improves spreadability and skin lightness while maintaining stability through the gel network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the formulation from an emulsion system (liquid/semi-liquid with fat phases) to a gel system (structured network with high viscosity), fundamentally altering the physical parameters. The gel structure provides stability without requiring emulsifiers, and the high viscosity (50,000-200,000 mPa*s) ensures proper residence time on skin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the product is formulated as a liquid to improve spreadability and skin lightness, then the ease of operation is improved, but the residence time on skin deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovespreadabilityVSAvoidresidence time on skin
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the viscosity parameter to a specific high range (50,000-200,000 mPa*s) that transforms the product from a free-flowing liquid to a structured gel. This viscosity modification allows the product to spread easily during application (due to shear-thinning properties typical of xanthan gum gels) but then maintains its position on the skin without running or dripping, thereby extending residence time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite gel material combining xanthan gum and cellulose derivative in specific ratios, forming a network structure that provides both spreadability and residence time. This composite gel system exhibits non-Newtonian flow characteristics that enable easy application followed by stable adhesion to the skin surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Stability of the object's composition

If emulsifiers and fat components are included to improve stability, then the formulation stability is improved, but the skin permeability and freshness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoidskin permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes emulsifiers and fat components from the formulation, eliminating the barrier these substances create to skin permeability. The resulting gel formulation, based on xanthan gum and cellulose derivative association, allows for better skin penetration of active ingredients including caffeine and inorganic salts, while maintaining stability through the gel network structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 stable, effective, and pleasant slimming action with improved skin permeability and spreadability, maintaining caffeine solubility and enhancing the slimming effect over time, as demonstrated by instrumental clinical trials.

Implementation Method 1

an association of xanthan gum with a cellulose derivative in amount ranging between 1 and 6% by weight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel formation: Gel

Implementation Method 2

having a viscosity ranging between 50,000 and 200,000 mPa*s

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity: Viscometer

Implementation Method 3

inorganic salts, which are known to have the ability to drain away the accumulated liquids in the skin layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Implementation Method 4

caffeine in amount ranging between 0.5 and 3% by weight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 5

ethanol in amount ranging between 5 and 20% by weight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3453378B1A cosmetic gel composition
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 SOC ITALO BRITANNICA L MANETTI - H ROBERTS & C P A

AI summary

The present invention refers to a cosmetic gel composition with high slimming action, having a viscosity ranging between 50,000 and 200,000 cPs, comprising: -inorganic salt in amount ranging between 8 and 15% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition; -caffeine in amount ranging between 0.5 and 3% by weight; -ethanol in amount ranging between 5 and 20% by weight; and -an association of xanthan gum with a cellulose derivative in amount ranging between 1 and 6% by weight, wherein the inorganic salt is sea salt or pure sodium chloride and the composition is free from emulsifying agents and from fat components.