Crosslinked Polyelectrolyte Thickener for Electrolyte-Rich Cosmetic Serums
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current synthetic thickeners for cosmetic serums fail to produce stable, transparent, and high-viscosity aqueous gels when used in compositions rich in electrolytes, which are necessary for maintaining skin health and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising 90-99% water, 0.02-1 mole of salts, 0.5-5% crosslinked anionic polyelectrolytes derived from 2-methyl 2-[(1-oxo 2-propenyl) amino] 1-propanesulfonic acid, and 0.5-5% of a specific monomer, with a crosslinking agent, that maintains transparency and viscosity in the presence of electrolytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional synthetic thickeners (powder form or inverse latex) are used to thicken aqueous serum formulations, then thickening performance is achieved, but the formulations become opaque or unstable in the presence of electrolytes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of the thickening polymer to create a crosslinked polyacrylamide-based polymer with specific molecular weight and crosslinking density. This structural parameter change enables the polymer to maintain transparency and stability in electrolyte-rich formulations, resolving the contradiction between transparency and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite approach by combining crosslinked polyacrylamide units with specific comonomers to create a copolymer system. This composite polymer structure achieves both the desired thickening performance and transparency stability in the presence of electrolytes, overcoming the limitations of conventional single-polymer systems
2Productivity
If inverse latex thickeners are used to achieve high thickening performance and ease of handling, then dissolution rate improves, but oil content causes reduced transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic oil phase from the thickener system by using water-soluble crosslinked polyacrylamide-based polymers instead of inverse latex. This extraction of the oil component eliminates the transparency issue while maintaining high dissolution rates and thickening performance through the engineered polymer structure
3Illumination intensity
If powder form synthetic thickeners are used to achieve clear aqueous gels, then transparency is improved, but dissolution time increases and ease of use decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-crosslinking the polyacrylamide polymer during manufacturing to create a structure that dissolves rapidly in water. This preliminary structural preparation eliminates the need for long dissolution times associated with conventional powder thickeners while maintaining transparency and stability
4Adaptability or versatility
If electrolyte-rich plant extracts or mineral salts are added to serum formulations for skin health, then cosmetic efficacy is improved, but gel stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a robust crosslinked polyacrylamide-based polymer structure that is specifically designed to be stable in the presence of electrolytes. This engineered polymer acts as a stable base that can tolerate electrolyte-rich ingredients, allowing formulators to incorporate electrolyte-rich plant extracts and mineral salts for enhanced cosmetic efficacy without compromising gel stability
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 solution achieves stable, transparent, and high-viscosity aqueous gels that maintain sensory properties and clarity, even in compositions with high electrolyte content, ensuring effective skin care delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a crosslinked anionic polyelectrolyte obtained from the polymerization, in the presence of at least one crosslinking agent
Implementation Method 2
Synthetic polymers and polymers of natural origin are well-known thickening agents for aqueous phases in cosmetics
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition (d) comprising (per 100 % of its weight): a) between 90 wt.-% and 99.0 wt.-% water comprising, in dissolved form, between 0.002 mol/L and 0.1 mol/L of at least one salt (S) of ammonium cation or of a monovalent or multivalent metal cation (S) with an organic or inorganic anion; b) between 0.5 wt.-% and 5 wt.-% of at least one crosslinked anionic polyelectrolyte (PA); and c) between 0.5 wt.-% and 5 wt.-% of at least one compound having formula (II), where the weight ratio (Ra) of the crosslinked anionic polyelectrolyte (PA) to the compound of formula (II) is understood to be greater than or equal to 0.2 and less than or equal to 2.0, and the molar ratio (Rb) of the compound of formula (II) to the salt (S) is understood to be greater than or equal to 0.05 and less than or equal to 1. The invention also relates to the use of said composition in cosmetics and to a method for lightening the thickened salt-rich composition.