Discrete Emulsion Composition for Incompatible Ingredient Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cosmetic and toiletry products with a gel phase and a second emulsion phase are generally unstable under temperature fluctuations and cannot incorporate incompatible active ingredients, leading to visual and physical instability.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising two or more discrete emulsions that remain physically and visually stable at various temperatures, including extreme conditions, by matching refractive indices or using opacifying agents, allowing for the inclusion of otherwise incompatible ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gel-based product with multiple phases is created to incorporate incompatible active ingredients, then the ability to include diverse ingredients is improved, but the product becomes unstable under temperature fluctuations and loses visual appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the composition into multiple discrete emulsion phases (first emulsion phase and second emulsion phase) that remain physically separate and distinct. Each emulsion phase can contain incompatible active ingredients without affecting the other, as they are stabilized by their respective emulsifiers and maintain independent structural integrity throughout the composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the emulsion phases, including refractive index matching, viscosity control, and emulsifier selection, to ensure that the discrete emulsions remain stable and visually distinct under varying temperature conditions while maintaining their ability to hold incompatible ingredients separately.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two emulsions with similar continuous and discontinuous phases are combined, then ingredient compatibility is improved, but the emulsions migrate into one another and lose stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different emulsifier systems and stabilization mechanisms to different emulsion phases. Each emulsion phase has locally optimized properties (different emulsifiers, different phase compositions) that prevent migration while allowing the coexistence of incompatible ingredients in separate phases.
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 emulsions maintain their visual and physical distinctness and chemical stability through multiple freeze-thaw cycles, enabling long-term stability and compatibility of previously incompatible ingredients.
Implementation Method 1
by matching refractive indices or using opacifying agents
Implementation Method 2
the emulsions remain physically distinct, that is the two emulsions do not coalesce or migrate into one another
Data Source
AI summary
A cosmetic composition comprising a first emulsion and a second emulsion and optionally one or more additional emulsions, each of said two or more emulsions being discretely contained within the composition and comprising an inner phase and an outer phase, each of said two or more emulsions being independently a water-in-oil emulsion, an oil-in-water emulsion, an oil-in-oil emulsion, a polyol-in-oil emulsion, a water-in-silicone emulsion, a silicone-in-water emulsion, or a polyol-in-silicone emulsion in physical contact with at least one other emulsion, at least one of said two or more emulsions being visually distinct from the others, and each of said two or more emulsions as well as said composition being independently both physically and visually stable within the composition for at least six months at ambient temperature.