Emulsifying Silicone Elastomers in Water-in-Oil Emulsions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic water-in-oil emulsions with non-emulsifying silicone elastomers above 3% by weight become too thick and difficult to spread on the skin, resulting in non-uniform makeup application and an unappealing greasy feel.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic composition comprising at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers, such as polyoxyalkylenated and polyglycerolated silicone elastomers, in amounts greater than 3% by weight, combined in a water-in-oil emulsion to create a creamy texture that spreads easily without a greasy or tacky feel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If non-emulsifying silicone elastomers are used in amounts greater than 3% by weight to obtain a thick texture, then the composition becomes too thick and difficult to spread on the skin, but the thick texture is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethick textureVSAvoidspreadability on skin
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the silicone elastomers by introducing hydrophilic chains (polyoxyalkylene or polyglycerol groups) to create emulsifying elastomers. This parameter change allows the composition to maintain thick texture while improving spreadability, as the emulsifying properties reduce surface tension and facilitate distribution on skin without requiring excessive thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite silicone elastomer structures combining hydrophobic silicone backbone with hydrophilic side chains. This composite structure enables the material to provide both the desired thick texture (from the silicone network) and improved spreadability (from the hydrophilic chains that interact with water and skin), resolving the contradiction between texture stability and ease of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If non-emulsifying silicone elastomers are used in large amounts to obtain a thick texture, then the composition becomes too thick, but the composition gives a greasy feel that makes it unappealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethick textureVSAvoidgreasy feel
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating hydrophilic chains into the silicone elastomer structure. This changes the surface properties of the elastomer, reducing its greasiness while maintaining the thick texture. The hydrophilic chains increase water affinity and reduce oiliness, eliminating the harmful greasy feel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful greasy feel into a beneficial creamy texture by using emulsifying silicone elastomers. The hydrophilic chains that were introduced to improve spreadability also transform the sensory perception from greasy to creamy, turning a disadvantage into an advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If emulsifying silicone elastomers are used in amounts greater than or equal to 3% by weight, then the composition spreads easily and gives a soft feel, but the composition must maintain stable emulsion structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespreadability on skinVSAvoidemulsion structure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite emulsifying silicone elastomers with specific architectures (crosslinked cores with hydrophilic coronas) that simultaneously provide emulsion stabilization and easy spreadability. The composite structure creates a steric barrier that stabilizes the emulsion while the hydrophilic outer layers reduce interfacial tension and improve wetting and spreadability on skin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality differentiation within the elastomer structure: the inner crosslinked core provides structural stability and emulsion maintenance, while the outer hydrophilic chains provide spreadability and soft feel. This spatial differentiation of functions allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8900608B2Cosmetic composition comprising at least two emulsifying silicone elastomers
Publication Date: 2014.12.02 LOREAL SA

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a cosmetic composition in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprising at least two different emulsifying silicone elastomers, the emulsifying elastomers being present in an amount of at least 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. The disclosure also relates to the use of such a composition to obtain makeup that is comfortable and/or that has no tacky feel and/or that spreads easily.