Emulsion Lotion Nanoparticle Size and Mass Ratio Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cosmetic lotions struggle to balance high oil content for nourishing and softening effects with the need for stability and a fresh, quick penetration sensation, as higher oil content typically leads to lower stability and impaired sensory properties.

Innovation Solution

An emulsion-type lotion comprising an anionic surfactant, aliphatic monoalcohol, polyol, and liquid oil agent, with a specific mass ratio and particle size range, which eliminates the need for thickening agents while maintaining stability and providing a fresh watery sensation and skin-finish effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the amount of oil ingredient is increased to improve nourishing effect and softening sensation, then the stability of the lotion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenourishing effectVSAvoidlotion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of the emulsion to a specific range (30-200 nm) and adjusts the mass ratio parameters (oil agent to anionic surfactant from 20 to 30, polyol content from 5 to 20% by mass, oil agent content from 5 to 30% by mass). These parameter changes enable the lotion to maintain stability while containing high oil content (5-30% by mass), resolving the contradiction between nourishing effect and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a polymer or thickener is added to impart viscosity and stabilize oil ingredient, then the fresh watery sensation and quick penetration sensation are impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil ingredient stabilityVSAvoidfresh watery sensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the thickening agent component from the traditional lotion formulation. Instead of using polymers or thickeners to stabilize oil, the invention relies on the emulsion mechanism with anionic surfactant and polyol, achieving oil stabilization without adding substances that would impair the fresh watery sensation and quick penetration properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the oil content is increased to provide softening and plumping effects, then the viscosity and texture of the lotion increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftening effectVSAvoidlotion texture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter to nanoscale (30-200 nm) and adjusts the mass ratio parameters, enabling the lotion to contain high oil content (5-30% by mass) while maintaining low viscosity and light texture. The emulsion particles in this specific size range provide softening and plumping effects without increasing the overall texture weight, resolving the contradiction between softening effect and texture lightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 lotion achieves stability, low viscosity, high water content, and a nourishing effect, offering a fresh, quick penetration sensation similar to using both lotion and cream, while maintaining stability and sensory properties.

Implementation Method 1

an emulsion type lotion comprising: (a) an anionic surfactant; (b) an aliphatic monoalcohol; (c) a polyol; (d) an oil agent; and (e) water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

at least one anionic surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

the (c) polyol comprises from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and from 2 to 4 hydroxyl groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Data Source

PatentEP3582746B1Cosmetic lotion
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 LVMH RECH

AI summary

An emulsion type lotion comprising an anionic surfactant, an aliphatic monoalcohol, a polyol, an oil agent, and water, wherein contents of the polyol and the oil agent are, respectively, from 10 to 20% by mass and from 5 to 30% by mass based on a total mass; the polyol comprises from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and from 2 to 4 hydroxyl groups; and an average particle size of emulsion particles composing the emulsion is from 1 to 200 nm.