Epsilon-Polylysine and Aromatic Compounds for Skin Microflora Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cosmetic and dermatological products face challenges in effectively addressing impure skin, body odor, and microbial infections without impairing skin health, as existing antimicrobial substances often disrupt the skin's natural microflora and have limitations in duration and compatibility with other ingredients.

Innovation Solution

The use of active ingredient combinations comprising ε-polylysine with aromatic esters, aldehydes, or alcohols, such as Hexyl Cinnamal, benzyl acetate, and phenylethyl alcohol, which provide a synergistic antimicrobial effect while being gentle on the skin and compatible with various cosmetic formulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antimicrobial substances are used to eliminate bacteria and microorganisms, then the effectiveness against pathogenic germs is improved, but the skin's natural microflora is disrupted and skin health is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness against pathogenic germsVSAvoiddisruption of skin microflora
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial agent by using ε-polylysine, a biocompatible polycation with specific molecular weight and degree of polymerization (DP 10-100), instead of conventional harsh antimicrobials. This parameter change allows effective antimicrobial action while maintaining skin compatibility and preserving beneficial microflora.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite antimicrobial system by combining ε-polylysine with aromatic esters, aldehydes, and/or alcohols. This composite approach enhances the antimicrobial effectiveness against pathogenic germs while the aromatic components contribute to skin compatibility and odor management, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and microflora preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the entire microflora of the skin is reduced to eliminate odor-causing microorganisms, then body odor is effectively reduced, but the natural protective microflora is also eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody odorVSAvoidprotection against opportunistic germs
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by targeting specific odor-causing microorganisms while preserving the overall skin microflora balance. The ε-polylysine/aromatic compound combination selectively reduces problematic bacteria responsible for body odor without eliminating beneficial microorganisms, thus maintaining the skin's natural protective barrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the concentration parameters and chemical nature of antimicrobial agents to achieve selective action. By using ε-polylysine at optimized concentrations combined with aromatic compounds, the system achieves effective odor reduction while maintaining microflora balance and protective functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If astringents are used to prevent sweat formation, then body odor is reduced, but skin proteins are denatured and heat balance is drastically affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody odorVSAvoidskin protein denaturation and heat balance disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/chemical action of astringents (which cause protein precipitation and vasoconstriction) with a biological antimicrobial mechanism. The ε-polylysine/aromatic compound system works by interfering with microbial cell membranes and metabolism, achieving odor reduction without protein denaturation or heat balance disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If perfumes are used to mask body odor, then body odor is concealed, but the mixture of body odor and perfume scent smells unpleasant and active ingredients may react with perfume components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody odor maskingVSAvoidunpleasant scent and ingredient incompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful body odor into a benefit by using the aromatic esters, aldehydes, and/or alcohols as dual-function ingredients. These aromatic compounds serve both as antimicrobial agents that reduce odor-causing microorganisms and as fragrance components that provide a pleasant scent, eliminating the need for separate perfumes and avoiding incompatibility reactions.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2717837B1Active ingredient combinations consisting of epsilon-polylysine (epsilon-polylysine) and one or more aromatic esters, aldehydes and/or alcohols
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 BEIERSDORF AG
  • EP2717837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2717837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2717837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to active ingredient combinations comprising: a) e-polylysine (epsilon-polylysine), and b) one or more aromatic esters, aldehydes and/or alcohols.