Ethanol-Free Perfume Microemulsion Using 1,2-Hexanediol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ethanol-free aqueous perfume compositions face issues with transparency, stickiness, irritancy, and fragrance denaturation due to high surfactant content and limited acceptance of isoprene glycol as a cosmetic ingredient, which affects stability and olfactory characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A transparent, ethanol-free perfumed aqueous microemulsion composition using 1,2-hexanediol as a vicinal diol solvent, which is amphiphilic and reduces surfactant quantity, maintaining fragrance integrity and stability while being non-greasy and non-sticky.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If high doses of surfactants are used to emulsify fragrance materials, then the fragrance materials are effectively coupled, but the composition becomes sticky and irritant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidskin irritancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solubilizing agent by replacing conventional surfactants with a specific polyglycol ether compound having controlled molecular weight and ethylene oxide units, thereby reducing skin irritancy while maintaining emulsification effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a specific polyglycol ether as an intermediary solubilizing agent that mediates between the hydrophobic fragrance materials and hydrophilic aqueous phase, enabling effective coupling without using high doses of irritant surfactants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional solubilizing agents are used, then fragrance materials are solubilized, but the perfume is denatured and olfactory characteristics are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolubilization efficiencyVSAvoidfragrance integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise molecular parameters for the polyglycol ether solubilizing agent (molecular weight 200-500, specific ethylene oxide units) to optimize both solubilization capacity and fragrance compatibility, preventing denaturation while maintaining solubility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If isoprene glycol is used as microemulsion cosolvent, then surfactant dose is reduced, but the composition is limited by ingredient acceptance and has limited amphiphilic properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurfactant concentrationVSAvoidcosmetic ingredient acceptance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces isoprene glycol with a polyglycol ether compound that serves as both solubilizing agent and cosolvent, providing superior amphiphilic properties and broader cosmetic ingredient acceptance while maintaining reduced surfactant dosing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite functional system combining polyglycol ether with specific surfactants in optimized ratios, achieving synergistic effects that enhance amphiphilic properties and cosmetic acceptability beyond what individual components can provide

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Stability of the object's composition

If ethanol is used in perfume compositions, then fragrance materials are well solubilized, but the composition is flammable and contains VOC

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesolubilityVSAvoidflammability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental chemical parameter of the solvent system by replacing ethanol (volatile, flammable) with water as the continuous phase and polyglycol ether as the solubilizing agent, thereby eliminating flammability and VOC issues while maintaining fragrance solubility through controlled micellization

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 composition achieves a stable, optically clear, and non-greasy microemulsion with high fragrance loading, maintaining the desired odor profile and sensory benefits, and is acceptable as a cosmetic ingredient.

Implementation Method 1

a solvent, wherein said solvent is a vicinal diol such as 1,2-hexane diol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmphiphilic solubilization: Amphiphiles

Implementation Method 2

an ethanol-free, transparent, perfumed aqueous microemulsion composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicroemulsion formation: Microemulsion

Implementation Method 3

an amphiphilic solubilising agent, such as a polyethylene glycol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS8343521B2Ethanol-free aqueous perfume composition

Publication Date: 2013.01.01 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to an ethanol-free, non-fatty, non-sticky perfumed aqueous cosmetic microemulsion composition, including one or more fragrance materials, a solvent, an aqueous medium, and optionally, one or more surfactants; wherein the solvent in the microemulsion is a vicinal diol such as 1,2-hexanediol.