Ether Compounds for Volatile Cosmetic Hand Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cosmetic formulations using hydrocarbon-based volatiles face issues such as inferior hand feel, compatibility problems with cosmetic ingredients, and skin irritation, particularly in skin care, sun care, and hair care applications, where silicones offer better attributes like soft feel and spreadability but hydrocarbon-based alternatives fall short.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel ether compounds with specific molecular structures, such as 3,5,5-trimethyl-hexyl methyl ether and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-butyl n-butyl ether, which provide a light, non-greasy hand feel, rapid spreading, and compatibility with a broad range of cosmetic ingredients, acting as volatiles in skin and hair care compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If hydrocarbon-based volatiles are used in cosmetic formulations, then volatility is achieved, but hand feel becomes inferior and compatibility with cosmetic ingredients deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the volatile compounds by introducing ether functional groups and specific branched hydrocarbon chains. This modifies the molecular properties to achieve both volatility and improved hand feel, resolving the contradiction between evaporative performance and tactile quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite molecular structures combining ether functional groups with branched hydrocarbon chains. This composite approach integrates the volatility of hydrocarbons with the compatibility and soft feel characteristics of ether compounds, achieving superior overall performance.
2Loss of energy
If hydrocarbon-based volatiles are used, then volatility is provided, but compatibility with cosmetic chassis and performance ingredients deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters by introducing polar ether oxygen atoms into the hydrocarbon structure. This changes the intermolecular interaction characteristics, enabling better compatibility with polar cosmetic ingredients while maintaining volatility through the optimized hydrocarbon chain structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ether functional group acts as an intermediary between the non-polar hydrocarbon chains and polar cosmetic ingredients. This intermediate functional group facilitates compatible interactions with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic components of cosmetic formulations.
3Ease of operation
If fatty acid or fatty alcohol-derived esters are used, then emollient properties are provided, but volatility is limited and hand feel becomes oily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight and structural parameters of the ether compounds to optimize the balance between volatility and emollient properties. By controlling the chain length and branching of hydrocarbon groups, the compounds evaporate sufficiently fast while providing adequate softening effects without greasiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by having different parts of the molecule serve different functions: the ether oxygen provides emollient and softening properties locally, while the hydrocarbon chains provide volatility and lightness. This functional differentiation resolves the contradiction between emollient performance and volatility.
4Loss of energy
If lower molecular weight esters are used to improve volatility, then volatility increases, but skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of the ether compounds to fall within a specific range that balances volatility and skin compatibility. The branched hydrocarbon structure with ether groups provides sufficient volatility while the molecular size and structure prevent penetration into skin layers, reducing irritation potential.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a compound for use in cosmetic compositions of the formula (I): R1—O—R2, wherein R1 and R are different from each other and are independently selected from the group of C1-C17 hydrocarbyl residues, said hydrocarbyl residues contain up to 8 CH3 groups and up to 3 ether groups (—O—), and wherein the total number of carbon atoms of said compounds is 10 to 20, the total number of ether groups of said compounds is 1 to 6, and the total number of methyl groups (—CH3) of said compounds CN is 1 to 13, at least one of R1 and R2 is a branched C3-C17 hydrocarbyl residue, in particular, as so-called volatiles in skin care and hair care compositions, as well as cosmetic compositions comprising at least one of said ether compounds, and the use of the aforementioned ether compounds in cosmetic compositions.