Antiperspirant Formulation Using Free Fatty Acids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antiperspirant and deodorant compositions are costly and lack improved properties for effective topical delivery and antimicrobial activity against axillary bacteria.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of C8 to C14 fatty acids in free acid form, such as lauric acid, into antiperspirant/deodorant compositions, with a gellant comprising less than 50% stearyl alcohol, to enhance payout and glide properties while maintaining structural integrity and providing antimicrobial properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If expensive base components are used in antiperspirant/deodorant compositions, then structural integrity and performance are maintained, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive base components with cheaper alternatives, specifically using C8-C14 fatty acids (like lauric acid) and reduced stearyl alcohol content to substitute for more costly waxes and gellants. This substitution maintains functional performance while reducing material costs, directly addressing the contradiction between production cost and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the compositional parameters by specifying C8-C14 fatty acids in free acid form (0.5-15% by weight) and limiting stearyl alcohol to less than 50% of the gellant portion. These parameter changes enable cost reduction while preserving the required structural properties through optimized formulation ratios
2Ease of operation
If traditional gellant formulations are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but payout and glide properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the gellant system by incorporating C8-C14 fatty acids in free acid form and limiting stearyl alcohol content. These parameter modifications improve payout (the amount of product transferred to skin) and glide (smoothness of application) while preserving structural integrity through the synergistic interaction of the modified gellant components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gellant system combining C8-C14 fatty acids with stearyl alcohol and other waxes in specific ratios. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of each component: the free fatty acids enhance glide and payout, while the stearyl alcohol and other waxes maintain structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between application performance and structural stability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial agents are added to reduce malodour, then bacterial growth is inhibited, but formulation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs C8-C14 fatty acids (particularly lauric acid) that possess inherent antimicrobial properties against axillary bacteria. Instead of adding separate antimicrobial agents, the base component itself provides the bioactive function, reducing formulation complexity while effectively inhibiting bacterial growth and malodour generation
Solution Approach 2:
The C8-C14 fatty acid component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a base material providing structural framework, enhances payout and glide properties, and provides antimicrobial activity against odor-causing bacteria. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized ingredients, simplifying the overall formulation while addressing multiple performance requirements
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 use of C8 to C14 fatty acids improves the payout and glide properties of antiperspirant/deodorant compositions, reduces malodor generation, and lowers production costs by replacing more expensive base components without compromising compression or hardness, while effectively inhibiting bacterial growth.
Implementation Method 1
C8 to C14 fatty acids, such as lauric acid, also have antimicrobial properties towards axillary bacteria that may help to reduce malodour generation
Data Source
AI summary
A solid or soft solid antiperspirant/deodorant composition comprising at least one antiperspirant or deodorant active, a base component in an amount of from 2% and 15% by weight of the composition, wherein the base component is C8 to C14 fatty acid in free acid form, and a gellant, wherein the gellant comprises less than 50% by weight of the gellant stearyl alcohol. The C8 to C14 fatty acid in free acid form can be lauric acid. The C8 to C14 fatty acid in free acid form provides antibacterial properties to the compositions.