Interpenetrating Polymer Network Moisturizing Compositions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional skin hydration methods, such as occlusive agents and humectants, face issues like comedogenicity, stickiness, and limited water attraction, failing to provide significant and immediate hydration, especially in dry weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

Development of an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) comprising a crosslinked polypeptide or polysaccharide, a branched polymer with a hydrophobic modification, and a linear polypeptide or polysaccharide, which forms a thixotropic gel with enhanced viscosity and skin feel, allowing for high humectant delivery without stickiness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If traditional occlusive agents are used for skin hydration, then skin moisture retention is improved, but comedogenicity increases and skin feel becomes sticky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin moisture retentionVSAvoidcomedogenicity and stickiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) system combining crosslinked polypeptide/polysaccharide with linear polypeptide/polysaccharide and hydrophobically modified polymers. This composite structure provides occlusive moisture retention properties while the specific polymer combination and architecture eliminate the comedogenicity and stickiness associated with traditional occlusives, achieving both benefits simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If traditional humectants are used for skin hydration, then water attraction is improved, but hydration significance is limited and stickiness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater attraction capacityVSAvoidstickiness and limited hydration effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The IPN composite integrates humectant-functional polymers within the crosslinked network structure, enabling enhanced water attraction capacity through the hydrophilic polymer components while the overall network architecture prevents excessive stickiness and delivers significant hydration effects that traditional humectants cannot achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If high concentration humectants are delivered to achieve significant hydration, then skin hydration is improved, but stickiness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumectant concentrationVSAvoidstickiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The IPN structure creates localized functional zones where high concentrations of humectants are embedded within the crosslinked polymer network. This local concentration strategy enables potent hydration delivery at the skin interface while the network structure prevents bulk stickiness, allowing high humectant loading without the adverse sensory effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The composite IPN system combines humectant-rich polymer phases with crosslinked network phases, enabling high humectant concentration delivery while the crosslinked structure provides a scaffold that prevents excessive stickiness and enables significant hydration without the trade-off normally observed with high humectant formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 IPN composition effectively delivers high concentrations of humectants, improving skin hydration, reducing dryness, and providing a superior sensorial experience with prolonged moisture retention and improved skin appearance.

Implementation Method 1

an interpenetrating polymer network made up of a crosslinked polypeptide or polysaccharide; a branched polymer with a hydrophobic modification; and a linear polypeptide or polysaccharide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterpenetrating polymer network formation:

Implementation Method 2

forms a thixotropic gel with enhanced viscosity and skin feel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThixotropy: Thixotropy

Implementation Method 3

the crosslinked polypeptide or polysaccharide entraps the interlaced branched polymer with a hydrophobic modification and the linear polypeptide or polysaccharide to form the interpenetrating polymer network

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEntrapment:

Implementation Method 4

adding a mono-valent ion, di-valent ion or a combination thereof to the third phase to crosslink one or more polypeptide, polymer, or polysaccharide to form an interpenetrating polymer network moisturizing composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking:

Data Source

PatentUS11234921B2Moisturizing compositions and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 RODAN & FIELDS BEAUTY LLC

AI summary

Embodiments herein are directed to moisturizing compositions comprising interpenetrating polymer networks, methods of making moisturizing compositions and methods of using moisturizing compositions.