Lamellar Gel Composition for Skin Barrier and O/W Emulsion Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing α-gel compositions lack a strong barrier function due to the absence of intercellular lipid-related components, which are crucial for regulating corneocyte arrangement and protecting the skin from external stimuli while maintaining moisture.
Innovation Solution
A gel composition comprising specific compounds that form a lamellar structure similar to human intercellular lipids, including a first compound represented by chemical formula 1, a second compound by formula 2, a third compound by formula 3, and a fourth compound that is a two-chain amphiphile, with precise mass ratios to mimic the barrier function of natural skin lipids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional α-gel compositions are used, then the composition can be formulated with surfactants and emulsifiers, but the composition cannot exhibit a strong barrier function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lipid components (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) with surfactants and emulsifiers to create a composite gel composition that mimics the structure and function of natural intercellular lipids, achieving both strong barrier function and formulation stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise compositional parameters including the ratio of ceramides to cholesterol (1:0.2 to 1:0.5), fatty acid content (20-40%), and surfactant concentration (1-10%) to optimize the barrier function while maintaining composition stability
2Reliability
If intercellular lipid components are added to achieve barrier function, then the barrier function is enhanced, but the composition formulation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gel composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides barrier function through intercellular lipid components, maintains emulsion stability through surfactants, and ensures product texture through gel formation, reducing the need for separate functional ingredients
3Reliability
If oil components are incorporated into the gel composition, then the composition can provide moisturizing benefits, but the stability of oil droplets in water becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses surfactants and emulsifiers as intermediary substances that mediate between the oil phase and water phase, allowing oil droplets to be stably dispersed in the aqueous gel matrix while maintaining moisturizing benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the HLB value of emulsifiers (12-18 for oil-in-water emulsions) and controls oil droplet size (1-10 μm) to achieve stable emulsion formation that prevents phase separation while maintaining moisturizing efficacy
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 gel composition achieves a strong barrier function comparable to human intercellular lipids, stabilizes oil droplets in water, and enhances skin moisture retention.
Implementation Method 1
The gel composition comprises a first compound represented by the formula shown in the following chemical formula 1; a second compound represented by the formula shown in the following chemical formula 2; a third compound represented by the formula shown in the following chemical formula 3; and a fourth compound that is a two-chain amphiphile having a nitrogen atom
Implementation Method 2
The gel composition of the present disclosure can incorporate oil droplets and allows the oil droplets to be stably dispersed in water
Data Source
AI summary
A gel composition comprises a first compound represented by polyoxyethylene phytosterol, a second compound represented by polyethylene glycol distearate, a third compound represented by a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, and a fourth compound that is a two-chain amphiphile having a nitrogen atom. The first compound is present in an amount of 49 to 88% by mass based on a total mass of the first compound, the second compound, and the third compound. The second compound is present in an amount of 6 to 23% by mass, based on the total mass. The third compound is present in an amount of 6 to 28% by mass, based on the total mass. The fourth compound is present in an amount of 0.04 to 0.22 parts by mass, based on 1 part by mass of the total mass.