Liquid Preservative Concentrate Cold Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current topical cosmetic preservatives, such as those containing formaldehyde releasing agents, parabens, or isothiazolinones, have limitations including allergenic potential, poor storage stability, and odor issues, while high concentrations of 1,2-octanediol-based preservatives face crystallization challenges at low temperatures, necessitating heating for use.
Innovation Solution
A liquid concentrate comprising 20-70% 3-phenylpropan-1-ol, 10-50% 1,2-octanediol, 15-60% 1,3-propanediol, and up to 2000 ppm antioxidants, which maintains stability at low temperatures and provides effective antimicrobial protection without crystallization, using predominantly natural or nature-identical substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentration of 1,2-octanediol (e.g., 70%) is used in the concentrate, then the antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but the concentrate crystallizes at low temperatures requiring heating before use
Solution Approach 1:
1,3-propanediol serves as a mediator substance that prevents crystallization of 1,2-octanediol at low temperatures. The patent uses 1,3-propanediol in concentrations of 15-60% (preferably 20-40%) to act as an anti-crystallization agent, allowing the concentrate to remain liquid and usable without heating while still maintaining high 1,2-octanediol content for effective antimicrobial protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by introducing 1,3-propanediol and adjusting the ratio of 1,2-octanediol to 1,3-propanediol. This parameter change modifies the physical properties of the concentrate, specifically lowering its crystallization temperature and improving cold stability while maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness
2Reliability
If conventional preservatives such as formaldehyde releasing agents, parabens, or isothiazolinones are used, then the antimicrobial protection is provided, but allergenic potential and odor issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates harmful preservative substances (formaldehyde releasing agents, parabens, isothiazolinones) from the formulation. Instead, it uses a combination of 1,2-octanediol and 1,3-propanediol as safer alternative preservatives that provide antimicrobial protection without the allergenic potential and odor problems associated with conventional preservatives
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces long-term problematic preservatives with a naturally derived alternative system based on diols. These natural substances (1,2-octanediol and 1,3-propanediol) degrade more safely and do not accumulate harmful residues, effectively replacing persistent harmful chemicals with safer, shorter-lived natural alternatives
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 concentrate ensures long-term cold stability, effective antimicrobial protection against mold, yeast, and bacteria in cosmetic products at typical application concentrations, without introducing undesired constituents like phenoxyethanol or glycerol ethers, and enhances skin compatibility and storage stability with added antioxidants.
Implementation Method 1
it has no tendency over a prolonged period of time towards the (complete) crystallization out of the 1,2-octanediol contained
Implementation Method 2
where necessary up to 2000 ppm of one or more antioxidants
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid concentrate which comprises: a) from 20 to 70% by weight of 3-phenylpropan-1-ol, b) from 10 to 50% by weight of 1,2-octanediol, c) from 15 to 60% by weight of 1,3-propanediol, and d) where necessary up to 2000 ppm of one or more antioxidants; and a composition for topical application, comprising it.