Low-pH Skin Care Composition with Buffering and Stable Thickening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low pH skin care compositions often exhibit undesirable sensory properties, such as runny or sticky feel, and are prone to instability and skin irritation, despite potential benefits of ingredients like vitamin B3 compounds at lower pH levels.
Innovation Solution
A low pH skin care composition comprising a lactic acid/sodium lactate buffer system, a pH-stable polymer thickener (polyacrylate crosspolymer-6), and a low molecular weight silicone fluid, which maintains stability and reduces skin irritation while providing good sensory properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional low pH skin care compositions are formulated, then skin care benefits are improved, but sensory properties deteriorate (runny or sticky feel)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the pH within a specific low range (2.0-5.0) and adjusting the molecular weight of the silicone fluid to optimize both skin care efficacy and sensory properties. This resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal parameter range that delivers both benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite formulation combining multiple ingredients including vitamin B3 compounds, lactic acid/sodium lactate buffer system, pH-stable polymer thickeners, and low molecular weight silicone fluids. This composite approach allows the composition to achieve both skin care benefits and improved sensory properties that neither ingredient could provide alone.
2Reliability
If conventional low pH skin care compositions are formulated, then skin care benefits are improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains stability in low pH compositions by carefully controlling the pH range (2.0-5.0) and selecting pH-stable polymer thickeners that do not degrade at low pH. This resolves the contradiction by identifying parameter ranges and materials that are stable under low pH conditions while still providing skin care benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lactic acid/sodium lactate buffer system as an intermediary to maintain pH stability. This buffer system acts as a mediator that prevents pH fluctuations, ensuring composition stability while allowing the low pH environment to provide skin care benefits.
3Reliability
If conventional low pH skin care compositions are formulated, then skin care benefits are improved, but skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces skin irritation by optimizing the pH within a specific low range (2.0-5.0) rather than using extremely low pH values. This parameter optimization allows the composition to provide skin care benefits while minimizing irritation potential.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lactic acid/sodium lactate buffer system as an intermediary that gently maintains the low pH environment. This buffer system reduces irritation compared to unbuffered low pH compositions by providing a controlled, stable pH that is less harsh on the skin.
4Ease of operation
If pH-stable polymer thickeners are used in low pH compositions, then viscosity is improved, but ingredient stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by selecting specific pH-stable polymer thickeners that maintain their thickening properties at low pH without degrading. This involves choosing polymers with pKa values and structural characteristics that ensure stability in the pH 2.0-5.0 range while providing desired viscosity.
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 composition achieves improved skin care benefits with reduced irritation and enhanced sensory properties, including better feel and stability, making it suitable for topical application.
Implementation Method 1
a low pH skin care composition comprising a lactic acid/sodium lactate buffer system
Implementation Method 2
a pH-stable polymer thickener
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Disclosed is an efficacious, low-pH skin care composition that provides good sensory properties and has a low skin irritation potential. The low-pH composition includes an effective amount of a vitamin B3 compound and, optionally, one or more additional skin care actives to provide a skin health and/or appearance benefit. The low-pH composition also includes a pH buffer comprising lactic acid and sodium lactate, a polymer thickener comprising polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, and a silicone fluid having a kinematic viscosity of 100 cSt or less at 25 °C. The pH of the low-pH composition can range from 2.0 to 5.0.