Multifunctional Base Emulsion for Sprayable Cosmetic Formulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cosmetics industry faces complexity and high manufacturing costs due to the need for multiple emulsion formulations for various products, with existing emulsions being unstable and not easily sprayable, limiting their versatility.
Innovation Solution
A stable, largely anhydrous water-in-oil emulsion using a water phase with 10% to 67.5% water and an oil phase containing stearalkonium hectorite and silicone alkyl polyethers like PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone, allowing for a common base emulsion that is sprayable and suitable for a wide range of cosmetic products from sprays to creams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a common base emulsion formulation is used to create various cosmetic products, then manufacturing complexity and costs are reduced, but product stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal base emulsion formulation that can serve multiple cosmetic product applications (lotions, creams, sprays) while maintaining stability. This is achieved by optimizing the emulsion composition with specific ratios of emulsifiers, oils, and water content that provide broad versatility across different product types without sacrificing formulation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by carefully controlling key formulation parameters including water content (10-67.5%), emulsifier concentrations, and oil phase composition. By adjusting these parameters within specific ranges, the emulsion achieves both manufacturing simplicity and enhanced stability across various cosmetic applications.
2Ease of manufacture
If a common base emulsion formulation is used to create various cosmetic products, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but product stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a cost-effective universal base emulsion that reduces the need for multiple separate formulations, thereby lowering manufacturing costs. The formulation achieves this economic benefit while maintaining stability through optimized composition including specific emulsifier systems and phase ratios that ensure consistent performance across different cosmetic product types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes formulation parameters such as water content (10-67.5%), emulsifier concentrations, and phase ratios to achieve a balance between cost reduction and stability maintenance. These parameter adjustments enable a single base formulation to replace multiple specialized formulations without compromising product quality.
3Ease of operation
If water content is reduced to improve sprayability and anhydrous stability, then sprayability is improved, but emulsion stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes water content within a specific range (10-67.5%) to achieve both sprayability and stability. By controlling water content and adjusting emulsifier concentrations accordingly, the formulation maintains adequate fluidity for spraying while preventing phase separation and maintaining emulsion stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different composition strategies to different phases of the emulsion. The oil phase contains specific concentrations of emulsifiers and active ingredients optimized for stability, while the water phase content is controlled to enable sprayability. This localized optimization of different phases resolves the contradiction between sprayability and stability.
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
This solution simplifies the manufacturing supply chain, reduces costs, and enables the creation of diverse cosmetic formulations with enhanced stability and sprayability, reducing the need for minor ingredient changes and improving product innovation.
Implementation Method 1
The stable, largely anhydrous emulsion is a water-in-oil emulsion
Implementation Method 2
The oil phase can include: (a) stearalkonium hectorite; and (b) a silicone alkyl polyether
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-functional base emulsions that can be used to form a variety of cosmetic compositions are disclosed. In one aspect, a cosmetic emulsion can include a water phase including about 10% to about 67.5% water by total weight of the cosmetic emulsion. The cosmetic emulsion can also include an oil phase that includes (a) stearalkonium hectorite, and (b) a silicone alkyl polyether selected from the group consisting of: PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone, PEG/PPG-20/15 dimethicone, and Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone.