PEG-50 Shea Butter Formulation for Hydration Without Greasy Feel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic products fail to effectively address skin issues such as dryness, wrinkles, and uneven tone while causing irritation and having inefficient delivery of skin benefits.

Innovation Solution

A combination of ingredients including Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), PEG-50 shea butter, glycerin, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, acrylates copolymer, sodium lauryl sulfate, lauramidopropyl betaine, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, and polyquaternium-7 is used in various cosmetic formulations to promote moisturization, smooth skin, and cleanse skin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional moisturizers are used to increase skin hydration, then skin moisture content is improved, but tactile properties become heavy and greasy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin hydrationVSAvoidtactile properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating PEG-50 shea butter (a water-soluble derivative of shea butter) alongside traditional moisturizing ingredients. This parameter change allows the formulation to achieve high skin hydration while maintaining a non-greasy, lightweight tactile feel, as the PEG-50 shea butter provides moisturization through a different mechanism that does not leave heavy residues on the skin surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite moisturizer formulation combining multiple ingredients including PEG-50 shea butter, shea butter, glycerin, and various oils. This composite approach allows the synergistic interaction of different materials to achieve both effective moisturization and pleasant tactile properties, where each component contributes specific functions that together resolve the contradiction between hydration and texture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If known skin active ingredients are used to improve skin appearance, then visual appearance is improved, but skin irritation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin benefitsVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses PEG-50 shea butter as an intermediary carrier that delivers skin benefits while minimizing irritation. This intermediary substance facilitates the delivery of active ingredients to the skin while providing a soothing, non-irritating base that protects the skin barrier, thereby reducing harmful effects while maintaining beneficial outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the formulation by incorporating PEG-50 shea butter, which changes the overall safety profile and skin compatibility of the product. This parameter change allows for effective skin treatment while reducing irritation through the gentle, skin-compatible properties of the PEG-50 shea butter component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If conventional moisturizer formulations are used, then skin moisturization is achieved, but delivery efficiency of skin benefits is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisturization capabilityVSAvoiddelivery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the formulation parameters by incorporating PEG-50 shea butter, which improves the delivery efficiency of skin benefits through enhanced penetration and absorption mechanisms. This parameter change allows the moisturizer to not only provide hydration but also effectively deliver active ingredients to the skin's deeper layers, thereby improving productivity while maintaining moisturization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 formulations provide effective moisturization, skin renewal, and cleansing without irritation, with improved tactile properties and stability, enhancing skin hydration for up to 24 hours.

Implementation Method 1

The solution resides in a combination of ingredients that can be used to create formulas ranging from emulsion lotions, emulsion creams, body scrub or exfoliating formulations, and body wash or cleansing formulas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS12605328B2Cosmetic compositions and methods
Publication Date: 2026.04.21 MARY KAY INC

AI summary

The present invention relates generally to methods of use and compositions useful for treating skin. The composition includes a combination of one or more of Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), PEG-50 shea butter, glycerin, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, acrylates copolymer, sodium lauryl sulfate, lauramidopropyl betaine, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, glycerin, and polyquaternium-7.