Prebiotic Cosmetic Cleansing Composition for Skin Flora Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cosmetic cleansing agents can disrupt skin flora, particularly on sensitive or acne-prone skin, by irritating and altering the balance between pathogenic and saprophytic bacteria, and often worsen skin conditions due to their alkaline pH and non-selective antibacterial properties.
Innovation Solution
A prebiotically active cosmetic composition combining spray-dried yoghurt powder and anionic surfactants or fatty acid soaps, which promotes the growth of desirable skin bacteria while inhibiting undesirable ones, maintaining skin health and complexion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cosmetic cleansing agents containing surfactants are used, then cleansing effect is achieved, but skin flora is disrupted and pathogenic bacteria growth is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus ferment, Lactococcus ferment) as intermediary substances that mediate between the cleansing agent and skin flora. These probiotics selectively inhibit pathogenic bacteria while promoting saprophytic bacteria, thus resolving the contradiction by adding a biological mediator that restores skin flora balance after cleansing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleansing composition by incorporating specific probiotic substances at controlled concentrations (0.01-10 wt%). This modifies the overall effect of the composition from merely cleansing to selectively influencing bacterial growth, thereby reducing harm to skin flora while maintaining cleansing efficacy
2Ease of operation
If soaps with alkaline pH are used, then cleansing capability is enhanced, but skin complexion worsens and skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pH parameter of the composition to be within 4-9, avoiding the highly alkaline range typical of traditional soaps. This parameter change reduces skin irritation while maintaining cleansing capability, and the probiotic components further modulate the local microenvironment to protect skin health
3Reliability
If prebiotic substances are added to promote saprophytic bacteria, then skin protection is enhanced, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses probiotic substances that perform multiple functions: they act as prebiotics to promote saprophytic bacteria, as antibacterials to inhibit pathogenic bacteria, and as skin-conditioning agents. This multi-functionality enhances skin protection without proportionally increasing composition complexity
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 selectively inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes while promoting saprophytic bacteria like S. epidermidis, providing gentle cleansing and nourishment, thereby improving skin health and reducing acne symptoms.
Implementation Method 1
spray-dried yoghurt powder and at least one anionic surfactant and/or at least one fatty acid soap, as a prebiotic for inhibiting the growth and/or the physiological activity of undesirable skin microbes and/or for preserving desirable skin bacteria
Implementation Method 2
at least one anionic surfactant and/or at least one fatty acid soap
Data Source
AI summary
A composition that includes spray-dried yoghurt powder and at least one anionic surfactant and/or at least one fatty acid soap, may be used as a prebiotic for inhibiting the growth and/or the physiological activity of undesired skin bacteria and/or for obtaining desired skin bacteria. A prebiotically effective cosmetic composition includes: a) at least one fatty acid soap in a weight proportion of between 20 and 75 wt. %, preferably between 30 and 70 wt. %, particularly preferably between 40 and 65 wt. %, and in particular between 45 and 60 wt. %; and b) spray-dried yoghurt powder in a weight proportion of between 0.01 and 10 wt. %, preferably 0.02 and 7.5 wt. %, particularly preferably between 0.03 and 5 wt. %, and in particular between 0.05 and 3 wt. %, wherein the amounts relate to the total weight of the cosmetic composition.