Self-Emulsifying Wax Composition for Stable Cosmetic Emulsions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil-in-water emulsions and water gels often require ionic surfactants, acrylate polymers, or ethoxylated/propoxylated products, which can cause skin irritation and are not environmentally friendly, necessitating a need for stable emulsions and gels without these components.
Innovation Solution
A wax comprising a polyglyceryl fatty acid ester, a glycerol fatty acid ester, and a fatty alcohol, which exhibits self-emulsifying properties and forms stable oil-in-water emulsions and water gels without additional emulsifiers, surfactants, or gelling agents, maintaining stability for extended periods at elevated temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ionic surfactants are used to stabilize O/W emulsions, then emulsion stability is improved, but skin sensitization and irritation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the emulsion system by replacing ionic surfactants with a specific combination of non-ionic ingredients: polyglyceryl fatty acid ester (emulsifier), glycerol fatty acid ester (co-emulsifier), and fatty alcohol (stabilizer). This parameter change maintains emulsion stability while eliminating skin irritation caused by ionic surfactants
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite emulsion system composed of multiple non-ionic ingredients working synergistically. The polyglyceryl fatty acid ester, glycerol fatty acid ester, and fatty alcohol form a composite material that provides stable emulsion without the harmful effects of ionic surfactants
2Reliability
If acrylate polymers are used to create water gels, then gel stability and sensorial properties are improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces synthetic acrylate polymers with natural-derived ingredients (polyglyceryl and glycerol esters from vegetable oils). This parameter change in ingredient origin and composition maintains gel stability while improving environmental compatibility and biodegradability
3Reliability
If ethoxylated/propoxylated products are used as emulsifiers, then emulsion stability is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces ethoxylated/propoxylated petroleum-derived emulsifiers with ester-based emulsifiers from vegetable oils. This parameter change in chemical composition and origin maintains emulsion stability while eliminating the environmental persistence and toxicity associated with ethoxylated/propoxylated products
4Reliability
If multiple additional substances are added to achieve stable emulsions, then emulsion stability is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of emulsifier, co-emulsifier, and stabilizer into a single integrated wax composition. The polyglyceryl fatty acid ester, glycerol fatty acid ester, and fatty alcohol work together as a unified system, eliminating the need for multiple separate additives and simplifying the formulation
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 wax enables the creation of stable oil-in-water emulsions and water gels that are free from irritating components, providing long-lasting skin hydration and barrier function support without skin irritation, while being environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a wax having O/W self-emulsifying properties, due to synergic action between its principal components
Implementation Method 2
water gel-forming properties
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to waxes useful for cosmetic applications having stable oil-in-water emulsion-forming properties and, in some embodiments, stable gel-in-water-forming properties. In some embodiments, the waxes exhibit self-emulsifying properties, and can be produced without the addition of any other substances to achieve the emulsion (e.g., co-emulsifiers, hydrophilic polymers, polar surfactants, rheological modifiers, gelling agents). The waxes generally comprise: (a) polyglyceryl fatty acid ester, (b) a glycerol fatty acid ester, and (c) a fatty alcohol. In particular embodiments, the polyglyceryl fatty acid ester can be a polyglyceryl-2, -3, or -4 fatty acid ester, and the fatty chain lengths of (a)-(c) can range from C12 to C22. In more particular embodiments, the waxes can comprise polyglyceryl stearate, glyceryl stearate, and stearyl alcohol. Gels, oil-in-water emulsions, and other compositions produced from the waxes, as well as uses and methods relating thereto are also disclosed.