Small Molecule Thickener for Non-Sticky Cosmetics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thickeners used in topical medications, such as those containing polymers like proteins and polysaccharides, often cause stickiness and impair the application feel, especially after drying, and existing low-molecular-weight alternatives have not effectively addressed this issue.
Innovation Solution
A thickener comprising a phospholipid, a biosurfactant, and a 1,2-diol compound, specifically designed to increase viscosity without using a polymer thickener, with a biosurfactant like surfactin and a 1,2-diol compound represented by the formula HO—CH2—CH(OH)—R1, where R1 is a hydrocarbon group of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, and a polyol with 3 or more hydroxy groups, to achieve a viscosity of 30 mPa·s to 600 Pa·s, while maintaining a polymer thickener content below 1.0 mass %.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a polymer thickener is used to increase viscosity, then the viscosity increases, but stickiness increases and use feeling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the thickener from high (polymer) to low (small molecule), specifically using compounds with molecular weights of 100-5000. This parameter change maintains the thickening function while eliminating the stickiness problem associated with polymer thickeners
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces durable polymer thickeners with small molecule compounds that achieve thickening through specific molecular interactions rather than long-chain entanglement. These small molecules provide temporary thickening effect without the persistent stickiness of polymers, effectively using shorter-lived molecular interactions to solve the problem
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a low molecular thickener is used to suppress stickiness, then stickiness decreases, but sufficient thickening action is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite thickening system by combining small molecule compounds (molecular weight 100-5000) with specific functional groups. This composite approach allows the small molecules to work synergistically to achieve sufficient thickening action while maintaining low stickiness, overcoming the limitation of individual small molecule thickeners
3Force
If polymer thickeners are used in topical medications, then viscosity increases for easier application, but the adhered syrup feeling impairs use feeling after drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter from polymer range to small molecule range (100-5000), which fundamentally alters the drying behavior. Small molecules evaporate or integrate differently than polymers, eliminating the adhered syrup feeling while maintaining adequate viscosity for easy application during use
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 solution effectively increases the viscosity of compositions applied to the skin without causing stickiness, providing a better application feel and is suitable for use in cosmetics and topical medications by suppressing stickiness and maintaining a non-sticky texture even after drying.
Implementation Method 1
A thickener comprising a phospholipid, a biosurfactant, and a 1,2-diol compound... to increase the viscosity of a composition
Data Source
AI summary
The objective of the present invention is to provide a thickener that can increase the viscosity of a composition with suppressing stickiness and maintaining use feeling in the case of applying the composition on the skin or the like, since the thickener does not contain a polymer thickener or the content amount of a polymer thickener is small. The thickener according to the present invention is characterized in comprising a phospholipid, a biosurfactant, and a 1,2-diol compound represented by the following formula (I):HO—CH2—CH(OH)—R1 (I)wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 5 or more and 12 or less.