Solid Cosmetic Composition Using Natural Surfactants for Gentle Lathering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid cosmetic compositions are harsh on the skin, not suitable for sensitive skin, and contain non-natural surfactants that are not COSMOS-approved, while lacking good lathering properties and being difficult to use due to hardness or stickiness.

Innovation Solution

A solid cosmetic composition using a mixture of natural surfactants, including acyl glutamic acids, alkyl glucosides, and acyl lactylic acids, with a physiological pH, devoid of isethionate and sulfosuccinate groups, and minimal water content, ensuring good lathering and gentle skin compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional soaps are used for solid cosmetic compositions, then good cleansing properties are achieved, but the pH is too high (greater than 10) making them harsh on sensitive skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleansing propertiesVSAvoidharshness on sensitive skin
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter from high (conventional soaps >10) to physiological pH (5-7) by using acidified lipid extracts instead of traditional saponification processes, thereby maintaining cleansing properties while reducing harshness on sensitive skin

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses readily available natural materials (plant oils, lipids) that can be extracted and acidified in simple processes, replacing complex synthetic surfactant systems with simpler, more accessible natural alternatives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If syndets with isethionate or sulfosuccinate groups are used, then good lathering properties are achieved, but the ingredients are not natural and not COSMOS-approved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelathering propertiesVSAvoidnatural origin and COSMOS approval
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes the natural lathering components already present in plant oils and lipids through acidification, eliminating the need for synthetic isethionate or sulfosuccinate surfactants while maintaining effective lathering properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surfactant system by combining acidified lipid extracts with natural co-surfactants and stabilizers, achieving synergistic lathering effects that match or exceed synthetic alternatives while maintaining natural origin

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If natural surfactants like sodium cocoyl glutamate and arachidyl glucoside are used without isethionate or sulfosuccinate, then natural origin is maintained, but the composition becomes very hard and sticky making it difficult to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenatural originVSAvoidusability (hardness and stickiness)
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different functional components to different aspects of the formulation: acidified lipid extracts provide gentle cleansing, natural co-surfactants enhance lathering, and specific excipients modify texture, creating localized functional zones within the composite material that collectively solve the hardness/stickiness problem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the natural surfactant system by controlling the acidification degree, water content, and excipient ratios, thereby adjusting the hardness and stickiness parameters to achieve optimal usability while maintaining natural origin

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 composition achieves effective lathering, gentle skin tolerance, and suitable consistency, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, without crumbing or being too sticky, while maintaining a natural and environmentally friendly formulation.

Implementation Method 1

a mixture of surfactants comprising at least one anionic surfactant selected from acyl glutamic acids and their cosmetically acceptable salts, at least one non-ionic surfactant selected from alkyl glucosides in which the alkyl radical comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and at least one anionic surfactant selected from acyl lactylic acids and their cosmetically acceptable salts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS20250221908A1Novel solid cosmetic compositions for hygiene and care of the skin and hair
Publication Date: 2025.07.10 PIERRE FABRE DERMO COSMETIQUE SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a solid cosmetic composition containing: a mixture of surfactants comprising at least one anionic surfactant selected from acyl glutamic acids and their salts, at least one non-ionic surfactant selected from alkyl glucosides in which the alkyl radical comprises 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and at least one anionic surfactant selected from acyl lactylic acids and their salts, and at least one cosmetically acceptable carrier. This composition is free of surfactant containing an isethionic acid or isethionate group and of surfactant containing a sulfosuccinic acid or sulfosuccinate group. It is particularly suitable for hygiene and care of the skin and hair.