Metal-Free Antiperspirant Composition Using Sorbitan Esters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antiperspirant compositions relying on aluminium and zirconium salts face the need for alternative actives that are equally effective, as they require development to address increasing user demands for efficacy and potentially harmful metal-based ingredients.

Innovation Solution

A composition combining hydrophobic sorbitan esters with HLB values between 1 and 7, hydrophilic sorbitan esters with HLB values between 7 and 20, and specific organic compounds like C7-C24 fatty acids or alcohols, which forms aggregation/agglomeration upon contact with aqueous saline media, effectively reducing sweat release without using aluminium or zirconium-based actives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antiperspirant actives (aluminium and zirconium salts) are used, then effective sweat reduction is achieved, but harmful metal-based ingredients are introduced into the composition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantiperspirant efficacyVSAvoidmetal-based ingredients
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by replacing metal-based salts with organic compounds (sorbitan esters with specific HLB values, fatty acids, and fatty alcohols). This substitution maintains the antiperspirant function while eliminating harmful metal ingredients, directly resolving the contradiction between efficacy and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses biodegradable organic compounds (sorbitan esters, fatty acids, fatty alcohols) that are naturally breakable and environmentally friendly, replacing persistent metal-based actives. These organic alternatives provide temporary but effective antiperspirant action without long-term harmful accumulation

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

2Ease of operation

If high water content is used in the composition, then ease of application is improved, but stability of the composition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication easeVSAvoidcomposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite emulsion system combining hydrophobic sorbitan esters (HLB 1-7) with hydrophilic sorbitan esters (HLB 7-20) and fatty acids/alcohols. This composite structure provides both water compatibility for easy application and internal stability through the balanced amphiphilic composition, resolving the contradiction between application ease and stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The sorbitan esters act as intermediary emulsifiers with specific HLB values that bridge the hydrophobic fatty acids/alcohols and the aqueous phase. This intermediary role allows the composition to maintain stability while remaining water-based enough for easy application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If alternative organic compounds are used instead of metal salts, then harmful factors are reduced, but antiperspirant efficacy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal-based ingredientsVSAvoidantiperspirant efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes specific parameters of the organic compounds: selecting sorbitan esters with HLB values between 1-20, fatty acids with 7-24 carbon atoms, and fatty alcohols with 7-24 carbon atoms. These parameter specifications ensure the organic compounds achieve adequate antiperspirant efficacy while remaining free from harmful metals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite system of multiple organic compounds working synergistically: hydrophobic sorbitan esters (HLB 1-7) for oil-phase stability, hydrophilic sorbitan esters (HLB 7-20) for water-phase compatibility, fatty acids for active function, and fatty alcohols for structure. This composite approach achieves metal-free antiperspirant efficacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Stability of the object's composition

If low water content is used in the composition, then composition stability is improved, but ease of application deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition stabilityVSAvoidapplication ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates a low-water stable emulsion using composite organic materials: hydrophobic sorbitan esters, hydrophilic sorbitan esters, fatty acids, and fatty alcohols. This composite system maintains composition stability with reduced water content while the hydrophilic components ensure adequate spreadability and application ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 is stable with low water content and forms effective aggregation/agglomeration when exposed to perspiration, providing antiperspirant benefits similar to conventional products while being free from metal-based actives, thus addressing the need for alternative and effective antiperspirant solutions.

Implementation Method 1

such combination is capable of forming aggregation/agglomeration when they contact with aqueous saline media, which is equivalent to perspiration or sweat, thereby is capable of preventing sweat from rapidly being released

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAggregation/Agglomeration:

Implementation Method 2

the combination of certain amount of hydrophobic sorbitan ester having HLB value between 1 and 7.0, and hydrophilic sorbitan ester having HLB value between 7.0 and 20

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP4329892B1An antiperspirant composition comprising sorbitan ester
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 UNILEVER IP HLDG BV

AI summary

The present invention is in the field of antiperspirant compositions, in particular,compositions comprising antiperspirant actives. Disclosed is an antiperspirant composition comprising (i) at least one hydrophobic sorbitan ester having HLB value between 1 and 7.0; (ii) at least one hydrophilic sorbitan ester having HLB value between 7.0 and 20; (iii) at least one organic compound selected from C7-C24 fatty acid, or C7-C24 fatty alcohol; and (iv) a cosmetically acceptable carrier; wherein said composition comprises less than 50% of water; wherein said composition comprises at least 2% said hydrophobic sorbitan ester by weight of the composition; wherein the weight ratio of organic compound to the combination of the hydrophobic sorbitan ester and the hydrophilic sorbitan ester is from 1:10 to 5:1; wherein the composition is free from antiperspirant active which comprises aluminium or zirconium. Also disclosed is a method of reducing perspiration comprising a step of topical application of the antiperspirant composition.