Structured Cleansing Composition for Perfume Retention Without Ethoxylates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personal cleansing compositions using ethoxylated surfactants face issues with unwanted impurities like 1,4-dioxane, and there is a need for formulations that provide scent during and after cleansing without ethoxylated surfactants, while maintaining stability and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A personal cleansing composition comprising a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants, a hydric solvent, and a specific ratio of surfactant to hydric solvent, which forms a structured lamellar phase, enabling a stable gel and microemulsion phase, enhancing perfume delivery and lather stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ethoxylated surfactants are used in personal cleansing compositions, then solubility, mildness to skin, and lather quality are improved, but unwanted impurities like 1,4-dioxane are generated requiring additional treatment processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolubility and mildnessVSAvoid1,4-dioxane impurity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes ethoxylated surfactants from the formulation entirely, extracting the source of the harmful 1,4-dioxane impurity while maintaining the desired cleansing performance through alternative non-ethoxylated surfactant combinations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the problem of impurity generation into a benefit by using sulfation processes that inherently avoid 1,4-dioxane formation, achieving both clean formulation and effective cleansing without requiring additional vacuum stripping treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If perfume is added to cleansing compositions to provide scent during and after cleansing, then consumer satisfaction is improved, but perfume is wasted and expensive when not properly retained on skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescent deliveryVSAvoidperfume waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant formulation to create a structured lamellar phase that enhances perfume retention, allowing perfume to be effectively delivered to and retained on the skin rather than washed away

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system combining specific surfactants, cosurfactants, and hydric solvents in defined ratios to form a stable microemulsion phase that carries and retains perfume molecules on the skin surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If the composition is made to form a structured lamellar phase for stability and perfume delivery, then lather stability and gel structure are improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamellar phase stabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes specific parameters including surfactant to hydric solvent ratio (greater than 2.7), surfactant composition ratios, and temperature conditions to achieve the structured lamellar phase without requiring complex additional agents or multi-step processes

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 delivers enhanced perfume perception, bloom, and retention on the skin, along with improved lather stability and ease of use, without the need for ethoxylated surfactants.

Implementation Method 1

Personal cleansing compositions comprising sodium trideceth-2 sulfate and a hydric solvent were explored to provide microemulsion phases to deliver fragrance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicelle formation: Microemulsion

Implementation Method 2

The composition is structured, and preferably at least a portion of the composition may be in a lamellar phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLamellar phase formation: Lamella

Data Source

PatentEP4543394B1Personal cleansing compositions, methods and uses
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP4543394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4543394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4543394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described herein, personal cleansing compositions, methods and uses. Personal cleansing compositions can include a surfactant, a perfume, a hydric solvent, and water, wherein the composition is structured.