Sulfate-Free Cleansing Composition for Low-Preservative Microbial Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a sulfate-free personal cleansing composition that provides effective microbial preservation while addressing consumer demand for reduced preservatives, balancing microbial inhibition with consumer safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A personal cleansing composition comprising 6% to 50% sulfate-free surfactants, 0.5% to 20% lauramidopropyl betaine, 0.05% to 10% cationic polymer, 0.1% to 2% stabilizing polymer, and 0.05% to 3% preservative, with a pH of 5 to 7, to achieve microbial robustness and consumer-friendly preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high levels of preservatives are used to inhibit microbial growth and maintain product quality, then microbial inhibition is improved, but consumer concerns about preservative exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite preservative system combining multiple ingredients (phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, and benzyl alcohol) at low individual concentrations (0.05%-2% total) to achieve effective microbial inhibition while minimizing preservative exposure concerns. This composite approach allows synergistic preservation action at reduced overall preservative levels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sulfate-free surfactants are used to meet consumer preferences, then consumer acceptance is improved, but microbial robustness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation combines sulfate-free surfactants (such as sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate) with a composite preservative system and cationic polymers to achieve both consumer acceptance and microbial robustness. The synergistic interaction between these components compensates for the reduced microbial resistance typically associated with sulfate-free formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
Cationic polymers (0.05%-3%) act as intermediary components that enhance the overall stability and microbial resistance of the sulfate-free formulation, bridging the gap between consumer-friendly surfactant selection and adequate preservation performance.
3Reliability
If multiple preservatives are used to ensure effective preservation, then preservation efficacy is improved, but the number of preservatives increases contrary to consumer preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The preservative function is segmented across multiple ingredients (phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, benzyl alcohol) each at low concentrations, with the primary preservative (phenoxyethanol) at 0.05%-1% and supporting preservatives at 0.01%-0.5% each. This segmentation achieves effective preservation while keeping individual and total preservative levels low.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a personal cleansing composition comprising from about 6% to about 50% of one or more sulfate free surfactants; from about 0.5% to 20% of lauramidopropyl betaine; from about 0.1% to about 10% of zinc pyrithione; from about 0.05% to about 3% of a cationic polymer; from about 0.05% to 10% of a stabilizing polymer from about 0.1% to about 2% of a preservative and having a pH of from about 5 to about 7.