Sulfate-Free Surfactant Composition Foaming and Thickening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sulfate-free personal care compositions foam poorly, may contain irritating surfactants, and are difficult to thicken without polyacrylate rheology modifiers, lacking the foaming and thickening properties of sulfate-containing formulations.
Innovation Solution
A sulfate-free personal care composition is developed using a combination of zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants, alkanoyl glycinate, and non-ionic surfactants, with a specific weight ratio, that foams well and is clear, thickened without polyacrylates, and contains a surfactant component comprising greater than 10% by weight, enhancing its performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sulfate-containing surfactants (SLS, SLES) are used, then good foaming properties and easy thickening are achieved, but negative effects on skin and body occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using sulfate-free surfactant systems (amino acid-based surfactants like sodium cocoyl glycinate combined with zwitterionic surfactants) instead of traditional sulfate-containing surfactants. This parameter change maintains skin compatibility while achieving adequate foaming through optimized surfactant combinations and ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite surfactant systems combining multiple sulfate-free surfactant types (amino acid-based anionic surfactants with zwitterionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants) to achieve synergistic effects that provide both good foaming properties and skin mildness, eliminating the need for sulfate-containing ingredients.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sulfate-free formulations are used, then skin mildness is improved, but poor foaming and opacity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratios and molecular structures of sulfate-free surfactants to enhance foaming performance. Specifically, it uses amino acid-based surfactants with optimized hydrophobic chain lengths and combines them with zwitterionic surfactants in specific ratios to achieve rich foam generation while maintaining skin mildness and formulation clarity.
3Ease of manufacture
If polyacrylate rheology modifiers are used for thickening, then adequate viscosity is achieved, but formulation complexity and potential skin sensitivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates polyacrylate rheology modifiers from the formulation by using alternative thickening mechanisms based on surfactant self-assembly and micelle formation. The thickening is achieved through the inherent viscosifying properties of the sulfate-free surfactant system itself, particularly through the interaction between amino acid-based and zwitterionic surfactants, removing the need for separate polyacrylate additives.
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 improved foaming and clarity while being mild and thickened effectively without polyacrylates, addressing the limitations of conventional sulfate-free formulations.
Implementation Method 1
comprised of water, (A) at least one of a zwitterionic surfactant or an amphoteric surfactant, (B) at least one alkanoyl glycinate
Implementation Method 2
The composition is thickened without the use of polyacrylates. the w/w ratio A/B is comprised between about 2 and 6
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An aqueous sulfate-free surfactant composition that includes: (1 ) a surfactant component including: (A) at least one of a zwitterionic surfactant or an amphoteric surfactant; (B) at least one alkanoyi glycinate; and (C) at least one of a non-ionic surfactant or an acid; and (2) water, wherein the w/w ratio A/B is comprised between about 2 and 6.