Surfactant-Free W/S Cosmetic Composition Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water-in-silicone oil (W/S) cosmetic compositions face challenges in maintaining stability over time, especially under severe conditions, due to the instability of vitamin C or its derivatives, and skin irritation caused by surfactants, which limits their commercialization and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A surfactant-free cosmetic composition is developed, incorporating a specific ratio of emollients with a pyrrolidone carboxylic acid group, oil-absorbing powders, and silicone oils to stabilize the aqueous phase, along with vitamin C or its derivatives, without using surfactants, thereby enhancing long-term stability and preventing oxidation-induced degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If surfactants are used to stabilize the aqueous phase in water-in-silicone oil formulations, then formulation stability is improved, but skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes surfactants from the formulation entirely and replaces them with alternative stabilizing components. Specifically, it uses a combination of oil-absorbing powders (1-10 parts by weight) and emollients (11-30 parts by weight) to stabilize the aqueous phase without requiring surfactants, thereby eliminating skin irritation while maintaining formulation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing specific oil-absorbing powders and emollients with defined weight ratios. The oil-absorbing powder has a specific surface area of 5-50 m²/g and the emollient has a specific viscosity range, these parameter changes enable stable formulation without surfactants.
2Reliability
If high content of vitamin C or vitamin C derivatives is incorporated to enhance cosmetic efficacy, then antioxidant and whitening effects are improved, but decomposition by oxidation occurs leading to loss of activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a protective environment for vitamin C by incorporating oil-absorbing powders that absorb excess oil and create a barrier against oxidation. The powders with specific surface area (5-50 m²/g) and controlled oil absorption capacity (0.5-2.0 mL/g) provide an inert-like environment that prevents oxidative decomposition while maintaining vitamin C's cosmetic efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces emollients as intermediary substances that protect vitamin C from direct contact with oxidizing agents. The emollients (11-30 parts by weight) with specific viscosity and chemical structure act as mediators between the aqueous phase containing vitamin C and the external environment, preventing oxidation while allowing vitamin C to maintain its antioxidant and whitening effects.
3Quantity of substance
If large amount of water-soluble ingredients are incorporated to achieve high internal-phase formulation, then moisture sensation is improved, but formulation stability under severe conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite stabilization system combining oil-absorbing powders and emollients in specific ratios. The oil-absorbing powder (1-10 parts by weight, surface area 5-50 m²/g) provides structural support and oil absorption, while the emollient (11-30 parts by weight, viscosity 10-1000 cSt) provides flexibility and stability. This composite approach enables high aqueous phase content (70-90% by weight) while maintaining stability under severe conditions including temperature variations and prolonged storage.
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 maintains a stable water-in-silicone oil formulation, prevents skin irritation, and ensures the longevity of vitamin C activity even at high and low temperatures, providing superior moisture sensation and prolonged shelf life.
Implementation Method 1
a water in silicone oil (W/S) formulation comprising a silicone oil phase portion and an aqueous phase portion
Implementation Method 2
oil-absorbing powder
Implementation Method 3
decomposition by the oxidation of the vitamin C or vitamin C derivatives
Data Source
AI summary
A surfactant-free cosmetic composition is disclosed. The composition is a stable water in silicone oil (W/S) formulation containing a silicone oil phase portion and an aqueous phase portion, wherein the silicone oil phase portion contains an emollient having a pyrrolidone carboxylic acid group, oil-absorbing powder and silicone oil, and the aqueous phase portion contains 50 wt.% or more of water based on the total weight of the surfactant-free cosmetic composition. The composition may further contain a high content of vitamin C or a vitamin C derivative and has improved long term storage stability.