Synthetic Red Colorant Composition for Cosmetic Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing red colorants in cosmetic compositions, such as cochineal red, are not well-received by consumers due to their insect-derived origin, and there is a need for a stable alternative that mimics the color of cochineal red without using dried insects.
Innovation Solution
A red colorant composition comprising salts of sulfonatophenylazo naphthoate and phenylazo naphthalenedisulfonate, in specific weight ratios, which is stable for at least one week at 45°C, even in the presence of actives commonly used in cosmetic compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cochineal red is used as a red colorant in cosmetic compositions, then the desired red color is achieved, but consumers reject the product due to its insect-derived origin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a synthetic copy of cochineal red color by combining two azo dyes (Red 7 and Red 33) that replicate the characteristic red hue of insect-derived carmine. This copying approach allows the product to achieve the desired color effect without using actual insect products, thereby resolving the consumer rejection issue while maintaining the aesthetic function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the colorant system by transitioning from a natural insect-derived pigment to a synthetic combination of azo dyes. Specifically, it uses a weight ratio of 4:1 to 10:1 of Red 7 to Red 33 to achieve the target color profile, representing a fundamental parameter change in composition that eliminates animal products while preserving visual properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If alternative synthetic red colorants are used to replace cochineal red, then consumer acceptance improves, but color stability in the presence of cosmetic actives deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite colorant system combining two different azo dyes (Red 7 and Red 33) in specific proportions. This composite approach creates synergistic stability where the combination of dyes resists degradation from cosmetic actives better than either dye alone, while maintaining the desired red color profile and consumer acceptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratio parameter between the two dyes (Red 7 to Red 33 in a 4:1 to 10:1 weight ratio) to achieve both color accuracy and enhanced stability. This parameter optimization ensures the colorant composition remains stable in the presence of various cosmetic actives while maintaining consumer acceptance.
3Device complexity
If a single red dye is used to replace cochineal red, then the formulation is simple, but the color accuracy and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single-colorant approach into two distinct dye components (Red 7 and Red 33), each contributing different aspects of the red color spectrum. This segmentation allows for finer tuning of the overall color accuracy and stability, achieving a more precise match to cochineal red than a single dye could provide, while keeping the formulation relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Colorant Compositions free of cochineal red are described. The colorant compositions mimic the color of cochineal red and they are stable in the pressure of active materials typically found in cosmetic compositions.