Transparent Conditioner Composition for Low-Foam Piroctone Deposition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transparent conditioner compositions struggle to efficiently deposit piroctone compounds onto hair and scalp while minimizing deterging during the wash process, and they often compromise on conditioning performance or produce undesirable foam.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous conditioner composition comprising a cationic conditioning polymer, an ethoxylated anionic surfactant with a high number of ethylene oxide groups, and a piroctone compound, formulated to maintain transparency and reduce foaming, with specific surfactant and solvent combinations to enhance deposition efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If piroctone compounds are added to conditioner compositions to provide antidandruff benefits, then antidandruff efficacy is improved, but the composition becomes cloudy and discoloured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the composition by introducing specific cationic polymers (polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-56) and controlling pH levels (adjusted to acidic range using citric acid or lactic acid). These parameter changes enable piroctone compounds to remain dissolved and effective while maintaining composition transparency, resolving the contradiction between antidandruff efficacy and visual clarity.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional conditioner formulations are used to achieve transparency, then visual appeal is improved, but conditioning performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material systems combining cationic polymers (polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-10, or polyquaternium-56) with anionic surfactants and piroctone compounds. This composite approach maintains transparency while delivering superior conditioning performance through the synergistic interaction of cationic polymer deposition on hair and surfactant conditioning action, overcoming the limitation of conventional transparent conditioners that rely solely on simple polymers.
3Reliability
If piroctone compounds are increased to enhance antidandruff benefit, then antidandruff efficacy is improved, but deposition efficiency onto hair and scalp deteriorates due to deterging by surfactants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cationic polymers (polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-10, or polyquaternium-56) as intermediary carriers that bind piroctone compounds and facilitate their deposition onto negatively charged hair and scalp surfaces. This intermediary mechanism protects piroctone from being washed away by surfactants, dramatically improving deposition efficiency and reducing substance loss while maintaining or lowering the required piroctone concentration.
4Reliability
If conditioner compositions contain high levels of foaming surfactants to improve cleansing, then cleansing performance is improved, but foam production increases which is strongly disliked by consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surfactant system by using mild non-foaming surfactants and carefully controlling surfactant concentration and type. Combined with pH adjustment to acidic levels and the presence of cationic polymers, these parameter changes enable effective cleansing without excessive foam generation, eliminating the harmful foam effect while preserving cleansing reliability.
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 excellent deposition efficiency of piroctone compounds with minimal foam, maintaining transparency and conditioning performance, thereby providing enhanced antidandruff benefits with lower piroctone amounts.
Implementation Method 1
comprise a cationic polymer in combination with an ethoxylated anionic surfactant... provides a dramatic increase in deposition efficiency of piroctone compounds
Implementation Method 2
an ethoxylated anionic surfactant that comprises a high number of ethylene oxide groups... displaying minimal foam
Implementation Method 3
clear, transparent compositions are often desirable visually, but difficult to formulate. Additional benefit agents, such as antidandruff agents can cause undesirable effects such as clouding and discolouration
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous conditioner composition comprising: i) 0.1 to 2 wt % of a cationic conditioning polymer: ii) 0.1 to 5 wt % of an ethoxylated anionic surfactant comprising ethylene oxide groups, with a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 15; and iii) 0.001 to 2 wt % of a piroctone compound: wherein the composition has a transparency such that the turbidity is lower than 1 cm−1, as measured using a UV/vis spectrophotometer and applying the equation Turbidity=(2.3×A/L), where A is the absorbance measured from the sample at 750 nm and L is the path length; and wherein the composition has a maximum foam height of 10 ml, as measured at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure, by diluting 1 g composition with 9 g water in a 100 ml graduated cylinder with an internal diameter of 29 mm, and recording a starting volume (V1); the cylinder then being stoppered and vigorously shaken vertically for 10 seconds, followed by resting for 60 seconds after which measuring the height of the foam to the nearest 5 ml graduation; and subtracting the starting volume (V1) from this value; and wherein the composition is free from anionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants other than those defined in ii), such that the foam height of the composition does not exceed the maximum foam height.