Transparent Microemulsion Composition for Cosmetics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bicontinuous microemulsion compositions require high amounts of surfactants, leading to stickiness and limited silicone options, and existing methods for using organopolysiloxanes with reactive functional groups result in cloudy appearances, lacking transparent or translucent microemulsions.

Innovation Solution

A microemulsion composition incorporating an anionic surfactant, organopolysiloxanes with hydrosilyl and olefinic unsaturated groups, a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol, and water, which remains transparent or translucent after addition-curing with a hydrosilylation catalyst, reducing stickiness and maintaining transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large amount of surfactant is used in bicontinuous microemulsion composition, then emulsification performance is improved, but stickiness and oily feeling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsification performanceVSAvoidstickiness and oily feeling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the silicone oil from conventional types to organopolysiloxanes with reactive functional groups (hydrosilyl groups or olefinic unsaturated groups). This structural parameter change enables the oil phase to participate in addition-curing reactions, forming a crosslinked network that reduces the oily feeling and stickiness while maintaining emulsification performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system by combining the microemulsion composition with reactive functional groups that undergo addition-curing reactions. The resulting cured product forms a composite structure where the crosslinked network integrates the surfactant and oil phase components, eliminating the separate oily phase that causes stickiness while preserving the emulsified state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If conventional silicone oil is used for the oil phase, then feeling is improved, but the type of surfactant becomes limited and stickiness remains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeling on useVSAvoidsurfactant selection range

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the functional group parameters of the silicone oil from inert conventional types to reactive types containing hydrosilyl groups or olefinic unsaturated groups. This parameter change expands surfactant compatibility because the reactive groups enable crosslinking with various surfactants through addition-curing reactions, thereby increasing surfactant selection range while improving feeling on use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If organopolysiloxane with reactive functional groups is used, then addition-curing is enabled, but transparent appearance may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring capabilityVSAvoidtransparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the concentration parameters of the organopolysiloxane with reactive functional groups within specific ranges (0.01-10% by mass). This concentration control ensures that the addition-curing reaction proceeds sufficiently to provide curing capability while maintaining the transparent appearance by preventing excessive crosslinking that would cause clouding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by using a limited amount of reactive organopolysiloxane that provides sufficient curing capability without excessive crosslinking. The controlled partial reaction maintains transparency while achieving the desired curing effect, avoiding the cloudy appearance that results from complete or excessive crosslinking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 solution provides a transparent or translucent microemulsion addition-cured composition with reduced stickiness, improved feel, and enhanced stability, suitable for cosmetics, while maintaining transparency and smooth spreadability.

Implementation Method 1

Transparent or translucent microemulsions containing a surfactant, an aqueous phase, and an oil phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

by addition of a hydrosilylation catalyst, an addition-curing reaction without losing a transparent appearance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrosilylation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3900700B1Microemulsion composition, cured product thereof, and cosmetic material containing same

Publication Date: 2023.09.13 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention is a microemulsion composition containing: (A) an anionic surfactant; (B) an organopolysiloxane having at least two hydrosilyl groups in one molecule thereof shown in the following formula (I); (C) an organopolysiloxane having at least two olefinic unsaturated groups in one molecule thereof shown in the following formula (II); (D) a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol; and (E) water, where the microemulsion composition has a transparent or translucent appearance at 25°C. This provides a microemulsion composition having a transparent or translucent appearance when an organopolysiloxane having reactive functional groups such as hydrosilyl groups and olefinic unsaturated groups is used for an oil phase.