Two-Phase Cosmetic Composition with Dense Oily Phase

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-phase cosmetic compositions often have a tacky feel and are not sprayable due to the presence of polysaccharide gelling agents, and they lack stability and effective delivery of active agents, while also posing risks with alcohol-based fragrances.

Innovation Solution

A two-phase cosmetic composition with an aqueous phase comprising at least 50% of the total weight and an oily phase with a higher density, allowing for a reversible, non-greasy, and non-sticky application, free of polysaccharide gelling agents and with minimal surfactants, enabling sprayability and improved stability of active agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If polysaccharide gelling agents are used to thicken the composition, then the composition has better stability and structure, but the composition becomes tacky and non-sprayable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition stabilityVSAvoidsprayability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes polysaccharide gelling agents from the formulation entirely, extracting the problematic thickening mechanism that caused tackiness and non-sprayability. Instead, the patent uses a two-phase system with dense oily droplets dispersed in aqueous phase, achieving stability through phase separation rather than gelation, thus maintaining sprayability while providing composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the composition is made very fluid to enable sprayability, then the composition can be sprayed effectively, but the composition loses stability and cannot maintain its two-phase appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesprayabilityVSAvoidtwo-phase appearance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the density parameter of the oily phase to be higher than the aqueous phase (density ratio > 1.0), which fundamentally alters the phase behavior. This density inversion causes the oily phase to form dense droplets that settle and maintain stable two-phase appearance at rest, while the overall fluidity remains high enough for sprayability. The specific density relationship prevents emulsion formation and maintains phase separation stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If alcohol is used in fragrance formulations to achieve desired performance, then the fragrance performance is equivalent, but the composition causes intolerance, allergy, irritation, and photosensitisation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance performanceVSAvoidskin irritation and allergy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the traditionally harmful role of alcohol into a beneficial alternative by using the dense oily phase (silicone oil mixture) as the fragrance carrier. The oily phase provides excellent fragrance solubility, skin compatibility, and performance equivalent to alcohol-based formulations, while eliminating all the harmful effects of alcohol such as intolerance, allergy, irritation, and photosensitisation. The dense oily droplets act as a safe, effective vehicle for fragrance delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the oily phase density is made lower than aqueous phase (conventional arrangement), then the composition follows traditional two-phase structure, but the composition lacks novel visual appearance and has greasy feel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraditional phase arrangementVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional two-phase arrangement by making the oily phase denser than the aqueous phase, causing the oily phase to form droplets at the bottom rather than floating on top. This inversion creates a novel visual appearance with dense oily droplets settled at the bottom of the container, and eliminates the greasy feel associated with conventional oil-in-water emulsions, while maintaining clear phase separation and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 provides a novel visual appearance, enhanced sensory performance, improved stability of active agents, and alcohol-free fragrance options with equivalent performance, ensuring non-greasy application and effective skin care or fragrance delivery.

Implementation Method 1

the density of the oily phase being higher than the density of the aqueous phase at 20° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDensity difference: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 2

when the composition of the invention is shaken, the oily phase (or fatty phase) disperses in the form of droplets in the aqueous phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical mixing: Shaking

Implementation Method 3

an effect of freshness when the aqueous phase present within the composition of the invention evaporates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20240041711A1Cosmetic care or fragrance composition in two-phase form
Publication Date: 2024.02.08 LVMH RECH

AI summary

The invention relates to a two-phase cosmetic composition comprising an aqueous phase and an oily phase, the aqueous phase representing at least 50% by weight of the total weight of the composition, the oily phase comprising at least one aromatic silicone oil a) and at least one second oil different from the aromatic silicone oil a), and the density of the oily phase being higher than the density of the aqueous phase at 20° C. The invention also relates to a skin care and/or fragrance application process comprising a step of applying a cosmetic composition according to the invention preferably by spraying.