Unmodified Clay Cosmetic Composition Stabilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a challenge in developing natural cosmetic products that are stable, have low environmental impact, and offer sensory performance qualities equivalent to conventional products, particularly in terms of freshness, deodorancy, and texture, while avoiding the use of synthetic ingredients like high-performance nonsoaping emulsifiers and silicones.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising unmodified trioctahedral smectites, magnesium salts, antisyneresis agents such as propylene glycol, and water, which prevents syneresis and provides a stable, non-tacky, and deodorant performance with a pH that does not require preservatives, enhancing the cosmetic and sensory qualities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If natural clays such as hectorites are used to texturize water, then the cosmetic performance and sensory qualities are improved, but the stability over time deteriorates due to syneresis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensory performance qualitiesVSAvoidstability over time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Magnesium salts are introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between the natural clay and water components. The magnesium ions interact with the clay structure to prevent syneresis while preserving the texturizing and sensory benefits, effectively acting as a stabilizing mediator in the formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the system by adding magnesium salts, which alter the ionic environment and prevent the syneresis phenomenon. This parameter change (adding Mg2+ ions) stabilizes the clay-water system without compromising its sensory performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional synthetic ingredients are used to achieve stable and high-performance cosmetic products, then the stability and performance are improved, but the environmental impact worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates harmful synthetic ingredients (nonsoaping emulsifiers, crosslinked polymers, silicones) from the formulation while retaining the essential functional components. By taking out these problematic substances and replacing them with natural alternatives enhanced by magnesium salts, the product achieves both stability and environmental compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation changes the compositional parameters by substituting synthetic chemicals with natural ingredients and magnesium-based compounds. This parameter change in chemical composition maintains product stability while reducing environmental harm, aligning with green chemistry principles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If magnesium salts are used in cosmetic compositions, then the deodorant effect and mattness are improved, but the formulation complexity increases when combining with unmodified clays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeodorant effectVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functional components (unmodified clay for texturizing, magnesium salts for deodorancy and mattness, and antisyneresis agents) into a single integrated formulation. This combination approach consolidates multiple benefits into one product system, managing complexity through synergistic ingredient selection rather than separate products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnesium salt component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents syneresis of the clay, provides deodorant effect, contributes to mattness, and enhances overall formulation stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate ingredients, thereby managing formulation complexity while achieving diverse performance goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 is stable, pleasant on application, non-tacky, and offers high-level deodorant and matting performance, maintaining these qualities even under extreme conditions, such as in a steam room, while being environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

natural clays, such as natural hectorites, which can texturize water by virtue of their specific structure comprising interfoliar cations which can be hydrated, in order to form aqueous gels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydration: Mineral Hydration

Implementation Method 2

an antisyneresis agent chosen from polyols, natural polymers, organic or nonorganic fillers, crystallizable fatty substances and their mixtures, and water, and to the use of said composition in the field, in particular cosmetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSyneresis prevention:

Data Source

PatentUS20240041718A1Composition comprising an unmodified clay, a magnesium salt, an antisyneresis agent and water
Publication Date: 2024.02.08 LOREAL SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition, preferably a cosmetic composition, comprising at least: an unmodified clay chosen from trioctahedral smectites, a magnesium salt chosen from magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and their mixtures, an antisyneresis agent chosen from propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, natural polymers and their mixtures, and water. It is additionally targeted at a cosmetic method comprising at least one stage which consists in applying such a composition to the skin and/or head hair.