Water-Based Fragrance Composition Without Ethanol or Oily Residue

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The perfume industry faces challenges in replacing ethanol due to its VOC nature and negative effects on skin integrity, while alternative organic solvents result in oily skin feel and potential staining, necessitating ethanol-free fragrance compositions that maintain fragrance bloom and transparency.

Innovation Solution

A water-based fragrance composition using solubilizers like PPG-26-buteth-26, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, and trideceth-9, with fragrance ingredients having a c Log P value less than 5, achieving stability and transparency without ethanol, and optionally including preservatives and boosters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ethanol is used as a solvent in perfume, then fragrance ingredients are well dissolved and rapid evaporation with cooling sensation is achieved, but VOC emissions increase and skin integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefragrance dissolution and evaporation performanceVSAvoidVOC emissions and skin damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes ethanol entirely from the fragrance composition, extracting the harmful solvent component while retaining fragrance delivery functionality through alternative means (oil-based formulation with cyclodextrin encapsulation).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Cyclodextrin molecules serve as intermediary carriers that encapsulate fragrance ingredients, enabling controlled release without requiring ethanol as a solvent. This mediator allows fragrance dissolution and delivery while avoiding VOC emissions and skin damage associated with ethanol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If other organic solvents are used to replace ethanol, then VOC emissions are reduced, but oily skin feel and staining are created

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVOC emissionsVSAvoidoily skin feel and staining
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of solvent type from organic solvents to water-based formulation with cyclodextrin encapsulation. This parameter change eliminates oily skin feel and staining while maintaining fragrance delivery, as the cyclodextrin-fragrance complexes dissolve in water rather than leaving oily residues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation uses a composite approach combining cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with water-soluble components, creating a hybrid system that achieves fragrance delivery without the drawbacks of traditional organic solvents. The cyclodextrin acts as a molecular container that modifies the physical properties of fragrance ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-generated harmful factors

If water-based formulation is used without cyclodextrin, then VOC emissions and skin damage are reduced, but fragrance ingredient solubility and stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVOC and skin damageVSAvoidfragrance solubility and stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cyclodextrin molecules form nested structures where fragrance ingredients are encapsulated within the cyclodextrin cavity. This nesting arrangement protects fragrance molecules from degradation, enhances water solubility, and enables controlled release, solving the solubility and stability issues of water-based formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Cyclodextrin serves as an intermediary that bridges the incompatibility between water-soluble formulation and oil-soluble fragrance ingredients. The cyclodextrin cavity provides a hydrophobic environment for fragrance molecules while the exterior remains water-compatible, enabling stable aqueous formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 stable, translucent, and non-sticky skin-feel with full olfactory restitution, maintaining fragrance integrity over a wide temperature range and reducing skin irritation.

Implementation Method 1

The fragrance composition comprises at least one fragrance ingredient, at least one solubilizer, and acceptable carriers, and is substantially free of ethanol. The at least one solubilizer is selected from the group consisting of PPG-26-buteth-26, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, trideceth-9, PPG-20 methyl glucose ether, dipropylene glycol, hydrophilic polymers, and mixtures thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolubilization: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS12527733B2Fragrance compositions
Publication Date: 2026.01.20 ELC MANAGEMENT LLC

AI summary

A fragrance composition is provided. The fragrance composition comprises one or more fragrance ingredients, at least one solubilizer, and acceptable carriers, and the composition is substantially free of ethanol. The composition is a perfume, perfume water, eau de toilette, eau de cologne, eau de parfum, fragrance mist, or air freshener. The composition may be personalized and may also provide a sensory experience.