Zinc-Lysine Complex Antiperspirant Pore Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antiperspirant salts based on aluminum or aluminum-zirconium salts tend to polymerize over time, leading to higher molecular weights that reduce their effectiveness, and can cause skin irritation due to their acidic nature, necessitating a need for alternative antiperspirant agents that are less irritating and provide effective pore blocking and antibacterial benefits.
Innovation Solution
A zinc-lysine complex (ZLC) is formed from zinc oxide and lysine hydrochloride, which maintains low molecular weights, forms precipitates to block sweat pores, and has antibacterial properties, while being pH-neutral to minimize skin irritation, thus offering enhanced antiperspirant and deodorant efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aluminum or aluminum-zirconium salts are used as antiperspirant agents, then pore blocking and antiperspirant effect are achieved, but the salts polymerize over time forming high molecular weight species that reduce effectiveness and cause skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from aluminum/zirconium salts to zinc-lysine complex, which fundamentally alters the molecular weight characteristics and pH properties. The zinc-lysine complex maintains low molecular weight (preventing polymerization) and provides pH-neutral conditions, thereby maintaining antiperspirant effectiveness while eliminating skin irritation associated with conventional salts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by forming a coordination complex between zinc ion and lysine amino acid. This composite structure [Zn(Lys)2]Cl2 combines the low molecular weight benefit of simple ions with the stabilizing and pH-regulating properties of the amino acid ligand, preventing polymerization while maintaining pore-blocking capability and reducing skin irritation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If aluminum or aluminum-zirconium salts are used, then deodorant benefit is provided through bacteriocidal activity, but skin irritation is caused due to acidic nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from acidic (conventional aluminum salts) to neutral (zinc-lysine complex). The lysine ligand acts as a pH buffer, maintaining the complex at physiological pH levels. This pH neutralization reduces skin irritation while the zinc component retains antibacterial properties for odor control
Solution Approach 2:
The lysine amino acid serves as an intermediary between the zinc ion and the skin environment. It modulates the chemical properties of zinc, providing pH buffering capacity that protects skin from irritation while allowing zinc's antibacterial function to operate effectively for odor control
3Quantity of substance
If conventional antiperspirant salts are used, then pore blocking is achieved, but excessive polymerization occurs over time reducing the amount of active agent needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter by selecting zinc-lysine complex which inherently maintains low molecular weight. The coordination complex structure prevents the polymerization chain reactions that occur with aluminum/zirconium salts, ensuring stable low molecular weight throughout product shelf life and maintaining consistent antiperspirant effectiveness
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 zinc-lysine complex effectively blocks sweat pores, reduces odor-causing bacteria, and is less irritating to the skin, providing a more efficient and safer antiperspirant and deodorant solution compared to traditional aluminum or aluminum-zirconium salts.
Implementation Method 1
the ZLC complex hydrolyzes, to provide a relatively insoluble zinc oxide precipitate
Implementation Method 2
provide a relatively insoluble zinc oxide precipitate, thereby permitting further plugging of the pores
Implementation Method 3
In the presence of protein, the ZLC will flocculate and plug the sweat glands
Implementation Method 4
The zinc is antibacterial, and so in addition to providing a precipitate which blocks sweat release from the pores, it provides a deodorant benefit by reducing odor-causing bacteria
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a zinc-lysine complex having the formula [Zn(C6H14N2O2)2Cl]+Cl− having antibacterial and antiperspirant properties, together with personal care compositions comprising the complex, and methods of making and using these complexes and compositions.