The present invention primarily relates to the use of a fatty acid ester or of a mixture as defined herein for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product. The present invention further relates to methods for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product as well as to methods for manufacturing a skin care product and to particular skin care products.

Further aspects of the present invention will arise from the description below, in particular from the examples, as well as from the attached patent claims. Malassezia is a genus of fungi and is naturally found on the skin surfaces of many animals, including humans. As the fungus requires fat to grow, it is most common in areas with many sebaceous glands, i.e. on the scalp, face, and upper part of the body. However, when the fungus grows too rapidly, the natural renewal of cells is disturbed and, for example, dandruff appears on the scalp along with an itching sensation. It is also well known that substances for care of the skin, particularly the scalp, are used in particular formulations such as, for example, shampoos or gels (e.g. aqueous or aqueous/ethanolic/glycolic based shampoos or gels). Positive physicochemical properties of an active agent, such as e.g. of a topical antifungal agent against dandruff, in these formulations are highly desirable, since they facilitate the manufacture of the formulations and may be experienced in a positive way by the end user. Such positive physicochemical properties of an active agent are e.g. the ability to increase the viscosity or the foam volume or the foam stability of a formulation.

None of the typically used topical antifungal agents, such as e.g. climbazole, zinc pyrithione and piroctone olamine, display any such positive physicochemical properties in skin care formulations.

In DE 42 37 367 A1 fatty acid esters are described as antimycotic agents. These esters are preferably selected from the group of hexyl laurate, isopropyl stearate, glyceryl monolaurate, caprylic acid tryglyceride and capric acid tryglyceride. No physicochemical properties of the active agents are disclosed.

DE 42 34 188 A1 relates to ethoxylated and propoxylated organic compounds as antimycotic agents in cosmetics. No physicochemical properties of the active agents are disclosed.

DE 10 2004 046 603 A1 describes substance mixtures comprising fatty acid esters of polyols and salts of short chain fatty acids to counteract microorganisms. Again, DE 10 2004 046 603 A1 does not disclose any physicochemical properties of the active agents.

SU 1286204 A1 discloses the use of a mixture of mono- (50-60%), di- (30-35%) and triesters (10-15%) of glycerol and undecylenic acid to give antimicrobial properties to a cosmetic base. It also discloses that the mixture combines well with other ingredients of cosmetic products and shampoos.

DE 33 14 786 A1 discloses a mixture with antimycotic activity comprising mono and/or di-10-undecylenic acid glyceryl esters. The mixtures are used in the treatment of nasal cavity mycosis and onychomycosis. It does not disclose any physicochemical properties of the active agents.

In WO 2006/0541 10 A2, esters of 1 ,2,3-propanetriol with one or more C1 1 to C24 fatty acids are described, wherein at least one fatty acid has at least one double bond. The application field for these substances is the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders.

WO 2007/095262 A2 discloses 1 ,3-propanediol esters for the purpose of dissolving botanical extracts, fragrance concentrates and oils.

It was thus an object of the present invention to provide skin care agents that impart positive physicochemical properties to a skin care formulation. Moreover, it was an object of the present invention to provide certain skin care formulations, such as e.g. (anti-dandruff) shampoos, with particularly positive physicochemical properties.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the stated object is achieved by the use of a fatty acid ester or of a mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or of a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two, three or more, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product.

Within the framework of the present text, a modification of the physicochemical properties of a skin care product, preferably for a scalp care product, relates to a modification of one, more or all characteristics selected from the group consisting of viscosity, foam stability and foam volume of a skin care product, preferably for a scalp care product. Preferred and particularly advantageous modifications of the physicochemical properties of a skin care product, preferably for a scalp care product, according to the present invention will be described below. Caprylate refers to an ester of caprylic acid (CAS Registry Number of caprylic acid: 124- 07-2; also known as octanoic acid) and undecylenate refers to an ester of 10- undecylenic acid (CAS Registry Number of 10-undecylenic acid: 1 12-38-9; also known as 10-undecenoic acid). 3-Hydroxypropyl caprylate refers to the monoester of the alcohol 1 ,3-propanediol (CAS Registry Number: 504-63-2) with caprylic acid and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate refers to the monoester of the alcohol 1 ,3-propanediol with 10-undecylenic acid. Glyceryl monocaprylate refers to a monoester of (mono)glycerol (CAS Registry Number: 56-81- 5; also known as 1 ,2,3-propanetriol) with caprylic acid and glyceryl monoundecylenate refers to a monoester of (mono)glycerol with undecylenic acid.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to the use of a fatty acid ester or of a mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or of a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the use of a fatty acid ester or of a mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or of a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, 3- hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the use of a fatty acid ester or of mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or of a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters, wherein the fatty acid ester or one or two, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the use of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or of glyceryl monocaprylate or of 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate or of glyceryl monoundecylenate or of a mixture comprising 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or comprising glyceryl monocaprylate or comprising 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate or comprising glyceryl monoundecylenate for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product. Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the use of a mixture of 3- hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate, or to the use of a mixture comprising 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or 3- hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product. Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the use of a mixture of 3- hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or to the use of a mixture comprising 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product. Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the use of a mixture of 3- hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or to the use of a mixture comprising 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product. Another preferred embodiment relates to the use of a fatty acid ester or mixture as defined herein, wherein the total amount of said fatty acid or mixture comprised in the skin care product as defined herein is from 0.02 to 5 wt.-%, more preferably from 0.05 to 2 wt.-%, most preferably from 0.1 to 1 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of said skin care product. It was surprisingly found that the fatty acid esters or mixures as defined herein do not only show excellent antimycotic activity against dandruff-causing Malassezia spp., but also are able to significantly alter the physicochemical properties of skin care products such as e.g. (anti-dandruff) shampoos.

Thus, a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the use as defined herein, wherein the skin care product is a product selected from the group consisting of leave- on skin care product, preferably oil in water emulsion or aqueous formulation or aqueous and/or ethanolic and/or glycolic-based formulation or water in oil emulsion, and rinse- off skin care product, preferably shampoo, more preferably anti-dandruff shampoo, surfactant-based cleansing formulation, preferably micellar water, or shower gel. Preferably, the modified skin care product is a rinse-off skin care product, preferably a shampoo, more preferably an anti-dandruff shampoo, or a shower gel.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the use as defined herein, wherein the modification of the physicochemical properties is an increase of the viscosity or of the foam volume or of the foam stability of the skin care product, preferably of a shampoo.

It is particularly advantageous to increase the viscosity of a skin care product, because it enables the thickening of the formulation even into a gel-like state of the formulation, if desired. A skin care product that does not run off the user’s hand during application is preferred by the consumers since it facilitates handling of the product and avoids spillage of the product during handling. The viscosity of a skin care product can be measured as described in the examples further below.

It is also advantageous to increase the foam volume of certain skin care products, particularly of rinse-off skin care products such as e.g. (anti-dandruff) shampoos or shower gels, because a higher foam volume facilitates the cleansing / treatment of the skin and/or hair by the user. The foam volume of a skin care product can be determined as described in the examples further below.

Usually, the viscosity of a skin care product is assured or increased by the addition of certain thickeners and the foam volume and foam stability of a skin care product is assured or increased by the addition of certain foaming agents. However, it was surprisingly found during the studies underlying the present invention that the use of a fatty acid ester or of a mixture as defined herein enables an increase of the viscosity or of the foam volume or of the foam stability of a skin care product. Thus, its use enables a reduction or even complete omission of other thickeners and/or foaming agents in the skin care formulation, which in turn facilitates the formulation process and saves production time and costs.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the use as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or mixture as defined herein are further used to avoid dandruff and/or to reduce the amount of dandruff on human skin, preferably on human scalp.

Within the framework of the present text, the term“avoiding dandruff on human skin, preferably on human scalp” relates to a preventive measure where the first occurrence or reoccurrence of dandruff on a defined area of human skin, preferably of human scalp, is avoided by applying the fatty acid esters or mixtures as defined herein once or repeatedly to said defined area of human skin. As a result, no dandruff is visible on said defined area of the human skin when inspected by naked human eye. Within the framework of the present text, the term“reducing the amount of dandruff on human skin, preferably on human scalp” relates to a measure where the total amount of dandruff on a defined area of human skin, preferably of human scalp, as observed by naked human eye is reduced by more than 10, 20, 30, 40 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90% after one-off or repeated treatment of said defined area with the fatty acid esters or mixtures as defined herein.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for modifying the physicochemical properties of a skin care product comprising or consisting of the following steps:

(i) providing the ingredients of a skin care product or a skin care product (apart from the substance(s) provided in step (ii)),

(ii) providing a fatty acid ester or a mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two, three or more, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate,

(iii) mixing the components of steps (i) and (ii).

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) provided as fatty acid ester or mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters in step (ii) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) provided as fatty acid ester or mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters in step (ii) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one or two, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) provided as fatty acid ester or mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters in step (ii) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester provided in step (ii) is 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or glyceryl monocaprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate or glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or glyceryl monocaprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate or glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the total amount of the fatty acid ester or the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) is from 0.02 to 5 wt.-%, more preferably from 0.05 to 2 wt.-%, most preferably from 0.1 to 1 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the skin care product obtained in step (iii).

Step (i) of the method as described herein may take place before step (ii) or step (i) of the method as described herein may take place after step (ii). In the method as defined herein, the ingredients of a skin care product (apart from the substances provided in step (ii)) provided in step (i) may be provided separately or (partly) pre-mixed. The same applies to the fatty acid esters provided in step (ii), i.e. the fatty acid esters of the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or the fatty acid ester(s) and other ingredient(s) of the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters may be provided separately (so that they only form the respective mixture after step (iii)) or (partly) pre-mixed.

The fatty acid ester or mixtures as described herein provided in step (ii) is/are provided in an amount that is sufficient to modify the physicochemical properties (as defined above) of the final skin care product (product of step (iii)). A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the skin care product is a product selected from the group consisting of leave- on skin care product, preferably oil in water emulsion or water in oil emulsion, and rinse- off skin care product, preferably shampoo, more preferably anti-dandruff shampoo, or shower gel. Preferably, the skin care product whose physicochemical properties are modified in a method according to the invention is a rinse-off skin care product, preferably a shampoo, more preferably an anti-dandruff shampoo, or a shower gel. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the modification of the physicochemical properties of the skin care product is an increase of the viscosity or foam volume or foam stability of the skin care product, preferably of a shampoo. What has been stated above with regard to the increase of the viscosity or of the foam volume or of the foam stability of the skin care product in terms of the use as defined herein applies mutatis mutandis to the (preferred) embodiment(s) of the method as defined herein.

Another preferred embodiment relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the skin care product is a shampoo and the component(s) in step (ii) is/are provided in an amount that the resulting product is an anti-dandruff shampoo, i.e. displays antimycotic properties.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a product selected from the group consisting of leave-on skin care product, preferably oil in water emulsion or water in oil emulsion, and rinse-off skin care product, preferably shampoo, more preferably anti-dandruff shampoo, or shower gel, comprising or consisting of the following steps:

(i) providing the ingredients of a leave-on or rinse-off skin care product or a leave- on or rinse-off skin care product (apart from the substance(s) provided in step (ii)),

(ii) providing a fatty acid ester or a mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two, three or more, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate,

(iii) mixing the components of steps (i) and (ii).

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) provided as fatty acid ester or mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters in step (ii) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) provided as fatty acid ester or mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters in step (ii) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one or two, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) provided as fatty acid ester or mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters in step (ii) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester provided in step (ii) is 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or glyceryl monocaprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate or glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or glyceryl monocaprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate or glyceryl monoundecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the total amount of the fatty acid ester or the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters provided in step (ii) is from 0.02 to 5 wt.-%, more preferably from 0.05 to 2 wt.-%, most preferably from 0.1 to 1 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the skin care product obtained in step (iii). Preferably, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a rinse-off skin care product, preferably a shampoo, more preferably an anti-dandruff shampoo, or a shower gel.

Step (i) of the method as described herein may take place before step (ii) or step (i) of the method as described herein may take place after step (ii). In the method as defined herein, the ingredients of a leave-on or rinse-off skin care product (apart from the substance(s) provided in step (ii)) provided in step (i) may be provided separately or (partly) pre-mixed. The same applies to the fatty acid esters provided in step (ii), i.e. the fatty acid esters of the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or the fatty acid ester(s) and other ingredient(s) of the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters may be provided separately (so that they only form the respective mixture after step (iii)) or (partly) pre-mixed. According to a preferred embodiment, the fatty acid ester or mixtures as described herein provided in step (ii) of the method as described herein is/are provided in an amount that is sufficient to modify the physicochemical properties (as defined above) of the final skin leave-on or rinse-off care product (product of step (iii)). Another preferred embodiment relates to a method as defined herein, wherein the product is a shampoo and the component(s) in step (ii) is/are provided in an amount that the resulting product is an anti-dandruff shampoo, i.e. displays antimycotic properties.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a shampoo, preferably an anti- dandruff shampoo, preferably manufactured according to a method as defined herein, comprising or consisting of

(i) water,

(ii) one or more surfactant(s) selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl ether sulfate, cocam idopropyl betaine, lauryl glucoside, caprylyl/capryl glucoside, sodium lauryl sulfate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, decyl glucoside, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, glycol distearate, cocobetaine, PPG-5-ceteth-20, coco-g I u coside, diethylhexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, ammonium cocoyl isethionate, ammonium cocoyl sarcosinate, diethylhexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, cocamide-MEA, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, glycol/distearate and sodium oleoyl sarcosinate,

(iii) a fatty acid ester or a mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters as defined herein, optionally

(iv) one or more fragrance(s), (v) one or more plant oil(s) selected from the group consisting of persea gratissima

(avocado) oil, olea europaea (olive) oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, mauritia flexuosa fruit oil, calophyllum inophyllum seed oil and triticum vulgare (wheat) germ oil, (vi) one or more preservative(s) selected from the group consisting of 2- phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, methyl paraben, sorbic acid and benzoic acid, and

(vii) one or more active ingredient(s) selected from the group consisting of 4- hydroxyacetophenone, 1 ,2-pentanediol, 1 ,2-hexanediol, 1 ,2-octanediol, 1 ,2- decanediol, caprylhydroxamic acid, sorbitan caprylate and ethylhexylglycerine.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shampoo according to the invention comprises said components in the following amounts: (ii) 0.5 to 80 wt.-%, preferably 0.5 to 20 wt.-%, of one or more surfactant(s),

(iii) 0.02 to 5 wt.-%, more preferably 0.05 to 2 wt.-%, most preferably 0.1 to 1 wt.-% of fatty acid ester or a mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters as defined herein, optionally

(iv) 0.01 to 2 wt.-%, preferably 0.05 to 1 wt.-%, of one or more fragrance(s),

(v) 0.01 to 20 wt.-%, preferably 0.1 to 10 wt.-%, of one or more plant oil(s),

(vi) 0.01 to 1 wt.-%, preferably 0.1 to 1 wt.-%, of one or more preservative(s),

(vii) 0.01 to 5 wt.-%, preferably 0.1 to 3 wt.-%, of one or more active ingredient(s), whereby said amounts add up - together with water and optionally with any additional ingredients present - to 100 wt.-%.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) of component (iii) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) of component (iii) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one or two, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) of component (iii) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester of component (iii) is 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or glyceryl monocaprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate or glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters of component (iii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or glyceryl monocaprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate or glyceryl monoundecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters of component (iii) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters of component (iii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters of component (iii) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters of component (iii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters of component (iii) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a shampoo as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters of component (iii) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream, preferably manufactured according to a method as defined herein, comprising or consisting of

(i) water,

(ii) one or more emulsifying agent(s) selected from the group consisting of PEG-100 stearate, cetearyl glycoside, distearyldimonium chloride, palmitamidopropyltrimonium chloride, glyceryl stearate citrate, glyceryl oleate citrate, polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, cetearyl alcohol, potassium cetyl phosphate, sodium cetyl phosphate, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer (polymeric emulsifier), ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 methacrylate crosspolymer (polymeric emulsifier), polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-4 caprylate/caprate, cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 , dimethicone, polyglycer- yl-6 dioleate, polyglyceryl-2 stearate, PEG-30 dipoly-hydroxystearate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, xanthan gum, dehydro xanthan gum, hydrogenated palm glycerides, polyglyerol-3 oleate, polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, sodium caproyl/lauroyl lactylate, glyceryl stearate se, polyglyceryl-3 dicitrate/stearate and PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil,

(iii) one or more oil body/bodies selected from the group consisting of caprylic capric triglycerides, mineral oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, dicaprylyl ether, cyclomethicone, dimethicone, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, octyldodecanol, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, cetearyl nonanoate, ethylhexyl isononanoate, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, propylheptyl caprylate, decyl oleate, hexyl laurate, ethylhexyl stearate, triisononanoin, iso-adipate, stearyl heptanoate and stearyl caprylate,

(iv) a fatty acid ester or a mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters as defined in claim 1 ,

(v) one or more fragrance(s), optionally

(vi) one or more preservative(s) selected from the group consisting of 2- phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, methyl paraben, sorbic acid and benzoic acid, and

(vii) one or more active ingredient(s) selected from the group consisting of 4- hydroxyacetophenone, 1 ,2-pentanediol, 1 ,2-hexanediol, 1 ,2-octanediol, 1 ,2- decanediol, caprylhydroxamic acid, sorbitan caprylate and ethylhexylglycerine.

According to a preferred embodiment, the hair or body cream according to the invention comprises said components in the following amounts:

(ii) 0.3 to 5 wt.-% of one or more emulsifying agent(s),

(iii) 5 to about 40 wt.-% of one or more oil body/bodies,

(iv) 0.02 to 5 wt.-%, preferably 0.05 to 2 wt.-%, more preferably 0.1 to 1 wt.-% of a fatty acid ester or a mixture of two or more fatty acid esters or a mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters as defined herein,

(v) 0.05 to 2 wt.-% of one or more fragrance(s),

optionally

(vi) 0.05 to 1 wt.-% of one or more preservative(s),

(vii) 0.05 to 5 wt.-% of one or more active ingredient(s),

whereby said amounts add up - together with water and optionally with any additional ingredients present - to 100 wt.-%.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) of component (iv) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3- hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one, two or three, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) of component (iv) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3- hydroxypropyl caprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester or one or two, preferably all, of the fatty acid ester(s) of component (iv) is/are selected from the group consisting of 3- hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the fatty acid ester of component (iv) is 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or glyceryl monocaprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate or glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters of component (iv) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or glyceryl monocaprylate or 3- hydroxypropyl undecylenate or glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters of component (iv) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters of component (iv) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, or 3- hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or glyceryl monocaprylate and glyceryl monoundecylenate, or 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate and glyceryl monocaprylate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters of component (iv) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3- hydroxypropyl undecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters of component (iv) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate and 3- hydroxypropyl undecylenate. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the mixture of two or more fatty acid esters of component (iv) is a mixture of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a hair or body cream as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprising one or more fatty acid esters of component (iv) comprises 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, 3- hydroxypropyl undecylenate and glyceryl monoundecylenate.

(Preferred) embodiments of the use according to the invention correspond to or can be derived from the (preferred) embodiments of the methods or products according to the invention, which are explained above, or vice versa.

The invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with references to the examples.

EXAMPLES

1.) Viscosity in hair and body wash formulation

1.1) Formulations with 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate

W/W%

Table 1 : Hair & body wash formulation with 3-hydroxypropy caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate

Production method:

Blend phase A by stirring slowly with a vane stirrer, stop the process when foaming starts. Swell 0.2 wt-% Ucare Polymer JR-400 (INCI: Polyquaternium-10, cf. Table 1 ) in water by stirring and warming up to 50°C (the dispersion becomes clear and slightly viscous when swelling process is completed). Add phases B, C, D and E to A one after the other by stirring with a vane stirrer (pH value 5.7).

3-Hydroxypropyl caprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate were incorporated into the shampoo formulations according to table 1 with a concentration of 0.3, 0.5 or 1.0 wt.-%, respectively (trial 2-7). The viscosity h [mPas] of these samples was determined by using a rheometer.

Equipment and method:

Rheometer HAAKE rheostressl ; cone and plate measurement system, CP 60/1 ° Method: Flow Curve CR (controlled rate)

T: 23°C

Shear rate y (1/s): 5

Table 2: Results of viscosity measurements in h [mPas] in shampoo (trials 1-7)

Figure 1 shows the viscosity in h [mPas] of the shampoos comprising 0, 0.3, 0.5 or 1.0 wt.- % of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate (trials 1-4).

Figure 2 shows the viscosity in h [mPas] of the shampoos comprising 0, 0.3, 0.5 or 1.0 wt.- % of 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate (trials 1 and 5-7).

It could be clearly demonstrated that the addition of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate leads to an increase of viscosity in shampoo. By increasing the concentration of 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate, a dose dependent increase of viscosity could be observed versus shampoo without any active ingredient (placebo, trial 1 ).

1.2) Formulations with glyceryl monocaprylate

In a second experiment, the influence of glyceryl monocaprylate on viscosity was tested according to the procedure described in the preceding section 1.1.

Table 3: Hair & body wash formulation

Production method:

Blend phase A by stirring slowly with a vane stirrer, stop the process when foaming starts. Swell 0.3 wt.-% Ucare Poylmer JR-400 (INCI: Polyquaternium-10, cf. Table 3) in water by stirring and warming up to 50°C (the dispersion becomes clear and slightly viscous, when swelling process is completed). Add phases B, C, D and E to A one after the other by stirring with a vane stirrer (pH value 5.8).

Table 4: Results of viscosity measurements in h [mPas] in shampoo (trials A-D)

Figure 3 shows the viscosity in h [mPas] of shampoos with 0.3, 0.5 or 1.0 wt.-% of glyceryl monocaprylate (trials B-D) versus placebo (without active, trial A). The addition of glyceryl monocaprylate leads to an increase of viscosity in shampoo. By increasing the concentration of glyceryl monocaprylate, a dose dependent increase of viscosity could be observed versus shampoo without any active ingredient (placebo).

2.) Foam volume in hair & body wash formulation

3-Hydroxypropyl caprylate and 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate were incorporated into the shampoo formulation according to Table 1 above with a concentration of 1.0 wt.-% each (trials 4 and 7, Table 1 ). In a second experiment, glyceryl monocaprylate was incorporated into the shampoo formulation according to Table 3 above with a concentration of 1 wt.-% (trial D, Table 3).

The foam volume of said formulations was determined by using an Ernst Haage foam volume measurement equipment (cf. Figure 4). 200 ml of a 1 wt.-% solution of said formulations in demineralized water were prepared, respectively. These solutions were poured into the glass beaker of the foam measurement apparatus. The stamp was pulled up and down for 2 minutes in a regular cycle. Subsequently, the foam volume was read off.

Table 5: Foam volume (ml) of shampoo trials 4 and 7 versus placebo (trial 1 without active) in 1 wt.-% solution

It could be observed that the addition of formulations comprising 3-hydroxypropyl caprylate or 3-hydroxypropyl undecylenate (trials 4 and 7) leads to significantly higher foam volume versus the addition of the same formulation without active (placebo, trial 1 ). See also Figure 5 below.

Table 6: Foam volume (ml) of shampoo trial D versus placebo (trial A without active) in 1 wt.-% solution It was observed that the addition of a formulation with 1 wt.-% glyceryl monocaprylate (trial D) leads to significantly higher foam volume versus the addition of the same formulation without active (placebo, trial A). See also Figure 6 below.

3.) Formulation examples

Table 7: Composition of perfume oil 1 (P01 , Amounts in %o b.w.)

Table 8: Composition of perfume oil 2 (P02, Amounts in %o b.w.)

Table 9: Composition of perfume oil 3 (P03, Amounts in %o b.w.)

Table 10: Composition of perfume oil 4 (P04, Amounts in %o b.w.)

Table 11 : Composition of perfume oil 5 (P05, Amounts in %o b.w.)

The perfume oils P01 , P02, P03, P04, or P05 from the above examples were worked separately in each case into the formulations presented below.

Cosmetic formulations (compositions) - amounts are indicated as % by weight for all formulations. Table 12: Cream o/w

Table 13: Hand and body cream

Table 14: Daily face cream SPF 20

Table 15: w/o night cream Table 16: Body lotion

Table 17: Antibacterial body lotion, sprayable

Table 18: Aseptic wound cream

Table 19: Anti acne balm

Table 20: Barrier repair cream Table 21: Skin soothing lotion

Table 22: Baby Nappy Rash Cream w/o

Table 23: Skin lightening day cream o/w

Table 24: Shampoo Table 25: Anti dandruff shampoo

Table 26: 2-in-1 Shampoo

Table 27: Body wash

Table 28: Shower gel

Table 29: Intimate wash

Table 30: Liquid soap, transparent Table 31 : Syndet soap, liquid

Table 32: Anti-acne wash

Table 33: Mineral wash and cleaning gel

Table 34: After Shave Tonic

Table 35: Hair conditioner with Crinipan, rinse-off

Table 36: Scalp soothing hair conditioner with UV-B/UV-A protection, rinse off

Table 37: Hair conditioner with UV protection

Table 38: Hair conditioner, leave on

Table 39: Anti-itch hair conditioner, leave on

Table 40: Sprayable hair conditioner with zinc pyrithrione, leave-on

Table 41 : Hair styling gel

Table 42: Deodorant stick

Table 43: Zirconium suspensoid antiperspirant stick

Table 44: Antiperspirant/deodorant roll-on

Table 45: Deodorant formulation in the form of a roll-on gel

Table 46: Clear deo anti-perspirant roll-on Table 47: Deodorant pump spray with SymClariol

Table 48: Deodorant spray

Table 49: Sunscreen lotion (o/w, broadband protection)

Table 50: Emulsion with UV-A/B-broadband protection Table 51 : Sun protection soft cream (w/o), SPF 40

Table 52: Sun protection milk (w/o)

Table 53: Sun spray with UV-A/B-broadband protection with low oil content

Table 54: Sunscreen spray o/w, SPE 15-20

Table 55: After sun gel

Table 56: After sun lotion

Table 57: Syndet antimicrobial soap bar Table 58: Syndet soap bar

Table 59: Antimicrobial toilet soap bar

Table 60: Shaving foam

Table 61: Sprayable disinfecting gel Table 62: Solution for wet wipes