FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Disclosed are cleansing compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Soaps are made from neutralized fatty acids. Typically, they are provided in a solid form, such as a soap bar. Soaps have also been made into liquid forms, and they have been structured. The problem is that the structured liquid soap provides a rheology that may not be appealing to consumers.

[0003] It would be desirable to provide a structured, liquid soap composition that has a creamy texture that could be more appealing to consumers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A liquid cleansing composition comprising water in an amount sufficient to form a liquid composition, a fatty acid soap, a structuring agent, and talc.

[0005] Also, a method comprising applying the composition to skin and cleansing the skin, and optionally, rinsing the skin.

[0006] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0008] Disclosed is a liquid cleansing composition comprising water in an amount sufficient to form a liquid composition, a fatty acid soap, a structuring agent, and talc. The addition of talc provides a modification to the rheological properties of a liquid soap composition to provide a creamy texture.

[0009] The fatty acid soap can be any of the neutralized fatty acids. Typical fatty acids used for soaps include, myristic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acids, and other fatty acids. Sources of fatty acids include coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, tallow, avocado, canola, corn, cottonseed, olive, hi-oleic sunflower, mid-oleic sunflower, sunflower, palm stearin, palm kernel olein, safflower, and babassu oils. The fatty acids can be neutralized with any base to form a soap. Typical bases include, but are not limited to, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and triethanolamine. In certain embodiments, the fatty acid soap is present in the composition in an amount up to 30 weight%. In other embodiments, the amount is 10 to 30 weight%, 10 to 20 weight%, or at least 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 up to 30 weight%.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the fatty acid soap is formed from fatty acids neutralized by two or more bases. In certain embodiments, the bases are sodium hydroxide and triethanolamine. In certain embodiments, the molar ratio of sodium hydroxide and triethanolamine is about 1 : 1. In certain embodiments, the fatty acids are stearic acid and lauric acid. In certain embodiments, the amount of stearic acid based on a total weight of starting fatty acids is 60 weight%, and the amount of lauric acid based on a total weight of starting fatty acids is 40 weight%.

[0011] The soap can be made in situ in the composition by mixing fatty acids with the neutralizing agent. In certain embodiments, the molar amount of fatty acids is greater than the molar amount of neutralizing agent such that fatty acid remains in the composition. In certain embodiments, the total amount of soap includes the neutralized fatty acids and free fatty acids. In certain embodiments, the amount of free fatty acids is up to 20 weight% of the total amount of soap in the composition.

[0012] Water is present in the composition in an amount that is sufficient to form a liquid composition. In certain embodiments, the amount of water is at least 65 weight %, or 65 to 90 weight%. In other embodiments the amount of water is 75 to 85 weight%.

[0013] The structuring agent is any material that can increase viscosity or yield point in the composition. Examples of the structuring agent include, but are not limited to, clay, polymers, polymeric gums, polysaccharides, microfibrous cellulose, gellan gum, pectine, alginate, arabinogalactan, carageenan, xanthum gum, guar gum, rhamsan gum, furcellaran gum, and other natural gums. In certain embodiments, the amount of structuring agent is 0.1 to 2 weight%. In other embodiments, the amount is 0.5 to 1.1 weight%.

[0014] The clay can be any type of clay. Examples of clays include, but are not limited to, kaolin, kaolinite, dickite, halloysite, nacrite, smectite, montmorillonite, nontronite, illite, bentonite, attapulgite, palygorskite, sepiolite, hormite, pyrophyllite, chlorite, aluminosilicates, and synthetic layered clays. In certain embodiments, the clay can be Laponite™ XLG or XL21 synthetic layered silicate, which can be obtained from Southern Clay Products/Rockwood International. In certain embodiments, the amount of clay is 0.3 to 0.5 weight%.

[0015] A polymer structuring agent in one embodiment is a polyacrylate. Examples of polyacrylates are the Aculyn™ polymers from Dow/Rohm and Haas. In one embodiment, the structuring agent is Aculyn™ 88 acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate crosspolymer, which is sold as a 29 weight% polymer in water composition. In one embodiment, the Aculyn™ 88 acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate crosspolymer is present in an amount of 0.2 to 0.6 weight% (active weight).

[0016] Examples of other acrylates are manufactured by Noveon, such as CARBOPOL™ Aqua 30, Aqua SF1, and Aqua SF2. The CARBOPOL™ resins, also known as CARBOMER™, are hydrophilic high molecular weight, crosslinked acrylic acid polymers having an average equivalent weight of 76, and the general structure illustrated by the following formula has a molecular weight of about 1 ,250,000; CARBOPOL™ 940 with a molecular weight of approximately 4,000,000 and CARBOPOL™ 934 with a molecular weight of approximately 3,000,000. The CARBOPOL™ resins can be crosslinked with polyalkenyl polyether, e.g. about 1% of a polyalkyl ether of sucrose having an average of about 5,8 alkyl groups for each molecule of sucrose.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the structuring agent is a combination of clay, such as Laponite™ XLG and/or XL21 synthetic layered silicate, and Aculyn™ 88 acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate crosspolymer.

[0018] Talc is included in the composition. In certain embodiments the amount of talc is up to 10 weight%. In certain embodiments, the amount is 4 to 6 weight%. The talc is in powder form. An example of talc is Steasilk™ 5CH from Luzenac.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cleansing composition comprises 75 to 85 weight% water, 10 to 20 weight % soap (preferably a triethanolamine and sodium soap), 4-6 weight% talc, 1 to 2 weight% (as supplied at about 29% active) Aculyn™ 88 acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate crosspolymer, and 0.3 to 0.5 weight% clay.

[0020] The composition can provide a creamy texture, provide good lather and skin feel, and can be easily rinsed from the skin.

[0021] In other embodiments, the composition may include any of following materials in any desired amount to achieve a desired effect in the composition (amounts that can be used in some embodiments are provided): one or more alkaline salts, for example, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and/or their equivalents (0 to 5% by weight); foaming agents, for example decyl glucoside, and/or their equivalents (0 to 3% by weight); glyceryl esters and derivatives, for example glycol distearate, and/or their equivalents(0 to 3%; by weight); sequestrants, for example, tetrasodium EDTA, and/or their equivalents (0 to 2% by weight); biocides, for example, Triclosan (2,4,4'-trichloro-2 ^! -hydroxydiphenyl ether), DMDM hydantoin, formaldehyde and/or imidazolidinyl urea, and/or their equivalents (0 to 2% by weight); organic acids, for example, citric acid and/or formic acid and/or their equivalents (0 to 2% by weight); viscosity modifiers (0 to 2% by weight); fragrances and/or perfumes (0 to 5% by weight); preservatives, for example, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde solution, parabens, pentanediol or sorbic acid (0 to 2% by weight); pearlizing agents, for example, glycol distearic esters, such as ethylene glycol distearate, but also fatty acid monoglycol esters (0 to 3% by weight); and dyes and pigments that are approved and suitable for cosmetic purposes.

[0022] Also, a method comprising applying the composition to skin and cleansing the skin, and optionally, rinsing the skin.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0001] The invention is further described in the following examples. The examples are merely illustrative and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention as described and claimed.

[0002] The following comparative and inventive compositions are prepared as follows. The amounts listed are the as supplied weights of the materials.

Part 1 :

Add the formula amount of deionized water to a suitable container. Mix with a propeller mixer at around 300 rpm. Add clay, if present in the formulation, and mix for about 10 minutes. Start heating the solution up to about 80°C.

Part 2:

Weigh the appropriate amount of the fatty acids in a separate container. Heat until it is fully melted and mix gently.

Part 3:

When the clay (if applicable) is fully dispersed in Part 1, slowly add the base (TEA, NaOH or OH). After about 5 minutes of mixing, add Part 2. Shut off heat and continue mixing for about 5 minutes. Add talc (if applicable) and continue mixing for about 5 minutes. Add Aculyn™ 88 (if applicable) and mix for about 3 minutes. Let stand to cool to room temp.

[0023] Formulations A&B demonstrate that Aculyn™ 88 structurant creates a mixture with a gel consistency. Formulation C demonstrates that the ease of generating lather increases with increased soap solubility (mixture of sodium and potassium soap (more soluble) vs. sodium soap alone). Additionally, the use of about 10% sodium soap produces a semi-hard solid composition. Formulations D&E perform similarly except that Laponite™ XL21 clay appears to create a harder formulation than the Laponite™ XLG clay. Formulation D & E demonstrate that a structurant is needed to structure the formulation. Formulation F demonstrates that the formula with talc, but without an auxiliary structurant produces a thick fluid but does not produce a creamy structure. Formulation I produces the creamy composition especially when it is mixed using a high shear mixer (Silverson @2000 rpm for about 30 sec. to 1 min).

[0024] Prior to Formulation F, the following was made: (Pre-F) 85 g deionized water, 0.5 g Laponite™ XL21 clay, 3 g TEA, 6 g stearic acid, and 4 g lauric acid. This created a non-lathering thick gel due to incomplete neutralization of the fatty acid. This was improved by adding additional base (5 drops of 50% NaOH) while mixing, resulting in sodium soap formation. This version created better lather attributes. To thicken the Pre-G formula, 50 mis of the mixture was added to a new beaker and 0.97 g of Aculyn™ 88 structurant was added. This thickened the formulation, and it produced a nice skin feel during and after washing. Talc (4.5 g) was added to the formulation and mixed with a spatula resulting in a creamy texture. It produced a nice skin feel; however, it exhibited a white talc residue on the skin. Therefore, subsequent formulations were made with lower amounts of talc to reduce the white residue.

[0025] Formula H was modified to reduce soap content and increase water to improve cost effectiveness. See Formula I below.

[0026] Formula I produced a nice creamy texture with good lather and skin feel.

[0027] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0028] Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and amounts expressed herein and elsewhere in the specification should be understood to refer to percentages by weight. The amounts given are based on the active weight of the material.