DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Composition comprising a particular oxidation dye precursor, an oxyalkylenated fatty alcohol and a polysaccharide

The invention relates to a composition comprising a combination of a particular oxidation coupler with an oxyalkylenated fatty alcohol and a polysaccharide, notably for dyeing keratin fibers.

The invention also relates to a process for dyeing keratin fibers, preferably human keratin fibers, notably the hair, using this composition.

Finally, the invention relates to the use of such a composition for dyeing keratin fibers, preferably human keratin fibers, and notably the hair.

Many people have sought for a long time to modify the color of their hair and in particular to mask their gray hair.

It is known practice to dye keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, to obtain “permanent” colorings with dyeing compositions containing oxidation dye precursors, notably oxidation bases, such as ortho- or para-phenylenediamines, ortho- or para-aminophenols, or heterocyclic compounds such as pyrazoles, pyrazolinones or pyrazolopyridines. These oxidation bases are colorless or weakly colored compounds which, when combined with oxidizing products, can give rise to colored compounds via a process of oxidative condensation.

It is also possible to vary the shades obtained with these oxidation bases by combining them with couplers or color modifiers. The variety of molecules used as oxidation bases and couplers allows a wide range of colors to be obtained. However, the use of these dye compositions may have a certain number of drawbacks.

Specifically, after application to keratin fibers, the dyeing power obtained may not be entirely satisfactory, or may even be weak, and lead to a restricted range of colors.

The colorings may also be insufficiently persistent with respect to external agents such as light, shampoo or perspiration, and may also be too selective, i.e. the difference in coloring is too great along the same keratin fiber that is differently sensitized between its end and its root.

There is a real need for a composition for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, which does not have the abovementioned drawbacks, i.e. which is capable of leading to a coloring with an intense color with improved persistence and also good coverage of gray hair and good selectivity, and which is capable of giving good dyeing performance, even after a period of storage.

These aims and others are achieved by the present invention, one subject of which is thus a composition, preferably a cosmetic composition, notably for dyeing keratin fibers, preferably the hair, comprising:

- at least one oxidation coupler chosen from 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine of formula (I) below, an addition salt thereof, solvates thereof and/or solvates of the salts thereof:

- at least one oxyalkylenated Cs to C40 fatty alcohol comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups, and

- at least one polysaccharide.

The present invention also relates to a process for dyeing keratin fibers in which the composition according to the invention is applied to said fibers.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention is a composition for dyeing keratin fibers, preferably human keratin fibers, preferably the hair.

The composition according to the invention may notably lead to chromatic, powerful, intense and sparingly selective colorings, i.e. colorings that are uniform along the length of the fiber. It also allows various shades to be achieved in a very wide range of colors. It also enables good color build-up.

This composition also gives particularly good coverage of depigmented keratin fibers such as gray hair.

According to the invention, the term “chemical oxidizing agent” means an oxidizing agent other than atmospheric oxygen.

Other subjects, features, aspects and advantages of the invention will emerge even more clearly on reading the description and the examples that follow. In the text hereinbelow, unless otherwise indicated, the limits of a range of values are included in that range, notably in the expressions “between” and “ranging from ... to ...”.

Moreover, the expression “at least one” used in the present description is equivalent to the expression “one or more”.

The composition according to the invention comprises at least one particular oxidation coupler (or coupling agent).

Oxidation couplers

The composition according to the present invention comprises at least one coupler chosen from 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine of formula (I), an addition salt thereof, solvates thereof and/or solvates of the salts thereof and mixtures thereof:

The addition salts of the compounds of formula (I) are notably chosen from the addition salts with an acid, such as the hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulfates, citrates, succinates, tartrates, lactates, tosylates, benzenesulfonates, phosphates and acetates, and the addition salts with a base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, amines or alkanolamines.

Moreover, the solvates of the compounds of formula (I) more particularly represent the hydrates of these compounds and/or the combination of these compounds with a linear or branched C1 to C4 alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or n-propanol. Preferably, the solvates are hydrates.

Preferably, the total content of coupler(s) chosen from 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine of formula (I), an addition salt thereof, solvates thereof and/or solvates of the salts thereof ranges from 0.001 % to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.005% to 15% by weight, more preferentially from 0.01% to 10% by weight, better still from 0.05% to 5% by weight, and even better still from 0.1 % to 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition according to the invention may optionally also comprise one or more additional couplers, different from the compound of formula (I), addition salts thereof, solvates thereof and/or the solvates of salts thereof, advantageously chosen from those conventionally used in the dyeing of keratin fibers. Among the additional couplers, mention may be made in particular of metaphenylenediamines, meta-aminophenols, meta-diphenols, naphthalene-based coupling agents and heterocyclic coupling agents, and also the corresponding addition salts.

Examples that may be mentioned include 2-amino-5-ethylphenol, 1 ,3-dihydroxybenzene,

1 .3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 4-chloro-1 ,3-dihydroxybenzene, 2,4-diamino-1-(P- hydroxyethyloxy)benzene, 2-amino-4-(P-hydroxyethylamino)-1 -methoxybenzene, 1 ,3- diaminobenzene, 1 ,3-bis(2,4-diaminophenoxy)propane, 3-ureidoaniline, 3-ureido-1- dimethylaminobenzene, sesamol, a-naphthol, 2-methyl-1 -naphthol, 6-hydroxyindole, 4- hydroxyindole, 4-hydroxy-N-methylindole, 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine, 3,5-diamino-2,6- dimethoxypyridine 2,6-bis(P-hydroxyethylamino)toluene, 6-hydroxyindoline, 2,6-dihydroxy- 4-methylpyridine, 1-H-3-methylpyrazol-5-one 1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazol-5-one, 2,6- dimethylpyrazolo[1 ,5-b]-1 ,2,4-triazole, 2,6-dimethyl[3,2-c]-1 ,2,4-triazole and 6- methylpyrazolo[1 ,5-a]benzimidazole, 2-methyl-5-aminophenol, 5-N-(P- hydroxyethyl)amino-2-methylphenol, 3-aminophenol, 3-amino-2-chloro-6-methylphenol,

3.4-hydroxyethylenedioxyaniline, the addition salts, the solvates, the solvates of the salts thereof, and the corresponding mixtures.

In a particular embodiment, the composition according to the invention is free of oxidation couplers chosen from resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol, 4-chlororesorcinol, addition salts thereof, solvates thereof, and solvates of the salts thereof.

In general, the addition salts of the couplers that may be used in the context of the invention are chosen in particular from addition salts with an acid, such as hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulfates, citrates, succinates, tartrates, lactates, tosylates, benzenesulfonates, phosphates, and acetates, and addition salts with a base, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia, amines or alkanolamines.

Preferably, when present, the total content of the additional oxidation couplers different from the coupler of formula (I), salts thereof, solvates thereof and solvates of the salts thereof is from 0.001 % to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.005% to 15% by weight, more preferentially from 0.01 % to 10% by weight, better still from 0.05% to 5%, even better still, from 0.1% to 3% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition.

Preferably, the total content of the oxidation couplers, salts thereof, solvates thereof and solvates of the salts thereof is from 0.001% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.005% to 15% by weight, more preferentially from 0.01 % to 10% by weight, better still from 0.05% to 5%, even better still from 0.1 % to 3% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition. Oxidation bases

The composition according to the invention may also comprise at least one oxidation base.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises at least one oxidation base.

By way of example, the oxidation bases are chosen from para-phenylenediamines, bis(phenyl)alkylenediamines, para-aminophenols, ortho-aminophenols, heterocyclic bases and the corresponding addition salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts.

Among the para-phenylenediamines that may be mentioned are, for example, para- phenylenediamine, para-toluenediamine, 2-chloro-para-phenylenediamine, 2,3-dimethyl- para-phenylenediamine, 2,6-dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,6-diethyl-para- phenylenediamine, 2,5-dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-dimethyl-para- phenylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-dipropyl-para- phenylenediamine, 4-amino-N,N-diethyl-3-methylaniline, N,N-bis(P-hydroxyethyl)-para- phenylenediamine, 4-N,N-bis(P-hydroxyethyl)amino-2-methylaniline, 4-N,N-bis(P- hydroxyethyl)amino-2-chloroaniline, 2-p-hydroxyethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2- methoxymethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-y-hydroxypropyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2- fluoro-para-phenylenediamine, 2-isopropyl-para-phenylenediamine, N-(P-hydroxypropyl)- para-phenylenediamine, 2-hydroxymethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-dimethyl-3- methyl-para-phenylenediamine, N-ethyl-N-(P-hydroxyethyl)-para-phenylenediamine, N- (P,y-dihydroxypropyl)-para-phenylenediamine, N-(4’-aminophenyl)-para- phenylenediamine, N-phenyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-p-hydroxyethyloxy-para- phenylenediamine, 2-p-acetylaminoethyloxy-para-phenylenediamine, N-(P- methoxyethyl)-para-phenylenediamine, 4-aminophenylpyrrolidine, 2-thienyl-para- phenylenediamine, 2-p-hydroxyethylamino-5-aminotoluene and 3-hydroxy-1-(4’- aminophenyl)pyrrolidine and the corresponding addition salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts.

Among the abovementioned para-phenylenediamines, para-phenylenediamine, paratoluenediamine, 2-isopropyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-p-hydroxyethyl-para- phenylenediamine, 2-p-hydroxyethyloxy-para-phenylenediamine, 2-methoxymethyl-para- phenylenediamine and 2-y-hydroxypropyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,6-dimethyl-para- phenylenediamine, 2,6-diethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,3-dimethyl-para- phenylenediamine, N,N-bis(P-hydroxyethyl)-para-phenylenediamine, 2-chloro-para- phenylenediamine and 2-p-acetylaminoethyloxy-para-phenylenediamine, and the corresponding addition salts, solvates, and/or solvates of the salts, are particularly preferred.

Among the bis(phenyl)alkylenediamines that may be mentioned are, for example, N,N’- bis(P-hydroxyethyl)-N,N’-bis(4’-aminophenyl)-1 ,3-diaminopropanol, N,N’-bis( - hydroxyethyl)-N,N’-bis(4’-aminophenyl)ethylenediamine, N,N’-bis(4- aminophenyl)tetramethylenediamine, N,N’-bis(P-hydroxyethyl)-N,N’-bis(4- aminophenyl)tetramethylenediamine, N,N’-bis(4- methylaminophenyl)tetramethylenediamine, N,N’-bis(ethyl)-N,N’-bis(4’-amino-3’- methylphenyl)ethylenediamine and 1 ,8-bis(2,5-diaminophenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane and the corresponding salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts.

Among the para-aminophenols that are mentioned are, for example, para-aminophenol, 4-amino-3-methylphenol, 4-amino-3-fluorophenol, 4-amino-3-chlorophenol, 4-amino-3- hydroxymethylphenol, 4-amino-2-methylphenol, 4-amino-2-hydroxymethylphenol, 4- amino-2-methoxymethylphenol, 4-amino-2-aminomethylphenol, 4-amino-2-( - hydroxyethylaminomethyl)phenol and 4-amino-2-fluorophenol and the corresponding addition salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts.

Among the ortho-aminophenols that may be mentioned are, for example, 2-aminophenol, 2-amino-5-methylphenol, 2-amino-6-methylphenol and 5-acetamido-2-aminophenol and the corresponding addition salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts.

Among the heterocyclic bases that may be mentioned are, for example, pyridine, pyrimidine and pyrazole derivatives.

Among the pyridine derivatives that may be mentioned are the compounds described, for example, in patents GB 1 026 978 and GB 1 153 196, for example 2,5-diaminopyridine, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-3-aminopyridine and 3,4-diaminopyridine and the corresponding addition salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts.

Other pyridine oxidation bases that are useful in the present invention are 3- aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridine oxidation bases or the corresponding addition salts described, for example, in patent application FR 2 801 308. Examples that may be mentioned include pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid-3-ylamine, 2-acetylaminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid-3- ylamine, 2-morpholin-4-ylpyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid-3-ylamine, 3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridine- 2-carboxylic acid, 2-methoxypyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid-3-ylamine, (3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid- 7-yl)methanol, 2-(3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid-5-yl)ethanol, 2-(3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5- a]pyrid-7-yl)ethanol, (3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid-2-yl)methanol, 3,6-diaminopyrazolo[1 ,5- a]pyridine, 3,4-diaminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridine, pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridine-3,7-diamine, 7- morpholin-4-ylpyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridine-3,5-diamine, pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridine-3,5-diamine, 5- morpholin-4-ylpyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid-3-ylamine, 2-[(3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid-5-yl)(2- hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol, 2-[(3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrid-7-yl)(2- hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol, 3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridin-5-ol, 3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5- a]pyridin-4-ol, 3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridin-6-ol, 3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridin-7-ol, 2-p- hydroxyethoxy-3-amino-pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridine; 2-(4-dimethylpiperazinium-1-yl)-3-amino- pyrazolo[1 ,5-a]pyridine; and the corresponding addition salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts.

More particularly, the oxidation bases that are useful in the present invention are chosen from 3-aminopyrazolo-[1 ,5a]pyridines, preferably substituted on the 2-carbon atom with: a) a (di)(Ci-C6)(alkyl)amino group, said alkyl group possibly being substituted with at least one hydroxyl, amino or imidazolium group; b) an optionally cationic, 5- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl group containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms, optionally substituted with one or more (Ci-C6)alkyl groups, such as a di(C C ₄ )alkylpiperazinium group; or c) a (Ci-Ce)alkoxy group optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, such as a p-hydroxyalkoxy group and the corresponding addition salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts.

Among the pyrimidine derivatives that may be mentioned are the compounds described, for example, in patents DE 2 359 399; JP 88-169 571 ; JP 05-63124; EP 0 770 375 or patent application WO 96/15765, such as 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine, 4-hydroxy-2,5,6- triaminopyrimidine, 2-hydroxy-4,5,6-triaminopyrimidine, 2,4-dihydroxy-5,6- diaminopyrimidine, 2,5,6-triaminopyrimidine and the addition salts thereof and the tautomeric forms thereof, when a tautomeric equilibrium exists.

Among the pyrazole derivatives that may be mentioned are, for example, the compounds described in patents DE 3843892 and DE 4133957 and patent applications WO 94/08969, WO 94/08970, FR-A-2 733749 and DE 195 43 988, such as 4,5-diamino-1-methylpyrazole,

4,5-diamino-1-(P-hydroxyethyl)pyrazole, 3,4-diaminopyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-(4’- chlorobenzyl)pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1 ,3-dimethylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-3-methyl-1- phenylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1 -methyl-3-phenylpyrazole, 4-amino-1 ,3-dimethyl-5- hydrazinopyrazole, 1 -benzyl-4 , 5-diam i no-3-methyl pyrazole , 4,5-diamino-3-tert-butyl-1- methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-tert-butyl-3-methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-(P- hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-ethyl-3-methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1- ethyl-3-(4’-methoxyphenyl)pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1 -ethyl-3-hydroxymethylpyrazole, 4,5- diamino-3-hydroxymethyl-1-methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-3-hydroxymethyl-1- isopropylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-3-methyl-1-isopropylpyrazole, 4-amino-5-(2’- aminoethyl)amino-1 ,3-dimethylpyrazole, 3,4,5-triaminopyrazole, 1-methyl-3,4,5- triaminopyrazole, 3,5-diamino-1-methyl-4-methylaminopyrazole and 3,5-diamino-4-(P- hydroxyethyl)amino-1-methylpyrazole, and the corresponding addition salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts. Use may also be made of 4,5-diamino-1-(p- methoxyethyl)pyrazole.

A 4,5-diaminopyrazole will preferably be used and even more preferentially 4, 5-diamino-1- (P-hydroxyethyl)pyrazole and/or a corresponding salt, solvates and/or solvates of the salts.

Pyrazole derivatives that may also be mentioned include diamino-N,N- dihydropyrazolopyrazolones and in particular those described in patent application FR-A-

2 886 136, such as the following compounds and the corresponding addition salts: 2,3- diamino-6,7-dihydro-1 H,5H-pyrazolo[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1-one, 2-amino-3-ethylamino-6,7- dihydro-1 H,5H-pyrazolo[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1-one, 2-amino-3-isopropylamino-6,7-dihydro-

1 H ,5H-pyrazolo[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1 -one, 2-amino-3-(pyrrolidin-1 -yl)-6, 7-di hydro- 1 H ,5H- pyrazolo[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1-one, 4,5-diamino-1 ,2-dimethyl-1 ,2-dihydropyrazol-3-one, 4,5- diamino-1 ,2-diethyl-1 ,2-dihydropyrazol-3-one, 2-amino-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-6,7- dihydro-1 H,5H-pyrazolo[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1-one, 2-amino-3-dimethylamino-6,7-dihydro- 1 H ,5H-pyrazolo[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1 -one, 2,3-diamino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1 H ,6H- pyridazino[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1-one, 4-amino-1 ,2-diethyl-5-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1 ,2-dihydropyrazol- 3-one, 4-amino-5-(3-dimethylaminopyrrolidin-1 -yl)-1 , 2-d iethyl- 1 ,2-dihydropyrazol-3-one, 2,3-diamino-6-hydroxy-6,7-dihydro-1 H,5H-pyrazolo[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1-one.

Preferably, 2,3-diamino-6,7-dihydro-1 H,5H-pyrazolo[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1-one and/or a corresponding salt, solvates and/or solvates of the salts are used.

Preferably, 4,5-diamino-1-(p-hydroxyethyl)pyrazole and/or 2,3-diamino-6,7-dihydro- 1 H,5H-pyrazolo[1 ,2-a]pyrazol-1-one and/or 2-p-hydroxyethoxy-3-aminopyrazolo[1 ,5- a]pyridine and/or a corresponding salt are used as heterocyclic bases.

The addition salts of the oxidation bases that may be present in the composition according to the invention are notably chosen from the addition salts with an acid, such as the hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulfates, citrates, succinates, tartrates, lactates, tosylates, benzenesulfonates, methanesulfonates, phosphates and acetates, and the addition salts with a base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, amines or alkanolamines.

Moreover, the solvates of the additional oxidation bases more particularly represent the hydrates of said oxidation bases and/or the combination of said oxidation bases with a linear or branched Ci to C ₄ alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or n-propanol. Preferably, the solvates are hydrates.

Preferably, the oxidation base(s) are chosen from para-phenylenediamines, bis(phenyl)alkylenediamines, para-aminophenols, ortho-aminophenols, heterocyclic bases, and the corresponding addition salts, solvates and/or solvates of the salts and mixtures thereof; more preferentially from 2-methoxymethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-0- hydroxyethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-y-hydroxypropyl-para-phenylenediamine, the addition salts thereof, the solvates and/or the solvates of the salts thereof and mixtures thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the composition according to the invention is free of oxidation bases chosen from para-phenylenediamine, para-toluenediamine, addition salts thereof, solvates thereof and solvates of the salts thereof.

The total content of oxidation base(s) preferably ranges from 0.001 to 20% by weight, more preferably from 0.005 to 15% by weight, more preferably from 0.01 to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 5%, most preferably from 0.1 to 3%, relative to the weight of the composition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises one or more oxidation base(s) chosen from 2-methoxymethyl-para- phenylenediamine, 2-0-hydroxyethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-y-hydroxypropyl-para- phenylenediamine, their addition salts, their solvates and/or solvates of their salts and mixtures thereof, preferably present in a total content of from 0.001 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.005 to 15% by weight, more preferably from 0.01 to 10% by weight, better still from 0.05 to 5%, still better still from 0.1 to 3% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition.

Advantageously, the weight ratio between the total content of the oxidation base(s) and the total content of couplers chosen from 6-hydroxy benzomorpholine of formula (I), one of its addition salts, its solvates and/or the solvates of its salts is between 0.1 and 10, preferably between 0.5 and 5. Advantageously, the weight ratio between the total content of the oxidation base(s) and the total content of the couplers is from 0.1 to 10, preferably from 0.3 to 3.

Oxyalkylenated fatty alcohols

The composition according to the invention comprises at least one oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C40 fatty alcohol comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups.

The term “fatty alcohol” means a long-chain aliphatic alcohol comprising from 8 to 40 carbon atoms and comprising at least one hydroxyl group OH.

The oxyalkylenated fatty alcohols may be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, and may contain from 8 to 40 carbon atoms.

Preferably, the oxyalkylenated fatty alcohols have the structure:

R-(AlkO) _P H, with

- R denoting a linear alkyl group, optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, comprising from 8 to 40, preferably from 10 to 30, or even from 12 to 24 atoms, better still from 14 to 22 carbon atoms,

- Aik represents a divalent alkylene radical comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atom(s), preferably 1 to 4 carbon atom(s), preferentially 2 to 3 carbon atoms,

- p represents a number ranging from 50 to 300, preferably from 80 to 250.

Particularly preferably, Aik is a -CH2CH2- radical.

Preferably, the oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C ₄ o fatty alcohols comprising 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups comprise 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups chosen from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide groups, preferably from ethylene oxide groups.

Preferably, the oxyalkylenated C8-C40 fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups may be chosen from oxyethylenated C ₈ -C ₄ o fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 ethylene oxide groups, preferably from oxyethylenated C ₈ -C2 ₄ fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 ethylene oxide groups, more preferably from oxyethylenated C ₈ - C ₂₄ fatty alcohols comprising from 80 to 250 ethylene oxide groups.

Preferentially, oxyethylenated C14-C22 fatty alcohols comprising from 80 to 250 ethylene oxide groups are used.

The oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C40 fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups, preferably oxyethylenated comprising from 50 to 300 ethylene oxide groups, may be chosen from oxyethylenated cetyl alcohol, oxyethylenated oleyl alcohol, oxyethylenated oleocetyl alcohol, oxyethylenated behenyl alcohol, oxyethylenated cetearyl alcohol, oxyethylenated stearyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof, and more preferably from oxyethylenated stearyl alcohol, oxyethylenated cetyl alcohol and oxyethylenated cetearyl alcohol.

Preferably, the oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C ₄₀ fatty alcohol comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups is chosen from stearyl alcohol comprising 80 ethylene oxide groups (CTFA name steareth-80), stearyl alcohol comprising 100 ethylene oxide groups (CTFA name steareth-100), stearyl alcohol comprising 200 ethylene oxide groups (CTFA name steareth- 200), cetearyl alcohol with 80 ethylene oxide groups (CTFA name ceteareth-80), cetearyl alcohol with 100 ethylene oxide groups (CTFA name ceteareth-100, more preferentially stearyl alcohol with 100 ethylene oxide groups (CTFA name steareth-100), stearyl alcohol with 200 ethylene oxide groups (CTFA name steareth-200).

As oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C ₄₈ fatty alcohol compounds comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups, mention may notably be made of the products sold by the Croda company under the reference Brij S100 (stearyl alcohol containing 100 ethylene oxide groups), under the reference Brij S200 (stearyl alcohol containing 200 ethylene oxide groups).

The composition according to the invention preferably comprises one or more oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C ₄ Q fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups in a content ranging from 0.1 % to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.2% to 4% by weight, preferentially from 0.3% to 3% by weight, better still from 0.5% to 2% by weight relative to the weight of the composition.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the composition according to the invention preferably comprises one or more oxyalkylenated C ₄ to C ₂₂ fatty alcohols comprising 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups in a content ranging from 0.1% to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.2% to 4% by weight, preferentially from 0.3% to 3% by weight, better still from 0.5% to 2% by weight relative to the weight of the composition.

Polysaccharide

The composition according to the invention also comprises at least one polysaccharide.

The term “polysaccharide means polymers which include at least 11 monosaccharide units. Preferentially, the polysaccharides of the invention include between 20 and 100 000 monosaccharide units. The polysaccharides that may be used in the composition according to the invention may be cationic, nonionic, anionic or amphoteric polysaccharides, preferably associative or non- associative cationic, nonionic or anionic polysaccharides.

It is recalled that “associative polymers” are polymers that are capable of reversibly associating with each other or with other molecules.

Their chemical structure more particularly comprises at least one hydrophilic zone and at least one hydrophobic zone.

The term "hydrophobic group" means a radical or polymer with a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon-based chain, comprising at least 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, in particular from 12 to 30 carbon atoms and more preferentially from 18 to 30 carbon atoms.

Preferentially, the hydrocarbon-based group is derived from a monofunctional compound. By way of example, the hydrophobic group may be derived from a fatty alcohol such as stearyl alcohol, dodecyl alcohol or decyl alcohol. It may also denote a hydrocarbon-based polymer, for instance polybutadiene.

Non-associative polysaccharide thickening polymers that may be mentioned include non- associative thickening polymers bearing sugar units.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “sugar unit” means a unit derived from a carbohydrate of formula C _n (H2O) _n -i or (CH2O) _n , which may be optionally modified by substitution and/or by oxidation and/or by dehydration.

The sugar units that may be included in the composition of the thickening polymers of the invention are preferably derived from the following sugars: glucose, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, mannose, xylose, fucose, anhydrogalactose, galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid, mannuronic acid, galactose sulfate, anhydrogalactose sulfate and fructose.

Saccharide thickening polymers that may notably be mentioned include those of native gums such as: a) tree or shrub exudates, including: gum arabic (branched polymer of galactose, arabinose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid); ghatti gum (polymer derived from arabinose, galactose, mannose, xylose and glucuronic acid); karaya gum (polymer derived from galacturonic acid, galactose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid); and gum tragacanth (or tragacanth) (polymer of galacturonic acid, galactose, fucose, xylose and arabinose); b) gums derived from algae, including: agar (polymer derived from galactose and anhydrogalactose); alginates (polymers of mannuronic acid and of glucuronic acid); and carrageenans and furcellerans (polymers of galactose sulfate and of anhydrogalactose sulfate); c) gums derived from seeds or tubers, including: guar gum (polymer of mannose and galactose); locust bean gum (polymer of mannose and galactose); fenugreek gum (polymer of mannose and galactose); tamarind gum (polymer of galactose, xylose and glucose); konjac gum (polymer of glucose and mannose); d) microbial gums, including: xanthan gum (polymer of glucose, mannose acetate, mannose/pyruvic acid and glucuronic acid); gellan gum (polymer of partially acylated glucose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid); and scleroglucan gum (glucose polymer); e) plant extracts, including: cellulose (glucose polymer); starch (glucose polymer) and insulin.

These polymers may be physically or chemically modified. A physical treatment that may notably be mentioned is the temperature.

Chemical treatments that may be mentioned include esterification, etherification, amidation or oxidation reactions. These treatments can lead to polymers that may notably be nonionic, anionic or amphoteric.

Preferably, these chemical or physical treatments are applied to guar gums, locust bean gums, starches and celluloses. The nonionic guar gums that may be used according to the invention may be modified with Ci-Ce (poly)hydroxyalkyl groups.

Among the Ci-Ce (poly)hydroxyalkyl groups that may be mentioned, for example, are hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and hydroxybutyl groups.

These guar gums are well known in the prior art and can be prepared, for example, by reacting the corresponding alkene oxides such as, for example, propylene oxides, with the guar gum so as to obtain a guar gum modified with hydroxypropyl groups.

The degree of hydroxyalkylation preferably ranges from 0.4 to 1 .2, and corresponds to the number of alkylene oxide molecules consumed by the number of free hydroxyl functions present on the guar gum.

Such nonionic guar gums optionally modified with hydroxyalkyl groups are sold, for example, under the trade names Jaguar HP8, Jaguar HP60, Jaguar HP105 and Jaguar HP120 by the company Rhodia Chimie.

The non-associative saccharide polymers may be cellulose-based polymers not including any fatty chains (more than 8 carbon atoms) in their structure.

According to the invention, the term “cellulose-based” polymer means any polysaccharide compound bearing in its structure glucose residue sequences linked via p-1 ,4 linkages; besides unsubstituted celluloses, the cellulose derivatives may be anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic.

Thus, the cellulose-based polymers may be chosen from unsubstituted celluloses, including those in a microcrystalline form, and cellulose ethers.

Among these cellulose polymers, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters and cellulose ester ethers are distinguished.

Among the cellulose esters are inorganic esters of cellulose, for example cellulose nitrates, sulfates and phosphates, organic cellulose esters, for example cellulose monoacetates, triacetates, amidopropionates, acetatebutyrates, acetatepropionates and acetatetrimellitates, and mixed organic/inorganic esters of cellulose, such as cellulose acetatebutyrate sulfates and cellulose acetatepropionate sulfates. Among the cellulose ester ethers, mention may be made of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalates and ethylcellulose sulfates.

Among the nonionic cellulose ethers not containing a C10-C30 fatty chain, i.e. “non- associative”, mention may be made of (Ci-C4)alkylcelluloses such as methylcelluloses and ethylcelluloses (for example Ethocel Standard 100 Premium from Dow Chemical); (poly)hydroxy(Ci-C4)alkylcelluloses such as hydroxymethylcelluloses and hydroxyethylcelluloses (for example Natrosol 250 HHR sold by Aquaion) and hydroxypropylcelluloses (for example Klucel EF from Aquaion); mixed (poly)hydroxy(C C ₄ )alkyl-(Ci-C4)alkylcelluloses such as hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses (for example Methocel E4M from Dow Chemical), hydroxyethylmethylcelluloses, hydroxyethylethylcelluloses (for example Bermocoll E 481 FQ from Akzo Nobel) and hydroxybutylmethylcelluloses.

Among the anionic cellulose ethers not containing a fatty chain, mention may be made of (poly)carboxy (C C ₄ ) alkylcelluloses and salts thereof. Examples that may be mentioned include carboxymethylcelluloses, carboxymethylmethylcelluloses (for example Blanose 7M from the company Aquaion) and carboxymethylhydroxyethylcelluloses, and the sodium salts thereof.

Among the cationic cellulose ethers not containing a fatty chain, mention may be made of cationic cellulose derivatives such as cellulose copolymers or cellulose derivatives grafted with a water-soluble quaternary ammonium monomer, and disclosed in particular in patent US 4 131 576, such as (poly)hydroxy(Ci-C4)alkyl celluloses, for instance hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl celluloses grafted in particular with a methacryloylethyltrimethylammonium, methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium or dimethyldiallylammonium salt. The commercial products corresponding to this definition are more particularly the products sold under the names Celquat® L 200 and Celquat® H 100 by the company National Starch.

Among the saccharide polymers, mention may also be made of the associative polymers that are well known to those skilled in the art and notably of nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric nature.

As examples of associative cationic thickening saccharide polymers, mention may be made of quaternized (poly)hydroxyethylcelluloses modified with groups comprising at least one fatty chain, such as alkyl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl groups comprising at least 8 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof. The alkyl radicals borne by the above quaternized celluloses or hydroxyethylcelluloses preferably comprise from 8 to 30 carbon atoms. The aryl radicals preferably denote phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl or anthryl groups. Examples that may be indicated include quaternized alkylhydroxyethylcelluloses bearing C ₈ -C ₈ o fatty chains, such as the products Quatrisoft LM 200®, Quatrisoft LM-X 529-18-A®, Quatrisoft LM-X 529-18- B® (C12 alkyl) and Quatrisoft LM-X 529-8® (Ci ₈ alkyl) sold by the company Aquaion, the products Crodacel QM®, Crodacel QL® (C12 alkyl) and Crodacel QS® (Cw alkyl) sold by the company Croda and the product Softcat SL 100® sold by the company Aquaion.

As examples of associative nonionic saccharide polymers, mention may be made of:

- celluloses or derivatives thereof, modified by groups comprising at least one fatty chain such as alkyl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl groups or mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups are Cs- and in particular:

* nonionic alkylhydroxyethylcelluloses such as the products Natrosol Plus Grade 330 CS and Polysurf 67 (Ci6 alkyl) sold by the company Aquaion;

* nonionic nonoxynylhydroxyethylcelluloses such as the product Amercell HM-1500 sold by the company Amerchol;

* nonionic alkylcelluloses such as the product Bermocoll EHM 100 sold by the company Berol Nobel;

- associative guar derivatives such as hydroxypropyl guars modified with a fatty chain, such as the product Esaflor HM 22 (modified with a C22 alkyl chain) sold by the company Lamberti; the product Miracare XC 95-3 (modified with a C14 alkyl chain) and the product RE 205-146 (modified with a C20 alkyl chain) sold by Rhodia Chimie.

Preferably, the polysaccharide(s) are chosen from xanthan gums, guar gums and cellulose polymers, preferentially from xanthan gums, and guar gums, and better still xanthan gums.

The polysaccharide(s) may be present in the composition according to the invention in a content ranging from 0.001 % to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.01 % to 3% and more preferentially from 0.05% to 2% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

Additional surfactants

The composition according to the present invention may comprise one or more additional surfactants other than oxyalkylenated C ₈ -C ₄ o fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups. These surfactants may be chosen from anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, nonionic surfactants and cationic surfactants and/or mixtures thereof.

The term “anionic surfactant” means a surfactant including, as ionic or ionizable groups, only anionic groups. These anionic groups are preferably chosen from the following groups: CO ₂ H, CO ₂ -, SO ₃ H, SO3 , OSO ₃ H, OSO3-, H2PO3, HPOy, PO3 ² -, H2PO2, HPO2-, PO2 ² -, POH and PO-. As examples of anionic surfactants that can be used in the composition according to the invention, mention may be made of fatty alcohol phosphates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamido ether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylamide sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, a-olefin sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfoacetates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl glutamates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates, acyl isethionates and N-(C1-C4)alkyl-N-acyl taurates, salts of alkyl monoesters of polyglycoside-polycarboxylic acids, acyl lactylates, salts of D-galactoside uronic acids, salts of alkyl ether carboxylic acids, salts of alkylaryl ether carboxylic acids, salts of alkylamido ether carboxylic acids; and the corresponding non-salified forms of all these compounds; the alkyl and acyl groups of all these compounds (unless otherwise mentioned) generally including from 6 to 24 carbon atoms and the aryl group generally denoting a phenyl group.

These compounds may be oxyethylenated and then preferably include from 1 to 50 ethylene oxide units.

The fatty alcohol phosphates may be chosen from polyoxyalkylenated fatty alcohol phosphates containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and from 1 to 50 mol of alkylene oxide, chosen from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and non-polyoxyalkylenated fatty alcohol dialkyl phosphates containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof. The alkyl group of the polyoxyalkylenated fatty alcohol or non-polyoxyalkylenated fatty alcohol may be linear or branched, and saturated or unsaturated.

More preferentially, the fatty alcohol phosphate(s) are chosen from polyoxyethylenated fatty alcohol phosphates containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and from 1 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide.

Particularly preferably, the fatty alcohol phosphate(s) are chosen from ceteth-10 phosphate, dicetyl phosphate, ceteth-20 phosphate, oleth-5 phosphate, dioleyl phosphate, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof, and preferably from ceteth-10 phosphate, ceteth-20 phosphate, oleth-5 phosphate, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; and even better still from ceteth-10 phosphate, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

The salts of Ce-C ₂ 4 alkyl monoesters of polyglycoside-polycarboxylic acids may be chosen from C6-C ₂ 4 alkyl polyglycoside-citrates, Ce-C ₂₄ alkyl polyglycoside-tartrates and Ce-C ₂ 4 alkyl polyglycoside-sulfosuccinates. When the anionic surfactant(s) are in salt form, they may be chosen from alkali metal salts, such as the sodium or potassium and preferably sodium salt, ammonium salts, amine salts and in particular amino alcohol salts, or alkaline- earth metal salts, such as the magnesium salt.

Examples of amino alcohol salts that may notably be mentioned include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine salts, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine or triisopropanolamine salts, 2-amino-2-methyl-1 -propanol salts, 2- amino-2-methyl-1 ,3-propanediol salts and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane salts.

Alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salts and in particular the sodium or magnesium salts are preferably used.

The anionic surfactants that may be present may be mild anionic surfactants, i.e. anionic surfactants not bearing a sulfate function.

As regards the mild anionic surfactants, mention may be made in particular of the following compounds and salts thereof, and also mixtures thereof: polyoxyalkylenated alkyl ether carboxylic acids, polyoxyalkylenated alkylaryl ether carboxylic acids, polyoxyalkylenated alkylamido ether carboxylic acids, in particular those including 2 to 50 ethylene oxide groups, alkyl D-galactoside uronic acids, acyl sarcosinates, acyl glutamates and alkylpolyglycoside carboxylic esters.

Use may be made most particularly of polyoxyalkylenated alkyl ether carboxylic acids, for instance lauryl ether carboxylic acid (4.5 OE) sold, for example, under the name Akypo RLM 45 CA from Kao.

Use is preferably made, among the abovementioned anionic surfactants, of sulfate-based surfactants, such as alkyl sulfates or alkyl ether sulfates, and fatty alcohol phosphates, more preferentially alkyl sulfates and/or alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylenated fatty alcohol phosphates containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and from 1 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide.

The amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants) that may be used in the composition according to the invention are preferably non-silicone surfactants and may notably be optionally quaternized secondary or tertiary aliphatic amine derivatives, in which the aliphatic group is a linear or branched chain including from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, said amine derivatives containing at least one anionic group, for instance a carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate group. Mention may in particular be made of (C ₈ -C ₂ o)alkylbetaines, (C8-C ₂ o)alkylsulfobetaines, (C ₈ - C ₂ o)alkylamido(Ci-C6)alkylbetaines and (C ₈ -C2o)alkylamido(Ci-C6)alkylsulfobetaines, and mixtures thereof.

Among the optionally quaternized secondary or tertiary aliphatic amine derivatives that may be used, as defined above, mention may also be made of the compounds having the respective structures (II) and (III) below:

R _a -CONHCH ₂ CH2-N ⁺ (Rb)(Rc)-CH ₂ COO-, M ⁺ , X- (II) in which formula (II):

- R _a represents a Cw to C30 alkyl or alkenyl group derived from an acid R _a COOH preferably present in hydrolyzed coconut kernel oil; preferably, R _a represents a heptyl, nonyl or undecyl group;

- R _b represents a 0-hydroxyethyl group;

- R _c represents a carboxymethyl group;

- M ⁺ represents a cationic counterion derived from an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, such as sodium, an ammonium ion or an ion derived from an organic amine; and

- X- represents an organic or mineral anionic counterion, such as that chosen from halides, acetates, phosphates, nitrates, (C ₁ -C ₄ )alkyl sulfates, (Ci-C ₄ )alkyl- or (C ₁ -C ₄ )alkylaryl- sulfonates, in particular methyl sulfate and ethyl sulfate; or alternatively M ⁺ and X- are absent;

Ra’-CONHCH ₂ CH ₂ -N(B)(B’) (III) in which formula (III):

- B represents the group -CH ₂ CH ₂ OX’;

- B’ represents the group -(CH ₂ )zY’, with z = 1 or 2;

- X’ represents the group -CH2COOH, -CH2-COOZ’, -CH2CH2COOH or CH2CH2-COOZ’, or a hydrogen atom;

- Y’ represents the group -COOH, -COOZ’ or -CH2CH(OH)SO3H or the group CH ₂ CH(OH)SO ₃ -Z’;

- Z’ represents a cationic counterion derived from an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, such as sodium, an ammonium ion or an ion derived from an organic amine; - Ra’ represents a Cw to C30 alkyl or alkenyl group of an acid R _a -COOH which is preferably present in coconut kernel oil or in hydrolyzed linseed oil, preferably R _a ’ an alkyl group, notably a C ₁₇ group, and its iso form, an unsaturated C17 group.

These compounds are classified in the CTFA dictionary, 5th edition, 1993, under the names disodium cocoamphodiacetate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, disodium caprylamphodiacetate, disodium capryloamphodiacetate, disodium cocoamphodipropionate, disodium lauroamphodipropionate, disodium caprylamphodipropionate, disodium capryloamphodipropionate, lauroamphodipropionic acid and cocoamphodipropionic acid.

Byway of example, mention may be made ofthe cocoamphodiacetate sold by the company Rhodia under the trade name Miranol® C2M Concentrate.

Use may also be made of compounds of formula (IV):

Ra-NHCH (Y”)-(CH ₂ ) _n CO N H (CH ₂ ) _n -N (R _d )(R _e ) (IV) in which formula (IV):

- Y” represents the group -COCH, -COOZ” or -CH2-CH(OH)SO3H or the group CH ₂ CH(OH)SO ₃ -Z”;

- Rd and Re, independently of each other, represent a Ci to C ₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical;

- Z” represents a cationic counterion derived from an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, such as sodium, an ammonium ion or an ion derived from an organic amine;

- Ra- represents a C10 to C30 alkyl or alkenyl group of an acid R _a -COOH which is preferably present in coconut kernel oil or in hydrolyzed linseed oil; and

- n and n’ denote, independently of each other, an integer ranging from 1 to 3.

Among the compounds of formula (IV), mention may be made of the compound classified in the CTFA dictionary under the name sodium diethylaminopropyl cocoaspartamide and sold by the company Chimex under the name Chimexane HB.

These compounds may be used alone or as mixtures.

Among the amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants mentioned above, use is advantageously made of (C8-C ₂ o)alkylbetaines, such as cocoyl betaine, (C8-C ₂ o)alkylamido(C3- C ₈ )alkylbetaines, such as cocamidopropylbetaine, (C8-C ₂ o)alkylamphoacetates, (Cs- C ₂₀ )alkylamphodiacetates and mixtures thereof; and preferably (C ₈ -C ₂ o)alkylbetaines, (Cs- C ₂₀ )alkylamido(C3-C8)alkylbetaines and mixtures thereof. Preferentially, the amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants are chosen from (C ₈ - C ₂₀ )alkylbetaines, (C8-C2o)alkylamido(C3-C8)alkylbetaines, and mixtures thereof.

The nonionic surfactants) that may be used in the composition of the present invention are notably described, for example, in the “Handbook of Surfactants” by M.R. Porter, published by Blackie & Son (Glasgow and London), 1991 , pages 116-178.

Examples of nonionic surfactants other than oxyalkylenated C8-C40 fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups that may be mentioned include the following compounds, alone or as a mixture:

- oxyalkylenated (C8-C24)alkylphenols;

- saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, oxyalkylenated or glycerolated C ₈ -C ₄ o alcohols other than oxyalkylenated C ₈ -C ₄ o fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups;

- saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, oxyalkylenated C ₈ -C3o fatty acid amides;

- esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, Cs-Cso fatty acids and of glycerol;

- esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C8-C30 acids and of polyethylene glycols;

- fatty acid esters of sucrose;

- preferably oxyethylenated esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C ₈ to C30 acids and of sorbitol;

- C8-C30 fatty acid esters of sorbitan;

- polyoxyethylenated C8-C30 fatty acid esters of sorbitan;

- (C8-C3o)alkyl(poly)glucosides, (C8-C3o)alkenyl(poly)glucosides, which are optionally oxyalkylenated (0 to 10 oxyalkylene units) and comprising from 1 to 15 glucose units, (C ₈ - C3o)alkyl(poly)glucoside esters;

- saturated or unsaturated oxyethylenated plant oils;

- condensates of ethylene oxide and/or of propylene oxide;

- V-(C8-C3o)alkylglucamine and /V-(C8-C3o)acylmethylglucamine derivatives;

- amine oxides.

They are notably chosen from alcohols other than oxyalkylenated fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups, a-diols and (Ci-C ₂ o)alkylphenols, these compounds being ethoxylated, propoxylated or glycerolated and bearing at least one fatty chain including, for example, from 8 to 24 carbon atoms and preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, the number of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide groups possibly ranging notably from 1 to 200, and the number of glycerol groups possibly ranging notably from 1 to 30.

Mention may also be made of condensates of ethylene oxide and of propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty amides preferably containing from 1 to 30 ethylene oxide units, polyglycerolated fatty amides including on average from 1 to 5, and in particular from 1 .5 to 4, glycerol groups, fatty acid esters of sucrose, fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol, oxyethylenated plant oils, N-(C ₅ -C ₂ 4 alkyl)glucamine derivatives, amine oxides such as (C10-C14 alkyl)amine oxides or N-(CIO-CI ₄ acyl)aminopropylmorpholine oxides.

The glycerol esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C8-C30 fatty acids may be chosen from glycerol esters of C8-C24, preferably C12-C22 and preferentially C14-C20 fatty acid(s).

The glycerol ester(s) of C8-C30 fatty acids may be chosen from monoesters, diesters, and mixtures thereof, preferably from monoesters.

Preferably, the C8-C30 fatty acid ester(s) are chosen from linear, saturated C12-C22, preferably C14-C20, fatty acid esters of glycerol, more preferentially from linear, saturated C12-C22, preferably C14-C20, fatty acid monoesters of glycerol.

Use will be made more particularly of glyceryl monostearate. As examples of glyceryl monostearate, mention may be made of the following commercial products: Cutina GMS V and Cutina MD from Cognis; Lipo GMS 450 V from Lipo Chemicals; Tegin ISO from Goldschmidt; Lexemul 55 G from Index; Witconol MST from CK Witco; Tegin 6070 from Evonik Goldschmidt; Tegin 515, Tegin 90 Pellets and Tegin M Pellets from Evonik Goldschmidt; Estol 1473 from Croda; DUB GMS 50/50 from Stearinerie Dubois.

The C8-C30 and preferably C12-C22 fatty acid esters (notably monoesters, diesters and triesters) of sorbitan may be chosen from: sorbitan caprylate; sorbitan cocoate; sorbitan isostearate; sorbitan laurate; sorbitan oleate; sorbitan palmitate; sorbitan stearate; sorbitan diisostearate; sorbitan dioleate; sorbitan distearate; sorbitan sesquicaprylate; sorbitan sesquiisostearate; sorbitan sesquioleate; sorbitan sesquistearate; sorbitan triisostearate; sorbitan trioleate; and sorbitan tristearate.

The esters (notably monoesters, diesters, triesters) of C8-C30 fatty acids and of polyoxyethylenated sorbitan are preferably chosen from C8-C30 fatty acid ester(s) of oxyethylenated sorbitan containing from 1 to 30 ethylene oxide units, preferably from 2 to 20 ethylene oxide units, more preferably from 2 to 10 ethylene oxide units.

Preferentially, the Cs-Cso fatty acid ester(s) of oxyethylenated sorbitan are chosen from esters of C12-C18 fatty acids and of oxyethylenated sorbitan, in particular from oxyethylenated esters of lauric acid, of myristic acid, of cetylic acid and of stearic acid and of sorbitan.

Preferably, the Cs-Cao fatty acid ester(s) of oxyethylenated sorbitan are chosen from oxyethylenated (4 OE) sorbitan monolaurate (Polysorbate-21), oxyethylenated (20 OE) sorbitan monolaurate (Polysorbate-20), oxyethylenated (20 OE) sorbitan monopalmitate (Polysorbate-40), oxyethylenated (20 OE) sorbitan monostearate (Polysorbate-60), oxyethylenated (4 OE) sorbitan monostearate (Polysorbate-61), oxyethylenated (20 OE) sorbitan monooleate (Polysorbate-80), oxyethylenated (5 OE) sorbitan monooleate (Polysorbate-81 ), oxyethylenated (20 OE) sorbitan tristearate (Polysorbate-65), oxyethylenated (20 OE) sorbitan trioleate (Polysorbate-85).

The nonionic surfactant(s) are preferably chosen from ethoxylated C ₈ -C24 fatty alcohols comprising less than 50 ethylene oxide groups, preferably from 1 to 45 ethylene oxide groups, (C ₆ -C ₂₄ alkyl)polyglycosides, glycerol esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C8-C30 fatty acids, oxyethylenated C8-C30 fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof, preferentially from ethoxylated C8-C24 fatty alcohols comprising less than 50 ethylene oxide groups, (C6-C ₂₄ alkyl)polyglycosides, and glycerol esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C8-C30 fatty acids.

The cationic surfactants) that may be used in the composition according to the invention are generally chosen from optionally polyoxyalkylenated primary, secondary or tertiary fatty amines, quaternary ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof.

The fatty amines generally comprise at least one C ₈ -C ₃ o hydrocarbon-based chain. Among the fatty amines that may be used according to the invention, examples that may be mentioned include stearylamidopropyldimethylamine and distearylamine.

Examples of quaternary ammonium salts that may notably be mentioned include:

- those corresponding to the general formula (V) below: in which the groups R ₈ to Rn, which may be identical or different, represent a linear or branched aliphatic group including from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group such as aryl or alkylaryl, at least one of the groups R ₈ to Rn including from 8 to 30 carbon atoms and preferably from 12 to 24 carbon atoms. The aliphatic groups may include heteroatoms notably such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and halogens.

The aliphatic groups are chosen, for example, from C1-C30 alkyl, C1-C30 alkoxy, polyoxy(C ₂ - C6)alkylene, C1-C30 alkylamide, (Ci2-C22)alkylamido(C2-C6)alkyl, (C12-C22) alkyl acetate and C1-C30 hydroxyalkyl groups; X- is an anion chosen from the group of halides, phosphates, acetates, lactates, (Ci-C ₄ )alkyl sulfates and (Ci-C ₄ )alkylsulfonates or (C C ₄ )al ky I a ry Is u Ifon ates .

Among the quaternary ammonium salts of formula (V), preference is given, firstly, to tetraalkylammonium chlorides, for instance dialkyldimethylammonium or alkyltrimethylammonium chlorides in which the alkyl group includes from about 12 to 22 carbon atoms, in particular behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride or benzyldimethylstearylammonium chloride, or, secondly, to distearoylethylhydroxyethylmethylammonium methosulfate, dipalmitoylethylhydroxyethylammonium methosulfate or distearoylethylhydroxyethylammonium methosulfate, or also, finally, to palmitylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride or stearamidopropyldimethyl(myristyl acetate)ammonium chloride, sold under the name Ceraphyl® 70 by the company Van Dyk;

- quaternary ammonium salts of imidazoline, for instance those of formula (VI) below: in which R12 represents an alkenyl or alkyl group including from 8 to 30 carbon atoms, for example tallow fatty acid derivatives, R13 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group or an alkenyl or alkyl group including from 8 to 30 carbon atoms, R14 represents a Ci-C ₄ alkyl group, R15 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl group, and X- is an anion chosen from the group of halides, phosphates, acetates, lactates, (Ci-C ₄ )alkyl sulfates, and (Ci-C ₄ )alkylsulfonates or (Ci-C ₄ )alkylarylsulfonates. Preferably, R12 and R13 denote a mixture of alkenyl or alkyl groups including from 12 to 21 carbon atoms, for example tallow fatty acid derivatives, R14 denotes a methyl group and R15 denotes a hydrogen atom. Such a product is sold, for example, under the name Rewoquat® W 75 by the company Rewo,

- quaternary diammonium or triammonium salts, in particular of formula (VII) below: in which R16 denotes an alkyl group including from about 16 to 30 carbon atoms, which is optionally hydroxylated and/or interrupted with one or more oxygen atoms; R17 is chosen from hydrogen, an alkyl group including from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a group -(CH ₂ )3- N ⁺ (R16a)(R17a)(R18a), R16a, R17a, R18a, R18, R19, R20 and R21, which may be identical or different, are chosen from hydrogen or an alkyl group including from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X- is an anion chosen from the group of halides, acetates, phosphates, nitrates, (Ci-C ₄ )alkyl sulfates, (Ci-C4)alkylsulfonates or (Ci-C4)alkylarylsulfonates, in particular methyl sulfate and ethyl sulfate.

Such compounds are, for example, Finquat CT-P, sold by the company Finetex (Quaternium 89), and Finquat CT, sold by the company Finetex (Quaternium 75);

- quaternary ammonium salts containing one or more ester functions, for instance those of formula (VIII) below: in which: R22 is chosen from Ci-Ca alkyl groups and Ci-Cs hydroxyalkyl or di hydroxyalkyl groups; R23 is chosen from: the group -C(O)R26, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C22 hydrocarbon-based groups R27, or a hydrogen atom; R25 is chosen from: the group -C(O)R28, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated Ci-C ₆ hydrocarbon-based groups R29, or a hydrogen atom; R24, R26 and R28, which may be identical or different, are chosen from linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C7-C21 hydrocarbon-based groups; r, s and t, which may be identical or different, are integers from 2 to 6; r1 and t1 , which may be identical or different, are 0 or 1 ; r2 + r1 = 2 r and t1 + t2 = 2 t, y is an integer from 1 to 10, x and z, which may be identical or different, are integers from 0 to 10, X- is an organic or inorganic simple or complex anion, with the proviso that the sum x + y + z is from 1 to 15, that when x is 0, R23 denotes R27 and that when z is 0, R25 denotes R29.

The alkyl groups R22 may be linear or branched, and more particularly linear.

Preferably, R22 denotes a methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl or di hydroxy propyl group, and more particularly a methyl or ethyl group.

Advantageously, the sum x + y + z is from 1 to 10.

When R23 is a hydrocarbon-based group R27, it may be long and may contain 12 to 22 carbon atoms, or may be short and may contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

When R25 is a hydrocarbon-based group R29, it preferably contains 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Advantageously, R24, R26 and R28, which may be identical or different, are chosen from linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C11-C21 hydrocarbon-based groups, and more particularly from linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C11-C21 alkyl and alkenyl groups.

Preferably, x and z, which may be identical or different, are equal to 0 or 1.

Advantageously, y is equal to 1 .

Preferably, r, s and t, which may be identical or different, are equal to 2 or 3, and even more particularly are equal to 2.

The anion X is preferably a halide, preferably chloride, bromide or iodide, a (C1-C4)alkyl sulfate or a (C1-C4)alkyl- or (C1-C4)alkylaryl-sulfonate. However, use may be made of methanesulfonate, phosphate, nitrate, tosylate, an anion derived from an organic acid, such as acetate or lactate, or any other anion that is compatible with the ammonium bearing an ester function.

The anion X- is even more particularly chloride, methyl sulfate or ethyl sulfate.

Use is made more particularly, in the composition according to the invention, of the ammonium salts of formula (VIII) in which: R22 denotes a methyl or ethyl group, x and y are equal to 1 , z is equal to 0 or 1 , r, s and t are equal to 2; R23 is chosen from: the group -C(O)R26, methyl, ethyl or C14-C22 hydrocarbon-based groups, or a hydrogen atom, R25 is chosen from: the group -C(O)R28, or a hydrogen atom, R24, R26 and R28, which may be identical or different, are chosen from linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated CISCI? hydrocarbon-based groups, and preferably from linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C13-C17 alkyl and alkenyl groups.

Advantageously, the hydrocarbon-based groups are linear.

Among the compounds of formula (VIII), examples that may be mentioned include salts, notably the chloride or methyl sulfate, of diacyloxyethyldimethylammonium, d i acy I oxyethyl hyd roxyethy I methylammonium, monoacyloxyethyldihydroxyethylmethylammonium, triacyloxyethylmethylammonium or monoacyloxyethylhydroxyethyldimethylammonium, and mixtures thereof. The acyl groups preferably contain 14 to 18 carbon atoms and are derived more particularly from a plant oil such as palm oil or sunflower oil. When the compound contains several acyl groups, these groups may be identical or different.

These products are obtained, for example, by direct esterification of triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, an alkyldiethanolamine or an alkyldiisopropanolamine, which are optionally oxyalkylenated, with fatty acids or with fatty acid mixtures of plant or animal origin, or by transesterification of the methyl esters thereof. This esterification is followed by quaternization by means of an alkylating agent such as an alkyl halide, preferably a methyl or ethyl halide, a dialkyl sulfate, preferably dimethyl or diethyl sulfate, methyl methanesulfonate, methyl para-toluenesulfonate, glycol chlorohydrin or glycerol chlorohydrin.

Such compounds are sold, for example, under the names Dehyquart® by the company Henkel, Stepanquat® by the company Stepan, Noxamium® by the company CECA or Rewoquat® WE 18 by the company Rewo-Witco.

The composition according to the invention may contain, for example, a mixture of quaternary ammonium monoester, diester and triester salts with a weight majority of diester salts.

Use may also be made of the ammonium salts containing at least one ester function that are described in patents US-A-4 874 554 and US-A-4 137 180.

Use may also be made of the behenoylhydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride sold, for example, by the company Kao under the name Quartamin BTC 131. Preferably, the ammonium salts containing at least one ester function contain two ester functions.

Among the cationic surfactants, it is more particularly preferred to choose cetyltrimethylammonium, behenyltrimethylammonium and dipalmitoylethylhydroxyethylmethylammonium salts, and mixtures thereof, and more particularly behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, and dipalmitoylethylhydroxyethylammonium methosulfate, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises one or more surfactants other than oxyalkylenated C8-C40 fatty alcohols comprising 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups chosen from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof, preferably from sulfate-based surfactants such as alkyl sulfates or alkyl ether sulfates, fatty alcohol phosphates and ethoxylated C8-C24 fatty alcohols comprising less than 50 ethylene oxide groups, preferably from 1 to 45 ethylene oxide groups, and mixtures thereof, more preferentially alkyl sulfates and/or alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylenated fatty alcohol phosphates containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and from 1 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide, and mixtures thereof.

More preferentially, the composition according to the invention comprises one or more surfactants other than oxyalkylenated C8-C40 fatty alcohols comprising 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups chosen from anionic surfactants, more preferably from alkyl sulfates and/or alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylenated fatty alcohol phosphates containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and from 1 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide, and mixtures thereof.

When the composition comprises one or more surfactants other than oxyalkylenated C ₈ - C ₄ o fatty alcohols comprising 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups, the total content of surfactant(s) other than oxyalkylenated C ₈ -C ₄ o fatty alcohols comprising 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups in the composition preferably ranges from 0.01% to 30% by weight, more preferentially from 0.1 % to 20% by weight, better still from 0.5% to 15% by weight, even better still from 1 % to 10% by weight, relative to the total composition weight.

When the composition comprises one or more anionic surfactants other than oxyalkylenated C8-C40 fatty alcohols comprising 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups, the total content of anionic surfactant(s) other than oxyalkylenated C ₈ -C ₄ o fatty alcohols comprising 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups in the composition preferably ranges from 0.01% to 30% by weight, more preferentially from 0.1 % to 20% by weight, better still from 0.5% to 15% by weight, even better still from 1 % to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

Fatty substance

The composition according to the invention may also comprise one or more fatty substances.

The term “fatty substance means an organic compound that is insoluble in water at 25°C and at atmospheric pressure (1.013x10 ⁵ Pa) (solubility of less than 5% by weight, preferably less than 1 % by weight, even more preferentially less than 0.1 % by weight). They bear in their structure at least one hydrocarbon-based chain including at least 6 carbon atoms and/or a sequence of at least two siloxane groups. In addition, the fatty substances are generally soluble in organic solvents under the same temperature and pressure conditions, for instance chloroform, dichloromethane, carbon tetrachloride, ethanol, benzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran (THF), liquid petroleum jelly or decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.

Advantageously, the fatty substances that may be used in the present invention are neither (poly)oxyalkylenated nor (poly)glycerolated.

Preferably, the fatty substances that are useful according to the invention are nonsilicone fatty substances.

The term “nonsilicone fatty substance” refers to a fatty substance not containing any Si-0 bonds and the term “silicone fatty substance” refers to a fatty substance containing at least one Si-0 bond.

The fatty substances that are useful according to the invention may be liquid fatty substances (or oils) and/or solid fatty substances. The term “liquid fatty substance” means a fatty substance having a melting point of less than or equal to 25°C at atmospheric pressure (1.013X10 ⁵ Pa). The term “solid fatty substance” means a fatty substance having a melting point of greater than 25°C at atmospheric pressure (1.013X10 ⁵ Pa).

For the purposes of the present invention, the melting point corresponds to the temperature of the most endothermic peak observed on thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry or DSC) as described in the standard ISO 11357-3; 1999. The melting point may be measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), for example the calorimeter sold under the name MDSC 2920 by the company TA Instruments. In the present patent application, all the melting points are determined at atmospheric pressure (1.013x10 ⁵ Pa).

More particularly, the liquid fatty substance(s) according to the invention are chosen from C6 to C16 liquid hydrocarbons, liquid hydrocarbons comprising more than 16 carbon atoms, nonsilicone oils of animal origin, oils of triglyceride type of plant or synthetic origin, fluoro oils, liquid fatty alcohols, liquid fatty acid and/or fatty alcohol esters other than triglycerides, and silicone oils, and mixtures thereof.

It is recalled that the fatty alcohols, esters and acids more particularly contain at least one saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon-based group comprising from 6 to 40 and better still from 8 to 30 carbon atoms, which is optionally substituted, in particular with one or more hydroxyl groups (in particular 1 to 4). If they are unsaturated, these compounds may comprise one to three conjugated or unconjugated carbon-carbon double bonds.

As regards the C6 to C16 liquid hydrocarbons, they may be linear, branched, or optionally cyclic, and are preferably chosen from alkanes. Examples that may be mentioned include hexane, cyclohexane, undecane, dodecane, isododecane, tridecane or isoparaffins, such as isohexadecane or isodecane, and mixtures thereof.

The liquid hydrocarbons comprising more than 16 carbon atoms may be linear or branched, and of mineral or synthetic origin, and are preferably chosen from liquid paraffins or liquid petroleum jelly (INCI name: mineral oil or paraffinum liquidum), polydecenes, hydrogenated polyisobutene such as Parleam®, and mixtures thereof.

A hydrocarbon-based oil of animal origin that may be mentioned is perhydrosqualene.

The triglyceride oils of plant or synthetic origin are preferably chosen from liquid fatty acid triglycerides including from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, for instance heptanoic or octanoic acid triglycerides, or alternatively, for example, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, marrow oil, grapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, hazelnut oil, apricot oil, macadamia oil, arara oil, castor oil, avocado oil, caprylic/capric acid triglycerides, for instance those sold by the company Stearinerie Dubois or those sold under the names Miglyol® 810, 812 and 818 by the company Dynamit Nobel, jojoba oil and shea butter oil, and mixtures thereof.

As regards the fluoro oils, they may be chosen from perfluoromethylcyclopentane and perfluoro-1 ,3-dimethylcyclohexane, sold under the names Flutec® PC1 and Flutec® PC3 by the company BNFL Fluorochemicals; perfluoro-1 ,2-dimethylcyclobutane; perfluoroalkanes such as dodecafluoropentane and tetradecafluorohexane, sold under the names PF 5050® and PF 5060® by the company 3M, or bromoperfluorooctyl sold under the name Foralkyl® by the company Atochem; nonafluoromethoxybutane and nonafluoroethoxyisobutane; perfluoromorpholine derivatives such as 4- trifluoromethylperfluoromorpholine sold under the name PF 5052® by the company 3M.

The liquid fatty alcohols that are suitable for use in the invention are more particularly chosen from linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alcohols, preferably unsaturated or branched alcohols, including from 6 to 40 carbon atoms and preferably from 8 to 30 carbon atoms. Examples that may be mentioned include octyldodecanol, 2-butyloctanol, 2- hexyldecanol, 2-undecylpentadecanol, isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol, ricinoleyl alcohol, undecylenyl alcohol and linoleyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

As regards the liquid esters of fatty acids and/or of fatty alcohols, other than the triglycerides mentioned previously, mention may be made notably of esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear C1 to C26 or branched C3 to C26 aliphatic mono- or polyacids and of saturated or unsaturated, linear C1 to C26 or branched C3 to C26 aliphatic mono- or polyalcohols, the total carbon number of the esters being greater than or equal to 6 and more advantageously greater than or equal to 10.

Preferably, for the esters of monoalcohols, at least one from among the alcohol and the acid from which the esters of the invention are derived is branched.

Among the monoesters, mention may be made of dihydroabietyl behenate; octyldodecyl behenate; isocetyl behenate; isostearyl lactate; lauryl lactate; linoleyl lactate; oleyl lactate; isostearyl octanoate; isocetyl octanoate; octyl octanoate; decyl oleate; isocetyl isostearate; isocetyl laurate; isocetyl stearate; isodecyl octanoate; isodecyl oleate; isononyl isononanoate; isostearyl palmitate; methyl acetyl ricinoleate; octyl isononanoate; 2- ethylhexyl isononanoate; octyldodecyl erucate; oleyl erucate; ethyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, 2-octyldecyl palmitate, alkyl myristates such as isopropyl myristate, isobutyl stearate; 2-hexyldecyl laurate, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, among the monoesters of monoacids and of monoalcohols, use will be made of ethyl palmitate and isopropyl palmitate, alkyl myristates such as isopropyl myristate or ethyl myristate, isocetyl stearate, 2-ethylhexyl isononanoate, isodecyl neopentanoate and isostearyl neopentanoate, and mixtures thereof.

Still within the context of this variant, esters of C4-C22 dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids and of C1-C22 alcohols and esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids and of C2-C26 dihydroxy, trihydroxy, tetrahydroxy or pentahydroxy alcohols may also be used.

Mention may notably be made of: diethyl sebacate; diisopropyl sebacate; diisopropyl adipate; di-n-propyl adipate; dioctyl adipate; diisostearyl adipate; dioctyl maleate; glyceryl undecylenate; octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate; pentaerythrityl monoricinoleate; pentaerythrityl tetraisononanoate; pentaerythrityl tetrapelargonate; pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate; pentaerythrityl tetraoctanoate; propylene glycol dicaprylate; propylene glycol dicaprate; tridecyl erucate; triisopropyl citrate; triisostearyl citrate; glyceryl trilactate; glyceryl trioctanoate; trioctyldodecyl citrate; trioleyl citrate; propylene glycol dioctanoate; neopentyl glycol diheptanoate; diethylene glycol diisononanoate; and polyethylene glycol distearates, and mixtures thereof.

The composition may also comprise, as fatty ester, sugar esters and diesters of C6 to C30 and preferably C12 to C22 fatty acids. It is recalled that the term “sugar” refers to oxygenbearing hydrocarbon-based compounds bearing several alcohol functions, with or without aldehyde or ketone functions, and which include at least 4 carbon atoms. These sugars may be monosaccharides, oligosaccharides or polysaccharides.

Examples of suitable sugars that may be mentioned include sucrose, glucose, galactose, ribose, fucose, maltose, fructose, mannose, arabinose, xylose and lactose, and derivatives thereof, notably alkyl derivatives, such as methyl derivatives, for instance methylglucose.

The sugar esters of fatty acids may be chosen notably from the group comprising the esters or mixtures of esters of sugars described above and of linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C6 to C30 and preferably C12 to C22 fatty acids. If they are unsaturated, these compounds may comprise one to three conjugated or unconjugated carbon-carbon double bonds.

The esters according to this variant may also be chosen from mono-, di-, tri- and tetraesters, polyesters, and mixtures thereof.

These esters may be, for example, oleates, laurates, palmitates, myristates, behenates, cocoates, stearates, linoleates, linolenates, caprates, arachidonates or mixtures thereof notably such as the mixed oleo-palmitate, oleo-stearate and palmito-stearate esters.

More particularly, use is made of monoesters and diesters and notably sucrose, glucose or methylglucose mono- or di-oleates, -stearates, -behenates, -oleopalmitates, -linoleates, -linolenates and -oleostearates, and mixtures thereof. An example that may be mentioned is the product sold under the name Glucate® DO by the company Amerchol, which is a methylglucose dioleate.

Preferably, use will be made of a liquid ester of a monoacid and of a monoalcohol.

The silicone oils that may be used in the composition according to the present invention may be volatile or nonvolatile, cyclic, linear or branched silicone oils, which are unmodified or modified with organic groups, and preferably have a viscosity from 5x10- ⁶ to 2.5 m ² /s at 25°C, and preferably 1 xW- ⁵ to 1 m ² /s.

Preferably, the silicone oils are chosen from polydialkylsiloxanes, notably polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), and liquid polyorganosiloxanes including at least one aryl group.

These silicone oils may also be organomodified. The organomodified silicone oils that may be used in accordance with the invention are preferably liquid silicones as defined previously and including in their structure one or more organofunctional groups attached via a hydrocarbon-based group, chosen, for example, from amine groups and alkoxy groups.

Organopolysiloxanes are defined in greater detail in Walter Noll’s Chemistry and Technology of Silicones (1968), Academic Press. They may be volatile or nonvolatile.

When they are volatile, the silicone oils are more particularly chosen from those with a boiling point of between 60°C and 260°C, and even more particularly from:

(i) cyclic polydialkylsiloxanes including from 3 to 7 and preferably from 4 to 5 silicon atoms. These are, for example, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane sold notably under the name Volatile Silicone® 7207 by Union Carbide or Silbione® 70045 V2 by Rhodia, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane sold under the name Volatile Silicone® 7158 by Union Carbide, and Silbione® 70045 V5 by Rhodia, and mixtures thereof.

Mention may also be made of cyclocopolymers of the dimethylsiloxane/methylalkylsiloxane type, such as Volatile Silicone® FZ 3109 sold by the company Union Carbide.

Mention may also be made of mixtures of cyclic polydialkylsiloxanes with organosilicon compounds, such as the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and tetra(trimethylsilyl)pentaerythritol (50/50) and the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and oxy-1 ,T-bis(2,2,2’,2’,3,3’-hexatrimethylsilyloxy)neopentane ;

(ii) linear volatile polydialkylsiloxanes containing 2 to 9 silicon atoms and having a viscosity of less than or equal to 5x10 ⁶ m ² /s at25°C. An example is decamethyltetrasiloxane notably sold under the name SH 200 by the company Toray Silicone. Silicones falling within this category are also described in the article published in Cosmetics and Toiletries, Vol. 91 , Jan. 76, pages 27-32, Todd & Byers Volatile Silicone Fluids for Cosmetics.

Nonvolatile polydialkylsiloxanes are preferably used.

These silicone oils are more particularly chosen from polydialkylsiloxanes, among which mention may be made mainly of polydimethylsiloxanes bearing trimethylsilyl end groups. The viscosity of the silicones is measured at 25°C according to the standard ASTM 445 Appendix C.

Among these polydialkylsiloxanes, mention may be made, in a nonlimiting manner, of the following commercial products:

- the Silbione® oils of the 47 and 70 047 series or the M irasil® oils sold by Rhodia, for instance the oil 70 047 V 500 000;

- the oils of the Mirasil® series sold by the company Rhodia;

- the oils of the 200 series from the company Dow Corning, such as DC200, with a viscosity of 60 000 mm ² /s;

- the Viscasil® oils from General Electric and certain oils of the SF series (SF 96, SF 18) from General Electric.

Mention may also be made of polydimethylsiloxanes bearing dimethylsilanol end groups, known under the name dimethiconol (CTFA), such as the oils of the 48 series from Rhodia.

The organomodified silicones that may be used in accordance with the invention are silicones as defined previously and including in their structure one or more organofunctional groups attached via a hydrocarbon-based group.

As regards the liquid polyorganosiloxanes including at least one aryl group, they may notably be polydiphenylsiloxanes, and polyalkylarylsiloxanes functionalized with the organofunctional groups mentioned previously.

The polyalkylarylsiloxanes are chosen particularly from linear and/or branched polydimethyl/methylphenylsiloxanes and polydimethyl/diphenylsiloxanes with a viscosity ranging from 1 X10 ⁵ to 5X10 ² m ² /s at 25°C.

Among these polyalkylarylsiloxanes, examples that may be mentioned include the products sold under the following names:

- the Silbione® oils of the 70 641 series from Rhodia; - the oils of the Rhodorsil® 70 633 and 763 series from Rhodia;

- the oil Dow Corning 556 Cosmetic Grade Fluid from Dow Corning;

- the silicones of the PK series from Bayer, such as the product PK20;

- the silicones of the PN and PH series from Bayer, such as the products PN1000 and PH 1000;

- certain oils of the SF series from General Electric, such as SF 1023, SF 1154, SF 1250 and SF 1265.

Among the organomodified silicones, mention may be made of polyorganosiloxanes including:

- substituted or unsubstituted amine groups, such as the products sold under the names GP 4 Silicone Fluid and GP 7100 by the company Genesee or the products sold under the names Q2 8220 and Dow Corning 929 or 939 by the company Dow Corning. The substituted amine groups are in particular C1 to C4 aminoalkyl groups;

- alkoxylated groups,

- hydroxyl groups.

The solid fatty substances according to the invention preferably have a viscosity of greater than 2 Pa.s, measured at 25°C and at a shear rate of 1 s ¹ .

The solid fatty substance(s) are preferably chosen from solid fatty acids, solid fatty alcohols, solid esters of fatty acids and/or of fatty alcohols, waxes, ceramides and mixtures thereof.

The term “fatty acid” means a long-chain carboxylic acid comprising from 6 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 30 carbon atoms. The solid fatty acids according to the invention preferentially comprise from 10 to 30 carbon atoms and better still from 14 to 22 carbon atoms. They may optionally be hydroxylated. These fatty acids are neither oxyalkylenated nor glycerolated.

The solid fatty acids that may be used in the present invention are notably chosen from myristic acid, cetylic acid (or palmitic acid), stearylic acid, arachidic acid, stearic acid, lauric acid, behenic acid, 12-hydroxystearic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferably, the solid fatty acid(s) are chosen from stearic acid, myristic acid and cetylic acid (or palmitic acid). The term “fatty alcohol” means a long-chain aliphatic alcohol comprising from 6 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 30 carbon atoms, and comprising at least one hydroxyl group OH. These fatty alcohols are neither oxyalkylenated nor glycerolated.

The solid fatty alcohols may be saturated or unsaturated, and linear or branched, and include from 8 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 30 carbon atoms. Preferably, the solid fatty alcohols have the structure R-OH with R denoting a linear alkyl group, optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, comprising from 8 to 40, preferentially from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, better still from 10 to 30, or even from 12 to 24 atoms and even better still from 14 to 22 carbon atoms.

The solid fatty alcohols that may be used are preferably chosen from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, preferably linear and saturated, (mono)alcohols including from 8 to 40 carbon atoms, better still from 10 to 30, or even from 12 to 24 and even better still from 14 to 22 carbon atoms.

The solid fatty alcohols that may be used may be chosen, alone or as a mixture, from: myristyl alcohol (or 1 -tetradecanol); cetyl alcohol (or 1 -hexadecanol); stearyl alcohol (or 1- octadecanol); arachidyl alcohol (or 1-eicosanol); behenyl alcohol (or 1 -docosanol); lignoceryl alcohol (or 1-tetracosanol); ceryl alcohol (or 1-hexacosanol); montanyl alcohol (or 1-octacosanol); myricyl alcohol (or 1-triacontanol).

Preferentially, the solid fatty alcohol is chosen from cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof, such as cetylstearyl alcohol or cetearyl alcohol. Particularly preferably, the solid fatty alcohol is chosen from cetylstearyl alcohol or cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol.

The solid esters of a fatty acid and/or of a fatty alcohol that may be used are preferably chosen from esters derived from a C9-C26 carboxylic fatty acid and/or from a C9-C26 fatty alcohol.

Preferably, these solid fatty esters are esters of a linear or branched, saturated carboxylic acid including at least 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 30 carbon atoms and more particularly from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, and of a linear or branched, saturated monoalcohol, including at least 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 30 carbon atoms and more particularly from 12 to 24 carbon atoms. The saturated carboxylic acids may optionally be hydroxylated, and are preferably monocarboxylic acids. Esters of C4-C22 dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids and of C1-C22 alcohols and esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids and of C2-C26 dihydroxy, trihydroxy, tetrahydroxy or pentahydroxy alcohols may also be used.

Mention may notably be made of octyldodecyl behenate, isocetyl behenate, cetyl lactate, stearyl octanoate, octyl octanoate, cetyl octanoate, decyl oleate, hexyl stearate, octyl stearate, myristyl stearate, cetyl stearate, stearyl stearate, octyl pelargonate, cetyl myristate, myristyl myristate, stearyl myristate, diethyl sebacate, diisopropyl sebacate, diisopropyl adipate, di-n-propyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, dioctyl maleate, octyl palmitate, myristyl palmitate, cetyl palmitate, stearyl palmitate, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the solid esters of a fatty acid and/or of a fatty alcohol are chosen from C9-C26 alkyl palmitates, notably myristyl palmitate, cetyl palmitate or stearyl palmitate; C9-C26 alkyl myristates, such as cetyl myristate, stearyl myristate and myristyl myristate; and C9- C26 alkyl stearates, notably myristyl stearate, cetyl stearate and stearyl stearate; and mixtures thereof.

For the purposes of the present invention, a wax is a lipophilic compound, which is solid at 25°C and atmospheric pressure, with a reversible solid/liquid change of state, having a melting point greater than about 40°C, which may be up to 200°C, and having in the solid state anisotropic crystal organization. In general, the size of the wax crystals is such that the crystals diffract and/or scatter light, giving the composition that comprises them a more or less opaque cloudy appearance. By bringing the wax to its melting point, it is possible to make it miscible with oils and to form a microscopically homogeneous mixture, but on returning the temperature of the mixture to room temperature, recrystallization of the wax, which is microscopically and macroscopically detectable (opalescence), is obtained.

In particular, the waxes that are suitable for use in the invention may be chosen from waxes of animal, plant or mineral origin, nonsilicone synthetic waxes, and mixtures thereof.

Mention may be made notably of hydrocarbon-based waxes, for instance beeswax, notably of organic origin, lanolin wax and Chinese insect waxes; rice bran wax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, ouricury wax, esparto grass wax, berry wax, shellac wax, Japan wax and sumac wax; montan wax, orange wax and lemon wax, microcrystalline waxes, paraffins and ozokerite; polyethylene waxes, the waxes obtained by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and waxy copolymers, and also esters thereof.

Mention may also be made of C20 to C60 microcrystalline waxes, such as Microwax HW. Mention may also be made of the MW 500 polyethylene wax sold under the reference Permalen 50-L Polyethylene.

Mention may also be made of the waxes obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of animal or plant oils containing linear or branched C8 to C32 fatty chains. Among these waxes mention may notably be made of isomerized jojoba oil such as trans-isomerized partially hydrogenated jojoba oil, notably the product manufactured or sold by the company Desert Whale under the commercial reference Iso-Jojoba-50®, hydrogenated sunflower oil, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated coconut kernel oil, hydrogenated lanolin oil and bis(1 , 1 ,1 -trimethylolpropane) tetrastearate, notably the product sold under the name Hest 2T-4S® by the company Heterene.

The waxes obtained by hydrogenation of castor oil esterified with cetyl alcohol, such as those sold under the names Phytowax Castor 16L64® and 22L73® by the company Sophim, may also be used.

A wax that may also be used is a C20-C40 alkyl (hydroxystearyloxy)stearate (the alkyl group comprising from 20 to 40 carbon atoms), alone or as a mixture. Such a wax is notably sold under the names Kester Wax K 82 P®, Hydroxypolyester K 82 P® and Kester Wax K 80 P® by the company Koster Keunen.

It is also possible to use microwaxes in the compositions of the invention; mention may notably be made of carnauba microwaxes, such as the product sold under the name MicroCare 350® by the company Micro Powders, synthetic-wax microwaxes, such as the product sold under the name MicroEase 114S® by the company Micro Powders, microwaxes constituted of a mixture of carnauba wax and polyethylene wax, such as the products sold under the names Micro Care 300® and 310® by the company Micro Powders, microwaxes constituted of a mixture of carnauba wax and of synthetic wax, such as the product sold under the name Micro Care 325® by the company Micro Powders, polyethylene microwaxes, such as the products sold under the names Micropoly 200®, 220®, 220L® and 250S® by the company Micro Powders, and polytetrafluoroethylene microwaxes, such as the products sold under the names Microslip 519® and 519 L® by the company Micro Powders.

The waxes are preferably chosen from mineral waxes, for instance paraffin, petroleum jelly, lignite or ozokerite wax; plant waxes, for instance cocoa butter or cork fiber or sugar cane waxes, olive tree wax, rice wax, hydrogenated jojoba wax, ouricury wax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, esparto grass wax, or absolute waxes of flowers, such as the essential wax of blackcurrant blossom sold by the company Bertin (France); waxes of animal origin, for instance beeswaxes or modified beeswaxes (cera bellina), spermaceti, lanolin wax and lanolin derivatives; microcrystalline waxes; and mixtures thereof.

The ceramides, or ceramide analogs such as glycoceramides, which may be used in the compositions according to the invention, are known; mention may be made in particular of ceramides of classes I, II, III and V according to the Dawning classification.

The ceramides or analogs thereof that may be used preferably correspond to the following formula: R ³ CH(OH)CH(CH ₂ OR ² )(NHCOR ¹ ), in which:

R ¹ denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, derived from C14- C30 fatty acids, this group possibly being substituted with a hydroxyl group in the alpha position, or a hydroxyl group in the omega position, esterified with a saturated or unsaturated C16-C30 fatty acid;

R ² denotes a hydrogen atom, a (glycosyl)n group, a (galactosyl)m group or a sulfogalactosyl group, in which n is an integer ranging from 1 to 4 and m is an integer ranging from 1 to 8;

R ³ denotes a C15-C26 hydrocarbon-based group, saturated or unsaturated in the alpha position, this group possibly being substituted with one or more C1-C14 alkyl groups; it being understood that in the case of natural ceramides or glycoceramides, R ³ may also denote a C15-C26 alpha-hydroxyalkyl group, the hydroxyl group being optionally esterified with a C16- C30 alpha-hydroxy acid.

The ceramides that are more particularly preferred are the compounds for which R ¹ denotes a saturated or unsaturated alkyl derived from Ci6-C ₂₂ fatty acids; R ² denotes a hydrogen atom and R ³ denotes a saturated linear C15 group.

Preferentially, use is made of ceramides for which R ¹ denotes a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group derived from C14-C30 fatty acids; R ² denotes a galactosyl or sulfogalactosyl group; and R ³ denotes a -CH=CH-(CH ₂ )I ₂ -CH3 group.

Use may also be made of compounds for which R ¹ denotes a saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical derived from C12-C22 fatty acids; R ² denotes a galactosyl or sulfogalactosyl radical and R ³ denotes a saturated or unsaturated Ci ₂ -C ₂₂ hydrocarbon-based radical and preferably a -CH=CH-(CH ₂ )i2-CH3 group.

As compounds that are particularly preferred, mention may also be made of 2-N- linoleoylaminooctadecane-1 ,3-diol; 2-N-oleoylaminooctadecane-1 ,3-diol; 2-N- palmitoylaminooctadecane-1 ,3-diol; 2-N-stearoylaminooctadecane-1 ,3-diol ; 2-N- behenoylaminooctadecane-1 ,3-diol; 2-N-[2-hydroxypalmitoyl]aminooctadecane-1 ,3-diol; 2-N-stearoylaminooctadecane-1 ,3,4-triol and in particular N-stearoylphytosphingosine, 2- N-palmitoylaminohexadecane-1 ,3-diol, N-linoleoyldihydrosphingosine, N- oleoyldihydrosphingosine, N-palmitoyldihydrosphingosine, N-stearoyldihydrosphingosine, and N-behenoyldihydrosphingosine, N-docosanoyl-N-methyl-D-glucamine, cetylic acid N- (2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(3-cetyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl)amide and bis(N-hydroxyethyl-N- cetyl)malonamide; and mixtures thereof. N-Oleoyldihydrosphingosine will preferably be used.

The solid fatty substances are preferably chosen from solid fatty acids, solid fatty alcohols and mixtures thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises at least one liquid fatty substance, preferentially chosen from liquid hydrocarbons containing more than 16 carbon atoms, plant oils, liquid fatty alcohols, liquid fatty esters, silicone oils and mixtures thereof.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises at least one liquid fatty substance chosen from liquid hydrocarbons comprising more than 16 carbon atoms, in particular liquid petroleum jelly, liquid fatty alcohols, and mixtures thereof.

According to another preferred embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises at least one solid fatty substance, preferentially chosen from solid fatty alcohols.

When the composition according to the invention comprises one or more fatty substances, the total content of the fatty substance(s) preferably ranges from 5% to 80% by weight, more preferentially from 8% to 70% by weight and better still from 10% to 65% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

In a particular embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises one or more fatty substances, the total content of the fatty substance(s) preferably ranging from 30% to 80% by weight, more preferentially from 35% to 70% by weight and better still from 40% to 65% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

In another particular embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises one or more liquid fatty substances, the total content of the liquid fatty substance(s) preferably ranging from 30% to 80% by weight, more preferentially from 35% to 70% by weight and better still from 40% to 65% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Sequestrant

The composition according to the invention may comprise a sequestrant (or chelating agent).

The definition of a “sequestrant” (or “chelating agent”) is well known to those skilled in the art and refers to a compound or a mixture of compounds that are capable of forming a chelate with a metal ion. A chelate is an inorganic complex in which a compound (the sequestrant or chelating agent) is coordinated to a metal ion, i.e. it forms one or more bonds with the metal ion (formation of a ring including the metal ion).

A sequestrant (or chelating agent) generally comprises at least two electron-donating atoms which enable the formation of bonds with the metal ion.

In the context of the present invention, the sequestrant(s) may be chosen from carboxylic acids, preferably aminocarboxylic acids, phosphonic acids, preferably aminophosphonic acids, polyphosphoric acids, preferably linear polyphosphoric acids, salts thereof, and derivatives thereof.

The salts are notably alkali metal, alkaline-earth metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts.

The following compounds may be mentioned as examples of sequestrants based on carboxylic acids: diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) and trisodium ethylenediaminedisuccinate such as Octaquest E30 from Octel, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and salts thereof such as disodium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, ethylenediamine-N,N’-diglutaric acid (EDDG), glycinamide-N,N’- disuccinic acid (GADS), 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N,N’-disuccinic acid (HPDDS), ethylenediamine-N,N’-bis(ortho-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) (EDDHA), N,N’-bis(2- hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N’-diacetic acid (HBED), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), N-2-hydroxyethyl-N,N-diacetic acid and glyceryliminodiacetic acid (as described in EP-A-317542 and EP-A-399 133), iminodiacetic acid-N-2-hydroxypropylsulfonic acid and aspartic acid-N-carboxymethyl-N-2- hydroxypropyl-3-sulfonic acid (as described in EP-A-516 102), beta-alanine-N,N’-diacetic acid, aspartic acid-N,N’-diacetic acid, and aspartic acid-N-monoacetic acid (described in EP-A-509 382), chelating agents based on iminodisuccinic acid (IDSA) (as described in EP-A-509 382), ethanoldiglycine acid, phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid such as the compound sold by Bayer under the reference Bayhibit AM, N,N-dicarboxymethylglutamic acid and salts thereof such as tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (GLDA) such as Dissolvine GL38 or 45S from AkzoNobel.

The following compounds may be mentioned as examples of chelating agents based on mono- or polyphosphonic acid: diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP), ethane-1 -hydroxy-1 , 1 ,2-triphosphonic acid (E1 HTP), ethane-2-hydroxy- 1 ,1 ,2- triphosphonic acid (E2HTP), ethane-1-hydroxy-1 ,1-triphosphonic acid (EHDP), ethane- 1 ,1 ,2-triphosphonic acid (ETP), ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP), hydroxyethane-1 ,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP, or etidronic acid), and salts such as disodium etidronate, tetrasodium etidronate.

The following compounds may be mentioned as examples of chelating agents based on polyphosphoric acid: sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), tetrasodium diphosphate, hexametaphosphoric acid, sodium metaphosphate, phytic acid.

According to one embodiment, the sequestrant(s) that are useful according to the invention are phosphorus-based sequestrants, i.e. sequestrants which comprise one or more phosphorus atoms, preferably at least two phosphorus atoms.

The phosphorus-based sequestrant(s) used in the composition according to the invention are preferably chosen from:

- inorganic phosphorus-based derivatives preferably chosen from alkali metal or alkaline- earth metal, preferably alkali metal, phosphates and pyrophosphates, such as sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium pyrophosphate decahydrate; and alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, preferably alkali metal, polyphosphates, such as sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium polyphosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium trimetaphosphate; which are optionally hydrated, and mixtures thereof;

- organic phosphorus-based derivatives, such as organic (poly)phosphates and (poly)phosphonates, for instance etidronic acid and/or alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salts thereof, for instance tetrasodium etidronate, disodium etidronate, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the phosphorus-based sequestrant(s) are chosen from linear or cyclic compounds comprising at least two phosphorus atoms bonded together covalently via at least one linker L comprising at least one oxygen atom and/or at least one carbon atom. The phosphorus-based sequestrant(s) may be chosen from inorganic phosphorus-based derivatives, preferably comprising at least two phosphorus atoms. More preferentially, the phosphorus-based sequestrant(s) are chosen from alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal pyrophosphates, better still from alkali metal pyrophosphates, in particular sodium pyrophosphate (also known as tetrasodium pyrophosphate).

The phosphorus-based sequestrant(s) may be chosen from organic phosphorus-based derivatives, preferably comprising at least two phosphorus atoms. More preferentially, the phosphorus-based sequestrant(s) are chosen from etidronic acid (also known as 1- hydroxyethane-1 ,1-diphosphonic acid) and/or alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal, preferably alkali metal, salts thereof, for instance tetrasodium etidronate and disodium etidronate.

Thus, preferably, the phosphorus-based sequestrant(s) are chosen from alkali metal pyrophosphates, etidronic acid and/or alkali metal salts thereof, and a mixture of these compounds.

Particularly preferably, the phosphorus-based sequestrant(s) are chosen from tetrasodium etidronate, disodium etidronate, etidronic acid, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, and a mixture of these compounds.

According to the present invention, the sequestrants are preferably chosen from diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and salts thereof, diethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and salts thereof, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) and salts thereof, etidronic acid and salts thereof, N,N-dicarboxymethylglutamic acid and salts thereof (GLDA), and mixtures thereof.

Among the salts of these compounds, the alkali metal salts and notably the sodium or potassium salts are preferred.

When the composition comprises one or more sequestrants, the total content of the sequestrant(s) preferably ranges from 0.001 % to 15% by weight, more preferentially from 0.05% to 10% by weight, better still from 0.01% to 8% by weight, even better still from 0.05% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Alkaline agent

The composition according to the present invention may comprise one or more mineral, organic or hybrid alkaline agents. Preferably, the composition according to the present invention comprises one or more mineral, organic or hybrid alkaline agents.

For the purposes of the present invention, the terms “alkaline agent’ and “basifying agent' are used interchangeably.

The mineral basifying agent(s) are preferably chosen from aqueous ammonia, alkali metal carbonates or bicarbonates such as sodium (hydrogen)carbonate and potassium (hydrogen)carbonate, alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal phosphates such as sodium phosphates or potassium phosphates, sodium or potassium hydroxides, and mixtures thereof.

The organic basifying agent(s) are preferably chosen from alkanolamines, amino acids, organic amines, oxyethylenated and/or oxypropylenated ethylenediamines, 1 ,3- diaminopropane, 1 ,3-diamino-2-propanol, spermine, spermidine and mixtures thereof.

The term “alkanolamine” means an organic amine comprising a primary, secondary or tertiary amine function, and one or more linear or branched Ci-C ₈ alkyl groups bearing one or more hydroxyl radicals.

Organic amines chosen from alkanolamines such as monoalkanolamines, dialkanolamines or trialkanolamines comprising one to three identical or different C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl radicals are in particular suitable for performing the invention.

In particular, the alkanolamine(s) are chosen from monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, N,N- dimethylethanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1 -propanol, triisopropanolamine, 2-amino-2- methyl-1 ,3-propanediol, 3-amino-1 ,2-propanediol, 3-dimethylamino-1 ,2-propanediol, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and mixtures thereof.

Advantageously, the amino acids are basic amino acids comprising an additional amine function. Such basic amino acids are preferably chosen from histidine, lysine, arginine, ornithine and citrulline.

The organic amine may also be chosen from organic amines of heterocyclic type. Besides histidine that has already been mentioned in the amino acids, mention may in particular be made of pyridine, piperidine, imidazole, triazole, tetrazole and benzimidazole. The organic amine may also be chosen from amino acid dipeptides. As amino acid dipeptides that may be used in the present invention, mention may notably be made of carnosine, anserine and balenine. The organic amine may also be chosen from compounds including a guanidine function. As amines of this type other than arginine that may be used in the present invention, mention may notably be made of creatine, creatinine, 1 ,1-dimethylguanidine, 1 ,1 -diethylguanidine, glycocyamine, metformin, agmatine, n-amidoalanine, 3- guanidinopropionic acid, 4-guanidinobutyric acid and 2- ([amino(imino)methyl]amino)ethane-1-sulfonic acid.

Use may be made in particular of guanidine carbonate or monoethanolamine hydrochloride as hybrid compounds.

The alkaline agent(s) that are useful according to the invention are preferably chosen from alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine; aqueous ammonia, carbonates or bicarbonates such as sodium (hydrogen) carbonate and potassium (hydrogen) carbonate, and mixtures thereof, more preferentially from aqueous ammonia and alkanolamines.

When the composition comprises at least one alkaline agent, the total content of the alkaline agent(s) preferably ranges from 0.1 % to 40% by weight, more preferentially from 0.5% to 30% by weight, better still from 1 % to 20% by weight, even better still from 2% to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

According to one embodiment, when it is aqueous, the pH of the composition is between 8 and 13, preferably between 9 and 12.

The pH of the composition may be adjusted to the desired value by means of acidic or alkaline agent(s) commonly used in the dyeing of keratin fibers, such as those described previously, or alternatively using buffer systems that are known to those skilled in the art.

Solvents

The composition according to the invention may also comprise at least one organic solvent.

Examples of organic solvents that may be mentioned include linear or branched C ₂ to C ₄ alkanols, such as ethanol and isopropanol; polyols and polyol ethers, for instance glycerol, 2-butoxyethanol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether and monoethyl ether, and also aromatic alcohols or ethers, such as benzyl alcohol or phenoxyethanol, and mixtures thereof.

The organic solvent(s) may be present in a total amount ranging from 0.01 % to 30% by weight, preferably ranging from 2% to 25% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. In addition, the composition according to the invention is preferably an aqueous composition. The composition preferably comprises water in an amount of greater than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 10% by weight, and better still greater than or equal to 15% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Additives

The composition according to the invention may optionally comprise one or more additives, other than the compounds of the invention, and among which mention may be made of anionic, nonionic, amphoteric or cationic polymers, other than polysaccharides, or mixtures thereof, mineral thickeners, antidandruff agents, anti-seborrhoeic agents, agents for preventing hair loss and/or for promoting hair regrowth, vitamins and provitamins including panthenol, sunscreens, mineral or organic pigments, plasticizers, solubilizers, opacifiers or nacreous agents, antioxidants, hydroxy acids, fragrances, and preserving agents.

Needless to say, a person skilled in the art will take care to select this or these optional additional compounds such that the advantageous properties intrinsically associated with the composition according to the invention are not, or are not substantially, adversely affected by the envisaged addition(s).

The above additives may generally be present in an amount, for each of them, of between 0 and 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

Preferably, the composition according to the invention does not comprise any chemical oxidizing agents.

According to a particular embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises:

- at least one oxidation coupler chosen from 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine of formula (I) below, an addition salt thereof, solvates thereof and/or solvates of the salts thereof:

- at least one oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C40 fatty alcohol comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups,

- at least one polysaccharide, and

- at least one alkaline agent. According to another particular embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises:

- at least one oxidation coupler chosen from 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine of formula (I) below, an addition salt thereof, solvates thereof and/or solvates of the salts thereof:

- at least one oxyalkylenated Cs to C40 fatty alcohol comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups,

- at least one polysaccharide,

- at least one fatty substance,

- at least one surfactant, other than oxyalkylenated Cs to C40 fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups, and

- at least one alkaline agent.

Process

The present invention also relates to a process for dyeing keratin fibers, preferably human keratin fibers, notably the hair, which comprises the step of applying to said keratin fibers an effective amount of a composition as defined previously.

The composition may be applied to wet or dry keratin fibers. On conclusion of the treatment, the keratin fibers are optionally rinsed with water, optionally washed with a shampoo and then rinsed with water, before being dried or left to dry.

Preferably, the process according to the invention comprises a step of mixing the composition according to the invention with an oxidizing composition comprising at least one chemical oxidizing agent. This mixing step is preferably performed at the time of use, just before applying to the hair the composition resulting from the mixing.

More particularly, the chemical oxidizing agent(s) are chosen from hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, alkali metal bromates or ferricyanides, peroxygenated salts, for instance persulfates, perborates, peracids and precursors thereof and percarbonates of alkali metals or alkaline-earth metals, and mixtures thereof. The chemical oxidizing agent is preferably chosen from hydrogen peroxide. The oxidizing composition is preferably an aqueous composition. In particular, it comprises more than 5% by weight of water, preferably more than 10% by weight of water and even more advantageously more than 20% by weight of water.

It may also comprise one or more organic solvents chosen from those listed previously; these solvents more particularly representing, when they are present, from 1 % to 40% by weight and preferably from 5% to 30% by weight, relative to the weight of the oxidizing composition.

The oxidizing composition also preferably comprises one or more acidifying agents. Among the acidifying agents, examples that may be mentioned include mineral or organic acids, for instance hydrochloric acid, orthophosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, carboxylic acids, for instance acetic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid or lactic acid, and sulfonic acids.

The oxidizing composition may also comprise fatty substances such as those described previously, preferably chosen from fatty alcohols, liquid hydrocarbons comprising more than 16 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof, surfactants and polymers.

Usually, the pH of the oxidizing composition, when it is aqueous, is less than 7, preferably between 1 and 5, preferentially between 1.5 and 4.5.

Preferably, the oxidizing composition comprises hydrogen peroxide as oxidizing agent, in aqueous solution, the concentration of which ranges, more particularly, from 0.1 % to 50%, more particularly between 0.5% and 20% and even more preferentially between 1% and 15% by weight, relative to the weight of the oxidizing composition.

Preferably, at least one of the compositions (dye composition or oxidizing composition) is aqueous.

Preferably, the process according to the invention comprises a step of applying to the hair a composition resulting from the mixing, at the time of use, of at least two compositions: a) a dye composition comprising:

- at least one oxidation coupler chosen from 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine of formula (I) below, an addition salt thereof, solvates thereof and/or solvates of the salts thereof: - at least one oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C ₄₀ fatty alcohol comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups,

- at least one polysaccharide, and

- optionally at least one alkaline agent, and b) an oxidizing composition comprising one or more chemical oxidizing agents, preferably hydrogen peroxide.

According to a particular embodiment, the process according to the invention comprises the step of applying to the hair a composition resulting from the mixing, at the time of use, of at least two compositions: a) a dye composition comprising:

- at least one oxidation coupler chosen from 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine of formula (I) below, an addition salt thereof, solvates thereof and/or solvates of the salts thereof:

- at least one oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C ₄₀ fatty alcohol comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups,

- at least one polysaccharide,

- at least one fatty substance,

- at least one surfactant, other than oxyalkylenated C ₈ to C ₄₀ fatty alcohols comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups, and

- at least one alkaline agent, and b) an oxidizing composition comprising one or more chemical oxidizing agents, preferably hydrogen peroxide.

The invention also relates to a composition comprising: - at least one oxidation coupler chosen from 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine of formula (I) below, an addition salt thereof, solvates thereof and/or solvates of the salts thereof:

- at least one oxyalkylenated Cs to C40 fatty alcohol comprising from 50 to 300 alkylene oxide groups,

- at least one polysaccharide, and

- one or more chemical oxidizing agents, preferably hydrogen peroxide, this composition being a ready-to-use composition.

This ready-to-use composition may comprise one or more ingredients among those described above.

Preferably, the pH of the ready-to-use composition is between 8 and 11 , preferentially between 9 and 10.5.

Kit

Another subject of the invention is a multi-compartment device for dyeing keratin fibers, comprising at least a first compartment containing the dye composition according to the invention and at least a second compartment containing an oxidizing composition as described above.

The compositions of the device according to the invention are packaged in separate compartments, optionally accompanied by suitable application means, which may be identical or different, such as fine brushes, coarse brushes or sponges.

The device mentioned above may also be equipped with a means for dispensing the desired mixture onto the hair, for instance the devices described in patent FR 2 586 913.

Finally, the present invention relates to the use of a composition as described above, for dyeing keratin fibers, and in particular the hair.

The examples that follow serve to illustrate the invention without, however, being limiting in nature.

Examples In the examples that follow, all the amounts are given as mass percentages of active material (AM) relative to the total weight of the composition (unless otherwise mentioned).

Dye composition

Composition A according to the invention and comparative composition C were prepared using the ingredients whose contents are indicated in the table below:

[Table 1]

Oxidizing composition

The oxidizing composition B was prepared from the ingredients whose contents are indicated in the table below:

[Table 2]

Dyeing protocol

The dye compositions A and C are each respectively mixed with the oxidizing composition B in a 1+1 weight ratio.

Each of the mixtures is applied to locks of hair containing 90% natural white hairs (NW) and moderately sensitized hair (20% alkaline solubility, (AS20) at a rate of 5 g of mixture per 1 g of hair.

After a leave-on time of 30 minutes on a hotplate at 27°C, the hair is rinsed, washed with a standard shampoo and dried.

Results

The coloring of the hair is evaluated in the L*a*b* system, using a Konica Minolta CM- 3600A spectrocolorimeter (illuminant D65, angle 10°, specular component included) in the Cl ELab system.

In this system, L* represents the lightness, a* represents the red/green axis and b* represents the yellow/blue axis.

The selectivity is represented by the color difference AE between the locks of dyed natural hair (NW) and dyed sensitized hair (AS20), AE being obtained from the formula: where L* represents the intensity, a* and b*, the chromaticity of the natural dyed hair and Lo* represents the intensity and ao* and bo* the chromaticity of the dyed sensitized hair. The lower the value of AE, the lower the selectivity and the more uniform the coloring along the hair strands.

[Table 3]

Composition A according to the invention leads to a lower AE value, and thus to better selectivity, relative to the comparative composition C.