FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Provision of novel composition to facilitate the shaving of body hair.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

The active ingredient in products that are used for wet shaving by men is a soap. The procedure that is most satisfactory involves washing the face with bar soap and leaving it wet and soapy. Then a shaving product is applied which softens the beard and provides lubricity to permit the razor to glide across the face removing the beard with minimal scraping of the skin.

Soap is the ideal single ingredient for this purpose and is most widely used in shaving products. Its alkalinity causes the beard to hydrate and soften to facilitate its removal. In the process the outer cuticle of the hair opens to allow it to be more easily cut by the blade. In addition, the soap causes the keratin layer of the skin to hydrate to minimize the drag of the blade during its passage across the skin thus minimizing irritation and cutting of the skin.

Soap used alone, however, is not perfect. Soap lather dries too quickly on the face-so quickly that if soap alone is used as with a shaving mug and brush - the lather must be worked up and re-applied several times during the course of a single shaving procedure.

In addition most men find shaving with soapy to be too irritating. Younger men, particularly with sensitive skin in the neck area, experience irritation and rashes when shaving with soap alone. Since acne pustules are also commonly present in this age group, cuts are common incident to shaving.

During the past decades many approaches have been taken in products formulated to improve blade shaving with soap. Brushless shaving creams were developed which were more emollient and lubriάous than soap alone due to the fats and waxes they contained. Typically stearic acid and fatty alcohols were used to provide added lubrication and to prevent drying out on the face. These did a poor

job of hydrating the beard and skin, so a close shave was impossible. Additionally, the added fats and waxes made rinsing the razor very difficult and prolonged the shaving process measurably. As a result these products fell into disuse.

The advent of the aerosol foam shaves quickly replaced other products that delivered soap to the face because of their convenience. They still suffered from the disadvantages of soap as the single active shaving ingredient and formulation efforts continued in order to make the aerosol shaving products more effective and more comfortable.

It is possible to add humectants and emollients to the aqueous soap solutions typical of foam shaves and these are commonly used by the formulators skilled in the art of preparing such products. Glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol as humectants and lanolin, fatty alcohols, esters and ethers and other fatty vegetable animal and mineral oils commonly appear in these formulations.

None of these go far enough in improving the performance of the basic soap solution of foam shaves to make the product demonstrably superior to the user.

Additionally many of these materials reduce the performance of the soap by an antifoam effect or make the product more difficult to rinse from the razor as a result of their iipophilic nature.

More recently water soluble polymers have been employed experimentally in shaving products since they impart lubricity to aqueous solutions. However, it has been found that they lose their discernible lubricity in the presence of soap and worse still, they develop an unpleasant stringiness in combination with soap.

The way those skilled in the art have attempted to cope with the problem is by applying these polymers separately. Currently the major razor manufacturers are marketing razors with solid strips of these polymers bonded to the shaving surface of the razor above the blades. Most of these use a strip of high molecular weight polymers of ethylene oxide, commercially known as Polyox resin (manufactured by Union Carbide Corp).

These poly (ethylene oxide) polymers bonded to the razor soon become inoperative due to their interaction with the shaving cream soap. It would be desireable to utilize the outstanding slip characteristic of these polyethylene oxide polymers when in contact with soap solutions such as found in shaving creams, without the polyethylene polymer becoming stringy and unusable.

It is known that polyethylene oxide polymers have strong hydrogen bonding properties that account for the association of these polyethers with various polar compounds. These novel complexes can be discrete chemical entities resulting from very strong intermolecular association and often exhibit properties markedly different from either component.

SUMMARY There is provided a shaving facilitator comprising a composition of pH 5.0-

10.0, compounded from a polyethylene oxide polymer (PEOP) of molecular weight between 0.5 and 5 million, suitably about 1 to 2 million, a polysulfonic acid polymer (PSAP) of molecular weight between 100,000 to 500,000, suitably about 300,000 and a topically acceptable base, wherein the ratio of PEOP to PSAP is from about 3:1 to about 1:10 and sufficient base is utilized to adjust the pH of the mixture of the polymers to the desired range.

The composition is suitably formulated as a gel, preferably an aqueous gel whose consistency may vary from substantially liquid to substantially solid.

The composition is made by dissolving the PEOP in a suitable solvent, such as water, adding the PSAP and then adding the base until the desired pH is obtained.

The composition can be used for facilitating shaving of hirsute areas of skin by applying it to said areas prior to the application of shaving soap thereto, followed by the conventional application of a razor. The composition, when mixed with a standard aerosol foam shave on the face does not result in stringiness or pituitousness and an amazingly smooth, lubricious shave is obtained. The results, in terms of lubriciousness, are superior to those obtained when either polymer is used alone.

This combination of polymers, when applied to the beard prior to the application of a foam shave or soap gel give a superior smooth comfortable shave without razor irritation and with no pituitousness. It allows rapid shaving without nicks or cuts. It lubricates the razor and increases the useful life of the cutting edges.

This composition can be used as such in gel or lotion form as a pre-shave or shaving product. It can also be incorporated into an oil-in-water emulsion lotion for use as a single shaving product by women. Similarly, it can be incorporated into a conventional soap based aerosol foam shave formulation for use by men or women as a single shaving product.

Thus, it is possible to use the basic two polymer combination composition in preparing any of the following product forms:

1. Preshave gel for men for beard shaving.

2. Preshave or Shaving Lotion for women's legs and underarms.

3. Aerosol foam shave for men or women.

in all these products the fragrances, preservatives, colors normally used in such products for cosmentic purposes can be incorporated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The shaving facilitator is a material intended for the treatment of facial or bo y hair prior to or concurrent with the application of shaving soap to permit a smoother shave with reduced levels of skin abrasion. It comprises a composition of pH 5.0- 10.0, preferably 6.5-8, compounded from a polyethylene oxide polymer (PEOP) of molecular weight between 0.5 and 5 million.suitably about 1 to 2 million, a polysulfonic acid polymer (PSAP) of molecular weight between 100,000 and 500,000, suitably about 300,000 and a topically acceptable base, wherein the ratio of PEOP to PSAP is from about 3:1 to about 1:10, suitably about 2:1 to about 1:3 preferrably about 1:1 and sufficient base is utilized to adjust the pH of the mixture of the polymers to the desired range.

Any PSAP may be utilized, among the general categories may be mentioned polyacrylamidoalkane sulfonic acids such as poly N-acryloyl taurine and poly methacryloyl taurine, and preferrably but not limited to, polyacrylamidomethylpropane sulfonic acid . This latter is commercially available as Polymer HSP 1180 from Henkel Corp (Hoboken, New Jersey). This product is supplied as a 15% w/v aqueous solution of pH 2.0. However it is generally used as a salt resulting from neutralization with a base to pH 5.0-9.0.

Any topically acceptable base may be employed. Inorganic bases including but not limited to sodium or potassium hydroxides or organic bases suitably amines preferably alkanolamines including but not limited to mono, di or triethanolamine can be used.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that in order to achieve the desired consistencies of the various embodiments of this invention variations in the formulations are required.

The preshave gels comprise (percentage by weight, based on total weight of final product) a total of PEOP/PSAP of 0.5 to 6.0, suitably 3 - 4%, glycerin: 1.0 - 10.0%, suitably about 5%, water: 80.0 - 95.0%, suitably about 90%, and, when employed, Carbomer 940 : 0.1 to 1.0, suitably about 0.5%. The amount of base added should bring the composition to a pH of about 5 to about 10, suitably about pH 7 - 8.

The shave gels formulated for use by women, that is to say especially for leg and underarm use, rather than facial beard use, comprise (percentage by weight, based on total weight of final product) a total of PEOP/PSAP of 0.5 to 2.0, suitably about 1%, fatty acid (C ₁₂ - C ₁₄ ) : 2.0 - 10.0%, suitably about 5% and water: 75.0 - 90.0%, suitably about 85%. The amount of base added should bring the composition to a pH of about 5 to about 10, suitably about pH 8 - 9.

While the formulations of the present invention are most effective when used as preshave gels, it is recognised that certain users may prefer a unitary formulation including a foam. Thus there may be provided aerosol shave creme formulations which comprise (percentage by weight, based on total weight of final product) a total of PEOP/PSAP of 0.5 to 2.0, suitably about 1%, fatty acid (C ₁₂ - C ₁₄ ) : 2.0 - 10.0%,

suitably about 5%, glycerin: 2.0 - 10.0%, suitably about 5%, water: 65.0 - 85.0%, suitably about 77%, emollients: 1.5 to 7.0, suitably about 4% and propellants: 2.0- 5.0, suitably about 4%. The amount of base added should bring the composition to a pH of about 5 to about 10, suitably about pH 9. Any emollients or propellants conventionally used in aerosol shave foams may be employed.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE #1 PRESHAVE GEL %

Polysulfonic Acid polymer (HSP-1180) 15% Active 20.00

Polyethylene oxide polymer (Polyox WSRN-60K) M.W. 2 x 10 ⁶ 1.00

Triethanolamine, (TEA) 98% 5.00 Glycerin 5.00 Water 69.00

Ratio of PEOP to PSAP = 1 :3

100.00

The Polyox is dissolved in the water and glycerin. The HSP-1180 is added with stirring till the system is clear and uniform. The TEA is added with good mixing, till clear and uniform.

This composition can be filled into tubes and marketed as such.

EXAMPLE #2 PRESHAVE GEL

% Ό

Polysulfonic Acid Polymer (HSP-1180) 15% Active 14.00%

Polyethylene Oxide Polymer (Polyox WSRN-12K) M.W. 10 ⁶ 2.00

Glycerin 5.00 Triethanolamine (98%) 4.00

Water 75.00

Ratio of PEOP to PSAP = 1:1

100.00

The Polyox is dissolved in the water and glycerin. The HSP-1180 is added with stirring till the system is clear and uniform. The TEA is added with good mixing till clear and uniform.

EXAMPLE #3 PRESHAVE GEL-STIFF GEL

Polysulfonic Acid polymer (HSP-1180) 15% Active Polyethylene oxide polymer (Polyox WSRN-12K) M.W. 10 ⁶ CARBOMER 940 (Carbopol 940) B.F. Goodrich* Triethanolamine 98% Glycerin Water Ratio of PEOP to PSAP = 1:1

100.00 *Carbomer 940 Crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymer.

The Polyox and Carbomer 940 are dissolved in the water and glycerin. The HSP-1180 is added with stirring till the system is clear and uniform. The TEA is added with good mixing till clear and uniform.

EXAMPLE #4 PRESHAVE GEL -Using NaOH for Neutralization

% Ό

Polysulfonic Acid Polymer (HSP-1180) 15% Active 14.00 Polyethylene Oxide Polymer (Polyox WSRN-12K) M.W. 10 ⁶ 2.00

Glycerin 5.00

Sodium Hydroxide 1.00

Water 78.00 Ratio of PEOP to PSAP = 1:1 100.00

The Polyox is dissolved in 90% of the water and glycerin. The HSP-1180 is added with stirring till the system is clear and uniform. The sodium hydroxide is dissolved in the 10% water held out. When the base is fully dissolved the solution is added to the batch with good mixing till clear and uniform.

EXAMPLE #5 WOMAN'S SHAVE LOTION Preshave or Shave Lotion

% Polysulfonic Acid Polymer (HSP-1180) 15% Active 3.00

Polyethylene Oxide Polymer (Polyox WSRN-12K) M.W. 10 ⁶ 0.05

Triethanolamine 7.00

Stearic Acid T.P. 2.50

Stripped Coconut Fatty Acid 2.50 Cetyl Alcohol 2.00

Water 82.50 Ratio of PEOP to PSAP = 1:1

100.00

The Polyox is dissolved in the water. The HSP-1180 is added with stirring till the system is clear and uniform. The TEA is added with good mixing. Heat is applied and the temperature brought to 60°C. In another vessel the stearic acid, coconut fatty acid, and cetyl alcohol are heated to 60°C. The oil phase is now added to the heated water phase with good agitation. The batch is then cooled to ambient temperature.

EXAMPLE#6AEROSOLSHAVECREAM

% Polysulfonic Acid Polymer (HSP-1180) 15% Active 3.00

Polyethylene Oxide Polymer (Polyox WSRN-12K) M.W. 10 ⁶ 0.50

Triethanolamine 3.00

Stearic Acid T.P. 3.00

Cetyl Alcohol 1.00 Acetulan (Acetylated lanolin alcohols) 3.00

Glycerin 5.00

Water 77.50

Propellant A 46 (Isobutane/propane mixture) 4.00 Ratio of PEOP to PSAP = 1:1

100.00

The Polyox is dissolved in the water and glycerin. The HSP-1180 is added with stirring till the system is clear and uniform. The TEA is added with good mixing and the batch temperature is brought to 60°C. In another vessel the stearic acid, cetyl alcohol and Acetulan are heated to 60°C. The oil phase is added to the water with good agitation and the batch cooled to ambient temperature. Batch is delivered for aerosol filling.