The present invention relates to a water-based non- foaming shaving gel. Essentially two methods are used by men and women to shave facial hair and other unwanted body hair. The first method is dry shaving with an electric razor. The second method is so-called "wet" shaving with a razor blade, such as with a cut-throat razor or a safety razor. The main advantages of shaving with an electric razor are convenience and safety. An electric razor can be operated wherever there is a supply of electric current, and a battery- operated electric razor can be operated anywhere. Furthermore, an electric razor can be used safely and comfortably in moving vehicles such as aeroplanes, etc. The skin and hair or bristles to be shaved do not need any preparation such as by moistening or soaping prior to shaving with an electric razor. It follows that dry shaving does not require a supply of soap, water or towels. For these reasons dry shaving with an electric razor is the shaving method of choice for many frequent travellers.

However, there are drawbacks to dry shaving with an electric razor. Chief among these is the fact that electric razors do not give such a close shave as wet shaving with a blade. Moreover, it can be difficult to shave all requisite parts of the skin because of the bulk and shape of the electric razor surface. Finally, an electric razor requires a substantially larger capital outlay than a razor blade and requires a supply either of electric current or of batteries.

Wet shaving with a razor blade provides the advantages of a very close shave at low cost. Furthermore, manipulation of the razor blade enables any desired region of the skin to be shaved without difficulty. The chief drawback of shaving with a razor blade is that it is necessary to moisten and preferably also soften and

lubricate the skin and hair to be shaved. In Roman times this was done by applying olive oil to the skin and hair. More recently the practice developed of applying a soap-and- water lather to the area to be shaved, and various soaps were developed especially for the purpose. However, these lathering soaps are somewhat time-consuming and inconvenient to apply, and the residue of the soap must be washed off the face after shaving. The resulting requirement for water and towels made use of these lathers inconvenient, especially for travellers.

As an alternative to the soap-and-water lather there are currently on the market various brushless shaving creams. These are typically modified vanishing creams which are smeared directly onto the face without mixing with water and without lathering. The brushless shaving creams provide a measure of convenience compared to soap-and-water lathers. However, the brushless shaving creams are oil-based and tend to leave a greasy or sticky residue on the skin which is uncomfortable unless washed off after shaving. It follows that the provision of soap, water and towels is also required for satisfactory shaving using brushless shaving creams.

Another popular way to moisten, soften and lubricate skin and hair prior to shaving with a razor blade is by means of an aerosol shaving foam. These foams are dispensed directly from pressurised containers and consequently are quick and convenient to use. However, the foams suffer from the same drawback as the soap-and-water lather and brushless creams described above, in that the foams leave behind an oily and/or soapy residue on the skin after shaving. Comfort and hygiene require that this residue be washed off after shaving, which necessitates the use of soap, water and towels. Another drawback of the aerosol shaving foams is improper wetting by the foam of the skin surface and the bristles to be shaved, especially if the bristles are long. This is a consequence both of the physical properties of the foam and of the slowness of liquid transport through the foam. The aerosol shaving canisters tend to be rather bulky

and inconvenient for use when travelling, and cannot be taken on aircraft unless the aircraft baggage hold is pressurised. A further drawback of aerosol shaving foams is that the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) or hydrocarbon propellant and/or foaming agent is known to be environmentally harmful. GB-A-1279145 (S.C.Johnson & Son, Inc.) discloses post- foaming gel compositions, including compositions for application to the skin prior to shaving with a razor blade. The compositions comprise at least one post-foaming agent, which is the name given to specified chemically inert agents having a vapour pressure in the range 0.71 to 1.5 MPa (6 to 14 psig) at a temperature of 32°C to 38°C (90°-100°F) . The gels are stored in aerosol-type pressurised containers. The vapour pressure of the post-foaming agent is chosen such that when the gel is dispensed from the container under static ambient conditions, the gel remains substantially free from foaming for at least 60 seconds, but when the gel is rubbed either between the fingers or on the skin, a lather is produced by volatilisation of the post-foaming agent. This behaviour of the post-foaming gel compositions results in improved wetting of the skin and hair to be shaved. However, the compositions disclosed in GB-A-1279145 also contain soap and frequently also oil. As a result, these compositions will leave an oily or sticky residue on the skin after shaving which must be washed off with the aid of soap, water and towels. These compositions therefore fail to solve a major problem of wet shaving with a razor blade. Furthermore, the post-foaming gel compositions are provided in bulky, pressurised canisters and the propellants and post-foaming agents cause environmental damage in the same way as those used in more conventional aerosol shaving foams.

GB-B-2167429 (Alan John Robertson) discloses water- based non-foaming shaving gels intended to be especially suitable for use by people on journeys. The gels comprise:-

0.05 to 2% of a carboxypolymethylene;

5 to 50% of a lower alkanol; up to 3% of an antipruritic agent;

up to 0.5% of a preservative agent; up to 0.5% of a chelating agent; up to 0.5% of a neutralising agent; up to 10% of a solubiliser; and up to 5% of a perfume, the remainder of the gel comprising water.

The carboxypolymethylene functions as the gelling agent.

The lower alkanols are volatile monohydric alcohols, preferably ethanol, but may also be isopropanol, n-butanol or an amyl alcohol. The advantage of the claimed compositions is chiefly due to the absence of soap or oil from the compositions. As a result, the claimed gels leave no greasy or sticky residue on the skin after shaving so that the skin does not need to be washed after shaving. It follows that the claimed shaving gels could be used for shaving with a razor blade without any associated need for soap, water or towels.

The chief drawback of the above gel compositions is that when applied directly to dry skin and hair they do not sufficiently soften and lubricate the skin and hair to be shaved so as to provide a really close and comfortable shave. Furthermore, the use of a lower alkanol/water base for the shaving gel can result in some desiccation and/or irritation of the skin.

It is an object of the present invention to provide shaving gels for use in shaving with a razor blade. These gels, when applied directly to dry skin and hair, will provide a close and comfortable shave without leaving an oily or sticky residue on the skin after shaving, and will not desiccate or irritate the skin.

According to the present invention, there is provided a non-foaming shaving gel comprising:

0.05 to 4.0% of a carboxypolymethylene; 2.0 to 52.0% of a polyhydric alcohol; up to 5% of a silicone derivative; up to 4% of an antipruritic agent; up to 1% of one or more preservative agents;

up to 1% of a chelating agent; up to 8% of a neutralising agent; up to 10% of a solubilising agent; up to 0.4% of a UV light absorbing agent; and up to 7% of a perfume, the remainder of the gel comprising water.

In this specification, all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise stated. The identities of all the materials used are designated according to the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, third edition, published by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc. of 1110 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

The carboxypolymethylene in the compositions according to the present invention functions primarily as a gelling agent. The carboxypolymethylene may be any of those vinyl polymers with active carboxyl groups known in the cosmetic art. Preferred polymers are the polymers of acrylic acid cross-linked with a functional agent, which are designated "carbomers" in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary. A particularly preferred such polymer is sold under the Registered Trade Mark CARBOPOL 940 by the B.F.Goodrich Chemical Company. The amount of carbomer used will depend on various factors including the final packaging form, but will preferably be in the range of 0.25% to 1.5% by weight. The polyhydric alcohol is included in the composition because it has a softening and emollient effect on the hair and skin to be shaved. Furthermore, polyhydric alcohols are good lubricants and thereby improve the closeness and comfort of the shave. Finally, any residue of the polyhydric alcohol left after shaving is absorbed by the epidermis, where it has an emollient and rehydrative effect. The preferred polyhydric alcohol for the compositions of the present invention is glycerin, and the preferred weight concentration is from 10% to 20% of the composition. A silicone derivative is optionally included in the compositions according to the present invention in order further to lubricate the skin and hair to be shaved. Of the silicone lubricants suitable for cosmetic use, a preferred

product is a polymer of dimethylsiloxane with polyoxyethylene and/or polyoxypropylene side chains. This is referred to as Dimethicone Copolyol in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary. An antipruritic agent is also optionally added to the non-foaming gels according to the present invention in order to minimise irritation and itching of the skin after shaving. Any of the known antipruritic agents may be used. The preferred antipruritic is menthol, which is inexpensive and provides a pleasant odour as well as a pleasant sensation of coolness on exposed skin. The preferred weight concentration of the antipruritic agent is from 1 to 2%.

The non-foaming gel according to the present invention may also comprise one or more preservative agents, since the water-based gel might otherwise support microbiological growth. Any preservative agent suitable for cosmetic use may be employed. A preferred preservative agent is the methyl ester of p-hydroxy-benzoic acid, commonly known as Methylparaben, at a preferred concentration by weight of from 0.05% to 0.20% of the composition.

Carbomer gels are susceptible to breakdown caused by the presence of dissolved metal ions. It is thus desirable to include in those non-foaming gels of the present invention that contain a carbomer a suitable chelating agent to sequester dissolved metal ions and thereby prevent decomposition of the carbomer. The preferred chelating agent is disodium ethylene diamine tetra-acetate (disodium EDTA) , and the preferred weight concentration range for the chelating agent is from 0.25% to 1.00%. In order to form a stable carbomer gel the active carboxylic acid groups have to be neutralised. The nature of the neutralising agent and the pH of the composition have a marked effect on the characteristics of the finished product, especially the viscosity. Various neutralising agents have been found to be suitable, but alkanolamines are the preferred neutralising agents. Especially preferred neutralising agents are monoisopropylamine and triethanolamine. Preferably, enough of the neutralising

agent is added to raise the pH of the composition to a pH in the range of 5.5 to 7.5, the final choice of neutralising agent and pH being dependent on local requirements and the chosen pack form. The non-foaming shaving gels according to the present invention may optionally contain perfume to suit the taste of the public. It is also envisaged that the gels may contain a colouring agent.

If it is decided to add a perfume to a non-foaming shaving gel according to the present invention, then it is preferred that a solubilising agent is added to dissolve the aromatic oils of the perfume in the water-based matrix of the gel. The preferred solubilising agent for this purpose is the one listed as PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary. The solubilising agent also assists wetting of the skin and hair to be shaved.

If the non-foaming shaving gels according to the present invention are intended to be packaged in a container such that the product is exposed to sunlight, then inclusion of a UV-light absorber in the composition is recommended. Preferred UV-light absorbers well known in the cosmetics art are Benzophenone-3 or Benzophenone-4.

The non-foaming shaving gels according to the present invention can be packaged in jars, tubes, roll-on canisters or sachets. It is envisaged that a preferred method of packaging the gels according to the present invention will be in 50 to 100ml roll-on canisters or in 5 to 10ml sachets made of aluminium-backed paper or plastic for the particular convenience of people on journeys, or for use where conventional shaving facilities are not available. A container of the shaving gel may be associated with a napkin and a razor in a disposable use-anywhere shaving pack.

The shaving gels made according to the present invention are employed by smearing them directly onto the area of skin to be shaved. There is no need to pre-wet the skin. The shaving gel softens, moistens and lubricates the skin and hair and provides a close, comfortable and well lubricated shave. Because the shaving gel is not oil based

and contains essentially no soap, it does not leave an oily or sticky residue on the skin after shaving. Therefore, there is no need to wash the skin after shaving and no consequent need for soap, water or towels. The residue of polyhydric alcohol left on the skin after shaving is absorbed by the epidermis and has the effect of soothing and moisturising the skin, thereby automatically counteracting the normal irritant and desiccant effect of shaving. The non-foaming shaving gels according to the present invention may also be used as a pre-electric facial lubricant for use prior to shaving with an electric razor, thereby providing a closer and more comfortable "dry" shave.

The non-foaming shaving gels according to the present invention do not contain chlorofluorocarbons or hydrocarbon propellants or foaming agents, and consequently are more environmentally acceptable than shaving foams. Furthermore, the non-foaming shaving gels according to the present invention do not contain any substantial amount of volatile lower alkanols. As a result the manufacture and storage of the gels is simplified and involves minimal fire risk.

Some embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only. Example 1 A clear gel was prepared by mixing thoroughly 823ml of water, 150g of glycerin, 20g of triethanolamine, 5g of Carbopol 940, lg of methylparaben and lg of disodium EDTA. The gel was allowed to stand for 2 hours at ambient temperature, after which 5g of the gel was applied to the face of a male subject showing 48 hours of beard growth. A satisfactory shave was obtained. The face could be wiped clean leaving no oily or sticky residue. Example 2

A clear gel was prepared as above containing 813ml of water, 15Og of glycerin, 20g of triethanolamine, lOg of dimethicone copolyol, 5g of Carbopol 940, lg of methyl¬ paraben and lg of disodium EDTA. After standing, the gel was tested as above. The shave was felt to be smoother and

better lubricated than shaving with the gel of Example 1.

Example 3

A clear gel was prepared as above containing 793ml of water, 150g of glycerin, 20g of triethanolamine, 20g of menthol, lOg of dimethicone copolyol, 5g of Carbopol 940, lg of methylparaben and lg of disodium EDTA. The gel was tested as before and was found to provide a more comfortable shave than in Examples 1 and 2.

Example 4 The gels made in Examples 1 to 3 were stored in closed containers for three months, following which the tests were repeated. No deterioration in the appearance or performance of the gels was apparent.

Example 5 A 5ml sample of each of the gels made according to

Examples 1 to 3 was placed into a plastic sachet which was then heat sealed, to form a sealed sachet containing a quantity of the gel sufficient for one shave.

The above examples are intended by way of illustration only. Many other compositions falling within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to the skilled reader.