1. Foamable composition combining a polar solvent and a hydrophobic carrier
US Patent 9,622,947
Application No 12/350,854
Granted 18 April 2017
Assignee Foamix Pharmaceuticals Ltd
The patent describes a foamable cosmetic composition delivered from a pressurised container to form a breakable foam that is stable at skin temperature and breaks upon application of shear force.
The composition comprises at least one hydrophobic organic carrier; at least one polar solvent; at least one surface-active agent plus water; and at least one liquefied or compressed gas propellant.
The hydrophobic carrier comprises isopropyl myristate plus a silicone oil selected from the group consisting of dimethicone, cyclomethicone and any mixtures thereof.
In addition, it may contain other esters, silicones or oils, but caprylic/capric triglyceride is preferred and peppermint oil, spearmint oil, or mixtures thereof are included.
The polar solvent represents between 15% and 60% by weight of the total composition, and is a mixture of ethanol and glycerine.
It may contain additional polyols such as propylene glycol and an alpha-hydroxy acid, preferably citric acid.
The preferred surface-active agent is a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether combined with a sucrose ester, and the composition further comprises ingredients to improve the aesthetics and stability of the product, including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, xanthan gum and stearic acid.
The preferred propellant is a fluorocarbon at about 3% to about 25% (w/w) of the composition. The patent is very long with much obfuscation and those interested are strongly advised to read the full document.
2. Exfoliating composition based on cream of tartar and bicarbonate
US Patent 9,457,203
Application No 13/122,943
Granted 4 October 2016
Assignee Cosmetic Warriors Limited
Cream of tartar is potassium hydrogen tartrate and the patent describes a solid exfoliating composition comprising from about 1% to about 10% of a surfactant; about 9% to about 18% sodium bicarbonate; about 4.5% to about 9% cream of tartar; and a granular exfoliant in an amount from about 50% to about 85% by weight of the total composition.
In addition, it may contain essential oils, vitamins, fragrances, colourings, decorative articles and mixtures thereof.
The principal claim is that the incorporation of the surfactant onto the user’s skin results in the production of a desirable lather or foam when the solid exfoliating composition is massaged against the moist skin of a user.
Thus, the composition provides cleansing and exfoliation. The preferred surfactant is a mixture of sodium laureth sulfate, cocamide diethanolamine and lauryl betaine.
The granular exfoliant can be sugar, salt, sand, clay, seeds, ground shell, pumice or mixtures thereof.
A simplified formula was given as sodium bicarbonate (12%), sodium laureth sulfate (6.5%), cream of tartar (6.0%), fragrance (0.5%) and sugar (75%).
The sodium bicarbonate, sodium laureth sulfate and cream of tartar were mixed together, followed by the addition of sugar and fragrance.
The mixture was then pressed into a mould and allowed to solidify to the solid exfoliating composition.
The composition was then massaged against the moist surface of the user’s skin, which resulted in an exfoliating action and, along with the foaming action of the surfactant, removed dead skin and dirt from the skin.
3. Depilatory composition
US Patent 9,573,001
Application No 13/132,585
Granted 21 February 2017
Assignee Reckitt & Colman
Typically, the active agent in depilatory creams is based on a sulfur-containing compound such as potassium thioglycolate, which results in the production of volatile sulfurous compounds that have an unpleasant odour.
The patent describes a depilatory cream composition comprising a depilatory active and about 0.05% of one or more volatile essential oils.
It is claimed that the presence of the essential oils reduces the production of volatile sulfur-containing compounds.
The composition further comprises talc as a skin-enhancing agent, glycerine as a humectant and up to 20% potassium thioglycolate as the depilatory active.
Mineral oil to a maximum of 10% is present as an emollient and C30-C45 alkyl methicone silicone wax and nylon-12 polyamide resin may be included.
These play a key role in providing the depilatory cream composition with its desired soft and velvety skin-feel characteristics.
The composition includes about 55-60% water; one or more surfactants such as cetearyl phosphate, cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside and ceteareth 20; and calcium hydroxide together with potassium hydroxide to provide a pH of from 9-12.5.
Optionally, the composition includes an accelerator that will accelerate the hair removal reaction and urea is preferred at about from 6-10%.
The composition may comprise other optional ingredients, such as sodium magnesium silicate, which is particularly advantageous since it provides sodium and magnesium ions for the buffer system and improves the efficiency of depilation.