AU2005269637A1 - Cosmetic compositions comprising alkylene carbonates - Google Patents

Description

WO 2006/014831 PCT/US2005/026161 Cosmetic Compositions Comprising Alkylene Carbonates 5 This invention relates to cosmetic formulations. More particularly, it relates to cosmetic formulations which include an alkylene carbonate having less than about 6 carbon atoms. Background 10 It is well known that formulators of cosmetics often include one or more volatile solvents such as ethanol, 2-propanol, and silicones in their cosmetic formulations. However, these solvents and silicones are by their nature either flammable (alcohols) or slow to bio-degrade (silicones). In addition, the alcohols tend to remove moisture from any skin in which they come into contact. 15 Thus, if a means or material were provided which would eliminate the negative aspects of solvents and silicones while providing a cost-effective material having sufficient solvency properties to render it a direct replacement for alcohols and silicones, such means or material would find widespread use in the cosmetics field. 20 Summary of the Invention The present invention provides compositions of matter which comprise a) an alkylene carbonate; and b) at least one polyol. 25 1 WO 2006/014831 PCT/US2005/026161 Detailed Description In one general sense, the present invention provides a composition of matter which comprises a) one or more alkylene carbonates selected from the group consisting of: ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, and 5 glycerine carbonate; and b) at least one polyol. In order to provide a formulation according to the invention, one merely mixes a carbonate component and a polyol component in the desired ratio for the intended end use. The overall feel and moisturizing properties conferred to the skin by 10 application of a composition according to the invention are variable and can be adjusted by adjusting the ratio of carbonate to polyol in a binary mixture, or the further inclusion of a second carbonate in a binary mixture, or the further inclusion of a second polyol into either a binary mixture or a tertiary mixture containing one polyol and two carbonates. Additionally, the molecular weight and OH number of the 15 polyol may be varied within the aforesaid mixtures. Inclusion of the polyols in a formulation according to the invention is beneficial since the polyols may be miscible with the carbonates, which is unexpected from the standpoint that carbonates have a low hydrogen solubility parameter, whereas those of polyols are much higher. Additionally, a mixture of polyols with 20 carbonates allows solubilization of many active ingredients and additives, as the examples included herein show. Further, it is well known from the prior art that silicones and polyols are not compatible; yet in contrast in the preferred embodiments according to the invention the carbonates and polyols are miscible with one another, which enables the moisturizing effects of the polyol and the emollient properties of 25 the carbonate to be simultaneously exhibited in a single homogeneous formulation. 2 WO 2006/014831 PCT/US2005/026161 Unlike silicones, the compositions of the present invention can be applied to wet skin due to the compatibility of the carbonates and polyols with water. The Carbonate Component In sensorial terms, a composition according to the invention performs at least 5 as well as volatile silicones, leaving the skin free of oily residue, only moments after its' application. Such a result is extremely surprising since the aforesaid alkylene carbonates are not volatile, and have boiling points in excess of about 240' C. Table I below lists some of the physical properties of carbonates which are useful in accordance with the present invention, including ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene 10 carbonate (PC), butylene carbonate (BC), and glycerine carbonate (GC): Properties EC PC BC GC Molecular Wt. 88.06 102.09 116.12 118.09 Boiling Pt. (C) 248.0 241.9 244.0 142.5 15 Freezing Pt. (C) -49.3 <-50 <-50 Melting Pt. (C) 36.4 Flash Pt. ("F) (PMCC) 320 275 250 >400 Density (g/ml, 25"C) 1.338 1.200 1.141 1.386 (g/ml, 40"C) 1.321 1.183 1.373 20 Viscosity (cp, 25"C) 2.56 2.50 2.77 85.07 (cp, 40"C) 1.95 1.86 34.57 Surface Tension (dynes/cm, 25"C) 43.95 40.87 38.60 50.00 (dynes/cm, 40 C) 42.16 39.60 ---- 48.00 Evap. Rate (25 C, n-BuAc = 1.00) <.005 <.005 <.005 <.005 25 Vapor Pressure (mm Hg @ 20 C) 0.022 0.023 0.0 18 <0.001 28boiling pt @ 1.0 mm Hg 30 The Polyol Co5onent Typical examples of polyols are glycols, such as propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol. Especially preferred are polyalkylene glycols having a 3 WO 2006/014831 PCT/US2005/026161 molecular weight of between about 200 and 800. However, any organic molecule containing at least two hydroxy groups per molecule is within the meaning of the word polyol within this specification and the appended claims, and further includes without limitation polyester polyols, polyether polyols, alkane diols, such as 1,4 5 butane-diol, mannich polyols, and sucrose polyols. The following formulations shall be considered as exemplary of the invention and not delimitive thereof in any way. 10 Example 1 Ninety (90) grams of propylene carbonate is mixed with ten (10) grams of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 200 to yield a homogeneous mixture which confers a light skin feel and moisturization when a small 15 amount is rubbed onto the hands and lower arms. Example 2 Sixty (60) grams of butylene carbonate is mixed with forty (40) grams of propylene glycol to yield a homogeneous mixture which confers a heavier skin feel 20 and moisturization when a small amount is rubbed onto the hands and lower arms. 25 4 WO 2006/014831 PCT/US2005/026161 Example 3 - Body Spray butylene carbonate, 85 grams PEG-200 10 grams fragrance 5 grams 5 The above composition is a single-phase, dispenses easily in an aerosol form, and is absorbed quickly, leaving the skin perfumed and soft. Equivalent products made with ethanol dry the skin. Products made with volatile silicones do not spread as well on damp skin. 10 Example 4 - Anti-acne Toner propylene carbonate, 96 grams PEG-200, 2 grams salicylic acid, 2 grams 15 Equivalent products made with ethanol leave the skin feeling dry. Products made with volatile silicones do not dissolve the salicylic acid. 20 Example 5 - Nail Polish propylene carbonate, 99 grams PEG-400, 0.5 grams panthenol, 0.5 grams 25 Conventional products, made mainly with acetone, are flammable, have very strong unpleasant odors, and strongly de-fat nails and skin. Example 6 - Anti-dandruff Treatment propylene carbonate 95 grams 30 PEG-300 3 grams salicylic acid 2 grams Equivalent products made with ethanol leave the skin feeling dry. Products made with volatile silicones do not dissolve the salicylic acid. 5 WO 2006/014831 PCT/US2005/026161 Example 7 - Sun care spray butylene carbonate, 91.5 grams propylene glycol, 0.5 grams octyl methoxycinnamate 8.0 grams 5 Products made with volatile silicones do not dissolve the UV-absorber requiring skin drying ethanol as part of the formulation. Example 8 - hair Tonic/Detangler 10 propylene carbonate, 80.0 grams hexylene carbonate, 5.5 grams propylene glycol, 2.0 grams hexylene glycol, 2.0 grams panthenol, 0.5 grams 15 This product leaves the hair soft and easy to comb. Example 9 - Anti-perspirant Dispersion Al-Zr tetrachlorohydrex glycinate, 21.0 grams 20 butylene carbonate, 65 grams talc, 11.0 grams PEG-200, 3.0 grams 25 Consideration must be given to the fact that although this invention has been described and disclosed in relation to certain preferred embodiments, obvious equivalent modifications and alterations thereof will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in this art upon reading and understanding this specification and the claims appended hereto. The present disclosure includes the subject matter defined 30 by any combination of any one of the various claims appended hereto with any one or more of the remaining claims, including the incorporation of the features and/or limitations of any dependent claim, singly or in combination with features and/or limitations of any one or more of the other dependent claims, with features and/or 6 WO 2006/014831 PCT/US2005/026161 limitations of any one or more of the independent claims, with the remaining dependent claims in their original text being read and applied to any independent claim so modified. This also includes combination of the features and/or limitations of one or more of the independent claims with the features and/or limitations of 5 another independent claim to arrive at a modified independent claim, with the remaining dependent claims in their original text being read and applied to any independent claim so modified. Accordingly, the presently disclosed invention is intended to cover all such modifications and alterations. 10 7

Claims (1)

1. 800. 15 5) A composition according to claim 1 wherein said alkylene carbonate comprises one or more alkylene carbonates selected from the group consisting of: ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, hexylene carbonate, and glycerine carbonate. 20 6) A composition according to claim 5 in which said alkylene carbonate is present in any amount between about 25% and about 99% by weight based on the total weight of said composition. 8 WO 2006/014831 PCT/US2005/026161 7) A composition according to claim 5 in which said polyol is present in any amount between about 1 % and about 75 % by weight based on the total weight of said composition. 5 8) A composition according to any foregoing claim and further comprising a third component that is selected from the group consisting of: free fatty acids, fatty acid anions, alkyl sulfates, alkanolamines, amine oxides, alkali carbonates, water, alcohols having fewer than 20 carbon atoms, coconut oil, sodium chloride, polymers, alcohol alkoxylates, zeolites, alpha-hydroxy acids, alkali sulfates, enzymes, hydrotropes, 10 dyes, fragrances, preservatives, polyacrylates, essential oils, ether sulfates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, fatty acid amides, alpha olefin sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, betaines, chelating agents, tallowamine ethoxylates, polyetheramine ethoxylates, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block co-polymers, alkyl polysaccharides, N-methyl glucamides, alkylated sulfonated diphenyl oxide, and 15 alkylbenzene sulfonates. 9) A composition according to claim 8 in which said third component is present in any amount between about 1 % and about 70 % by weight based on the total weight of said composition. 20 9