CA2202224C - Shaving compositions containing particulate additives - Google Patents

Abstract

Shaving compositions for use in the personal shaving process with a razor blade assembly include insoluble solid particulate additives. The shaving compositions may include one or more of the following: wetting agents, cleansing agents, lather producing compositions, emollients and mixtures thereof; and further includes at least one solid, insoluble particulate additive in a well dispersed suspension throughout said shaving composition. The solid additives are present in an effective amount to produce physical microscopic support for the blade of a razor blade assembly during the personal shaving process. By providing micro-support of the razor blade parallel to skin surface and above surface irregularities, the solid particulate additives provide improved razor blade glide, thereby preventing nicks and cuts, and also enhancing exfoliation of dead skin and removal of grease and oils, as well as improving hair extraction prior to cutting, thereby improving overall smoothness of the post-shaven skin. The shaving compositions may be in the form of a gel, cream, solid, liquid or aerosol before and/or after application to the skin.

Description

SHAVING COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING PARTICUI~TE AODITIVES

2 Inventor: Mark S. Wdowik 8 I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENIION
9 a. Field of The Invention The present invention relates to all shaving compositions which include particulate 11 additives, and more particularly to all shaving compositions, whether in the form of a 12 solid, gel, cream, liquid, or aerosol, which include solid, insoluble particulate additives.

14 b. Description of the Related Art Solid particulate additives have been employed in a host of cleansing 16 compositions for use in the removal of foreign materials, as well as dead skin cells from 17 the skin surface. These well known cleansing compositions are described, for example, 18 in U.S. Patent No. 4,155,870, in which glass bubbles are incorporated into the cleansing 19 medium, and U.S. Patent No. 4,157,387 which describes a cleansing composition incorporating a water soluble polymer as an abrasive for use in cleaning the skin and for 21 removing dead skin cells from the skin surface. The art of incorporation of fillers and 22 abrasive additives in soaps is well known and described in prior art such as Kanfer, et.
23 al., in U.S. Patent No. 4,786, 432. Other examples of soap compositions containing 24 particulate additives are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,187,288 by Cordon, et. al., 4,735,746 by Speranza, et. al, 4,051,056 by Hartman. In each of these references abrasive 2 impregnated soap provide excellent scrubbing action, thereby producing not only a 3 cleaning action, but also superior post-cle~n~in~ skin smoothness.

4 Conventional shaving compositions, whether in solid, gel, crearn, liquid, or aerosol forrn (before and/or after application to the skin), generally include lather producing 6 chemical compositions and/or foam inducing agents, however, they are not required to 7 contain such foam inducing agents. Typical shaving compositions are described in U.S.
8 Patent Nos. 3,852,417 by McT ~llghlin, 4,145,411 by Mende, 5,034,220 by Helioff, et. al., 9 4,999,183 by Mackles, et. al., and 5,326,556 by Barnet, et al. These shavirlg compositions all contain wetting agents or surf~ct~nt~, and foaming agents. These prior 11 art shaving compositions typically contain five to fifteen percent by weight stearate soap, 12 such as sodium stearate, potassium stearate, or mixtures thereof with weight ratios in the 13 range of about 2:1 to about 8:1. They also include emollient additives such as coconut 14 fatty acids, castor oil, coconut oil, or other complex oils. Lubrication is achieved in shaving compositions by employing a combination of one or more of the aforementioned 16 oils and fatty acid monoethanolamide or diethanolamide. Such shaving compositions 17 may also include wetting agents or surfactants to enhance adherence of the media to the 18 to-be-shaved hair and surrounding skin. Furthermore, when wetting agents are included 19 they also provide some degree of and limited physical support for the shaving blade, thereby improving blade glide and reducing skin irritation. Furthermore, some of the 21 compositions described in prior art include clairns for additives such as inorganic salts 22 which enhance lubrication; however, these additives, such as those described in U.S.
23 Patent No. 3,852,417 by Mc~ ghlin, are water soluble additives such as polysiloxanes in 24 amounts of up to 5 percent by weight, or water soluble polymeric materials of up to 5 percent by weight, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene oxide.
2 It is therefore seen that current shaving compositions, whether provided in the 3 form of a solid, gel, cream, liquid or aerosol (before and/or after application to the 4 skin), generally include, but do not require, materials which provide three basic characteristics which are associated with hair removal by the process of shaving with a 6 razor blade assembly: (a) Wettin~ using surface acting agents, other~vise known as 7 wetting agents or surfactants, which allow the shaving composition to better adhere to 8 the surface of the skin and hair, thereby producing illl~roved softening of the hair, 9 removal of grease and oils from the skin and hair, and illlproved removal of the shaving composition during the rinsing phase, after shaving is completed; (b) Lubrication: with or 11 without gelling aids and/or post-foaming agents, such as described in U.S. Patent No.
12 3,541,581 by Monson, are employed to create a thin, but easily penetrable boundary layer 13 between the shaving blade and the skin, thereby serving to cushion the shaving blade 14 from the skin in order to avoid nicks and cuts, and also serving to reduce skin irritation, as well as to support the hairs to cause them to assume an erect position, thereby setting 16 the hair up for the shaving razor blade assembly to provide improved hair removal; and 17 (c) Softening: with emollients and skin conditioners are incorporated in shaving media to 18 open skin pores, soften the hairs, and soften the exposed skin. Typical emollients are 19 described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,994,265 or 4,917,884.
In the same manner, it is well known in the prior art that many cleansing soaps 21 include cle~n~ing agents in order to remove foreign materials and dead skin from the 22 surface of the skin, including hands, face, and legs. Such cle~n~ing agents have been 23 reported in prior art U.S. Patent Nos. 4,155,870; 5,298,181; and 4,051,056. These 24 cleansing agents produce added scrubbing action in conjunction with a soap to provide effective removal of stubborn stains, foreign materials, irregular skin surfaces, and dead 2 skin cells, leaving the post-cle~nced skin surface ultra-smooth. For example, facial 3 cleanser scrubs have been in use for many years to smooth rough features and remove 4 grease, oils, and dead skin cells. However, this application has never been applied toward shaving compositions, whether applied to the face, or the legs or underarms.
6 A U.S. safety razor m~mlf~cturer, recently introduced a new type of woman's 7 razor blade assembly called the Schick Silk EffectsTM, whereby the blade or assembly of 8 multiple blades is enclosed in a fine wire wla~illg. The support wire provides blade 9 support above the skin surface to provide a nick free shave. However, due to relatively large diameter of the support wire employed, the shaving blade does not produce as 11 close a shave as a razor blade assembly that does not include a wire.
12 It is therefore seen that there still remains a need for a shaving medium 13 composition which provides a nick free shave, yet which provides a close shave such as 14 one would get with a standard razor blade assembly. It is further seen that no prior art shaving compositions are known which include solid, insoluble particles as a part of 16 their formulation. As a matter of fact, the thought of including solid, insoluble particles 17 in shaving compositions might appear to be intuitively offensive and counter-intuitive for 18 a material which is applied to the face.

SIJMMARY OF THE INVENTION
21 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide shaving compositions 22 for use with conventional razor blade assemblies which minimi7e nicks and cuts, and 23 which yet provide close shaves.
24 It is another object of the present invention to provide a shaving composition in which insoluble partic~ te additives, such as filler or abrasive materials, are 2 incol~,olated to reduce l~n~lçsired nicks and cuts, and illlpro~e post-shave skin 3 smoothness.
4 It is another object of the present invention to provide an illlproved shaving composition with improved cle~n~ing characteristics.
6 It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved shaving 7 composition which reduces nicks and cuts, and which il,lpr~ves post-shave smoothness 8 regardless of the forrn of the shaving composition before and/or after application to the 9 skin, that is solid, gel, cream, liquid or aerosol.
These and other objects of the invention are achieved by the shaving compositions 11 of the present invention which include an effective amount of insoluble particulate 12 additives, such as inorganic or organic solids or fillers, which additives provide physical, 13 microscopic blade support.
14 As used herein the term "razor blade assembly" means either a straight razor or a safety razor with one or more shaving edge. As used herein the term "shaving 16 compositions" means compositions utilized specifically as a lubricant and blade support 17 for the shaving process using a razor blade assembly, and which may include as required 18 one or more of the following: wetting agents, surfactants, foaming agents or lather 19 producing compositions, gelling aids and post-foaming agents, emollients, cleansing agents, and/or equivalents thereof, and regardless of the constitution of the shaving 21 composition before and/or after application to the skin, that is solid, gel, cream, liquid 22 or aerosol. As used herein the term "particulate additives" means insoluble inorganic or 23 organic solids or filler particles, and equivalents thereof, having a size in the range of 24 from about 0.1~m to about l,OOO~m, with particles in the range of about 101lm to 500~m being practical, and SO~m to 200~ m being preferred, although other sizes may be 2 l~tili7e-1, as ~ ed below. A single particulate additive or combinations of partic~ te 3 additives may be used in the shaving compositions of the present invention. As used 4 herein "an effective amount" of insoluble particulate additives is an amount, by weight, 5 which provides physical support for the blade of a razor blade assembly during the 6 personal shaving process. In most instances, from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight 7 will be adequate, while from about 1% to about 10%, by weight is normally preferred.

8 However, it is to be understood that in some instance an equivalent "effective amount" of 9 insoluble particulate additives less than 0.1% and/or greater than 20%, by weight, and in 10 thick pastes, solids, and gels even as high as 90% or greater may be used in the practice 11 of the present invention. When used in shaving compositions the insoluble particulate 12 solid additives are present as a well dispersed suspension throughout the composition.

13 Insoluble particulate additives which have particular utility in the practice of the present 14 invention include abrasives, and organic solids such as polymeric beads or cylindrical 15 shaped polymeric particles, or synthetic organic fibers, such as the cleansers described in 16 Speranza, et al. U.S. Patent No. 4,735,746.

17 The use of such particulate additives in the shaving compositions of the present 18 invention provide microscopic support for the razor blade assembly during shaving, 19 thereby providing a close but nick free shave with a standard razor blade assembly. In 20 addition to providing microscopic support for the blade, these solid particulate additives 21 also work in conjunction with the razor blade assembly and the user's scrubbing 22 movements during shaving composition application to remove dirt, oils, stains, and dead 23 skin cells from the skin's surface, thereby producing post-shave skin surfaces with 24 i~ r~ved smoothness and cleanliness as compared to those provided by current, comrnercially available shaving compositions. Furthermore, the particulate additive solid 2 particles in the shaving compositions of the present invention i~ )rove the hair extraction 3 process performed by the shaving blade assembly prior to the blade cutting the hair by:
4 (1) depressing the surface of the skin during shaving so that the post-shave position of the cut hair resides below the surface of the skin, and (2) extracting the hair away from 6 its follicle just prior to being cut, thereby i~ ovhlg the overall smoothness of the post-7 process skin.
8 These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those 9 skilled in the art from the following detailed description, showing the contemplated novel compositions as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, 11 it being understood that changes in the precise embodiments to the herein disclosed 12 invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except 13 insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPIION OF THE INVENTION
16 The present invention provides new and improved shaving compositions which 17 include insoluble particulate additives. The particulate additives incorporated into the 18 shaving compositions of the present invention serve multiple purposes and provide 19 several benefits. First, the particulate additives provide microscopic support to the razor blade assembly and superior blade glide by providing physical, parallel support of the 21 blade edge as it moves over the skin surface, and especially over skin irregularities. This 22 rnicro-glide support system promotes nick-free shaves, with ultra-smooth post-shave skin 23 smoothness. Second, the solid particles act in conjunction with the blade assembly to 24 extract each hair away from its follicle, just prior to being cut. As a result the post-shave position of each cut hair resides below the surface of the skin, thereby improvillg the 2 overall smoothness of the post-process sldlL Third, the particulate additives cooperate 3 with any cle~n~in~ agents which may be incorporated in the shaving compositions to 4 produce added scrubbing action in conjunction with a soap constituent to provide 5 effective removal of dirt, oils, stains, and dead skin cells, foreign materials, irregular skin 6 surfaces, and dead skin cells, thereby leaving the post-cleansed skin surface extremely 7 smooth.
8 The present invention is not limited to any single shaving composition, but rather 9 to the concept of the inclusion of suitable particulate additives to any shaving 10 composition, regardless of its form before or after it is applied, that is solid, gel, cream, 11 liquid or aerosol.

13 One preferred exemplary shaving composition of the present invention is based on 14 ' that described in U.S. Patent No. 3,852,417 by McT ~llghlin, but includes added water 15 insoluble organic additives is as follows:

18 Material ~o by Weight 19 Potassium stearate 5.20 Sodium stearate 1.11 21 Lauric acid diethanolamide 1.60 22 Mineral oil (Saybolt viscosity of 23 75-100 seconds at 100~ F) 15.00 24 Stearic Acid 0.14 Coconut fatty acid 0.68 Glycerine 3.20 2 Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Grade K-30) 0.12 3 Perfume 0.37 4 Water 57.58 Dichlorodifluoromethane 10.00 6 Particulate additive - Nylon fibers 5.00 7 Total 100.00~o 11 The nylon fibers in this example are preferably cylindrical particles nomin~lly 12 about 50~m in diameter and a nominal length of about 200~m, although other sizes may 13 be utilized as discussed below. The shaving composition in this example will be 14 prepared by mixing 6.12 parts of stearic acid, 1.60 parts of lauric acid diethanolamide, 15 15 parts mineral oil and 0.68 parts of coconut fatty acids at a temperature in the range of 16 about 167~ - 176~ F, followed with agitation and admixture of 0.12 parts 17 polyvinylpyrrolidone, 3.2 parts of glycerine, 0.9 parts of potassium hydroxide, and 0.2 18 parts of sodium hydroxide in 57.58 parts of water at a constant temperature in the range 19 of about 167~ - 176~ F. The resulting mixture will then be cooled to a temperature in the range of about 115~ - 125~ F with agitation. The perfume and particulate additive 21 nylon fibers will then be added to the mixture, and the temperature cooled to the range 22 of about between about 84~ to 88~ F. This final liquid mixture will then be placed in an 23 appropriate dispenser under pressure with the addition of propellant for use as an 24 aerosol cream.
When dispensed and applied to the face and used for shaving, this composition will provide a shaving experience in which the particulate addiffves in the shaving 2 composition will provide microscopic support to the razor blade assembly and superior 3 blade glide by providing physical, parallel support of the blade edge as it moves over the 4 skin surface, and especially over skin irregularities, thereby will promote nick-free shaves, 5 with ultra-smooth post-shave skin smoothness. The post-shave position of each cut hair 6 will be found to reside below the surface of the skin, thereby hllploving the overall 7 smoothness of the post-process skin. In addiffon, the particulate additives will cooperate 8 with the cle~n~ing agents in the shaving compositions to produce added scrubbing action 9 to provide effective removal of dirt, oils, stains, and dead skin cells, foreign materials, 10 irregular skin surfaces, and dead skin cells, and will thereby leave the post-cleansed skin 11 surface extremely smooth.
12 When the formulation of EXAMPLE 1 is modified, first using 10~,~o and then using 13 20~,~o, by weight, insoluble nylon fibers, while in each instance proportionally decreasing 14 amounts of water and/or Mineral oil, the resulting shaving compositions will provide a 15 shaving experience which is equivalent to the original formula, suggesting that even 16 greater amounts of insoluble particles can be used in the practice of the present 17 invention.

19 Another exemplary composition is based on that described in McT~llghlin U.S.
Patent No. 3,852,417, and includes abrasive inorganic additives, as follows:

23 Material Yo by Weight 24 Pot~ m stearate 5.20 Sodium stearate 1.11 Lauric acid diethanolamide 1.60 2 Mineral oil (Saybolt viscosity of 3 75-100 seconds at 100~ F) 17.00 4 Stearic Acid 0.14 Coconut fatty acid 0.68 6 Glycerine 3.20 7 Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Grade K-30) 0.12 8 Perfume 0-37 9 Water 57.58 Dichlorodifluoromethane 10.00 11 Particulate additive - silica sand 3.00 2 Total 100.00%

The silica sand employed in this example is nominally about 75~m in size, 16 although other sizes may be utilized as discussed below.
17 This shaving composition will be prepared by mixing 6.12 parts of stearic acid, 18 1.60 parts of lauric acid diethanolamide, 17 parts mineral oil and 0.68 parts of coconut 19 fatty acids at a temperature in the range of about 167~ - 176~ F, followed with agitation and admixture of 0.12 parts polyvinylpyrrolidone, 3.2 parts of glycerine, 0.9 parts of 21 potassium hydroxide, and 0.2 parts of sodium hydroxide in 57.58 parts of water at a 22 constant temperature in the range of about 167~ - 176~ F. The subsequent mixture will 23 then be cooled to a temperature of 115 ~ - 125~ F with agitation. The perfume and silica 24 sand will be added to the mixture, and the temperature cooled to the range of about 25 between about 84~ to 88~ F. This final liquid mixture will then be placed in an a~plopliate dispenser under ~-essur~ with the addition of propellant for use as an 2 aerosol crearn.
3 When the aerosol medium will be disbursed from its container onto the skin 4 surface, either directly or upon ~-lmixtllre of the medium in a suitable container or in the hand of a user, it will quickly foam, and when applied to the face it will wet the surface 6 of the skin, softening the skin surface and the hair to be shaved, forcing the hair strands 7 to stand erect normal to the surface of the skin, and opening skin pores. When a 8 standard blade assembly will be subsequently employed over the surface of the skin, it 9 will cut each strand of hair in its path, using the shaving medium as lubricant with each swath. Post-shave skin surfaces will be nick free and ultra-smooth.
11 Insoluble particulate additives which are suitable for incorporation into standard 12 shaving media compositions in accordance with the present invention include, but are not 13 limited to thermoplastic and thermosetting resin polymers and inorganic materials such 14 as the following:
a) polyamides (e.g. nylon) b) polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) 16 c) acetal resins (Delrin) d) polypropylene 17 e) polyethelenes f) polyurethane 18 g) silica h) pumice 19 i) wood dust j) quartz k) titanium dioxide l) calcium carbonate 21 m) calcium phosphate n) calcium silicate 22 o) alnminllm oxide p) silicon nitride 23 q) boron carbide r) silicon carbide 24 s) diatomaceous earth Because of the ability to shape synthetic fibers such as nylon or acetal resin, these 2 materials are two of the preferred additive m~t~ ls, Furthermore, as softer materials, 3 such synthetic fibers tend to be less of an irritant to the skin, and therefore are less likely 4 to cause rashes or other adverse skin reactions typically associated with the harder or abrasive cleansers. Such synthetic fibers are also abundant in supply and easily6 produced. Strands of these fibers are available in many diameters, and easily cut to 7 desired lengths for incorporation into the shaving composition. The optirnal synthetic 8 fiber diameter should be on the order of the typical blade edge thickness, or roughly 9 about 50~m to about 200~m; however, other diameters may also be utilized. In order to allow the m~x;,~ ", coverage area for micro-blade support, the aspect ratio of the chosen 11 polymeric fiber additives are preferably from about 3:1 to about 5:1, that is the fiber 12 length is preferably about 3 to 5 times greater than the diameter of the fiber; however, 13 aspect ratios below 3:1 and above 5:1 can also be employed if preferred. As noted 14 above, an effective amount of insoluble particulate additives is an amount, by weight, which provides physical support for the blade of a razor blade assembly during the 16 shaving process. In most instances, from about 0.1% to about 20~o, by weight will be 17 adequate, while from about 1% to about 10~o, by weight is preferred. However, it is to 18 be understood that in some instance an equivalent "effective amount" of insoluble 19 particulate additives less than 0.1~o and greater than 20~o, and in thick pastes, solids, and gels even as high as 90~o or greater may be used in the practice of the present 21 invention.
22 The shaving media of the present invention is easily adapted for employment with 23 standard or conventional pressurized or aerosol dispensers commonly available for 24 commercial shaving creams and gels, or solid-stick applicators. Such application methods are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,174,992 by ~ in(l~uer, et. al., or 4,145,411 by Mende.
2 Since the shaving compositions of the present invention may incorporate a single solid 3 additive or combination of solid additives, no special considerations for media delivery 4 must be reconciled. The minute size of the particles incorporated into the shaving S composition allows easy passage from the stable in-situ composition container to the air 6 via traditional dispensing no7zles which incorporate large openings and travel diameters, 7 typically on the order of 10 millimeters or more. Standard aerosol propellants may be 8 employed in the delivery of the shaving compositions of the present invention.
9 As noted above, the present invention encompasses any and all shaving compositions, whether in solid, gel, cream, liquid or aerosol form (before and/or after 11 application to the skin), incorporating insoluble particulate additives which provide 12 improved blade glide, improved hair retraction from skin, and reduced skin abrasion, 13 cutting and nicking over irregular surfaces or skin abnormalities.
14 It is therefore seen that the shaving compositions of the present invention are clearly different not only from prior art shaving compositions, but also clearly different 16 from abrasive facial scrubs, cleaning compounds, and general soaps. Furthermore, the 17 present invention is clearly discernable from prior art shaving compositions which employ 18 soluble materials in shaving compositions for improved lubricity. In addition, it is seen 19 that the compositions of the present invention which provide shaving compositions in which insoluble particulate additives, such as organic or inorganic fillers or abrasive 21 materials, are incorporated. It has been shown that when such shaving compositions are 22 used with conventional razor blade assemblies they will minimi7e nicks and cuts, and yet 23 will provide a close shave, and improve post-shave skin smoothness, and improved 24 cleansing characteristics.

The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the preferred embotliment~ of the 2 present invention have been explained in detail, with varying modifications and 3 alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown and 4 described, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in S form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of 6 the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the 7 claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, 8 may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed 9 herein.

Claims (22)

1. Shaving compositions for use in the personal shaving process with a razor blade assembly, which shaving compositions provide physical, microscopic support for the blade of such a razor blade assembly during the personal shaving process which comprise:
a composition selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, cleansing agents, lather producing compositions, and emollients, and mixtures thereof; and further comprising at least one solid, insoluble particulate additive in a well dispersed suspension throughout said shaving composition, said solid additives present in an effective amount to produce physical support for the blade of a razor blade assembly during the personal shaving process.

2. The compositions according to claim 1 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives are selected from the group consisting of organic polymers particles and inorganic particles.

3. The compositions according to claim 2 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives are in a size range of from about 0.1 µm to about 1,000 µm.

4. The compositions according to claim 2 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives are in a size range of from about 10 µm to about 500 µm.

5. The compositions according to claim 2 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives are in a size range of from about 50 µm to about 200 µm.

6. The compositions according to claim 2 wherein said effective amount of said solid, insoluble particulate additives is from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight.

7. The compositions according to claim 2 wherein said effective amount of said solid, insoluble particulate additives is from about 1% to about 10% by weight.

8. The compositions according to claim 2 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives are selected from the group consisting of acetal resins, aluminum oxide, boron carbide, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, diatomaceous earth, polyamides, polyethelenes, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, silica, pumice, quartz, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, titanium dioxide, and wood, and mixtures thereof.

9. The compositions according to claim 2 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives comprise inorganic particles selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, boron carbide, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, diatomaceous earth, silica, pumice, quartz, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, titanium dioxide, and wood, and mixtures thereof.

10. The compositions according to claim 9 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives comprise silica in the size range of from about 50 µm to about 200 µm.

11. The compositions according to claim 2 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives comprise organic polymer particles selected from the group consisting of acetal resins, polyamides, polyethelenes, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, and polyurethane, and mixtures thereof.

12. The compositions according to claim 11 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives comprise organic polymer particles are in the form of polymeric fibers having a length and diameter dimension.

13. The compositions according to claim 12 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additive fibers have a length in the range of between about three to about five times the fiber diameter.

14. The compositions according to claim 13 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additive fibers have a diameter of between about 10 µm and about 500 µm.

15. The compositions according to claim 14 wherein each of said fibers comprise polyamide.

16. The compositions according to claim 2 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate additives are in a size range of from about 50 µm to about 200 µm, and wherein said effective amount of said solid, insoluble particulate additives is from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight.

17. Shaving compositions for use in the personal shaving process with a razor blade assembly, which shaving compositions provide physical support for the blade of such a razor blade assembly during the shaving process comprise:
a composition selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, cleansing agents lather producing compositions, and emollients, and mixtures thereof; and further comprising solid, insoluble particulate silica additive in a well dispersed suspension throughout said shaving composition; whereby said the solid silica additive produces a physical support for the blade of a razor blade assembly during the shaving process.

18. The compositions according to claim 17 wherein said solid, insoluble silica particulate additive is in a size range of from about 50 µm to about 200 µm, and wherein said effective amount of said solid, insoluble particulate additives is from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight.

19. Shaving compositions for use in the personal shaving process with a razor blade assembly, which shaving compositions provide physical microscopic support for the blade of such a razor blade assembly during the personal shaving process, which may comprise one or more of the following:
a mixture of at least one wetting agent, at least one cleansing agent, at least one lather producing composition, and at least one emollient; and further comprising:
solid, insoluble particulate polyamide fiber additive in a well dispersed suspension throughout said shaving composition; whereby said the solid polyamide fiber additive produces a physical support for the blade of a razor blade assembly during the shaving process.

20. The compositions according to claim 19 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate polyamide fiber additives have a length in the range of between about three to about five times the fiber diameter.

21. The compositions according to claim 20 wherein said solid, insoluble particulate polyamide fiber additives have a diameter of between about 10 µm and about 500 µm, and wherein said effective amount of said solid, insoluble particulate additives is from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight.

22. Shaving compositions for use in personal shaving with a razor blade assembly, said composition comprising materials selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, cleansing agents, lather producing compositions, and emollients, and mixtures thereof; and further comprising solid, insoluble particulate additives in an amount effective to provide physical microscopic support for the blade of such a razor blade assembly during the personal shaving process.