EP4704787A1

EP4704787A1 - Lamellar wash composition with reduced palm kernel oil reliance

Info

Publication number: EP4704787A1
Application number: EP24722597.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Douglas John Hiban; Teanoosh Moaddel; Tirucherai Varahan Vasudevan; Mingjun YUAN
Original assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Current assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Priority date: 2023-05-04
Filing date: 2024-04-26
Publication date: 2026-03-11
Also published as: WO2024227718A1; MX2025012967A; CN121038770A

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a lamellar wash composition having a reduced amount or no palm kernel oil derived lamellar structurant. The wash composition comprises anionic surfactant like a glycinate, glutamate, isethionate, taurate or mixtures thereof and a C16 -C20 lactylate. The composition is surprisingly stable and provides excellent sensory and lathering characteristics.

Description

LAMELLAR WASH COMPOSITION WITH REDUCED PALM KERNEL OIL RELIANCE

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a lamellar wash composition having a reduced amount or no palm kernel oil derived lamellar structurant. More particularly, the invention is directed to a wash composition comprising anionic surfactant like a glycinate, glutamate, isethionate, taurate or mixtures thereof, and a Ci₆-C₂o lactylate. The composition is surprisingly stable and provides excellent sensory and lathering characteristics. The wash composition of the present invention is suitable to be formulated substantially free of at least one of sulfate, paraben, hydantoin, isothi- azolinone, dioxane and silicone oil.

Background of the Invention

Wash compositions are typically employed to cleanse skin and to reduce shine associated with sebum produced in specialized epithelial cells known as sebocytes. They are also used to minimize bacteria on the hands and face such that washing is viewed as the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. In fact, experts believe that periodic washing throughout the day can reduce the number of consumers catching colds by about 50%. In addition to skin, wash compositions are conventionally used on the scalp and hair and are also used to clean objects within the home, like counters, windows, and cloths.

Consumers prefer compositions that are mild, especially on skin and hair, and they also demand compositions that are more favorable to the environment. Particularly, use of less palm kernel oil is desired by consumers and environmentally conscious companies since less palm kernel oil usage invariably leads to a reduction in global deforestation.

The present invention, therefore, is directed to a lamellar wash composition having a reduced amount or no palm kernel oil lamellar structurant. More particularly, the invention is directed to a wash composition comprising anionic surfactant like isethionate, taurate, glycinate, glutamate or mixtures thereof, and a Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate. The composition is stable and provides excellent sensory and lathering characteristics. The wash composition of the present invention is suitable to be formulated substantially free of at least one of sulfate, paraben, hydantoin, isothiazolinone, dioxane, and silicone oil.

Additional Information

Efforts have been disclosed for making wash compositions. In World Application No. WO/03017968A2, lamellar compositions and aerosol barrier dispensing systems are described.

Other efforts have been described for making wash compositions. In U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2005/0192189 A1 , wash compositions with anionic and nonionic surfactants, electrolyte and a structured lamellar surfactant domain are described.

Still other efforts have been described for making wash compositions. In U.S. Patent No. 8,623,809 B2, compositions with pearlescent concentrates and lamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline structures are described.

None of the additional information describes a lamellar wash composition with a reduced amount or no palm kernel oil derived lamellar structurant as claimed herein.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a lamellar wash composition comprising: a) at least 0.5% by weight, and preferably, at least 1.25%, and more preferably, from 1.5 to 12% (or from 3.5 to 10%), and most preferably, from 4.5 to 9.5% (or 4.5 to 9% or 4.5 to 8.25% or 0.6 to 2.5%) by weight of a Ci₆-C₂o lactylate; b) 0.0 to less than 2.2% (or less than 2%) by weight palm kernel oil derived structurant (i.e. structurant in the form of a component having a fatty portion with at least 75 to 100% by weight of a hydrophobic chain that is a C8-C14 saturated hydrocarbon); c) thickener, the thickener comprising at least 75% (or at least 85% or from 90 to 100% or 100%) by weight polymeric carbohydrate; d) oil; e) anionic surfactant; and f) zwitterionic surfactant, preferably comprising cocamidopropylbetaine; wherein the composition has a viscosity of at least 36,000 (and preferably, at least 38,500) mPa- s and further wherein the composition comprises at least 2.75% by weight anionic surfactant and at least 2.75% by weight zwitterionic surfactant, wherein the composition preferably comprises no sulfate-based surfactant, with the proviso that when the total weight percent of thickener and Ci₆-C₂o lactylate is 12 or less, the composition comprises at least 5.5% (or 6.5% or 7.5%) by weight anionic surfactant and at least 3.5% (or at least 4.5% or at least 5.5%) by weight zwitterionic surfactant and with the further proviso that when the palm kernel oil derived structurant (i.e. structurant in the form of a component having a fatty portion with at least 75 to 100% by weight of a hydrophobic chain that is a C8-C14 saturated hydrocarbon) is present at 1 .7% or less or preferably at 1 .5% or less, or most preferably, 1 .3% or less, or 0.85% or less or 0.8% or less or from 0.45 to 0.75% by weight, the total weight of palm kernel oil derived structurant (i.e. structurant in the form of a component having a fatty portion with at least 75 to 100% by weight of a hydrophobic chain that is a C8-C14 saturated hydrocarbon) plus Ci₆-C₂o lactylate in the wash composition is at least 2% or at least 2.4% (preferably, at least 3.5% or at least 4% or most preferably, at least 4.75%) by weight of the lamellar wash composition.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for washing and treating a surface, like skin, with the lamellar wash composition of the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect, the invention is directed to the use of Ci₆ -C₂₀ lactylate to stabilize a lamellar wash composition having less than 2.2% (or less than 2%), and preferably, less than 1.7%, and most preferably, from 0.0 to 1.5% (or 0.0 to 1.3% or 0.01 to 0.7% or 0.01 to 0.4% or less than 0.25% or 0.0%) by weight of a palm kernel oil derived structurant with the proviso that when the palm kernel oil derived structurant is present at 1 .7% or less or preferably at 1 .5% or less, or most preferably, 1 .3% or less by weight, the total weight of palm kernel oil derived structurant plus C -C₂₀ lactylate in the wash composition is at least 4% (preferably, at least 4.5%, or most preferably, at least 4.75%) by weight of the lamellar wash composition.

All other aspects of the present invention will more readily become apparent from the description and examples which follow.

Skin, as used herein, is meant to include skin on the arms (including underarms), face, back, feet, neck, chest, hands, legs, buttocks and scalp (including hair). Stable means able to maintain a viscosity of at least 36,000 mPa-s, and preferably, at least 38,500 (or at least 40,000 mPa-s) for at least one month, and preferably, at least 2 months after being made and stored at 45°C.

Palm kernel oil derived structurant means a component having a fatty portion with at least 75 to 100% (or 80 to 100% or 90 to 100% or 95 to 100% or 100%) by weight of a hydrophobic chain that is a C₈-Ci₄ saturated hydrocarbon from palm kernel oil and including components like lauric and myristic acid or their alcohol or amide derivatives. Lamellar, as used herein, means having layers of surfactant arrangement where polar head groups align with water to shield fatty acid acyl chains from the water such that over 85% (or 90 to 100% or 100%) of the total resulting surfactants in the composition are arranged as micelle plates or layers creating a translucent or opaque composition, where the surfactant arrangement is induced by the Ci₆-C₂o lactylate to create a creamy (e.g., velvety) wash composition. In the present invention, it has been unexpectedly discovered that use of Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate which is not dependent on hydrocarbon chain derived from palm kernel oil (i.e. , at least 75% of the hydrophobic portion is not palm kernel oil derived, preferably at least 85%, and most preferably 85 to 100% or from 90 to 100% or from 95 to 100% or 100% is not palm kernel oil derived) can be used to induce a stable lamellar wash composition with reduced amounts of and no palm kernel oil derived structurant. Thus, CIG -C₂O lactylate surprisingly mimics traditional palm kernel oil based structurant. In yet another embodiment, from 50 to 100% by weight or from 75 to 95% or from 80 to 90% (or 90 to 100% or 95 to 100% or 98 to 100% or 100%) by weight of the total weight of palm kernel oil derived structurant and Ci₆ -C₂₀ lactylate used in the lamellar wash composition is Ci₆-C₂₀ lactylate. In another embodiment of the invention, no (0.0% by weight) structurant derived from palm kernel oil (like lauric and myristic acid or their alcohol or amide derivatives) is used in the wash composition. The wash composition of the present invention is one which has a viscosity from 36,000 mPa-s to 350,000 mPa-s where viscosity is taken at 25°C with a Discovery HR-2 Rheometer using sand blasted plates having a 1000-micron gap and a shear rate of 0.23 s’¹. The wash composition of this invention is one suitable to be wiped or washed off, and preferably, washed off with water. Such a composition can be a home care cleaning composition (e.g., for tabletops, glass, toilets dishes, upholstery, or laundry) but is preferably a shampoo, make-up wash, facial wash, hand wash, or personal care and liquid body wash. In an embodiment of the invention, the wash composition can have a viscosity from 38,500 to 350,000 mPa-s, and more preferably, from 40,000 to 275,000 mPa-s, and most preferably, from 41 ,000 to 220,000 mPa-s (or 42,000 to 170,000 mPa-s, or 42,000 to 115,000 mPa-s). When used for hand applications, the lamellar wash composition of the present invention will preferably have a viscosity that is not higher than 170,000 mPa-s.

The wash composition of this invention may, optionally, comprise medicinal or therapeutic agents, but preferably, is a wash which is for cosmetic uses and non-therapeutic formulated to remove dirt, oil or the like from surfaces including skin and hair. In a preferred embodiment, the lamellar wash composition is a personal wash composition, and therefore, a liquid body wash for use while showering or bathing. The lamellar wash composition of the present invention may optionally comprise skin benefit ingredients added thereto such as emollients, vitamins and/or derivatives thereof, resorcinols, retinoic acid precursors, colorants, moisturizers, sunscreens, antibacterial agents, mixtures thereof or the like. Such skin benefit ingredients (or agents) can be water and/or oil soluble. If used, oil soluble skin benefit agents typically make up to 2% (or up to 1.5%) by weight of the lamellar wash composition whereby water-soluble skin benefit agents, when optionally used, may make up to 15% (or up to 10%) by weight of the wash composition of the present invention.

The lamellar wash composition will typically have a pH from 4.25 to 7.75 or 4.5 to 7.5 or from 4.75 to 7.25 or from 4.8 to 7.0 with the proviso that if the anionic surfactant used is more than 15% by weight of an isethionate based on total weight of the anionic surfactant in the lamellar wash composition, the pH of the composition is from 5.7 to 7.75, or preferably, from 6.0 to 7.55, or most preferably, from 6.2 to 7.50.

As used herein, “substantially free of’ as it relates to sulfate means less than 3.0%, and preferably, less than 2%, and most preferably, less than 1 %, even more preferably, less than 0.75% (or less than 0.5%) by weight of the wash composition. In an embodiment of the invention, “substantially free of sulfate includes a wash composition with 0.0% (i.e. , none) by weight sulfate-based surfactant. Regarding the non-sulfate-based ingredients (i.e., ingredients, like a hydantoin preservative, that are not sulfate containing like anionic sulfate comprising surfactants), substantially free of means less than 0.7% by weight, and preferably, less than 0.4%, and most preferably, less than

0.3%, (or less than 0.22% or less than 0.1 % or less than 0.05%) by weight of the wash composition. As to the non-sulfate-based ingredients, substantially free of also includes 0.0% (i.e. , none) by weight of the ingredient in the wash composition. With respect to all ingredients that the wash composition of the present invention may be substantially free of, it is within the scope of the invention to include from 0.001 to 0.045% by weight of such ingredient. In yet another preferred embodiment, the wash composition of the present invention comprises less than 35 ppm, and preferably, less than 25 ppm, and most preferably, less than 15 ppm dioxane or less than 2 ppm or less than 1 ppm dioxane or 0.0 ppm dioxane based on total dioxane in the wash composition. In another embodiment, the wash composition of this invention may comprise from 0.00001 to 0.00005% by weight dioxane, like 1 ,4-dioxane.

As to the C16-C20 lactylate, the same can be a mono- or polylactyl or mixture thereof as lactic acid can, for example, undergo self-esterification. Therefore, C16-C20 lactylate includes lactylic esters of fatty acids represented by the formula: where R^a is a C¹⁵to C¹⁹ hydrocarbon, each R^b is independently hydrogen or a C1.3 alkyl, u is an integer from 0 to 3 and Y+ is a counter ion that can include K⁺, Na⁺ or NH₄ ⁺ or a mixture thereof.

The term comprising is meant to encompass the terms consisting essentially of and consisting of. For the avoidance of doubt, and for illustration, the wash composition of this invention comprising surfactant, Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate, and active is meant to include a composition consisting essentially of the same and a composition consisting of the same. All ranges defined herein are meant to include all ranges subsumed therein. Except in the operating comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts or ratios of materials or conditions and/or physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about”. The disclosure, as found herein, is to be considered to cover all embodiments as found in the claims as being multiply dependent upon each other irrespective of the fact that claims may be found without multiple dependency or redundancy.

Detailed description of the Invention

As to the C16-C20 lactylate suitable for use in the invention, the same can be used with palm kernel oil derived lamellar structurants or no palm kernel oil derived structurants as described herein (i.e. , less than 2.2% by weight of the wash composition comprising palm kernel oil structurant). In an embodiment of the invention, such C -C20 lactylate has at least 75% of its hydrophobic portion (i.e., C16-C20 or Cie-Cis group (acyl portion)) not palm kernel oil derived, and preferably at least 85%, and most preferably, 85 to 100% or from 88 to 94%, or from 90 to 95% or from 95 to 100% or 100% is not palm kernel oil derived. Structurant (or structuring agent) like a Ce-Cu acid, alcohol and/or amide (i.e., hydroxylated or amide derivative of the acid thereof) can optionally be included and will again make up less than 2.2% (or less than 2%), and preferably, less than 1.5%, and most preferably, from 0.0 to 1 .3% (or from 0.01 to 0.7% or 0.01 to 0.4% or less than 0.25% or 0.0% or at least 0.01 %) by weight of the total weight of the lamellar wash composition, when optionally used.

Typically, total amount of C16 -C20 lactylate used makes up at least 0.5% by weight of the wash composition, and preferably, at least 1 .25%, and more preferably, from 1 .5 to 12% (or 3.5 to 10%), and most preferably, from 4.5 to 9.5% (or 4.5 to 9% or 4.5 to 8.25% or 0.6 to 2.5%) by weight of the lamellar wash composition. In an embodiment of the invention, the preferred lactylates are Ci₆- C18 lactylates, and more preferably, C -Cis lactylates like palmitoyl-1 -lactylate, stearoyl- 1 -lactylate or mixtures thereof. Polylactyls are also suitable for use, like palmitoyl-2-lactylate, stearoyl-2-lac- tylate or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, the lactylate is palmitoyl-2-lac- tylate, stearoyl-2- lactylate or a mixture thereof. In still another embodiment of the invention, the lactylate used is sodium palmitoyl lactylate, sodium stearoyl lactylate or mixtures thereof whereby mixtures of the sodium palmitoyl lactylate and sodium stearoyl lactylate are at a weight ratio from

1 :10 to 10:1 or from 2:10 to 10:2 or from 2.5:10 to 10:2.5 or 3:10 to 10:3 or from 4:10 to 10:4 or from 4.5 :10 to 10:4.5. Fatty acid sources for such Ci₆-C₂o or Ci₆ -Ci₈ lactylates used are typically, for example, vegetable, soy, nut, fruit (e.g., mango, papaya, red berries, coconut) and/or palm oil. In even another embodiment of the invention the lactylate used is a mixture of palmitoyl-1-lactylate and palmitoyl-2-lactylate, or stearoyl- 1 -lactylate and stearoyl-2-lactylate where the weight ratio of mono- to polylactyl is 1 :5 to 5:1 or from 2:5 to 5:2 or from 3:5 to 5:3 or from 4:5 to 5:5 or from 1 :15:1 to 1 :1.15 or from 1 :1. In an additional embodiment, of the invention, less than 35%, and preferably, less than 25%, and most preferably, less than 20% (or less than 18% or less than 13%) by weight of the lactylate used based on total weight of the same in the wash composition is derived from palm kernel oil. In another embodiment of the invention, from 0.001 to 39%, and preferably, from 0.01 to 35%, and most preferably, from 1 .0 to 27% by weight of total structurant used in the wash composition is derived from palm kernel oil. In still another embodiment, less than 25%, and preferably, less than 19%, and most preferably, less than 15% by weight of the lactylate is derived from palm kernel oil. In even another embodiment, from 0.0 to 12%, and preferably, from 0.01 to 8%, and most preferably, from 0.02 to 5% by weight of the lactylate used in the wash composition is derived from palm kernel oil (i.e., has hydrocarbon chain wherein the hydrocarbon chain is recovered from palm kernel oil).

In even another embodiment, the Ci₆-C₂o lactylate used in the present invention can comprise from 1 to 15%, or 1 to 12%, or 2 to 11 % or 2 to 6% or 0.00005 to 1.5% or 0.0001 to 1 .0% or 0.001 to 0.5% by weight carbon recovered from carbon capture (e.g., purple carbon) based on total weight of carbon in such lactylate.

As to the palm kernel oil derived structurant suitable for optional use, such traditional palm kernel oil derived structurants include C₆-Ci₄ acids, or alcohols and/or amide derivatives thereof. Struc- turants like caproic, caprylic, capric, lauric acid and myristic acid, and any alcohol or amide derivatives of the same may be used wherein such traditional structurant optionally used to drive the lamellar phase is preferably lauric acid. As noted, the traditional structurant when used makes up less than 2.2% by weight of the total weight of the lamellar wash composition, when optionally used.

The polymeric carbohydrate thickener suitable for use in the present invention can include nonmodified starch granules, in general, like potato starch, waxy maize starch as well as simple corn starch, i.e. , a starch that gelatinizes at around 75°C. Pure -Gel® starches from Grain Processing Corporation are chemically modified corn starch granules having a gelatinization temperature at about 53°C and are often preferred for use. Modified and/or nonmodified starch granules with gelatinization temperatures from 30° to 85°C, and preferably, from 30° to 80°C, and most preferably, from 35 to 75°C are suitable for inclusion as the polymeric carbohydrate thickening agent in the lamellar wash compositions of the invention. In general, and notwithstanding the starch selected for use, it is typically preferred that the granules of the polymeric carbohydrate selected, upon use in the final lamellar wash composition, swell at least 200%, and preferably at least 400%, and more preferably, at least 600%, and most preferably, at least 800% by volume in the lamellar wash composition to form swollen starch gel particles with a size in the range of 2 to 300 micrometers, or preferably, from 3 to 275 microns, and most preferably, from 4 to 245 microns. Examples of the often preferred Pure-Gel® starches suitable for use are Pure Gel B990, Pure Gel B992, Pure Gel B980 and Pure Dent starches made commercially available from Grain Processing Corporation. Additional polymeric carbohydrates suitable for use (i.e., starch granules) are National™ 1545, Amioca corn starch, Clearjel, National 1333, Colflo 67, Novation 1600, Novation 2700 or Purity 420 made available from Ingredion. Chemically modified starch granules are also suitable for use. Starch granules modified with nonionic hydrophilic groups such as hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl and/or ionic groups such as phosphate, carboxylate, sulfate, sulfonate and dialkyl/trialky I amino or quaternary ammonium ions are often selected for use.

Even other polymeric carbohydrates suitable for use are water soluble starches like Ultra-Sperse®, tapioca and waxy maize starch, and National 1215 pregelatinized unmodified corn starch or mixtures thereof. Still others include Structure® ZEA, a hydroxypropyl modified corn starch, or Structure® XL, a cross-linked pregelatinized hydroxypropyl starch phosphate or mixtures thereof, whereby the same are also available commercially from Nouryon.

Other useful thickeners that can be used include carbohydrate gums such as cellulose gum, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose gel, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxymethyl or carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, guar gum, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, gum Arabic, gum acacia, gum agar, xanthan gum and mixtures thereof; modified and nonmodified starch granules often with gelatinization temperatures between 30 to 85°C.

Additional thickeners that also may be used include Versathix™ (PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (and) PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl cocamide and water), Aristoflex AVC (ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer), Carbomers including Carbopol 980 (cross-linked polyacrylic acid), Carbopol® Ultrez 10 and 20 (e.g., hydrophobically modified crosslinked polyacrylic acid); alkaline soluble emulsion polymers such as Aculyn 28, Acuyln 22 or Carbopol Aqua SF1 ; cationic polymer such as modified polysaccharides including cationic guar available from Aventis under the trade name Jaguar C13S, Jaguar C S, Jaguar C17, or Jaguar C16; cationic modified cellulose such as UCARE Polymer JR 30 or JR 40 from Amerchol; N-Hance 3000, N-Hance 3196, N-Hance GPX 215 or N- Hance GPX 196 from Ashland, Inc.; synthetic cationic polymer such as MerQuat 100, MerQuat 280, Merquat 281 and Merquat 550 by Nalco; cationic starches, e.g., StaLok® 100, 200, 300 and 400 made by Galactasol 800 series by Henkel, Inc.; Quadrosoft Um-200; and Polyquaternium-24.

As described, thickener used in the wash compositions comprises at least 75% (or at least 85%, or from 90 to 100% or 100%) by weight polymeric carbohydrate. In another embodiment the polymeric carbohydrate is at least 50% by weight or 55 to 100% or 65 to 95% or 75 to 90% or 80 to 90% or 90 to 98% or at least 95% or 100% by weight starch where starch is defined to mean polymer, plant derived and comprising D-Glucose and 1 ,4 and/or 1 ,6 alpha-glycosidic bonds or linkages and preferably both.

In even another embodiment, when thickener is used that is not a polymeric carbohydrate, the thickener selected makes up less 25%, and preferably, less than 15%, and most preferably, from 0.0 to 6% (or 0.001 to 3% or 0.0001 to 2%) by weight of the total weight of thickener used in the wash composition.

Typically, total amount of thickener used makes up from 2.5 to 12%, and preferably, from 3 to 10, and most preferably, from 3.25 to 9.5% (or 3.5 to 9% or 3.85 to 8.25%) by weight of the wash composition.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, less than 1 %, and preferably, less than 0.5%, and most preferably, less than 0.25% or 0.0% by weight of the thickener used is acrylate based.

As to oils suitable for use in the wash compositions of this invention, the same include any oils suitable for topical application via a wash composition, and preferably, an oil suitable to contact skin that is natural and sustainable. Illustrative examples of such oils include silicone oils and/or mineral oil, but preferably those that are naturally sourced and sustainable like, arachis oil, castor oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, safflower seed oil, sesame seed oil, soybean oil, avocado oil, macadamia nut oil, argan oil, pomegranate oil, argan Moroccan oil, blueberry oil, raspberry oil, walnut oil, pecan oil, peanut oil, bayberry oil, mango seed oil, jojoba oil, hydrolyzed jojoba oil, mixtures thereof or the like. If a silicone oil is optionally used, the same can include, for example, PEG-3 Dimethicone, PEG-8 Dimethicone, PEG-9 Dimethicone, PEG- 10 Dimethicone, PEG-11 Methyl ether dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-14 Dimethicone, PEG-17 Dimethicone, PEG-32 Dimethicone mixtures thereof or the like.

In an embodiment of the invention, the wash composition of the present invention comprises from 0.5 to 10% by weight oil, and preferably, from 1.0 to 4.5%, and most preferably, from 1.5 to 4.0% (or from 1 .75 to 3.5% or from 2.0 to 3.0%) by weight oil based on total weight of oil in the wash composition. In another embodiment, the oil used is at least 70%, or 80% or 90 to 100% or 100% by weight soybean oil including mixtures of soybean oil and hydrogenated soybean oil at a weight ratio from 1 :10 to 10:1 or from 1 :5 to 5:1 or from 1 :3 to 3:1.

Anionic surfactants suitable for use in the wash composition of the present invention include aliphatic sulfonates, such as a primary alkane (e.g., C₈-C₂2) sulfonate, primary alkane (e.g., C₈-C₂2) disulfonate, C₈-C₂2 alkene sulfonates, C₈-C₂2 hydroxyalkane sulfonates or alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates (AGS); or aromatic sulfonates such as alkyl benzene sulfonate. The anionic may also include alkyl sulfates (e.g., Ci₂-Ci₈ alkyl sulfates) or alkyl ether sulfates (including alkyl glyceryl ether sulfates). Among the alkyl ether sulfates are those having the formula:

RO(CH2CH₂O)nSO₃M wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl having 8 to 18 carbons, preferably 12 to 18 carbons, n has an average value of at least 1 .0, preferably less than 5, and most preferably 1 to 4, and M is a solubilizing cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium.

The anionic may also include alkyl sulfosuccinates (including mono- and dialkyl, e.g., C₆-C₂2 sulfosuccinates); alkyl and acyl taurates (often methyl taurates), alkyl and acyl sarcosinates, sulfoacetates, C₈-C₂2 alkyl phosphates and phosphonates, alkyl phosphate esters and alkoxyl alkyl phosphate esters, acyl lactates, C₈-C₂2 monoalkyl succinates and maleates, sulphoacetates, alkyl glucosides and acyl isethionates, or the like.

Sulfosuccinates may be monoalkyl sulfosuccinates having the formula:

R¹ O2CCH₂CH(SO₃M)CO2M ; and amide-MEA sulfosuccinates of the formula:

R¹CONHCH2CH2O2CCH2CH(SO₃M)CO2M wherein R¹ ranges from C₈-C₂2 alkyl.

Sarcosinates are generally indicated by the formula:

R²CON(CH₃)CH₂CO₂M, wherein R² ranges from C₈-C₂o alkyl.

Taurates are generally identified by formula:

R³CONR⁴CH₂CH₂SO₃M wherein R³ is a C₈-C₂o alkyl, R⁴ is a Ci-C₄ alkyl.

M is a solubilizing cation as previously described.

Isethionates that may be used include C₈.Ci₈ acyl isethionates (including those which have a substituted head group such as a Ci-₄ alkyl substitution, preferably methyl substitution). These esters are prepared by a reaction between alkali metal isethionate with mixed aliphatic fatty acids having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms and an iodine value of less than 20. Often at least 75% of the mixed fatty acids have from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and up to 25% have from 6 to 10 carbon atoms.

The acyl isethionate suitable for use may be an alkoxylated isethionate such as is described in llardi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,466, entitled "Fatty Acid Esters of Polyalkoxylated isethonic acid; issued Feb. 28, 1995; hereby incorporated by reference. This compound has the general formula:

R⁵C— 0(0)— C(X) H-C(Y) H-(OCH2-CH₂)_m-SO₃M wherein R⁵ is an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbons, m is an integer from 1 to 4, X and Y are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbons and M is a solubilizing cation as previously described.

Additional anionic surfactants suitable for use in the lamellar wash compositions of the present invention are acyl glycinates and acyl glutamates or mixtures thereof. These include anionics like sodium lauroyl glycinate, sodium cocoyl glycinate, potassium lauroyl glycinate, potassium cocoyl glycinate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, potassium lauroyl glutamate, potassium cocoyl glutamate or mixtures thereof.

Illustrative isethionates include sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium methyl lauroyl isethionate and sodium cocoyl isethionate, and illustrative taurates include sodium methyl lauroyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate or mixtures of any of the same. Such anionic surfactants are commercially available. Sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methyl lauroyl taurate, sodium lauroyl glycinate, sodium methyl lauroyl isethionate or mixtures thereof are often the preferred anionics suitable for use. In an embodiment of the invention, the anionic surfactant used is typically at least one of sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, and/or sodium methyl lauroyl taurate. In a preferred embodiment, the anionic surfactant used in the wash composition of this invention is sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium methyl lauroyl taurate or a mixture thereof. In yet another preferred embodiment, the anionic surfactant is an isethionate, taurate or both, and preferably, sodium lauroyl isethionate, and/or sodium methyl lauroyl taurate, and most preferably, a mixture thereof.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, anionic surfactants suitable for use include alphaolefin sulfonates (Na or K C14-C18, preferably, Cu-Cie). Others include ethylene oxide sulfonates

(EOS) or mixtures of alpha-olefin sulfonates and ethylene oxide sulfonates in a weight ratio of 2:8 or 8:2, or 3:7 to 7:3, or 4:6 to 6:4.

Anionic surfactants typically make up at least from 4% to 15% and preferably, from 4 to 12%, and most preferably, from 4.2 to 9% or from 4.3 to 8.75% or from 4.5 to 8.5% by weight of the wash composition and further wherein when the total weight percent of thickener and Ci₆-C₂o lactylate is 12 or less in the wash composition, the composition comprises at least 5.5% (or 6.5% or 7.5%) by weight anionic surfactant and at least 3.5% (or at least 4.5% or at least 5.5%) by weight zwitterionic surfactant.

Amphoteric surfactants suitable for use in the invention include sodium acyl amphoacetates, sodium acyl amphopropionates, disodium acyl amphodiacetates and disodium acyl amphodipropi- onates where the acyl (i.e. , alkanoyl group) can comprise a C7-C18 alkyl portion. Illustrative examples of the amphoteric surfactants suitable for use include sodium lauroamphoacetate, sodium cocoamphoacetate or mixtures thereof.

Additional amphoteric surfactants suitable for use include amine oxide like lauramine oxide, myris- tamine oxide, palmitamine oxide, stearamine oxide, oleamine oxide or mixtures thereof.

In addition to the amphoteric surfactants described above, other amphoteric surfactants suitable for use include cocamidopropyl amine oxide, lauryl amidopropyl amine oxide, myristyl amidopropyl amine oxide, palmityl amidopropyl amine oxide, stearyl amidopropyl amine oxide, oleamidopropyl amine oxide or a mixture thereof. Such amphoteric surfactants when used typically make up from 1 to 5% or from 1 to 4% or from 1 .5 to 3.5% by weight of the lamellar wash composition.

As to the zwitterionic surfactants that may be employed in the wash compositions of the present invention, such surfactants include at least one acid group. Such an acid group may be a carboxylic or a sulphonic acid group. They often include quaternary nitrogen, and therefore, can be quaternary amino acids. They should generally include an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 18 carbon atoms generally comply with an overall structural formula:

R⁶-.[--C(O)--NH(CH₂)q--]r-N⁺--(R⁷--)(R⁸)A--B where R⁶ is alkyl or alkenyl of 7 to 18 carbon atoms; R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; q is 2 to 4; r is 0 to 1 ; A is alkylene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxyl, and B is --CO2-- or -SO3-.

Suitable zwitterionic surfactants that may be used in the present invention and within the above general formula include simple betaines of formula: R⁶--N⁺--(R⁷)(R⁸)CH₂CO₂' and amido betaines of formula:

R⁶-CONH(CH₂)_t-N⁺-(R⁷)(R⁸)CH₂CO₂- where t is 2 or 3.

In both formulae R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are as defined previously. R⁶ may, in particular, be a mixture of Ci₂ and C14 alkyl groups derived from coconut oil so that at least half, preferably at least three quarters of the groups R⁶ have 10 to 14 carbon atoms. R⁷ and R⁸ are preferably methyl.

A further possibility is that the zwitterionic surfactant is a sulphobetaine of the formula:

R⁶ -N⁺-(R⁷)(R⁸)(CH₂)₃SO₃- or

R⁶-CONH(CH₂)U --N⁺-(R⁷)(R⁸)(CH₂)₃SO₃- where u is 2 or 3, or variants of these in which --(CH₂)₃SO₃' is replaced by -CH₂C(OH)(H)CH₂SO₃'

In these formulae, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are as previously defined.

Illustrative examples of the zwitterionic surfactants suitable for use include betaines like coco- dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine and laurylamidopropyl betaine. It may be preferred, that the composition comprises zwitterionic surfactant comprising cocamidopropyl betaine. An additional zwitterionic surfactant suitable for use includes cocamidopropyl hydroxy sultaine. Such surfactants are made commercially available from suppliers like Stepan Company, and it is within the scope of the invention to employ mixtures of the aforementioned surfactants. In a preferred embodiment, the zwitterionic surfactant used in the wash this invention is cocami- dopropyl betaine. In still another embodiment, in the wash composition zwitterionic like cocami- dopropyl betaine is used with an isethionate like sodium lauroyl isethionate and/or a glycinate like sodium lauroyl glycinate, and preferably, with both isethionate and glycinate whereby the anionic surfactants are at a weight ratio to each other at from 1 :3 to 3:1 , and preferably, from 1 :2 to 2:1 , and most preferably, from 1 :1 .5 to 1.5:1 (or from 1 :1.3 to 1.3:1 or from 1 :1.15 to 1.15:1 or from 1 :1.1 to 1.1 :1). In yet another embodiment, when the anionic surfactant used comprises both an isethionate and glycinate, anionic surfactant and zwitterionic surfactant are present at a weight ratio from 1 :2 to 2:1 , and preferably, from 1 :1.65 to 1.65:1 , and most preferably, from 1 :1.35 to 1.35:1 (or from 1 :1.25 to 1.25:1 or from 1 :1 .15 to 1 .15:1 or from 1 :1 .1 to 1 .1 to 1).

Zwitterionic surfactant typically makes up from 3 to 10% or from 3 to 8% or from 3.5 to 8% or from 3.5 to 6% or from 3.5 to 5.5% by weight of the wash composition unless noted otherwise as is the case when the total weight percent of thickener and Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate (i.e., weight percent sum total of both) is 12 or less. It can be preferred that cocamidopropyl betaine makes up from 3 to 10% or from 3 to 8% or from 3.5 to 8% or from 3.5 to 6% or from 3.5 to 5.5% by weight of the wash composition unless noted otherwise as is the case when the total weight percent of thickener and C16-C20 lactylate (i.e., weight percent sum total of both) is 12 or less.

In even another embodiment, when the zwitterionic surfactant selected is a betaine and the anionic surfactant is a glycinate like sodium lauroyl glycinate in combination with an isethionate like sodium lauroyl isethionate, the anionic surfactants are at a weight ratio to each other at from 1 :3 to 3:1 , and preferably, from 1 :2 to 2:1 , and most preferably, from 1 :1.5 to 1.5:1 (or from 1 :1.3 to 1.3:1 or from 1 :1.15 to 1.15:1 or from 1 :1.1 to 1.1 :1) and the total amount of anionic (glyciinate and isethionate) is from 1 to 4 or from 1 to 3 or from 1.5 to 2.65 or from 1 .65 to 2.5 or from 1 .8 to 2.2 or from 1.85 to 2.15 times the total amount of zwitterionic surfactant (in weight percent) present in the lamellar wash composition. Y1

Nonionic surfactants may be used in the wash composition of the present invention. When used, nonionic surfactants are typically used at levels as low as 0.25, 0.3, 0.85, 1 , 1 .5 or 2% by weight and at levels as high as 6, 8, 10 or 12% by weight of the wash composition, when used. The nonionics which may be used include the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkylphenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene oxide. Specific nonionic surfactant compounds are alkyl (C₆-C₂2) phenols ethylene oxide condensates, the condensation products of aliphatic (C₈-Ci₈) primary or secondary linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide, and products made by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Other nonionic surfactants include long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides, dialkyl sulphoxides, and the like.

In an embodiment of the invention, nonionic surfactants optionally used can include fatty acid/al- cohol ethoxylates having the following structures a) HOCH2(CH2)s(CH2CH₂O)v H or b) HOOC(CH2)c(CH2CH₂O)d H; where s and v are each independently an integer up to18; and c and d are each independently an integer from 1 or greater. In an embodiment of the invention, s and v are each independently 6 to 18; c and d are each independently 1 to 30. Other options for nonionic surfactants include those having the formula HOOC(CH2)i-CH=CH--(CH2)k(CH2CH2O)_z H, where i, k are each independently 5 to 15; and z is 5 to 50. In another embodiment of the invention, i and k are each independently 6 to 12; and z is 15 to 35.

The nonionic may also include a sugar amide, such as a polysaccharide amide. Specifically, the surfactant may be one of the lactobionamides described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,279 to Au et al., entitled "Compositions Comprising Nonionic Glycolipid Surfactants issued Feb. 14, 1995; which is hereby incorporated by reference or it may be one of the sugar amides described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,814 to Kelkenberg, titled "Use of N-Poly Hydroxyalkyl Fatty Acid Amides as Thickening Agents for Liquid Aqueous Surfactant Systems" issued Apr. 23, 1991 ; hereby incorporated into the subject application by reference.

In an embodiment of the invention, the nonionic surfactant used is an alkyl polyglucoside represented as:

R⁹-O-(S)_n, where R⁹ is a C₆ to C₂o or C₈ to Ci₈ or Cw to C linear or branched alkyl and S is a saccharide group of 5 or 6 carbons such as glucose, xylose, lactose, fructose and/or mannose, and preferably, is glucose, and n represents the degree of polymerization and may have a value of from 1 to 12 or from 1 to 10 , and most preferably, from 1.2 to about 1.6 or from 1.3 to 1.5.

In an embodiment of the invention, the nonionic surfactant used is cocamide monoethanolamine (cocamide MEA) and nonionic makes up from 0.25 to 1 % or from 0.3 to 0.85% by weight of the wash composition.

In still another embodiment of the invention, cationic surfactants may optionally be used in the wash composition of the present invention.

One class of optional cationic surfactants includes heterocyclic ammonium salts such as cetyl or stearyl pyridinium chloride, alkyl amidoethyl pyrrylinodium methyl sulfate, and lapyrium chloride.

Tetra alkyl ammonium salts are another useful class of cationic surfactants suitable for optional use. Examples include cetyl or stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride or bromide; hydrogenated palm or tallow trimethylammonium halides; behenyl trimethyl ammonium halides or methyl sulfates; decyl isononyl dimethyl ammonium halides; ditallow (or distearyl) dimethyl ammonium halides, and behenyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

Still other types of cationic surfactants that may be used are the various ethoxylated quaternary amines and ester quats. Examples include PEG-5 stearyl ammonium lactate (e.g., Genamin KSL manufactured by Clariant), PEG-2 coco ammonium chloride, PEG-15 hydrogenated tallow ammonium chloride, PEG 15 stearyl ammonium chloride, dipalmitoyl ethyl methyl ammonium chloride, dipalmitoyl hydroxyethyl methyl sulfate, and strearyl amidopropyl dimethylamine lactate.

Even other useful cationic surfactants suitable for optional use include quaternized hydrolysates of silk, wheat, and keratin proteins, and it is within the scope of the invention to use mixtures of the aforementioned cationic surfactants.

If used, cationic surfactants will make up no more than 1 .0% by weight of the wash composition. When present, they typically make up from 0.01 to 0.7%, and more typically, from 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of the wash composition.

In an embodiment of this invention, the wash composition of this invention will be substantially free of polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds (including salts of the same). In another embodiment, the wash composition will comprise less than 0.1 % by weight polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds. In yet another embodiment, the wash composition comprises less than 0.01% by weight polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds. In even another embodiment, the wash composition is free of polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds (i.e. , 0.0%).

Inorganic salt is an optional but often desired ingredient to aid in wash composition thickening. Typical salts may be used like NaCI, KCI, MgCI₂, CaCI₂, mixtures thereof or the like. Typically, the inorganic salt makes up from 0 to 5%, and preferably, from 0.1 to 4%, and most preferably, from 0.25 to 2.5% (or from 0.5 to 2%) by weight of the composition.

Polyols (i.e., humectants) are suitable for optional use in the wash compositions of the present invention whereby the same are limited only to the extent that they are suitable for use in a topical wash composition and water soluble. Illustrative and nonlimiting examples of the polyols suitable for use in the present invention include sorbitol, glycerol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol or mixtures thereof. In an embodiment of the invention, the polyol used is at least 50% by weight glycerol, based on total weight of the polyol used in the wash composition. In another embodiment of the invention, the polyol used is all glycerol (100% by weight). Polyol, when used, will typically make up from 1 to 40% by weight of the wash composition, and preferably, from 1 .5 to 25% by weight of the wash composition, and most preferably, from 2 to 15% (or from 2.5 to 10%) by weight of the wash composition.

Water typically makes up from 30 to 90%, and preferably, from 40 to 90%, and most preferably, from 50 to 85% by weight of the wash composition, including all ranges subsumed therein.

Adjusters suitable to modify/buffer the pH may be used. Such pH adjusters include triethylamine, NaOH, KOH, H₂SO₄, HCI, C₆ H₈ O₇ (i.e. , citric acid) or mixtures thereof. The pH adjusters are added at amounts to yield the desired final pH. The pH values may be assessed with commercial instrumentation such as a pH meter made commercially available from Thermo Scientific®.

Optional water-soluble skin benefit agents suitable for use in the wash composition of this invention are limited only to the extent that they are capable of being topically applied, and suitable to dissolve in the wash composition at the desired pH.

Illustrative examples of the benefit agents suitable to include in the water portion of the wash composition are acids, like amino acids, such as arginine, valine or histidine. Additional water- soluble benefit agents suitable for use include vitamin B2, niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin Bs (Panthenol), vitamin B₆, vitamin C, mixtures thereof or the like. Water soluble derivatives of such vitamins may also be employed. For instance, vitamin C derivatives such as ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate and ascorbyl glycoside may be used alone or in combination with each other. Other water-soluble benefit agents suitable for use include 4-ethyl resorcinol, extracts like sage, aloe vera, green tea, grapeseed, thyme, chamomile, yarrow, cucumber, liquorice, rosemary extract or mixtures thereof. Water soluble sunscreens like ensulizole may also be used. Total amount of optional water-soluble benefit agents (including mixtures) when present in the invention may range from 0.0 to 15%, preferably from 0.001 to 10%, and most preferably, from 0.01 to 8% (or from 1 to 6%) by weight of the wash composition.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to optionally include oil soluble benefit agents (i.e., non-water-soluble agents defined as less than 1.0 g of such benefit agent (solute) can be dissolved in 100 mL of 25°C water (solvent) at atmospheric pressure. The only limitations with respect to such oil soluble benefit agents are that the same are suitable to provide a benefit when topically applied, especially to skin.

Illustrative examples of the types of oil soluble benefit agents that may optionally be used in the compositions of this invention include components like stearic acid, palmitic acid, vitamins like Vitamin A, D, E and K (and their oil soluble derivatives), sunscreens like ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate, bis-ethyl hexyloxyphenol methoxyphenol triazine, 2-ethylhexyl-2- cyano-3,3-diphenyl-2-propanoic acid, drometrizole trisiloxane, 3,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexyl 2-hy- droxybenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl-2hydroxybenzoate or mixtures thereof.

Other optional oil soluble benefit agents suitable for use include resorcinols like thiamidol (isobutylene thiazolyl resorcinol), 4-hexyl resorcinol, 4-phenylethyl resorcinol, 4-cyclopentyl resorcinol, 4-cyclohexyl resorcinol 4-isopropyl resorcinol or a mixture thereof. Also, 5-substituted resorcinols like 4-cyclohexyl-5-methylbenzene-1 ,3-diol, 4-isopropyl-5-methylbenzene-1 ,3-diol, mixtures thereof or the like may be used. The 5-substituted resorcinols, and their synthesis are described in commonly assigned U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2016/0000669A1.

Even other oil soluble actives suitable for use include omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, climbazole, farnesol, ursolic acid, myristic acid, geranyl geraniol, oleyl betaine, cocoyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline, hexanoyl sphingosine, 12-hydroxystearic acid, petroselinic acid, conjugated linoleic acid, terpineol, thymol mixtures thereof or the like.

In an embodiment of the invention, the optional oil soluble benefit agent used is a retinoic acid precursor. In one embodiment of the invention, the retinoic acid precursor is retinol, retinal, retinyl propionate, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate or a mixture thereof. Retinyl propionate, retinyl palmitate and mixtures thereof are typically preferred.

Still another retinoic acid precursor suitable for use is hydroxyanasatil retinoate made commercially available under the name Retextra® as supplied by Molecular Design

International. The same may be used in a mixture with the oil soluble actives described herein.

When optional oil soluble active is used in the compositions of the invention, such active typically makes up from 0.001 to 2% (or to 1.5%), and preferably, from 0.001 to 1 %, and most preferably, from 0.05 to 0.85% by weight of the wash composition. Since the oil soluble active is optional, the wash composition can comprise no (i.e. , 0.0% by weight oil soluble active).

Conventional preservatives can desirably be incorporated into the wash composition to protect against the growth of potentially harmful microorganisms. Cosmetic chemists are familiar with appropriate preservatives and routinely choose them to satisfy the preservative challenge test and to provide product stability. Suitable traditional preservatives for use include hydantoin derivatives and propionate salts. Preservatives suitable for use are iodopropynyl butyl carbamate, phenoxyethanol, hydroxyacetophenone, ethylhexylglycerine, hexylene glycol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, imidazolidinyl urea, sodium dehydroacetate, dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin, benzyl alcohol, sodium benzoate and mixtures thereof. Other preservatives suitable for use include sodium dehydroacetate, chlorophenesin and decylene glycol. The preservatives should be selected having regard for the use of the composition and possible incompatibilities between the preservatives and other ingredients in the emulsion. Preservatives are preferably employed in amounts ranging from 0.01 % to 2.0% by weight of the total weight of the wash composition, including all ranges subsumed therein. Also preferred is a preservative system with hydroxyacetophenone alone or in a mixture with other preservatives. Use of vicinal diols like 1 ,2-octane diol are also suitable for use with the preservatives described herein and typically at amounts from 0.2 to 1 .5%, and preferably, from 0.3 to 1 .25%, and most preferably, from 0.3 to 1 % by weight of the wash composition.

In an embodiment of the invention, the wash composition is substantially free of hydantoins and parabens. In another embodiment of the invention, the wash composition is substantially free of isothiazolinone.

Fragrances, fixatives, chelators (like EDTA) and exfoliants may optionally be included in the wash composition of the present invention. Each of these substances may range from about 0.03 to about 5%, preferably between 0.1 and 3% (or from 0.3 to 1.2%) by weight of the total weight of the wash composition. To the extent the exfoliants are used, those selected should be of small enough particle size so that they do not impede the performance of any packaging used to dispense the compositions of this invention.

Conventional emulsifiers having an HLB of greater than 8 may optionally be used. Illustrative examples include Tween, 40, 60, 80, polysorbate 20 and mixtures thereof. Typically, emulsifiers for water continuous systems make up from 0.03 to 1 .5% by weight of the wash composition.

As to the wash composition of the present invention, the same typically comprises from 7 to 20%, and preferably, from 7 to 18%, and most preferably, from 8 to 17 (or from 8 to 14%) by weight total surfactant. In an embodiment of the invention, the wash composition comprises from 7 to 13.2% by weight surfactant.

When making wash composition of the present invention, the desired ingredients may be mixed with conventional apparatus under moderate shear and atmospheric conditions, with temperature being from 30 to 85°C whereby shear continues until a homogeneous product is recovered.

The packaging for the wash composition typically is not limited as long as composition can be dispensed. In an embodiment on the invention, the wash composition is sold in a pouch, bottle, jar, tube or canister. The packaging preferably is biodegradable and/or is prepared from recycled materials including post-consumer resins.

The Examples are provided to facilitate an understanding of the invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

All Samples (lamellar wash compositions) in the Examples were prepared by mixing ingredients with moderate shear and with temperature being about 80°C and pressure being atmospheric. Viscosity (in millipascal second) was measured at 25°C with a Discovery HR-2 Rheometer using sand blasted plates having a 1000-micron gap and a shear rate of 0.23 s’¹.

Example I

In this Example, the Samples of body wash compositions depicted in Table I were made with a surfactant system having sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium laurolyl glycinate and cocamidopro- pyl betaine at a weight percent of 2.5%, 2.5% and 4.9%, respectively. The oil present was 2.7% by weight soybean oil. The wash composition was about 70% by weight water, had 0.8% by weight sodium benzoate as preservative and a pH of about 6.2. The starch used was Pure Gel B990, made commercially available from Grain Processing Corporation, swell volume of about 800% by volume in the lamellar wash composition forming swollen starch gel particles with a size in the range of about 100 to 200 micrometers. The Sodium Palmitoyl Lactylate and Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate mixture used was a 35%/65% mixture by weight, respectively.

TABLE I

The data in Table I unexpectedly shows that when surfactant system, polymeric carbohydrate thickener and C16-C20 lactylate are selected according to the invention, stable lamellar phase wash compositions are produced that have a viscosity well within the range desired by consum- ers, and surprisingly, without relying on palm kernel oil derived structurants.

When used by trained panelists, all concluded the wash compositions made according to the invention had the sensory feel and rinsed away with water (about 40°C) in a manner consistent with wash compositions having palm kernel oil derived structurant. The panelists also concluded that the wash compositions lathered at least as well as lamellar compositions made only with palm kernel oil derived structurant.

Example II

In this Example, the Samples of body wash compositions depicted in Table II were made in a manner similar to that described in Example I except with a surfactant system having sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium methyl laurolyl taurate and cocamidopropyl betaine at a weight percent of 4%, 4% and 4%, respectively.

TABLE II

The data in Table II unexpectedly shows that when surfactant system, polymeric carbohydrate thickener and Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate are selected according to the invention, stable lamellar phase wash compositions are produced that have a viscosity well within the range desired by consum- ers, and surprisingly, without relying on palm kernel oil derived structurants.

Example III

In this Example, the Samples of body wash compositions depicted in Table III were made similar to the Samples descried in Example II except that the Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate selected was 55% by weight sodium palmitoyl stearoyl lactylate and 45% sodium stearoyl lactylate.

TABLE III

The data in Table III unexpectedly shows that when surfactant system, polymeric carbohydrate thickener and CIG -C20 lactylate are selected according to the invention, stable lamellar phase wash compositions are produced that have a viscosity well within the range desired by consum- ers, and surprisingly, without relying on palm kernel oil derived structurants.

Example IV

In this Example, the Samples of body wash compositions depicted in Table IV were made similar to those Samples described in Example III (i.e., Ci 6 -C20 lactylate selected was 55% by weight sodium palmitoyl stearoyl lactylate and 45% sodium stearoyl lactylate) except that the wash compositions had 5.4% by weight soybean oil.

TABLE IV

The data in Table IV unexpectedly shows that when surfactant system, polymeric carbohydrate thickener and Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate are selected according to the invention, stable lamellar phase wash compositions are produced that have a viscosity well within the range desired by consumers, and surprisingly, without relying on palm kernel oil derived structurants.

Example V

In this Example, the Samples of body wash compositions depicted in Table V were made similar to those in Example I except that the palm kernel oil derived structurant (lauric acid) was used in addition to Ci₆-C₂₀ lactylate described in the invention.

TABLE V

The data in Table V unexpectedly shows that when surfactant system, polymeric carbohydrate thickener and Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate are selected according to the invention, stable lamellar phase wash compositions are produced that have a viscosity well within the range desired by consumers, and surprisingly, with reduced amounts (<2% by weight) of palm kernel oil derived structurants.

When used by trained panelists, all concluded the wash compositions made according to the invention had the sensory feel and rinsed away with water (about 40°C) in a manner consistent with wash compositions having only palm kernel oil derived structurant.

Example VI

In this Example, the Samples of body wash compositions depicted in Table VI were made similar to those in Example II except that the palm kernel oil derived structurant (lauric acid) was used with the Cis -C₂o lactylate described in the invention and soybean oil was present at 5.4% by weight.

TABLE VI

The data in Table VI unexpectedly shows that when surfactant system, polymeric carbohydrate thickener and Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate are selected according to the invention, stable lamellar phase wash compositions are produced that have a viscosity well within the range desired by consumers, and surprisingly, with reduced amounts (<2% by weight) of palm kernel oil derived structurants and increased amounts of oil.

Claims

Claims:

1 . A lamellar wash composition comprising: a) at least 0.5% by weight, and preferably, at least 1 .25%, and more preferably, from 1.5 to 12% (or from 3.5 to 10%), and most preferably, from 4.5 to 9.5% (or 4.5 to 9% or 4.5 to 8.25% or 0.6 to 2.5%) of a Ci₆-C₂o lactylate; b) 0.0 to less than 2.2% by weight structurant in the form of a component having a fatty portion with at least 75 to 100% by weight of a hydrophobic chain that is a Cs- C14 saturated hydrocarbon; c) thickener, the thickener comprising at least 75% (or at least 85%, or from 90 to 100% or 100%) by weight polymeric carbohydrate; d) oil; e) anionic surfactant; and f) zwitterionic surfactant, preferably comprising cocamidopropyl betaine wherein the composition has a viscosity of at least 36,000, preferably, at least 38,500 mPa-s, wherein viscosity is taken at 25°C with a Discovery HR-2 Rheometer using sand blasted plates having a 1000-micron gap and a shear rate of 0.23 s’¹, and further wherein the composition comprises at least 2.75% by weight anionic surfactant and at least 2.75% by weight zwitterionic surfactant, preferably comprising cocamidopropyl betaine, wherein the composition comprises no sulfate-based surfactant, with the proviso that when the total weight percent of thickener and Ci₆-C₂o lactylate is 12 or less, the composition comprises at least 5.5% (or at least 6.5% or at least 7.5%) by weight anionic surfactant and at least 3.5% (or at least 4.5% or at least 5.5%) by weight zwitterionic surfactant, preferably comprising cocamidopropyl betaine, and with the further proviso that when the palm kernel oil derived structurant is present at 1.7% or less or preferably at 1 .5% or less, or most preferably, 1.3% or less, or 0.85% or less, or 0.8% or less, or 0.45 to 0.75% by weight, the total weight of palm kernel oil derived structurant plus Ci₆ -C₂₀ lactylate in the wash composition is at least 2% or at least 2.4% (preferably, at least 3.5% or at least 4% or most preferably, at least 4.75%) by weight of the lamellar wash composition.

2. The wash composition according to claim 1 , wherein the structurant in the form of a component having a fatty portion with at least 75 to 100% by weight of a hydrophobic chain that is a C₈-Ci4 saturated hydrocarbon is derived from palm kernel oil.

3. The wash composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the C16 -C20 lactylate is palmitoyl- 2-lactylate, stearoyl-2-lactylate, palmitoyl-1 -lactylate, stearoyl- 1 -lactylate or mixtures thereof.

4. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the structurant in the form of a component having a fatty portion with at least 75 to 100% by weight of a hydro- phobic chain that is a C₈-Ci₄ saturated hydrocarbon is not present.

5. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the structurant in the form of a component having a fatty portion with at least 75 to 100% by weight of a hydrophobic chain that is a C₈-Ci₄ saturated hydrocarbon is present in an amount of at least 0.01 % by weight of the wash composition.

6. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the anionic surfactant comprises sodium lauroyl glycinate, sodium cocoyl glycinate, potassium lauroyl glycinate, potassium cocoyl glycinate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, potassium lauroyl glutamate, potassium cocoyl glutamate, sodium methyl lauroyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methyl lauroyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate or mixtures thereof.

7. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the anionic surfactant comprises sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium methyl lauroyl taurate, sodium lauroyl glycinate, sodium methyl lauroyl isethionate or mixtures thereof.

8. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alpha-olefin sulfonate.

9. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the wash composition has a pH from 4.25 to 7.75 or from 4.5 to 7.5 or from 4.75 to 7.25 or from 4.8 to 7.0, with the proviso that if the anionic surfactant is more than 15% by weight of an isethionate based on total weight of the anionic surfactant in the wash composition, the pH of the wash composition is from 5.7 to 7.75, or from 6.0 to 7.55, or from 6.2 to 7.50.

10. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the composition further comprises glycerol, palmitic acid, and at least one of 12-hydroxystearic acid and stearic acid.

11 . The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the composition further comprises a resorcinol, niacinamide, a retinoic acid precursor or a mixture thereof.

12. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the oil in the composition comprises mineral oil, arachis oil, castor oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, safflower seed oil, sesame seed oil, soybean oil, avocado oil, macadamia nut oil, argan oil, pomegranate oil, argan Moroccan oil, blueberry oil, raspberry oil, walnut oil, pecan oil, peanut oil, bayberry oil, mango seed oil, jojoba oil, hydrolyzed jojoba oil or a mixtures thereof.

13. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lactylate is a mixture of stearoyl- 1 -lactylate and stearoyl-2-lactylate.

14. The wash composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises less than 0.7% by weight paraben, or less than 0.7% by weight hydantoin, or less than 0.7% by weight isothiazolinone, or less than 0.7% by weight dioxane or less than 0.7% by weight silicone oil, based on the weight of the wash composition or any combination thereof.

15. Use of C16 -C20 lactylate to stabilize a lamellar wash composition having less than 2.2%, preferably less than 2%, more preferably, less than 1.7%, and most preferably, from 0.0 to 1 .5% by weight of a structurant in the form of a component having a fatty portion with at least 75 to 100% by weight of a hydrophobic chain that is a C8-C14 saturated hydrocarbon, and wherein the composition comprises no sulfate-based surfactant, with the proviso that when the structurant is present at 1 .7% or less or preferably at 1 .5% or less, or most preferably, 1 .3% or less or 0.85% or less or 0.8% or less or from 0.45 to 0.75% by weight, the total weight of structurant plus Ci₆ -C₂o lactylate in the wash composition is at least 2% or at least 2.4% .preferably, at least 3.5%, more preferably at least 4%, and most preferably, at least 4.75%, by weight of the lamellar wash composition.