MXPA99000467A - Bar compositions comprising low levels of acid soap gr - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to stick compositions comprising amphoteric surfactants (eg, betaine) wherein, through the use of fatty acid soap floor levels and floor ratios (minimum amounts) of saturated and unsaturated soap, obtains improved processing (i.e., measured as extrusion rates) at higher amphoteric levels

Description

BAR COMPOSITIONS OUE UNDERSTAND LOW LEVELS OF FATTY ACID SOAP FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to synthetic soap bar compositions comprising amphoteric surfactants (ie, for improved softness), which surprisingly can be easily processed, even at relatively high levels of surfactants (ie, above). of 1%) . Processability is measured as improved production, measured as bars worked in kilograms per minute. Specifically, the invention relates to stick compositions comprising anionic surfactant (eg, acyl isethionate), amphoteric surfactant and fatty acid soap (introduced as a mixture of various long-chain fatty acid soaps or as a soap of the same length). individual string). Where the amphoteric surfactant containing sticks (usually in extreme form difficult to extrude when used at levels above 1% by weight) are easily processed using minimum levels of fatty acid soap and minimum ratios of saturated to unsaturated soap .

BACKGROUND Also, the soap has been used as a cleanser for the skin. Although the soap is inexpensive, easy to manufacture and forms very well foam, it is also very rough on the skin. In order to alleviate the roughness of the soap, synthetic bars have been used where much of the soap is replaced with milder surfactants, for example, acyl isethionates. The patents that relate to the use of acyl isethionate and soap, therefore, are known (see United States Patent No. 2,894, 912 to Geitz). It is also known to make bars that are softer by replacing the soap, isethionate or fatty acid (used mainly as a structurant) as very mild surfactants, such as amphoteric surfactants. However, normally, it is very difficult to successfully and economically process bars containing both mild anionic and amphoteric surfactants (eg, b e t a n a). U.S. Patent No. 5,372,751 to Rys-Cicciari et al. Teaches bar compositions comprising anionic surfactant (e.g., acyl isethionate) and betaine. The reference notes that at several points the soap is preferably absent (column 6, lines 60-61, column 9, line 47) and this is confirmed by the examples where the soap is never used in amounts greater than 2%. Although the reference suggests doing this for safety reasons, applicants have never previously been able to process amounts of betaine above 1% at these low levels of soap. Unexpectedly, applicants have found that minimum levels of fatty acid soap (eg, 3% and above) are used in sticks comprising an anionic surfactant system, much higher levels of amphoteric surfactant (2% and more) can be. processed more easily than previously possible.

Applicants have further discovered that when the total content of soap saturated with unsaturated soap is greater than 1: 1, the benefits of the process (for example, the speed of work) are further improved. At that time, the ability to successfully process more betaine allows the introduction of a much higher softness benefit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment of the invention, the present invention relates to stick compositions comprising: (a) de. 10% to 70% anionic surfactant (eg, fatty acyl isethionate); (b) from 2% to 15%, preferably from 2% to 10%, and more preferably from 3% to 8% of amphoteric surfactant; (c) from 3% to 25%, preferably from 5% to 15% of a fatty acid soap comprising a mixture of fatty acids from e to C24 or a fatty acid soap of. Ce to individual C24; wherein the ratio of saturated fatty acid soap to unsaturated fatty acid soap is greater than 1: 1, preferably greater than 2: 1, preferably greater than 5: 1, and more preferably greater than 10: 1. In fact, the "mixture" of fatty acid fatty acid may comprise 100% saturated fatty acids (ie, without any unsaturated fatty acid). That is, by assuring minimum levels of soap (3% and more) and minimum levels of saturated fatty acid, strong processing benefits are obtained (for example, improved working speeds). Without minimum soap levels, only very low levels of amphoteric surfactant (i.e., approximately 1% or less) can be efficiently processed and worked. The minimum saturation levels improve the working speeds and zein regimens additionally.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to synthetic soap bar compositions (eg, anionic base) comprising amphoteric surfactants (and / or zwitterionic surfactants), wherein, based on minimum levels of Soap (ie, 3% and more), it has unexpectedly become possible to efficiently process much larger quantities of such an amphoteric and / or zwitterionic surfactant than previously possible. That is, although the benefit of using an anionic surfactant has been previously recognized (e.g., for improved softness), these surfactants make the products soft and sticky. In this way, it has been difficult to process (ie, stamp and extrude) synthetic bars containing such surfactants. Unexpectedly, the applicants have discovered that for one reason processing can be seen very difficult and it is because such amphoteric / zwitterionic surfactants have previously been used in substantially soap-free synthetic bars. (ie, having approximately 2% or less soap). However, unexpectedly, applicants have found whether amphoteric / zwitterionic surfactant is used in a synthetic structured bar, where the soap level is about 3% and more (ie, from 3% to 25% soap). ), the zithionic surfactant with photonicity becomes much more easily processable. In this way, it now becomes possible to use much greater quantities of surfactant z wi teri óni co / an fot i ri co than previously possible although processing at efficient / economic regimes (eg, greater than 2.27 kg / minute ( 5 pounds / minute) based on a pilot plant extruder). In a second embodiment, applicants have found that increasing the level of saturated to unsaturated fatty acid increases the processing even more. Specifically, when the levels of saturated to insatur a-d are greater than 1: 1, improved processing is achieved. The specific compounds of the invention are discussed in detail below.

Anionic Surfactant The stick compositions of the invention comprise from 10% to 70% of anionic surfactant or a mixture of anionic surfactants. Preferably, the stick compositions comprise about 10% to 70% in fatty acyl isethionate.

Acyl isethionate, yes. it is used, it has: the formula: RCO2CH2CH2SO3M wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl group of 6 to 21 -also carbon atoms and M is a cation of so ubalization such as sodium, "potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium These esters are generally prepared through the reaction between alkali metal isethionate, and mixed aliphatic fatty acids having, for example, 6 to 18 carbon atoms and a value of. iodine less than 20. The anionic surfactant can also be an ether sulfate of the formula / "RiO (CH2CH20) and S03M wherein R 1 is alkyl or alkenyl of 8 to 8 carbon atoms, especially of 11 to 15 carbon atoms. carbon, and has an average value of at least 1.0 and M is a cation of so-ubalization such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or ammonium substituted, preferably having an average value of 2 or Other anionic detergents can be used.The possibilities include 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 and 6 acylactates. The s u 1 s or c c i n t o s can be monoa 1 qui 1 s u 1 s o c c t i n s that have the formula: R202CCH2CH (S03M) C02M; and amido-MEA s u 1 f o s c c i n t o s of the formula: R2CONHCH2CH2? 2CCH2CH (S03M) C02M; wherein R 2 varies from C 1 -C 2 alkyl, preferably C 2 -C 5 alkyl, and M is a solubilization cation. Sarcosinates are generally indicated with the formula: R3CO (CH3) CH2C02M, wherein R3 ranges from C8-C20 alkyl, preferably C12-C15 alkyl and M is a solubilization cation. Taurates are generally identified with the formula R5CONR6CH2CH2S03M, wherein R5 varies from C8-C2o alkyl, preferably C12-C15, R6 varies from C1-C4 alkyl and M is a solubilization cation.

Smoothness Enhancing Surfactant The second component of the stick composition of the invention is a mildness improving surfactant, which may be a zwitterionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant or mixtures thereof. The zwitterionic surfactants are illustrated by those which can be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic, phosphonium and sulfonium quaternary ammonium compounds, wherein the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic group, for example, carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. A general formula for these compounds is: (R3) R2_? < +) _CH2-R4Z ' wherein R contains an alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl radial of from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, from 0 to about 10 portions of ethylene oxide and from 0 to about 1 glyceryl portion; And it is selected from the group consisting of phosphorus- and sulfur nitrogen atoms; R3 is an alkyl or monohydroxy group containing 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; X is 1 when And it is a sulfur atom, and 2 when Y is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom; R 4 is an alkylene or hydroxy to 1 quinoline of about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate and phosphate groups. Examples of such surfactants include: buta no-1-c-box 4-[N, N-di- (2 -hi-dr-oxy-i-1) -N-octadecylammonium] 3-hydroxypropionate o - 1 - s 5 - [S - 3 - hi dr ox ip r op i 1 - S-hexadecylsulfonium] 2 -hy dr oxyp r opane - 1 - phosphate 3 - [P, P-die ti 1 - P- 3, 6, 9 -trioxatetradexocylphosphonium] pr opane-1-phosphone of 3 - [N, N- dip r op i 1 - - 3 - dode c ox i - 2-hydroxypropylammonium] pr opium - 1 - s ul f ona to 3 - (N, - dime ti 1 -N - he xa of ci 1 -amon io) 2 -hi dr oxipr opano - 1 - s ul f ona to 3 - (N, N- dime ti 1-N-hexadecylammonio) bu t ano-1-carboxy 1 ato of 4 - [N, - di - (2 - hi dr ox ieti 1) - N - (2-hydroxydecyl) ammonium] pr opane - 1 - 3 - [S - eti 1 - S - (3 -dode coxy-2-hydroxypropyl) sulfonium] pr opal-1-phosphone phosphate of 3 - [P, P-dime ti 1-P-do of cy 1 fos -foni or]; and 2-nitric oxide-1-sulphonate of 5 - [N, - di (3-hydroxy-1-propyl) -acetic acid of amphoteric detergents which can be used in this invention include at least one acid group. This can be a carboxylic or sulfonic acid. These include quaternary nitrogen and, therefore, are quaternary. Generally, they should include an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 18 carbon atoms.

Usually, they will agree with a "total" structural formula: OR R " RJ - C-C-NH (CH2) n-] ra-N * -X-Y Rd wherein R 1 is alkyl or alkenyl of 7 to 18 carbon atoms; R and R3 each independently is alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl of 1 to. 3 carbon atoms; n is from 2 to 4; m is from O to 1; x is alkylene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxyl, and Y is -C02- or -S03- Suitable amphoteric detergents within the above general formula include simple betaines of the formula: • N CH2C02 RJ and ami dobe t ai na s of the formula R¿ R1 - CONH (CH2) ro * CH, CO, where m is 2 or 3. In both formulas R1, R2 and R3 are as previously defined. R 1 in particular may be a mixture of C 2 and C 14 alkyl groups derived from coconut. so that at least half, preferably at least three quarters of the groups, R1 has from 10 to 14 carbon atoms. R2 and R3 are preferably methyl. An additional possibility is that the amphoteric detergent is a sulfobetaine of the f or rmu 1 a: R3 R¿ - CONH (CH,), - N * (CH2 2) 'RJ where m is 2 or 3, or variants of these where .- (CH2) 3SO-3 is replaced by OH -CH CHCH. SO- In these formulas R Rz and R are as previously discussed. Amphoacetates and dianfoacetates may also be covered in the possible zwitterionic and / or amphoteric surfactant compounds that may be used. The amphoteric / zwitterionic surfactant generally comprises from about 2% to about 20% by weight, preferably from 2% to 10%, more preferably from 3% to 8% by weight of the composition. The ratio of the surfactant z wi t e r i ón i c o / a n f o t o r t can vary widely and can be from 2: 1 to 50: 1, preferably from 5: 1 to 20: 1.

Soap A third required component of the present invention is a soap component (eg, an alkali metal fatty acid component). Soaps are generally introduced as a mixture of longer saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and more co-r * t. Generally, the longer chain soaps predominate in the mixture and may comprise, for example, from 30 to 100% (for example, where they are all longer chain, for example Ci6 and Co.) of the mixture while the chains shorter can comprise from 0 to 40%; however, it should be noted that the shorter chain may predominate if divalent or trivalent cations (eg, magnesium, calcium) are used. Preferably, the mixture comprises mostly C8-Ci8, preferably C2 to Cig and more preferably Cie to CIB. In general, it is known that longer chain soaps -s or n softer. The soaps useful herein are the known alkali metal salts of natural or synthetic aliphatic acids (alkanoic or alkenoic) having about 6 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably approximately 12 carbon atoms. to about 18 carbon atoms. These can be described as alkali metal carboxylates, having from about 6 to about -24 carbon atoms. Soaps that have the fatty acid distribution of coconut oil can provide the lowest end of the broad molecular weight scale. Those soaps having the fatty acid distribution of peanut or rapeseed oil, or their hydrogenated derivatives, can provide the upper end of the broad molecular weight scale.It is preferred to use soaps having the fatty acid distribution of coconut oil. - or sebum, or its mixtures, since these are among the fats and oil is more readily available.The proportion of fatty acids have at least 12 carbon atoms, in the soap of accu coc is about 85% This ratio will be higher when using mixtures of oil, coconut and fats such as tallow, palm oil or non-tropical nut oils, or fats, where the main chain lengths are Cie and more. "The preferred soap to be used in the compositions of this invention have at least about 85% fatty acids, having about 12 to 18 carbon atoms.The coconut oil used for the soap can Either entirely or in part replaced by other oils "with a high content of lauric acid", that is to say acids or fats wherein at least 50% of the total fatty acids are composed of lauric or myristic acids and mixtures thereof. thereof. These oils are usually illustrated by the tropical nut oils of the CO-CO oil class. For example, these include: palm oil, babassu oil, ouricuri oil, tucumoil, corojo oil, murumuru oil, palm kernel oil, khakan oil, walnut oil and ucunhuba butter. A preferred soap is a mixture of about 15% to about 20% coconut oil and approximately 80% to about 85% tallow. These mixtures contain approximately 95% fatty acids, having about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms. The soap can be prepared from coconut oil, in which case - the fatty acid content is about 85% of a chain length of C 12"C and 4. The soaps can contain - unsaturation in accordance with commercially acceptable standards Normally, excessive unsaturation is avoided.Actually, as noted below, -the saturation is preferred.The soaps can be made through a boiling process in a container, classic or continuous soap making processes .moderns, wherein natural fats and oils such as tallow or coconut oil and their equivalents are saponified with an alkali metal hydroxide or using procedures well known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the soaps can be made by neutralizing fatty acids such as lauric (C12), myristic (C14), palmitic (Cie), or stearic - (Cxß) acids, with an alkali metal hydroxide or carbonate. A second form in which the soap can be incorporated is, not like the soap (mixtures) described above, but simply as an alkali metal salt or at 1 c a 1 ammonium or alkane or alkene. C1-C14, preferably C16-C20 monocarboxylic acid or C16-C20 • An example of this includes sodium stearate. It is a critical aspect of the invention that the soap should comprise at least about 3% by weight (eg, from 3% to 25%, preferably 5% to 15% by weight) of the stick composition. The prior art has not appreciated that minimal amounts of soap are necessary to efficiently and economically process bars comprising surface-active agents, particularly when amphoteric surfactants are used. wi teri on i co s (eg, betaine) at higher levels. That is to say, for levels of surfactants z w i t i r i io n t o r t io n t o r i c e s of up to 2% and more, minimum levels of 3% soap are required. In a "second embodiment of the present invention, applicants have found that processing is further enhanced by increasing the ratio of saturated to unsaturated soap." Although it is not desired to be bound by theory, it is believed that increasing the level of saturation is provided. a better structure for the bar, due to more effective crystallization Specifically, applicants have found that when the level of soap saturated with unsaturated soap is 1: 1 or greater, preferably 2: 1 and more; more preferably 10: 1 and more, the p r o ce is improved at t or _ (extrusion rates). In addition, -the softness is either improved or not compromised.

Optional Agents Although the anionic surfactant, for example, acyl isethionate is required, as well as the surface-active agent, other surfactants may also be used.

These include nonionic and cationic surfactants. Nonionic surfactants include, in particular, the reaction products of compounds containing a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example, aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides and 1 to 1 ene with alkyl oxides, especially oxides. of ethylene either alone or with propylene oxide. The specific non-ionic detergent compounds are condensed from a 1 to 1 fe no 1 is (C e ~ C22) o x i o of ethylene, the condensation products of primary or secondary linear or branched aliphatic alcohols (Cg-C 18) with ethylene oxides and products made through the condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products of propylene oxide yet 1 di n am amine. Other so-called nonionic detergent compounds include long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides and di to 1 qui 1 s ul f ox i do s. The nonionic surfactant may also be a sugar amide, such as a polyamide amide. Specifically, the surfactant may be one of the 1 to c onsuitable, described in US Pat. No. 5,389,279 to Au et al. , which is incorporated herein by reference and olihydroxyamides as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,312,954 to Letton et al., incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Examples of cationic detergents are quaternary ammonium compounds such as halides of 1 to 1 and 1 to 1 ammonium. Other surfactants that can be used are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,723,325 to Parran Jr., and "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Volume I and II) by Schwartz, Perry & Berch, which are incorporated here also for reference. It is also possible to incorporate fatty acids free of carbon atoms of 8-22, within the compositions of the present invention. Some of these fatty acids are present to operate as super-fat agents and others as enhancers of skin feel and creaminess. The super fat agents improve the foaming properties and can be selected from fatty acids with carbon atoms of 8-18, preferably 10-16 in an amount of up to 25% by weight of the composition. Enhancers of skin feel and creaminess, the most important of which is stearic acid, are also desirably present in the compositions. The skin softness improvers also preferably used in the composition of the invention are isethionate salts. The effective salt cations may be selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, and mono-di- or t r i-a 1 c a 1 ammonium ions. Especially preferred cations include sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, triethyl ammonium, monoethanol ammonium, ammonium or triethanolammonium diols. Particularly preferred as a softness improver is the simple, unsubstituted sodium isethionate of the general formula, wherein R is hydrogen. The skin softness enhancer will be present at approximately 0.5% at the next dose of 50%. Preferably, the softness improver is present from about 1% to about 25%, more preferably from about 2% to about 15%, optimally from 3% to 10%, by weight of the total composition.

Other working and auxiliary chemicals may be necessary with these compositions. The amount of these chemicals and auxiliaries can vary from about 1% to about 40% by weight of the total composition. For example, 2 to 10% of the detergent-improving foam salt can be incorporated. Illustrative of this type of additive are the salts selected from the group consisting of alkali metal sulfates and higher aliphatic fatty alcohols of organic amine, at 1 to 1 s and the higher aliphatic fatty acid taurinates. Auxiliary materials, including germicides, perfumes, dyes, pigments such as titanium dioxide and water, may also be present. The following examples are intended to illustrate only and not to limit the invention in any way.

Ingredients The following is an example of saturated fats (highlighted) and unsaturated fats (not highlighted) of various soaps used in e j emps.

Table 1: Levels S a t u ted / I ns a t u r a rs of Soaps i .2 1 L-O s saturated soaps in capitals 2 Net soap 82/18 is a mixture of sodium seboato and sodium cocoate. The following formulations were used in both the zein tests and the extrusion tests.

I ñg control or by weight Range Sodium cocoyl isethionate .50% 40-60% Stearic acid (by e j emp 1 o, .20% 10-30% EXP 1: Control with 3% Betaine, 10% from 82/18 NET Soap EXP 2: Control with 3% Betaine, 10% Sodium Stearate EXP 3: Control with 5% Betaine, 8% from 82/18 of _ Net Soap EXP 4: Control with 5% of Betaine, 8% of Sodium Stearate EXP 5: Control with 7% of Betaine, 6% of 82/18 of Net Soap EXP 6: Control with 7% of Betaine ^ 6 % Sodium Stearate EXP 7: Control with 10% Betaine, 10% - from 82/18 of Net Soap EXP 8: Control with 10% Betaine, 10% Stearate of Sodium or Zein Test Softness Determinations The "zein dissolution test" was used to predominantly classify the "irritation potency" of the formulations studied. In 226.8"g (8 ounce) containers, 30 ml of an aqueous dispersion of a formulation was prepared.The dispersions were saturated in a 45 ° C bath until completely dissolved, after equilibration at room temperature, 1.5 grams were added. of zein powder to each solution with rapid stirring for one hour.The solutions were then transferred to centrifuge tubes and centrifuged for 30 minutes at approximately 3000 rpm.The undissolved zeiha was isolated, rinsed and allowed to dry in a Vacuum furnace at 60 ° C at a constant weight The percentage solubility of zein, which is proportional to the irritation power, was determined on a large scale. "-. -. '-' - '- E emp 1 to 7 In order to show the effect of increasing the saturation in bars (using more sodium stearate, which is 100% in saturated soaps, versus 82/18 in soap, which is a mixture, the saturation was increased), the applicants tested compositions with varying levels of betaine (3%, 5%, 7% and 10%) either with soap of 82/18 or sodium stearate and the results are established in Table 2 below.

Results of Zein in Softness Formulations x Free fatty acid was constant throughout all formulations, except for Examples 7 and 8. As "can be clearly seen, each time the sodium stearate was replaced by" net "soap (ie, indication of more saturation), the zein classification (indication of softness, ie, lower zein classification, smoother is the bar) were reduced.Thus, the use of saturates clearly improved the softness.

Prosecution In order to show the use of higher saturates that also improve processing, the same examples 1-7 were fed to a wafer, refiner and extruder mixer to determine the extrusion rates and the results are set forth in Table 3 below : Team Production "" refinement of wafers to nodules (ie in the form of noodles): operation of the refiner at 9 rpm Refining of nodules to nodules: refiner operating at 9 and 14 rpm, data supplied is (lb / minutes @ 9 rpra / (lb / minutes) @ 14 rpm) 3 Scrap extrusion: refiner at 14 rpm, extruder at 14 rpm.

Again it can be seen clearly that extruding speeds were improved by replacing stearate with clean soap mixtures. In addition, what must especially be observed is that levels of betaine (ie, 2% and more) can be effectively processed (eg, 2.27 kg / minute (> 5 pounds / min.). Applicants have previously been unable to obtain such speeds at these levels of betaine Only after the discovery that minimum levels of soap are necessary was it possible to obtain these efficient speeds.

Claims (10)

1. A stick composition comprising: (a) from 10% to 70% by weight of an anionic surfactant, anionic surfactants or mixtures thereof. r (b) from 2% to 20% by weight of a zwitterionic and / or amphoteric surfactant; and (c) from 3% to 25% by weight of a fatty acid soap wherein the ratio of saturated fatty acid soap to unsaturated fatty acid soap is greater than 1: 1.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant is either (a) an isethionate of the formula RCO2CH2CH2SO3M; wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl group of C7 to C21 and M is a solubilization cation; (b) an al i 1 i i i i i e sulfate o (c) a a ci i i i t i ona t o.

3. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the amphoteric agent has either the formula: O R¿ R1 - [-C-NH (CH2) n-] m -N * -X-Y I RJ wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl of 7 to 18 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 each independently is alkyl, hydroxy to 1 qu, or carboxyalkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; n is from 2 to 4; m is from 0 to 1; x is alkylene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxyl, and Y is -C02- or -S03- or is a betaine amide of the formula: R ' R1 - CONH (CH2 2) '] N * CHCO, RJ where m is 2 or 34.

The composition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the amphoteric / zwitterionic surfactant comprises from 2% to 10% by weight of. the composition.

5. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the amphoteric surfactant agent comprises from 3% to 7% by weight of the composition.

6. The composition as claimed with any of the preceding claims, wherein the chain length C and more, comprises 30 to 100% of the mixture and the chain length of Cd to C14 comprises from 0 to 40%.

7. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the fatty acid mixture comprises a chain length of C12 to C18.

8. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mixture is predominantly C 12 to C 8.

9. The composition as claimed in rei indication 7, wherein the mixture is predominantly from Ci6 to Cis-

10. The composition as claimed with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fatty acid soap comprises from 5% to 15% by weight of the composition.