US20020012643A1

US20020012643A1 - Make-up removing composition

Info

Publication number: US20020012643A1
Application number: US09/141,346
Authority: US
Inventors: Roland Ramin; Pascal Arnaud
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 1997-08-28
Filing date: 1998-08-27
Publication date: 2002-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2018-08-27
Also published as: CA2243665A1; EP0898959A1; FR2767684B1; DE69803018T2; DE69803018D1; ES2170465T3; JPH11116437A; JP3217315B2; FR2767684A1; US6352963B2; EP0898959B1; KR19990023471A

Abstract

A composition for removing make-up from keratinous material comprised of a polysaccharide alkyl ether formed of units containing at least two different saccharide rings, each unit containing at least one hydroxyl group substituted with a saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain combined with a make-up-removing system comprising at least one non-aqueous solvent and/or an oil and/or a surfactant. The polysaccharide alkyl ether preferably has a molecular weight of greater than 200,000 and is in particular a guar gum alkyl ether having a degree of substitution of about 2 to 3, in particular 2.5.

Description

Applicants reference herein the patent applications of ROLAND RAMIN for THICKENED FILM—FORMING COMPOSITION (Docket No. 05725.0310) and PASCAL ARNAUD for THICKENED COMPOSITION COMPRISING FUSED SILICA (Docket No. 05725.0311) filed on even date herewith and incorporate the disclosures thereof specifically by reference herein.

The present invention relates to make-up-removing compositions and to the use, for the preparation of a composition and/or in a composition for removing make-up from keratinous material, of a polysaccharide alkyl ether combined with a make-up-removing system. In particular, this composition is intended for removing make-up from keratinous material such as the nails, the eyelashes, the eyebrows, the hair and the skin (cheeks, forehead, neck, eyelids).

The compositions conventionally used for removing make-up from keratinous material are generally in the form of a lotion or a milk. In addition, they contain oils and/or surfactants which allow the make-up to be removed. Such a composition is described in particular in patent application EP-A-705,592.

Although very effective, these known compositions have a certain number of drawbacks. In particular, they are often difficult to take up and can run between the fingers.

In order to thicken the compositions, it is known to add a thickener to the composition. When the composition mainly comprises a non-aqueous phase, i.e. the composition comprises either an organic solvent or an oil, a thickener of lipophilic nature is used, in a known manner. Thus, a clay such as bentonite can be used, for example, to thicken a fatty phase, but this clay has the drawback of making the thickened composition opaque.

It is also known to use fused silica to thicken a non-aqueous phase, but the compositions thus thickened have a tendency to be translucent.

In addition, these thickeners of lipophilic nature are only compatible with a limited number of solvents and oils commonly used in make-up-removing products, thus limiting the variety of formulations of these compositions.

There is a need to have available a make-up-removing product in more or less fluid, gelled form which has both transparency properties and good rheology.

The inventors have observed that this aim can be achieved by using, as thickener, a specific polysaccharide alkyl ether in a make-up-removing composition. This thickener makes it possible to prepare make-up-removing compositions in gelled form which can be transparent. These gelled compositions moreover have good rheology, which can range from a fluid texture to a thick texture, according to the manufacturer's wishes.

In addition, this thickener is compatible with many solvents and oils, thus allowing a wide variety of solvents and oils to be used in the make-up-removing compositions and allowing novel cosmetic products to be envisaged.

A subject of the invention is thus the use, for the preparation of a composition and/or in a composition for removing make-up from keratinous material, of a polysaccharide alkyl ether formed of units containing at least two different saccharide rings, each unit containing at least one hydroxyl group substituted with a saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain combined with a make-up-removing system comprising at least one non-aqueous solvent and/or an oil.

In the thickener according to the invention, the term “hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain” is understood to refer to a linear or branched chain preferably containing from 1 to 24, more preferably from 1 to 10, better still from 1 to 6 and more especially from 1 to 3, carbon atoms. In particular, the alkyl chain is selected from ethenyl and propenyl and preferably saturated chains and in particular methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl and n-pentyl. These alkyl ethers can be manufactured as described in documents EP-A-281,360 and EP-A-708,114, the disclosures of which are specifically incorporated by reference herein.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the polysaccharide alkyl ether has a weight-average molecular weight preferably of greater than 100,000, and more preferably greater than 200,000. This molecular weight can be up to 1 million. This alkyl ether can preferably contain from one to six, and better still from two to four, hydroxyl groups per unit, substituted with a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain.

The saccharide rings are selected in particular from mannose, galactose, glucose, furanose, rhamnose and arabinose.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the polysaccharide alkyl ether is an alkyl ether of a gum and more particularly of a gum which is nonionic overall, i.e. one which contains few or no ionic groups. As appropriate gums, mention may be made, for example, of guar gum, in which the unit comprises a galactose and a mannose, carob gum, in which the unit comprises a galactose and a mannose, karaya gum, which is a complex mixture of rhamnose, galactose and galacturonic acid, and gum tragacanth, which is a complex mixture of arabinose, galactose and galacturonic acid.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the polysaccharide alkyl ether is a guar gum derivative. Thus, advantageously, the alkyl ether is preferably an alkyl galactomannan with a C ₁to C₆, and better still C₁to C₃, alkyl chain and more particularly ethyl guar having a degree of substitution of from 2 to 3 and in particular from about 2.5 to 2.8, as described in the documents RD 95378007 (October 1995) and EP-A-708,114, the disclosures of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference. This gum is in particular that sold by the company Aqualon under the names N-HANCE-AG 200® and N-HANCE AG 50®.

The concentration of alkyl ether depends on the desired pharmaceutical form and consistency for the make-up-removing composition. In particular, the weight ratio of the amount of solvent and/or of oil to the amount of thickener is selected, for example, in the range preferably from 5 to 1000. The composition according to the invention can contain, for example, an amount of polysaccharide alkyl ether preferably ranging from 0.1 to 20% of the total weight of the composition, more preferably from 2% to 8% by weight and better still from 3% to 6% by weight.

According to the invention, the expression make-up-removing system is understood to refer to a compound or a mixture of compounds having the property of removing the 5 make-up present on keratinous material.

The make-up-removing system can comprise at least one non-aqueous solvent (or said organic solvent) or at least one make-up-removing oil or at least one surfactant, or mixtures thereof.

The make-up-removing system is selected depending on the nature of the make-up to be removed.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the make-up-removing system can comprise at least one organic solvent. This solvent can be selected in particular from:

ketones that are liquid at room temperature, such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, isophorone, cyclohexanone and acetone;

alcohols that are liquid at room temperature, such as ethanol, isopropanol, diacetone alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol and cyclohexanol;

glycols that are liquid at room temperature, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and pentylene glycol;

propylene glycol ethers that are liquid at room temperature, such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate and dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether;

esters with a short chain, (having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms in total), such as ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, propyl acetate, n-butyl acetate and isopentyl acetate;

ethers that are liquid at room temperature, such as diethyl ether, dimethyl ether and dichlorodiethyl ether;

alkanes that are liquid at room temperature, such as decane, heptane, dodecane and cyclohexane;

aromatic cyclic compounds that are liquid at room temperature, such as toluene and xylene;

aIdehydes that are liquid at room temperature, such as benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

Esters and ketones having not more than 10 carbon atoms are more preferably used, and more particularly methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate or butyl acetate.

The solvents can be present in a proportion preferably of from 0 to 99.9% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, and better still from 20% to 98% by weight.

These solvents are more particularly suitable for removing make-up from the nails: in this case, the composition constitutes a nail varnish dissolver.

Thus, another subject of the invention is a nail varnish dissolver containing at least one solvent selected from methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, isophorone, cyclohexanone, isopropanol, diacetone alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol, cyclohexanol, methyl acetate, propyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isopentyl acetate, diethyl ether, dimethyl ether, dichlorodiethyl ether, decane, dodecane, cyclohexane, xylene, benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the make-up-removing system can comprise at least one make-up-removing oil. As make-up-removing oils, mention may be made in particular of:

linear or branched hydrocarbons of mineral or synthetic origin, such as liquid petroleum jelly, isohexadecane, isododecane, squalane and equivalents;

fatty acid esters, and in particular esters having a total number of carbon atoms ranging preferably from 12 to 38 and better still from 12 to 20, in particular the esters obtained from a straight- or branched-chain alcohol having from 1 to 17 carbon atoms and from a straight- or branched-chain fatty acid having from 8 to 36 carbon atoms, and better still from 8 to 18 carbon atoms.

The ester used as make-up-removing oil can be selected, in particular, from the group consisting of dioctyl adipate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, diisopropyl adipate, 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate, ethyl laurate, methyl myristate, octyidodecyl octanoate, isodecyl neopentanoate, ethyl myristate, myristyl propionate, 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate, 2-ethylhexyl octanoate, 2-ethylhexyl caprate/caprylate, methyl palmitate, butyl myristate, isobutyl myristate, ethyl palmitate, isohexyl laurate, hexyl laurate, isopropyl isostearate and isononyl isononanoate.

The oil can be present in a proportion preferably of from 0 to 99.9% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, and better still from 20% to 98% by weight.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, the make-up-removing system can further comprise at least one surfactant. This make-up-removing system comprises one or more surfactants having a make-up-removing action.

The surfactant can be of the anionic, nonionic or amphoteric type, but preferably of the nonionic type. Among the nonionic surfactants, those particularly preferred are:

polyoxyethylenated fatty alcohols, such as the product sold under the name “REMCOPAL 21912 AL” by the company Gerland,

polyoxyethylenated alkylphenols, such as the product sold under the name “TRITON X 100” by the company Rohm & Haas, and

condensates of ethylene oxide and of propylene oxide, such as those sold under the name “SYNPERONIC PE” by the company ICI, and in particular those with the reference numbers L 31, L 64, F 38, F 88, L 92, P 103, F 108 and F 127.

Among the anionic surfactants, mention may be made in particular of:

alkyl ether sulphates, such as the product sold under the name “TEXAPON ASV” by the company Henkel,

alkyl sulphoacetates, such as the products sold under the name “LATHANOL LAL” by the company Stepan,

alkyl sulphosuccinates, such as the product sold under the name “SODIUM DIOCTYL SULPHOSUCCINATE” by the company Rhône-Poulenc,

alkylamido sulphosuccinates, such as the product sold under the name “REWODERM S 1333” by the company Rewo,

alkylamido polypeptides, such as the product sold under the name “LAMEPON S” by the company Grunau, and

acyl sarcosinates, such as the product sold under the name “ORAMIX L 30” by the company SEPPIC.

Among the amphoteric surfactants, mention may be made in particular of:

alkylamidopropyldimethylbetaines, such as the product sold under the name “TEGOBETAINE L 7” by the company Goldschmidt,

alkylamidobetaines, such as the product sold under the name “INCRONAM 30” by the company Croda,

imidazoline derivatives, such as the product sold under the name “CHIMEXANE HD” by the company Chimex, and

N-alkyl-β-iminodipropionates, such as the product sold under the name “MONATERIC ISA 35” by the company Mona.

The surfactant can be present in a proportion preferably of from 0 to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, and better still from 0.5% to 5% by weight.

When the make-up-removing system comprises a make-up-removing oil and/or a surfactant, the make-up-removing composition is particularly suitable for removing make-up from the eyes (eyelids, eyelashes and eyebrows) and from the face (forehead, cheeks, neck), as well as for removing make-up from the hair.

Thus, another subject of the invention is a product for removing make-up from the eyes and/or the face and/or the hair, comprising at least one make-up-removing oil selected from the group formed by isododecane, squalane, fatty acid esters having a total number of carbon atoms ranging from 12 to 38, except for isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, 2-octyldodecyl stearate, 2-octyidodecyl erucate, isostearyl isostearate and 2-octyldodecyl benzoate, and/or at least one make-up-removing surfactant.

When the make-up-removing system comprises at least one surfactant, it is normally desirable for the make-up-removing system to contain either at least one non-aqueous solvent or at least one oil in order to allow the make-up-removing composition to be thickened with the polysaccharide alkyl ether defined above. In this case, the oil can be a make-up-removing oil or an oil conventionally used in the cosmetics or dermatological field, referred to as a complementary oil.

Moreover, these complementary oils can also be added to the make-up-removing system when this system comprises no surfactants.

Among the non-make-up-removing complementary oils, mention may be made of:

fatty alcohols such as 2-octyldodecanol;

silicone oils, in particular of low viscosity (preferably less than 100 cst at 25° C.), such as linear or branched polysiloxanes with a low degree of polymerization, for instance methylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane, ethylmethylpolysiloxane, ethylphenylpolysiloxane, hydroxymethylpolysiloxane, alkylpolydimethylsiloxane and cyclic polysiloxanes such as octamethylcyclopentasiloxane and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, or mixtures thereof;

oils of mineral, animal or synthetic origin, for example hydrogenated polyisobutenes;

oils of plant origin, such as liquid triglycerides, for example sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, marrow oil, grapeseed oil, sesame oil, hazelnut oil, apricot oil, macadamia oil, castor oil and caprylic/capric acid triglycerides such as those sold by the company Stearineries Dubois or those sold under the names MIGLYOL 810, 812 and 818 by the company Dynamit Nobel.

These non-make-up-removing complementary oils are preferably used in concentrations ranging from 0 to 50% of the total weight of the composition, and more preferably from 0to40%.

A gelled composition resulting from the combination of the polysaccharide alkyl ether and the make-up-removing system, as defined above, can be used as it is and can itself constitute a composition for removing make-up from keratinous material. It can also be incorporated into a more complex formulation for removing make-up from keratinous material, in an effective amount to obtain both the desired texture and viscosity, and good removal of make-up from the keratinous material.

These complementary oils are preferably used in concentrations preferably ranging from 0 to 50% by weight, and more preferably from 0 to 40% by weight, relative to the total weight of the gel phase.

In addition, an aqueous phase can preferably be added, in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, and better still from 5% to 1 0% by weight.

They can also contain conventional adjuvants such as dyes, fragrances, preserving agents, sunscreens and moisturizers. These adjuvants are present in amounts preferably ranging from 0 to 20% by weight relative to the weight of the composition.

The invention also relates to a process for removing make-up from keratinous material, characterized in that an effective amount of a composition containing a gel formed from a polysaccharide alkyl ether and from a make-up-removing system comprising a non-aqueous solvent and/or an oil, as defined above, is applied to the surface of the keratinous material.

The examples below are given by way of illustration and with no limiting nature.



	Example 1:
	A nail-varnish-removing lotion having the following com-
	position was prepared:

- ethyl acetate	77.5	g
- ethyl guar with a degree of substitution	4	g
of about 2.5 (1)
- glycerol	2	g
- ethyl alcohol	12	g
- water	4	g

	(1) sold under the name N-HANCE AG 200 ® by Aqualon
	A transparent lotion which removes a film of nail varnish
	easily was obtained.
	Example 2:
	A transparent make-up-removing lotion having the following
	composition was prepared:

- acetone	83.5	g
- ethyl alcohol	11	g
- ethyl guar with a degree of substitution	4	g
of about 2.5 (1)
- glycerol	2	g

	(1) sold under the name N-HANCE AG 200 ® by Aqualon
	This slightly thickened, fluid lotion was suitable for removing
	make-up from the nails.
	Example 3:
	A make-up-removing oil having the following composition
	was prepared:

- 2-ethylhexyl palmitate	40	g
- liquid petroleum jelly	10	g
- apricot plant oil	10	g
- ethyl guar with a degree of substitution	4	g
of about 2.5 (1)
- isononyl isononanoate qs	100	g

	(1) sold under the name N-HANCE AG 200 ® by Aqualon

Claims

We claim:

1. A method of preparing a make-up removal composition comprising the step of including in said make-up removal composition at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether formed of units containing at least two different saccharide rings, wherein each unit contains at least one hydroxyl group substituted with a saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain, said make-up removal composition comprising a make-up-removing system comprising an effective amount of at least one component selected from non-aqueous solvents and oils.

2. A method of thickening a make-up removal composition comprising the step of including in said make-up removal composition at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether formed of units containing at least two different saccharide rings, wherein each unit contains at least one hydroxyl group substituted with a saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain.

3. A make-up removal composition comprising at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether formed of units containing at least two different saccharide rings, wherein each unit contains at least one hydroxyl group substituted with a saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain and a make-up-removing system comprising at least one component selected from non-aqueous solvents and oils.

4. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein two to four hydroxyl groups per unit are substituted with said saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain.

5. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain contains from 1 to 24 carbon atoms.

6. A make-up removal composition according to claim 5, wherein said saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain contains from 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

7. A make-up removal composition according to claim 6, wherein said saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

8. A make-up removal composition according to claim 7, wherein said saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

9. A make-up removal composition according to claim 5, wherein said hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl and tert-butyl and n-pentyl radicals.

10. A make-up removal composition according to claim 6, wherein said hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl and tert-butyl radicals.

11. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether has a weight-average molecular weight ranging from greater than 100,000 to 1,000,000.

12. A make-up removal composition according to claim 11, wherein said at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether has a weight-average molecular weight ranging from greater than 200,000 to 1,000,000.

13. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said saccharide rings are selected from mannose, galactose, glucose, furanose, rhamnose and arabinose.

14. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether is an alkyl ether of a gum.

15. A make-up removal composition according to claim 14, wherein said gum is selected from gums which are overall nonionic.

16. A make-up removal composition according to claim 14, wherein said gum is selected from guar gum, carob gum, karaya gum and gum tragacanth.

17. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said alkyl ether is alkyl galactomannan with a C₁to C₃alkyl chain.

18. A make-up removal composition according to claim 17, wherein said alkyl ether is alkyl galactomannan with a C₁to C₃alkyl chain.

19. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether is guar gum containing an ethyl chain with a degree of substitution ranging from 2 to 3.

20. A make-up removal composition according to claim 19, wherein said degree of substitution ranges from 2.5 to 2.8.

21. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein the weight ratio of said at least one component to said polysaccharide alkyl ether ranges from 5:1 to 1000:1.

22. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether is present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of said composition

23. A make-up removal composition according to claim 22, wherein said at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether is present in an amount ranging from 2 to 8% by weight relative to the total weight of said composition.

24. A make-up removal composition according to claim 23, wherein said at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether is present in an amount ranging from 3 to 6% by weight relative to the total weight of said composition.

25. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said make-up removing system comprises at least one make-up removing oil.

26. A make-up removal composition according to claim 25, wherein said make-up removing oil is present in an amount up to 99.9% by weight relative to the total weight of said composition.

27. A make-up removal composition according to claim 26, wherein said make-up removing oil is present in an amount ranging from 20 to 98% by weight relative to the total weight of said composition.

28. A make-up removal composition according to claim 26, wherein said make-up removing oil is selected from linear and branched hydrocarbon and fatty acid ester oils.

29. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said make-up removing system comprises at least one make-up removing surfactant.

30. A make-up removal composition according to claim 29, wherein said at least one surfactant is present in an amount up to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

31. A make-up removal composition according to claim 30, wherein said at least one surfactant is present in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

32. A make-up removal composition according to claim 29, wherein said at least one surfactant is selected from anionic,nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants.

33. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said composition is in the form of a product for removing make-up from the eyes, face, and/or hair.

34. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said make-up removing system further comprises at least one non-make-up removing complementary oil.

35. A make-up removal composition according to claim 34, wherein said at least one non-make-up removing complementary oil is selected from

fatty alcohols,

silicone oils,

oils of mineral, synthetic or animal origin,

oils of plant origin.

36. A make-up removal composition according to claim 34, wherein said at least one non-make-up removing complementary oil is present in an amount ranging up to 50% of the total weight of the composition.

37. A make-up removal composition according to claim 36, wherein said at least one non-make-up removing complementary oil is present in an amount ranging up to 40% the total weight of the composition.

38. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said composition comprises an aqueous phase.

39. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said non-aqueous solvent is selected from ketones, alcohols, glycols, short-chain esters, ethers, alkanes, cyclic aromatic compounds and aldehydes that are liquid at room temperature.

40. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said non-aqueous solvent is selected from methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, propyl acetate and butyl acetate.

41. A make-up removal composition according to claim 3, wherein said composition is a nail varnish dissolver.

42. A process for removing make-up from a keratinous material comprising the step of contacting said make-up with a gel comprising at least one a polysaccharide alkyl ether formed of units containing at least two different saccharide rings, wherein each unit contains at least one hydroxyl group substituted with a saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain, said make-up removal composition comprising a make-up-removing system comprising an effective amount of at least one component selected from non-aqueous solvents and oils, said step of contacting being carried out under conditions sufficient to remove said make-up from said keratinous material.

43. A product for removing make-up from the eyes and/or the face and/or the hair, comprising

at least one polysaccharide alkyl ether formed of two units containing at least two different saccharide rings, each unit containing at least one hydroxyl group substituted with a saturated hydrocarbon-based alkyl chain, and

at least one make-up-removing oil selected from isododecane, squalane, fatty acid esters having a total number of carbon atoms ranging from 12 to 38, except for isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, 2-octyldodecyl stearate, 2-octyldodecyl erucate, isostearyl isostearate and 2-octyldodecyl benzoate.

44. A make-up-removing product according to claim 43, further comprising at least one make-up-removing surfactant.

45. A make-up-removing product according to claim 43, wherein said polysaccharide alkyl ether is an ethyl guar gum having a degree of substitution of from 2 to 3.

46. A nail varnish dissolver comprising

at least one solvent selected from methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, isophorone, cyclohexanone, isopropyl alcohol, diacetone alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol, cyclohexanol, methyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isopentyl acetate, diethyl ether, dimethyl ether, dichlorodiethyl ether, decane, dodecane, cyclohexane, xylene, benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

47. A nail varnish dissolver according to claim 46, wherein said polysaccharide alkyl ether is an ethyl guar gum having a degree of substitution of from 2 to 3.