MXPA06010497A - Hair treatment compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

Aqueous hair treatment compositions which comprise a mono C14-C22 trimethylammonium surfactant, a di-(C20-C24) imidazoline quaternary surfactant, and a mono C12-C22 alkyl hydroxyethyl dimethylammonium surfactant provide improved hair conditioning benefits.

Description

COMPOSITIONS OF TREATMENT FOR HAIR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns treatment compositions for hair, in particular conditioning compositions.

BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE The surface of the hair fiber is an important attribute when it comes to the overall appearance and feel of the hair. The present invention relates to hair conditioners, which are applied to the hair to improve the surface properties of hair fiber, such as softness, smoothness, manageability, cuticle integrity, anti-static and shine. WO 03/060046 discloses compositions that include mixtures of dialkyl imidazoline quats and monoalkyl ammonium quats for cosmetic and personal care products. The present inventors have found that specific combinations of cationic surfactants can give the conditioning properties referred to above. Additionally, these properties are maintained even at low levels of the cationic surfactants in question.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the invention provides a treatment composition for hair comprising: a) from 0.2 to 5% by weight of the total composition of a cationic surfactant according to the formula: [N (CH3) 3 (R)] + (X) ", wherein R-es is an alkyl group of C14 to C22 and X is a salt-forming anion selected from halogen, acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate and metosulfate; b) from 0.01 to 1.0% by weight of the total composition of a quaternary di- (C20-C2) imidazoline surfactant, and c) from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight of the total composition of a cationic surfactant according to with the formula [N (CH3) 2 (CH2CH2? H) R2] + Y ", wherein R2 is a C12-C22 alkyl group and Y is a salt-forming anion selected from halogen, acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate and methosulfate.

The invention also encompasses the application of such compositions to the hair and / or scalp and the use of the compositions to improve the condition of the hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Hair treatment compositions according to the invention can conveniently take the form of conditioners that are left on or rinsed, sprays, mousses or lotions.

Conditioning compositions The compositions according to the invention are preferably formulated as conditioners for the treatment of hair (usually after shampooing) and subsequent rinsing. Preferably, the compositions are applied to the hair and then the hair is rinsed with water (so-called rinse compositions).

Cationic alkyl trimethylammonium surfactant The compositions according to the invention contain from 0.2 to 5% by weight of the total composition, preferably 0.3 to 5%, more preferably 0.5 to 2%, most preferably 0.6 to 1.5% by weight of a cationic surfactant according to the formula: [N (CH3) 3 (R1)] + (X) ", wherein Ri is an alkyl group of C14 to C22 and X is a salt-forming anion selected from halogen, acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate and methosulfate Preferably, the anion is a methosulfate radical or a halogen, in particular a chloride, R 1 is preferably a C 16, C 18 or C 22 alkyl group. Particularly preferred are cetrimonium chloride and cetrimonium methosulfate and particular, mixtures of these two cationic surfactants.

Dialkyl Imidazoline Quaternary Surfactant The compositions of the invention comprise from 0.01 to 1.0% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.05 to 0.5%, preferably from 0.1 to 0.4%, most preferably from 0.2 to 0.4% by weight of a dialkyl imidazoline quaternary surfactant, wherein the alkyl groups are independently selected from C20 to C24 alkyl chains. Preferably both alkyl groups of the dialkyl imidazoline quaternary surfactant have the same chain length. Suitable quaternary dialkyl imidazoline surfactants and methods for their manufacture are described in published patent application WO 03/060046. The anion that is part of the dialkyl imidazoline quaternary surfactant is a salt-forming anion selected from halogen, acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate and methosulfate radicals. Particularly preferred is quibe of dibenzyl imidazoline (having the designation CTFA Quaternium-91).

Alkyl Hydroxyethyl Dimethyl Ammonium Surfactant The compositions according to the invention also comprise from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.001 to 0.2%, more preferably 0.01 to 0.1%, most preferably 0.015 to 0.05% by weight of an alkyl hydroxyethyl dimethylammonium cationic surfactant according to the formula [N (CH3) 2 (CH2CH2OH) R2] + Y ", wherein R2 is an alkyl group of C12 to C22 and Y is a salt-forming anion selected from halogen, radicals acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate and methosulfate Preferably, Y is phosphate A preferred alkyl hydroxyethyl dimethylammonium surfactant is hydroxyethyl cetyldimony phosphate (commercially available as LUVIQUAT mono CP ex BASF).

Fatty Material The conditioning compositions of the invention comprise from 1 to 10% by weight of a fatty material. It is believed that the combined use of fatty materials and cationic surfactain conditioning compositions is especially advantageous, because it leads to the formation of a lamellar phase, in which the cationic surfactant is dispersed. By "fatty material" is meant a fatty alcohol, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol, a fatty acid or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the alkyl chain of the fatty material is completely saturated. Representative fatty materials comprise from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably 16 to 22. Examples of suitable fatty alcohols include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. The use of these materials is also advantageous as they contribute to the overall conditioning properties of compositions of the invention. Alkoxylated fatty alcohols, (eg, ethoxylated or propoxylated), having from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain can be used in place of, or in addition to, the fatty alcohols themselves. Suitable examples include ethylene glycol cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene (2) stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene (4) cetyl ether and mixtures thereof. The level of fatty alcohol material in conditioners of the invention is conveniently from 1 to 10, preferably from 1.5 to 8 and more preferably from 2 to 6 weight percent of the composition. The weight ratio of fatty material to total level of quaternary cationic surfactant is preferably from 2: 1 to 12: 1, more preferably from 2.5: 1 to 6: 1, most preferably from 3: 1 to 6: 1.

Aqueous Composition The compositions according to the invention are preferably aqueous compositions, meaning that they preferably comprise more than 50% by weight of water, more preferably more than 60%, most preferably more than 70%.

Conditioning oil A preferred additional component of compositions according to the invention is hydrophobic conditioning oil. In order that such oil exists in the preferred form as discrete droplets in the compositions according to the invention, it must be insoluble in water.

By insoluble in water it is meant that the slurry in water at 25 ° C is 0.01% by weight or less. It is preferred if the conditioner oil is non-volatile, by which is meant that the vapor pressure of the oil at 25 ° C is less than 10.

Pa. As used herein, the term "conditioning oil" includes any material, which is used to give a particular conditioning benefit to the hair. For example, suitable materials are those that deliver one or more benefits that refer to gloss, softness, ability to comb, wet handling, anti-static properties and protection against damage, body, volume, styling ability and manageability. Suitable hydrophobic conditioning oils are selected from hydrocarbon oils, fatty esters, silicone oils and mixtures thereof. The hydrocarbon oils include cyclic hydrocarbons, straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbons (saturated or unsaturated), and branched chain aliphatic hydrocarbons (saturated or unsaturated).

The straight chain hydrocarbon oils will preferably contain from about 12 to about 30 carbon atoms. Branched chain hydrocarbon oils can and will normally contain higher numbers of carbon atoms. Also suitable are polymeric hydrocarbons of alkenyl monomers, such as C2-C6 alkenyl monomers. These polymers may be straight or branched chain polymers. The straight chain polymers will usually be relatively short in length, having a total number of carbon atoms as described above for straight chain hydrocarbons in general. The branched chain polymers may have substantially greater chain length. The number average molecular weight of such materials can vary widely, but will usually be up to about 2000, preferably from about 200 to about 1000, more preferably from about 300 to about 600. Specific examples of suitable hydrocarbon oils include paraffin oil, mineral oil, saturated and unsaturated dodecane, saturated and unsaturated tridecane, saturated and unsaturated tetradecane, saturated and unsaturated pentadecane, saturated and unsaturated hexadecane, and mixtures thereof. The branched chain isomers of these compounds, as well as hydrocarbons of greater chain length, can also be used. Exemplary branched chain isomers are highly branched saturated or unsaturated alkanes, such as the isomers substituted with permethyl, eg, isomers substituted with permethyl of hexadecane and eicosane, such as, 2,2,4,4,6,6,8, 8-dimethyl-10-methylundecane and 2,2,4,4,6,6-dimethyl-8-methylnontane, sold by Permethyl Corporation. A further example of a hydrocarbon polymer is polybutene, such as the copolymer of isobutylene and butene. A commercially available material of this type is L-14 polybutene from Amoco Chemical Co.

(Chicago, Ill. U.S.). Particularly preferred hydrocarbon oils are the various grades of mineral oils. Mineral oils are clear oily liquids obtained from petroleum oil, from which the waxes have been removed and the more volatile fractions are removed by distillation. The fraction that distills between 150 ° C to 300 ° C is called mineral oil and consists of a mixture of hydrocarbons ranging from C8H18 to C21H 4. Suitable commercially available materials of this type include isoparaffin Cn-C13 and Sirus M85 and Sirius M125, two available from Silkolene. Suitable fatty esters are characterized as having at least 10 carbon atoms, and include esters with hydrocarbyl chains derived from fatty acids or alcohols, for example, monocarboxylic acid esters, polyhydric alcohol esters, and di- and tricarboxylic acid esters. . The hydrocarbyl radicals of the fatty esters herein may also include or have covalently bonded to them other compatible functionalities, such as alkoxy and amide moieties, such as ether or ethoxy linkages. The monocarboxylic acid esters include esters of alcohols and / or acids of the formula R'COOR, in which R 'and R denote independently alkyl or alkenyl radicals and the sum of the atoms in R' and R is at least 10, preferably at least 20. Specific examples include, for example, alkyl and alkenyl esters of fatty acids having the aliphatic chains with from about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms and carboxylic acid esters of alkyl and / or alkenyl fatty alcohol having the aliphatic chain derived from alkyl and / or alkenyl alcohol from about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms, benzoate esters of fatty alcohols having from about 12 to 20 carbon atoms. The monocarboxylic acid ester need not necessarily contain at least one chain with at least 10 carbon atomsas long as the total number of aliphatic chain carbon atoms is at least 10. Examples include isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl myristate, hexyl laurate, isohexyl laurate, isohexyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, decyl oleate, oleate. of isodecyl, hexadecyl stearate, decyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, dihexyldecyl adipate, lauryl lactate, myristate lactate, cetyl lactate, oleyl stearate, oleyl oleate, oleyl myristate, lauryl acetate, cetyl propionate and oleyl adipate. The di- and trialkyl and alkenyl esters of carboxylic acids can also be used. These include, for example, esters of C4-C8 dicarboxylic acids, such as C ^ C ^ esters (preferably, C- | -C6) of succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid and acid octanoic Examples include diisopropyl adipate, diisohexyl adipate and diisopropyl sebacate. Other specific examples include isocetyl stearoyl stearate and tristearyl citrate. Polyhydric alcohol esters include alkylene glycol esters, for example, esters of mono and di-fatty acids of ethylene glycol, esters of mono- and di-fatty acids of diethylene glycol, esters of mono- and di-fatty acids of polyethylene glycol, esters of acids propylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acids, polypropylene glycol monooleate, polypropylene glycol monostearate, ethoxylated propylene glycol monostearate, polyglycerol poly-fatty acid esters, ethoxylated glyceryl monostearate, 1,3-butylene glycol monostearate, 1, 3- distearate Butyl glycol ester, polyoxyethylene polyol fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters and mono-, di- and triglycerides. Particularly preferred fatty esters are mono-, di- and triglycerides, more specifically the mono-, di- and tri-esters of glycerol and long chain carboxylic acids, such as carboxylic acids of CT-C ^. A variety of these types of materials can be obtained from vegetable and animal fats and oils, such as coconut oil, castor oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, olive oil , cod liver oil, almond oil, avocado oil, palm oil, sesame oil, peanut oil, lanolin and soybean oil. Synthetic oils include triolein and triestearin glyceryl dilaurate. Specific examples of preferred materials include cocoa butter, palm stearin, sunflower oil, soybean oil and coconut oil. The oil can be mixed with other materials in the discrete droplets present in compositions according to the invention. It is preferred that the average particle diameter based on volume d (0.5) of the droplets of hydrophobic conditioning oil in the composition be less than 100 microns, more preferably less than 40 microns, even more preferably less than 12 microns and most preferably less than 6 microns. Larger particle diameters lead to problems in stabilizing the component separation composition. Practical difficulties in making emulsion droplets with an average diameter of 0.02 microns or less are known to those skilled in the art. Thus, it is preferred if the average diameter based on volume d (0.5) is greater than 0.02 microns, more preferably greater than 0.03 microns, even more preferably greater than 0.1 microns. Preferred ranges of average diameter can be formed by combining any of the preferred minimum diameters with any of the preferred maximum diameters. The average droplet diameter based on volume d (0.5) can be measured by means of a laser light scattering technique, for example, using a 2600D Partiole Sizer from Malvern Instruments. The total amount of hydrophobic conditioning oil present in the composition is preferably from 0.1% to 10% by weight of the total composition, more preferably from 0.2% to 6%, most preferably 0.5% to 4%.

Silicone Conditioning Oils Preferred hydrophobic conditioning oils for use in compositions according to the invention are silicones. Suitable silicones for use as conditioning oils include polydiorganosiloxanes, in particular polydimethylsiloxanes, which have the designation CTFA dimethicone. Also suitable for use in compositions of the invention are polydimethyl siloxanes having hydroxyl end groups, which have the designation CTFA dimethiconol. It is preferred if the silicone oil also comprises a functionalized silicone. Suitable functionalized silicones include, for example, silicones substituted with amino-, carboxy-, betaine, quaternary ammonium-, carbohydrate-, hydroxy- and alkoxy. Preferably, the functionalized silicone contains multiple substitutions. So that there is no doubt, with respect to the silicones substituted with hydroxyl, a polydimethylsiloxane merely has hydroxyl end groups (which have the CTFA designation dimethiconol) is not considered a functionalized silicone within the present invention. However, a polydimethylsiloxane having hydroxyl substitutions together with the polymer chain is considered a functionalized silicone. The preferred functionalized silons are amino-functionalized silicones. Suitable amino-functionalized silicones are described in EP 455, 185 (Helene Curtis) and include trimethylsilylamodimethicone as shown below, and are sufficiently insoluble in water, in order to be useful in compositions of the invention: Si (CH3) 3-O- [Si (CH3) 2-O-] x - [Si (CH3) (R-NH-CH2CH2NH2) -O-] and - Si (CH3) 3 wherein x + y is a number from about 50 to about 500, and the weight percent amine functionality is in the range from about 0.03% to about 8% by weight of the molecule, and where R is an alkylene group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms. Preferably, the number x + y is in the range from about 100 to about 300, and the weight percent amine functionality is in the range from about 0.03% to 8% by weight of the molecule. As expressed herein, the percent by weight amine functionality is measured by titrating an amino-functionalized silicone sample against alcoholic hydrochloric acid to the bromocresol green endpoint. The weight percent of amine is calculated using a molecular weight of 45 (corresponding to CH3-CH2-NH2). Suitably, the weight percentage of amine functionality measured and calculated in this way is in the range from 0.03% to 8%, preferably from 0.5% to 4%. One example of a commercially available amino-functionalized silicone useful in the silicone component of the composition of the invention is DC-8566 available from Dow Corning (INCI name: dimethyl, methyl (aminoethylaminoisobutyl) siloxane). It has a weight percent amine functionality of approximately 1.4%. By "amino functional silicone" is meant a silicone containing at least one primary, secondary or tertiary amine group or a quaternary ammonium group. Examples of suitable amino functional silicones include: polysiloxanes having the designation CTFA "amodimethicone". Specific examples of amino functional silicones suitable for use in the invention are the aminosilicon oils DC-8220, DC-8166, DC-8466 and DC-8950-1 14 (all ex Dow Corning) and GE 1 149-75 (eg General Electric Silicones). Suitable quaternary silicone polymers are described in EP-A-0 530 974. A preferred quaternary silicone polymer is K3474, eg Goldschmidt. Another preferred functional silicone to be used as a component in the hydrophobic conditioning oil is an alkoxy-substituted silicone. Such molecules are known as silicone copolyols and have one or more polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide groups attached to the silicone polymer backbone, optionally through an alkyl linking group. A non-limiting example of a type of silicon copolyol useful in the compositions of the invention has a molecular structure according to the formula shown below: Si (CH3) 3 [O-Si (CH3) (A)] p - [O-Si (CH3) (B)] q - O - Si (CH3) 3.

In this formula, A is an alkylene chain with from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 18, more preferably to 16. B is a group with the structure: - (R) - (EO) r (PO) s-OH, wherein R is a linking group, preferably an alkylene group with 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Preferably, R is - (CH2) 2-. The average values of r and s are 5 or more, preferably 10 or more, more preferably 15 or more. It is preferred if the average values of r and s are 100 or less. In the formula, the value of p is appropriately or more, preferably 20 or more, more preferably 50 or more and most preferably 100 or more. The value of q is conveniently from 1 to 20, wherein the ratio p / q is preferably 10 or more, more preferably 20 or more. The value of p + q is a number from 1 1 to 500, preferably from 50 to 300. Suitable silicone copolyols have an HLB of 10 or less, preferably 7 or less, more preferably 4 or less. A suitable silicone copolyol material is DC5200, known as Lauril PEG / PPG-18/18 methicone (INCI name), available from Dow Corning. It is preferred to use a combination of functional and non-functional silicones as the hydrophobic silicone conditioning oil. Preferably, the silicones are mixed into common droplets before incorporation into the compositions according to the invention. The viscosity of the droplets of hydrophobic silicone conditioning oil, measured in isolation from the rest of the composition (ie, not the viscosity of any pre-formed emulsion, but of the hydrophobic conditioning oil itself) is usually from 350 to 200,000,000 mm2s "1 to 25 ° C. Preferably, the viscosity is at least 5,000 mmV1 at 25 ° C, more preferably at least 10,000 mm2s" 1 to 25 ° C. Preferably, the viscosity does not exceed 20,000,000 mm2s "\ most preferably 10,000,000 mm2s" 1, most preferably 5,000,000 mm2s "1. Suitable methods for measuring the kinematic viscosity of silicon oils are known to those skilled in the art, for example, viscometers For high viscosity silions, a constant voltage rheometer can also be used to measure the dynamic viscosity, which is related to the kinematic viscosity by the silicone density.The viscosity should be measured at low cutting speeds, less than 10 s "1, so that the silicon exhibits Newtonian behavior (ie, viscosity independent of the cutting speed). It is preferred if the silicones are added to the compositions of the invention as pre-formed emulsions with silicone particle diameters as described above generally for hydrophobic conditioning oils. A particularly preferred diameter is from 0.5 to 12 microns. Silicones can be used in combination with volatile silicones. The volatile silicones are cyclic or short chain polydialkyl siloxanes, preferably polydimethylsiloxanes, having a vapor pressure of 10 Pa or more, preferably 1000 Pa or more, more preferably 1000 Pa or more at 25 ° C.

Hydrophobically modified clay The compositions of the invention preferably comprise hydrophobically modified clay in an amount from 0.01% to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.01% to 3% by weight, more preferably from 0.05% to 1% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Higher levels of hydrophobically modified clays can give unpleasant tactile properties to the composition for some consumers. The hydrophobically modified clays can be used in the present invention, either alone or in combination with one or more different hydrophobically modified clays.

Suitable clays include hydrophobically modified natural clays and synthetic clays. In general, the term clay refers to a composition comprising particles which have a net electrostatic charge (i.e., positive or negative charge) on at least one surface. Preferably, the hydrophobically modified clay has a layered structure. In the compositions of the invention, the hydrophobically modified clay is advantageously present in the form of a dispersion or suspension of the clay particles. The hydrophobically modified clays of the invention may be anionic or cationic, that is, they may have a net charge on the surface of the clay that is negative or positive, respectively. The term anionic clays and related terms, as used herein, refers to clays which are inherently cationic in nature, ie, the clays by themselves are positively charged on their surface and are capable of exchanging anions Hydrophobically modified clays are derivable from clays by modifying the clay with a hydrophobic material. The preferred anionic clays are clays from the class of smectite clays. Normally, clays of this type are crystalline, expandable, three-layered clays. Smectite clays are described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 3,862,058, 3,948,790, 3,954,632 and 4,062,647 and in EP-A-299,575 and EP-A-313, 146, all in the name of Procter &; Gamble Company. The terms smectite clays herein include both the clays in which the aluminum oxide is present in a silicate latex and the clays in which the magnesium oxide is present in a silicate latex. Normal smectite clay compounds include the compounds having the general formula AI2 (Si2O5) 2 (OH) 2.nH2O and the compounds having the general formula Mg3 (Si2O5) 2 (OH) 2.nH2O, and derivatives thereof, for example in which a proportion of the aluminum ions are replaced with magnesium ions or a proportion of the magnesium ions are replaced with lithium ions, and / or the hydroxyl ions' algons are replaced by fluoride ions; the derivatives may comprise an additional metal ion to balance the overall charge. Smectite clays tend to adopt an expandable, three-layered structure. The hydrophobically modified clay is preferably an expandable three-layer clay comprising at least 75% by weight of the clay of atoms selected from oxygen, silicon and aluminum and / or magnesium. More preferably, the hydrophobically modified clay comprises the selected oxygen, silicon and aluminum and / or magnesium atoms in an amount of at least 5% by weight of the clay, for each of the atoms. Specific examples of suitable smectite clays include those selected from the classes of montmorillonites, hectorites, volchonskoites, nontronites, saponites, beidelites and sauconites, in particular those having an alkali or alkaline-earth metal ion within the crystal latex structure. . Hectorites, montmillonites, nontronites, saponites, beidelites, sauconites and mixtures thereof are particularly preferred. Montmorillonites are preferred, for example, bentonites and hectorites, with bentonites being particularly preferred. The hydrophobically modified clay is preferably a hydrophobically treated bentonite clay. It is customary to measure cation exchange capacity (sometimes referred to as "base exchange capacity") in terms of milliequivalents per 100 g of clay (meq / 100g). The cation exchange capacity of clays can be measured in several ways, including by electrodialysis, by exchange with ammonium ion followed by titration or by a methylene blue procedure, all fully exposed in Grimshaw, "The Chemistry and Physics of Clays "(The chemistry and physics of clays), pp. 264-265, Interscience (1971). The cation exchange capacity of a clay mineral to factors such as the expandable properties of the clay and the loading of the clay, which, in turn, is determined at least in part by the latex structure, and the like. Preferred anionic clays for use in the present They have an ion exchange capacity from 0.7 meq / 100 g to 150 meq / 100 g. Particularly preferred are clays having an ion exchange capacity from 30 meq / 100 g to 100 meq / 100 g. The clays preferably have an average particle size in the range from 0.0001 μm to 800 μm, more preferably from 0.01 μm to 400 μm, such as from 0.02 μm to 220 μm, still more preferably 0.02 μm to 100 μm. The particle sizes can be determined using a Malvern Mastersizer (Malvern Instruments, UK). The hydrophobically modified clays used in the compositions of the invention preferably have organic units that replace at least a proportion of inorganic metal ions by ion exchange processes known in the art. Preferably, the clay is hydrophobically modified by exchange in the clay of cations comprising one or more alkyl groups containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms. The cationic group of preference is a quaternary ammonium group. Advantageously, the cations have the formula N + R 1 R2R 3 R 4, wherein R 1, R 2, R 3 and R 4 are independently alkyl (d to C 30), preferably (C 1 to C 30) alkyl or benzyl. Preferably, one, two or three of R \ R2, R3 and R4 are independently alkyl of (C6 to C30) and the other or other groups R1, R2, R3 and R4 are alkyl (d-Cß) or benzyl. Suitably, two of R \ R2, R3 and R4 are independently (C6 to C30) alkyl and the other groups R1, R2, R3 and R4 are (d-Ce) alkyl or benzyl. Optionally, the alkyl groups may comprise one or more ester linkages (-OCO- or -COO-) and / or ether (-O-) within the alkyl chain. The alkyl groups may be straight or branched chain and, for alkyl groups having 3 or more carbon atoms, cyclic. The alkyl groups may be saturated or may contain one or more carbon-carbon double bonds (eg, oleyl). The alkyl groups are optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups.

Alkyl groups are optionally ethoxylated with one or more ethyleneoxy groups in the alkyl chain. Preferably, the alkyl groups are saturated straight-chain groups. Preferred compounds of formula N + R 1 R R 3 R 4, which have two alkyl groups (C 6 to C 30) include: cetyl chloride, stearyl and dibehenyltrimethylammonium. Preferred compounds of formula N + R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4, which have two alkyl groups (C 6 to C 30) include: distearyldimethylammonium chloride (distearyl dimonium chloride); Distearyldimethylammonium bromide (distearyl dimonium bromide); Dicetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (dicetyl dimonium chloride); Dicetyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (dicetyl dimonium bromide); Dimethyldi chloride (hydrogenated tallow) ammonium (Quaternium-18); Dicetylmethylbenzylammonium chloride; Dicocodimethylammonium chloride (dicoco dimonium chloride); Dicocodimethylammonium bromide (dicoco dimonium bromide); Dibenzyl bromide / diaraquidyldimethylammonium (dibehenyl bromide / diaraquidyl dimonium bromide); Dibehenyl / diaraquidyldimethylammonium chloride (dibehenyl chloride / diaraquidyl dimonium); Dibenzyl dimonium methyl sulfate (dibenzyl dimonium methyl sulfate); Hydroxypropyl bis-stearylammonium chloride (hydroxypropyl bis-stearyl dimonium chloride); Dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride (dibenzyl dimonium chloride); Dibehenylmethylbenzylammonium chloride; Dimyristyldimethylammonium chloride (dimyristyl dimonium chloride); and dimyristyldimethylammonium bromide (dimerisityl dimonium bromide). Preferred compounds of formula N + R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4, which have three alkyl groups (C 6 to C 30) include compounds, which have three alkyl groups having 8 to 22 carbon atoms and an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as , for example: Tricetylmethylammonium chloride; Tricetylmethylammonium bromide; Tricetylmethylammonium methylisulfate; Tp (C8-C10) alkyl methylammonium chloride; Tri- (C 8 -C 10) alkyl methylammonium bromide; and Tri (C 8 -C 8) methylammonium methylisulfate. A particularly preferred material is bentonite modified with Quaternium-18 (ie, dimethyl ammonium dihydrogenated cations). An example of such a product is Tixogel MP 100MR from Sud Chemie. Other suitable hydrophobically modified clays include Quaternium benzalkonium bentonite, Quaternium-18 hectorite, estaralkonium bentonite, stearlconium hectorite and tallow hectorite dihydrogenated benzylammonium.

Mousses The hair treatment compositions according to the invention can also take the form of aerosol foams (mousses), in which a propellant should be included in the composition. This agent is responsible for expelling the other materials from the container and forming the character of hair mousse. The propellant gas may be any conventionally used liquefied gas for aerosol containers. Examples of suitable propellants include dimethyl ether, propane, n-butane and isobutane, used alone or as a mixture. The quantity of the propellant gases is governed by normal factors well known in the aerosol technique. For hair mousses, the level of propellant is generally from 3 to 30, preferably from 5 to 15 weight percent of the total composition.

Optional ingredients The compositions of this invention may contain any other ingredients normally used in hair treatment formulations. These other ingredients may include viscosity modifiers, preservatives, coloring agents, polyols, such as glycerin and polypropylene glycol, chelating agents such as EDTA, antioxidants, fragrances, antimicrobials and sunscreens. Each of these ingredients will be present in an effective amount to achieve its purpose. In general, these optional ingredients are individually included at a level of up to 5 percent by weight of the total composition. Preferably, the compositions of this invention also contain auxiliaries suitable for hair care. Generally, such ingredients are included individually at a level of up to 2, preferably up to 1 percent by weight of the total composition. Among the suitable hair care aides are: (i) natural nutrients for the hair root, such as amino acids and sugars. Examples of suitable amino acids include arginine, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, serine and valine, and / or precursors and derivatives thereof. The amino acids can be added alone, in mixtures, or in the form of peptides, for example, di- and tripeptides. The amino acids may also be added in the form of a protein hydrolyzate, such as a keratin hydrolyzate or collagen. The suitable sugars are glucose, dextrose and fructose. These can be added alone or in the form of, for example, fruit extracts. A particularly preferred combination of natural nutrients for the hair root for inclusion in compositions of the invention is isoleucine and glucose. A particularly preferred amino acid nutrient is arginine. (ii) benefit agents for hair fiber. Examples are ceramides, to wet the fiber and maintain the integrity of the cuticle. Ceramides are available by extraction from natural sources, or as synthetic ceramides and pseudoceramides. A preferred ceramide is Ceramide II, eg Quest. Mixtures of ceramides may also be suitable, such as Ceramides LS, eg Laboratoires Serobiologiques. The invention will be further illustrated by the following non-limiting Examples, in which the Examples of the invention are indicated by a number and the Comparative examples are indicated by a letter.

Example 1 gave better conditioning and feel when applied to hair than Comparative Example A.

Claims (10)

1 . A hair treatment composition comprising: a) from 0.2 to 5% by weight of the total composition of a cationic surfactant according to the formula: (X) ", wherein Ri is an alkyl group of C1 to C22 and X is a salt-forming anion selected from halogen, acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate and methosulfate radicals, b) from 0.01 to 1.0% by weight of the total composition of a di- (C20-C24) surfactant ) quaternary imidazoline, and c) from 0.0001 hasa 0.5% by weight of the total composition of a cationic surfactant according to the formula [N (CH3) 2 (CH2CH2OH) R2] + Y ", wherein R2 is an alkyl group of C12 -C22 and Y is a salt-forming anion selected from halogen, acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate and methosulfate radicals.

2. A hair treatment composition according to claim 1, wherein the level of the cationic surfactant a) is from 0.3 to 5% by weight of the total composition.

3. A hair treatment composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the surfactant level of di- (C20-C24) quaternary imidazoline b) is from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of the total composition.

4. A hair treatment composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the level of cationic surfactant c) according to the formula [N (CH3) 2 (CH2CH2OH) R2] + Y "is from 0.001 to 0.2% by weight of the total composition

5. A hair treatment composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising a C16-C22 alkyl chain fatty material selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol, alkoxylated fatty alcohol, acid greases and mixtures thereof

6. A hair treatment composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising 50% by weight or more of the total water composition

7. A hair treatment composition according to any preceding claim, which further comprises a silicone.

8. A hair treatment composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising a hydrophobically modified clay.

9. A hair treatment composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising a hydrocarbon oil.

10. The use of a composition as described in any of claims 1 to 9 for improving the condition of the hair. eleven . A method for conditioning the hair comprising the step of applying to the hair and / or scalp a composition as described in any of claims 1 to 9.