US3734858A - Pre-electric shave compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

PRE-ELECTRIC SHAVE COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR SHAVING UTILIZING SAME WHEREBY IMPROVED SKIN LUBRICATION IS OBTAINED, SAID COMPOSITION BEING A SELF-PROPELLED, QUICKBREAKING FOAM COMPRISING (A) A COSMETIC ABSORBENT POWDER, (B) AN AQUEOUS ALCOHOLIC CARRIER MEDIUM, (C) A SURFACTANT BEING A MEMBER OF THE GROUP OF ETHOXYLATED FATTY ACIDS OR ALCOHOLS, GLYCEROL AND POLYGLYCEROL ESTERS OF FATTY ACIDS AND CERTAIN CATIONIC PYRIDINIUM COMPOUNDS. AND (D) AN AEROSOL PROPELLANT.

Description

United States Patent 3,734,858 PRE-ELECTRIC SHAVE COMPOSITIONS Graham Barker, Fair Lawn, and Ronald H. Gordon, New

Brunswick, N.J., assignors to Witco Chemical Corporation, New York, N.Y. No Drawing. Filed Jan. 20, 1971, Ser. No. 108,140 Int. Cl. Clld 17/04 US. Cl. 252-90 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Pre-electric shave composition and process for shaving utilizing same whereby improved skin lubrication is obtained, said composition being a self-propelled, quickbreaking foam comprising (a) a cosmetic absorbent powder. (b) an aqueous alcoholic carrier medium, (c) a surfactant being a member of the group of ethoxylated fatty acids or alcohols, glycerol and polyglycerol esters of fatty acids and certain cationic pyridinium compounds. and (d) an aerosol propellant.

This invention relates to pre-electric shave compositions and a process for shaving using said compositions. More particularly, this invention relates to pressurized pre-electric shaving compositions containing a cosmetic absorbent powder which is incorporated in a self-propelled, quick-breaking foam enabling a uniform and even deposition of lubricants to be spread out on the skin.

Any shaving employing an electric razor requires that the skin be dry and substantially free from dirt and sebaceous surface discharges such as waxes, oils and salt. The attainment of these objectives by heretofore known preelectric shave compositions has not been fully satisfactorily accomplished, and, in many cases, those employing an electric razor experience a serious skin irritation. For these reasons, dry electric shaving has not met with the widest possible acceptance.

Heretofore known pre-electric shave compositions have generally been of two types: The alcoholic type, and the dry stick type. Both preparations have serious disadvantages. The alcoholic preparations do leave the skin dry but fail to absorb the epidermal oil or salt so that complete lubrication is not achieved. The dry stick type, exemplified by talc-binder stick preparations, is both difficult to apply and spread evenly on the skin and the powder does not adhere to the skin and flakes off, thereby soiling clothing and the area below where the talc is applied.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an absorbent powder-containing pre-electric shave composition enabling the powder to be evenly and easily applied to the skin of the user.

Another object is to provide a process for shaving with an electric razor wherein the skin is more effectively lubricated and simultaneously dirt, epidermal wax, oils, salt and moisture are removed from the skin so as to improve the efiicacy of the razor.

In accordance with this invention, there have been discovered pressurized, pre-electric shave compositions in the form of self-propelled foams which are quick-breaking when applied to the skin, comprising the following ingredients in percentages by Weight of the overall composition:

(a) From about 5 to 25% of a cosmetic absorbent powder having a particle size of from about 1 to 25 microns;

(b) From about 60 to 90% of an aqueous alcoholic carrier medium for said powder, said alcohol being a C -C monohydric alkanol and the weight ratio of said alkanol to water in said carrier medium being from about 3:1 to 1:3;

3,734,858 Patented May 22, 1973 "ice (c) From about 0.5 to 5% of a surfactant which is difiicultly soluble or substantially insoluble in said aqueous alcoholic carrier medium and being a member selected from the group consisting of:

(i) Condensates of 1 to 3 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of C to C aliphatic monohydric alcohols; and admixtures of C to C aliphatic monohydric alcohols with condensates of 4 to 20 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of said C to C alcohols;

(ii) Condensates of 1 to 3 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of C to C fatty acids; and admixtures of C to C aliphatic monohydric alcohols with condensates of 4 to 20 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of C to C fatty acids;

(iii) Esters of C to C fatty acids with glycerol and the dimeric to hexameric polyglycerols; and

(iv) Long chain cationic quaternary pyridinium compounds having the formula wherein R represents alkyl and alkenyl radicals having 15 to 17 carbon atoms; and

(d) From about 5 to 30% of a propellent being a member selected from the group consisting of lower alkanes and alkyl chlorides having up to 5 carbon atoms and fluorinated and fluorochlorinated alkanes having at least one fluorine atom and not more than 2 carbon atoms.

This invention further contemplates a process for dry shaving employing the aforesaid composition by applying it to the skin in the form of a foam which breaks quickly when applied to the skin, allowing the composition to dry on the skin whereby said cosmetic absorbent powder is evenly and uniformly distributed over the skin and adheres to the skin without flaking off and absorbs sebaceous discharges, salt, moisture and dirt and thereafter removing the unwanted hair with an electric razor.

The cosmetic absorbent powder employed in the compositions of the present invention should have a particle size in the range of about 1 to 25 microns and, most suitably and preferably, from about 5 to 15 microns.

The term absorbent powder as used herein is meant to describe those suitable cosmetic powders exemplified by those hereinbelow described which have both absorbent and adsorbent qualities for the purpose of economy of language, as well as for the reason that it is not known in all cases whether the particles act as absorbers or adsorbers or both. The precise mechanism of their function in acting as a lubricant is not a critical aspect of this invention.

Suitable absorbent powders are exemplified by talc, which is a hydrated magnesium silicate, clays such as kaolin, a hydrated aluminum silicate, and diatomaceous earth, the carbonates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, metallic stearates such as magnesium stearate and zinc stearate, oxides such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide, silica, silica gels, alumina and the like, as well as various blends and admixtures of the aforesaid. Other cosmetically suitable absorbent powders will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is not to be considered as being limited to any one particular absorbent powder or combination of absorbents. Tale is a particularly preferred absorbent powder because of its excellent lubricating, absorptive, skin adherence and counter-irritant qualities.

The amount of cosmetic absorbent powder employed in the compositions of the present invention will vary from about 5 to 25% by weight and preferably in the range of from about 15 to 20% by weight of the overall composition.

The aqueous alcoholic carrier employed in the compositions of the present invention functions as a medium for the dispersion of the absorbent powder as well as contributing to the highly desirable characteristics of the compositions of the present invention, i.e., a selfpropelled, quick-breaking foam.

This hydroalcoholic admixture will generally be present in an amount of from about 60 to 90% by weight of the overall composition with the weight ratio of alcohol to water being from about 3:1 to 1:3. It has been found that maintenance of this weight ratio is important for the achievement of optimum dispersion of the absorbent powder and retention of the quick-breaking characteristics of the foam. Preferably, there will be employed from about 65 to 75% by weight of hydroalcoholic carrier with the aforesaid ratio being from about 1.5 :1 to 2:1. Suitable alcohols include the C to C monohydric alkanols. Ethanol and isopropanol are particularly preferred alkanols. Other suitable alkanols are methanol, butanol and isobutanol, propanol, amyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol and various isomers thereof.

The surfactants employed in the compositions of the present invention should be substantially insoluble or difiicultly soluble, i.e., to an extent not greater than about 10% by weight and, preferably, not greater than by weight, in the aqueous alcoholic carrier medium and at the same time be dispersible throughout the system, otherwise the desired quick-breaking characteristics of the self-propelled foam are not attained. While a great number of anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants will have the desired hydrophobic characteristics and will lend themselves to be compatible with the compositions of the present invention, the surfactants hereinafter described in detail have been found to be extremely valuable in formulating the compositions of the present invention.

Suitable surfactants include the ethers of long chain alcohols which may be described as the condensation products of l to 3 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of C to C straight and branched chain aliphatic monohydric alcohols as exemplified by fatty alcohols such as decyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl, cetyl and stearyl alcohols, unsaturated fatty alcohols such as oleyl and linoleyl alcohols, Oxo alcohols prepared by the catalytic reaction of a polyolefin with carbon monoxide and hydrogen and subsequent reduction such as Oxo tridecyl alcohol, Oxo pentadecyl alcohol and 0x0 hexadecyl alcohol. The aforesaid C -C aliphatic monohydric alcohols may be ethoxylated with more than 3 mols of ethylene oxide, up to about 20 mols of ethylene oxide being suitable. However, in order to impart the desired characteristic of substantial insolubility in the hydroalcoholic medium, these 4 to 20 mol ethylene oxide adducts are employed in admixture with from 10 to 50% by Weight of a C to C aliphatic monohydric alcohol, preferably a straight chain C to C fatty alcohol such as cetyl alcohol.

Also suitable as the surfactant component in the compositions of the present invention are condensates of C to C fatty acids with l to 3 mols of ethylene oxide, as well as admixtures of the 4 to 20 mol ethylene oxide adducts of said acids with from 10 to 50% by weight of a C to C aliphatic monohydric alcohol. Exemplary fatty acids, which may be condensed with ethylene oxide to form surfactants suitable herein, are capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids, as well as mixtures of such acids as exemplified by tall oil fatty acids, coconut acids and the like.

Additionally, suitable as surfactants are the esters of C to C fatty acids with glycerol and dimeric to hexameric polyglycerols. Exemplary are glycerol monostearate, glycerol monooleate, glycerol monopalmitate, diglycerol monostearate and monooleate, triglycerol monopalmitate, trirnethylol propane (hexaglycerol) monooleate and similar polyglycerol esters.

wherein R represents alkyl and alkenyl radicals having from 15 to 17 carbon atoms. They may be prepared, for example, as described in US. Patent No. 2,189,664. Exemplary and particularly preferred is the compound commonly referred to as stearoyl colamino formyl methyl pyridinium chloride, R being an alkyl chain of 17 carbon atoms.

Compositions of the present invention containing the aforesaid cationic surfactants are particularly preferred embodiments, since it has been found that these quaternary pyridinium compounds allow better adhesion of the absorbent powder to the skin, a more uniform dispersion of absorbent powder in the foam, as Well as imparting a desirable emollient after-feel to the skin once shaving has been completed.

The aforesaid surfactants are employed in amounts ranging from 0.5 to 5% by weight, and preferably within the range of about 1 to 3% by weight. Also, it is suitable to employ mixtures of the aforesaid surfactants, especially mixtures of said cationic pyridinium compounds with said fatty acid ethylene oxide condensates.

The propellents suitable for use herein are, per se, well known and comprise the lower alkanes and isomers thereof containing up to 5 carbon atoms such as butane, pentane and isobutane, propane and the like, or lower alkyl chlorides having up to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl or propyl chlorides. The most suitable liquid propellents are the fiuorinated and fluorochlorinated lower alkanes containing at least one fluorine atom and not more than two carbon atoms such as dichlorodifluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, trichloromonofluoromethane, dichloromonofiuoromethane, monochlorodifiuoromethane, difluoroethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane and the like. The propellent will be employed in amounts ranging from 5 to 30% and, preferably, within the range of 10 to 30% by weight of the overall composition.

Numerous special purpose additives may be added to the compositions of the present invention in small proportions without adversely aifecting the stability of the overall composition. Such materials include, for example, perfumes, viscosity modifying agents, emollients, skin conditioning agents or lubricants such as the silicone fluids, medicaments, and the like. Exemplary materials include glycerol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, lanolin, chlorinated phenolic antiseptics such as hexachlorophene, menthol, camphor and other skin coolants.

The compositions of the present invention may be prepared by first dispersing the absorbent powder, under conditions of moderate agitation, into an admixture of hydroalcoholic carrier and surfactant, and thereafter charging the composition with propellent into an aerosol dispensing vessel employing conventional techniques used in aerosol packaging. This mode of preparation, while recommended for optimum results, may be varied as desired without any deleterious effect upon the suitability of the finished product.

In utilizing the compositions of the present invention in dry electric shaving, the self-propelled material is dispensed from the vessel as a foam which breaks quickly as it is applied to the skin. The composition is allowed to dry and the absorbent powder becomes uniformly and evenly distributed over the skin and exhibits excellent adherence to the skin. Sebaceous, oily and waxy discharges, moisture, salt and dirt are transferred to the absorbent and an electric shaver is then employed to remove unwanted hair. A complete absence of skin irritation is EXAMPLE I The following composition is prepared for use in a self-propelled pressurized container:

Percent Talc (-15 microns) 20.0 Ethanol 38.8

Water 28.2

Condensate of 4 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of stearic acid admixed with 50% by weight cetyl alcohol (surfactant) 3.0 Propellent (a 40:60 blend of dichloro-difiuoromethane and dichlorotetra-fluoroethane) 10.0

The composition is prepared by dispersing the talc particles with moderate agitation into an admixture of the ethanol, water and the surfactant. The composition is charged with propellent into suitable dispenser fitted with a valve for dispensing pressurized compositions. The composition is then ready for use. A quantity is discharged as foam and applied to the face. Upon application to the face, the foam immediately breaks and the composition is allowed to dry on the face. An electric razor is activated and unwanted hair is quickly and easily removed. The user experiences no skin irritation and a pleasant after-feel on the face is noted.

EXAMPLE H The composition of Example I is prepared except that 28% water, 40% ethanol, 2.0% glycerol monostearate with no cetyl alcohol added are employed. Equivalent results are obtained.

EXAMPLE III The following composition is prepared in the manner of Example I:

This example illustrates the use of a quaternary pyridinium emulsifier. Again, excellent shaving results are obtained after applying the composition to the face as a quick-breaking foam. The user also experiences a pleasant after-feel on the skin.

The compositions set forth in Examples IV to VII are prepared as in the manner of Example I and in each case excellent results are obtained.

EXAMPLE IV Percent Talc (10-15 microns) 18.0 Isopropanol 25.2 Ethanol 17.5 Water 26.5

Cofidensate of 1 mol of oleic acid with 20 mols of ethylene oxide admixed with 50% by weight cetyl alcohol 1.5 Stearoyl colamino formyl methyl pyridinium chloride 1 3 pro eneiiiBIEQQIJQZEIIIIIIIIIIIII- II 10.0

EXAMPLE V Percent Kaolin clay (10-25 microns) 30.0 Ethanol 36.0

Water 24.0 Condensate of 3 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of lauryl alcohol 1.00 Propellent of Example I 9.00

EXAMPLE VI Example V is repeated except that diatomaceous earth is employed in place of clay.

EXAMPLE VII Percent Talc 20.00 Zinc oxide 2.00 Isopropanol 22.00 Ethanol 22.00 Water 27.5 Triglycerol monostearate 1.5 Propellent (84% isobutane, 16% propane) 5.0

What is claimed is:

1. A self-propelled quick-breaking, pre-electric shave foam composition which consists essentially of the following ingredients in percentages by weight of the overall composition:

(a) from about 5 to 25% of a cosmetic absorbent powder having a particle size of from about 1 to 25 microns;

(b) from about 60 to by weight of an aqueous alcoholic carrier medium for said powder, said alcohol being a C -C monohydric alkanol and weight ratio of said alkanol to water in said carrier medium being from about 3 :1 to 1:3;

(c) from about 0.5 to 5% by weight of a surfactant which is substantially insoluble in said aqueous alcoholic carrier medium of being a member selected from the group consisting of (i) condensates of 1 to 3 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of C to C aliphatic monohydric alcohols;

(ii) condensates of 1 to 3 mols of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of C to C fatty acids;

(iii) esters of C to C fatty acids with glycerol and the dimeric to hexameric polyglycerols; and

(iv) long chain cationic quaternary pyridinium compounds having the formula wherein R represents alkyl and alkenyl radicals having 15 to 17 carbon atoms, said surfactant being present in an amount of from about 0.5 to 5.0% by weight; and (d) from about 5 to 30% of a propellent being a member selected from the group consisting of lower alkanes and alkyl chlorides having up to 5 carbon atoms and fluorinated and fluorochlorinated alkanes having at least one fluorine atom and not more than 2 carbon atoms. 2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said cosmetic absorbent powder is talc.

3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said surfactant corresponds to ingredient (c) (iv) and wherein said R is an alkyl radical having 17 carbon atoms.

4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said C -C monohydric alkanol is ethanol and said weight ratio of said ethanol to said water is from about 1.5:1 to 2: 1.

5. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said ingredients are present in the following percentages by weight:

said (a) ingredient, from 15 to 20%,

said (b) ingredient, from 65 to 75%,

said (c) ingredient, from 1 to 3%,

said ((1) ingredient, from 10 to 30%.

6. A process for removing unwanted hair from the skin comprising applying to the skin the pre-electric shave foam composition of claim 1, allowing said composition to dry on the skin whereby said absorbent powder is highly evenly distributed over the skin, and removing said unwanted hair using an electric shaver.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,874 5/1963 George et a1. 424-46 3,169,095 2/ 1965 Thiel et a]. 424-46 FOREIGN PATENTS 771,613 11/1967 Canada 42473 OTHER REFERENCES Rose: The Condensed Chem. Dictionary, 7th ed., 1967, Reinhold Pub]. Co., pp. 915-916.

WILLIAM E. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

252l71, 307, DIG. #13