WO2025060019A1

WO2025060019A1 - A hair care composition, and its use for improving the softness and smoothness of hair

Info

Publication number: WO2025060019A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/120539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yan TU; Congying LIU
Original assignee: Henkel China Investment Co Ltd; Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Henkel China Investment Co Ltd; Henkel AG and Co KGaA
Priority date: 2023-09-22
Filing date: 2023-09-22
Publication date: 2025-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-22

Abstract

A hair care composition comprises: an ionic surfactant, (B) a higher aliphatic alcohol, and (C) a polyol. A method of conditioning hair uses the hair care composition. The hair care composition is used for improving the softness and smoothness of hair.

Description

A hair care composition, and its use for improving the softness and smoothness of hair

Technical field

The present invention relates to a hair care composition comprising: (A) an ionic surfactant, (B) a higher aliphatic alcohol, and (C) a polyol. The hair care composition according to the present invention can improve the softness and smoothness of hair, especially damaged hair.

Background of the invention

Most of Asian consumers have rigid and coarse hair naturally due to their special hair structures. Moreover, the increasing popularity of coloring and perming leads to damaged hair with frizz. In addition, the hair with soft and smooth touch is perceived as a sign of young beauty among Asian consumer. Although there are a lot of hair care products on the market for improving the softness, smoothness and ease of combing of hair, all of them cannot meet the expectations of consumers. For example, most hair care products on the market can smooth damaged hair but the hair after being treated with them is rather rigid and artificial slippery, and softness required by coarse hair is hardly achieved.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a hair care composition which can improve the softness and smoothness of hair, especially damaged hair.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a hair care composition comprising:

(A) an ionic surfactant,

(B) a higher aliphatic alcohol, and

(C) a polyol.

The present invention also provides a method of conditioning hair, comprising: applying the hair care composition according to the present invention to the hair.

The present invention further provides a use of the hair care composition according to the present invention for improving the softness and smoothness of hair.

All of the hair care composition, the method of conditioning hair, and the use according to the present invention are based on the following surprising discoveries of the inventors: the hair care composition according to the present invention, which utilizes a specific component (C) , can improve the softness and smoothness of hair, especially damaged hair.

Detailed description of the invention

It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention. Each aspect so described may be combined with any other aspect or aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature or features indicated as being preferred or advantageous.

Unless specified otherwise, as used herein, the terms “a” , “an” and “the” include both singular and plural referents.

The terms “comprising” and “comprises” as used herein are synonymous with “including” , “includes” , “containing” or “contains” , and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, non-recited members, elements or process steps.

Unless specified otherwise, the recitation of numerical end points includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within the respective ranges, as well as the recited end points.

Unless specified otherwise, all the term “room temperature” used herein refers to 23±2℃.

Unless specified otherwise, all the parameters used herein are measured according to the methods as stated in the working examples of the present description, if any.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of the ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

According to the present invention, surprisingly, the inventors of the present invention found that a hair care composition according to the present invention, which utilizes a specific component (C) , can improve the softness and smoothness of hair, especially damaged hair.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure is generally directed to a hair care composition comprising:

(A) an ionic surfactant,

(B) a higher aliphatic alcohol, and

(C) a polyol.

Component (A)

According to the present invention, the hair care composition comprises (A) an ionic surfactant.

Preferably, the ionic surfactant used in the present invention is a cationic surfactant. More preferably, the ionic surfactant used in the present invention is selected from the group consisting of stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, behentrimonium chloride, behenoyl PG-trimonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride, distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, and the combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, behentrimonium chloride, distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, and the combinations thereof. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ionic surfactant is a combination of stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, behentrimonium chloride, and distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate. Such a specific combination further improves the softness, smoothness and ease of combing of hair.

Examples of commercially available ionic surfactant include, but are not limited to: Dehyquart F 75 T, distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, available from BASF SE; GENAMIN KDMP, behentrimonium chloride, available from Clariant GmbH; Lexamine S-13/Tego Amid S 18, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, available from Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH; Quartamin BTC-131, behenoyl PG-trimonium chloride, available from KAO Chemicals GmbH/Division; Dehyquart A CA, cetrimonium chloride, available from BASF SE; and STAC 808KC/Genamin STAC, steartrimonium chloride, available from Clariant GmbH. Preferably, the ionic surfactant is Dehyquart F 75 T, distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, available from BASF SE; GENAMIN KDMP, behentrimonium chloride, available from Clariant GmbH; and/or Lexamine S-13/Tego Amid S 18, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, available from Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH. More preferably, the ionic surfactant is a combination of Dehyquart F 75 T, distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, available from BASF SE; GENAMIN KDMP, behentrimonium chloride, available from Clariant GmbH; and Lexamine S-13/Tego Amid S 18, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, available from Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH.

Preferably, the amount of the component (A) is from 1 to 5 wt. %, preferably from 2 to 4.8 wt. %, and from 3.3 to 4.4 wt. %, each based on the total weight of the composition.

Component (B)

According to the present invention, the hair care composition comprises (B) a higher aliphatic alcohol.

Preferably, the higher aliphatic alcohol used in the present invention is a linear saturated alcohol having a carbon number of from 12 to 24, preferably from 16 to 22. More preferably, the higher aliphatic alcohol used in the present invention is selected from the group consisting of lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, C_12-15 alcohol, C_12-16 alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, and the combinations thereof. Most preferably, the higher aliphatic alcohol used in the present invention is cetearyl alcohol.

Examples of commercially available higher aliphatic alcohol include, but are not limited to: Lanette 16/MB, cetyl alcohol, available from BASF; Lanette 18, stearyl alcohol, available from BASF; Lanette 22, behenyl alcohol, available from BASF; NACOL 20-95, arachidyl alcohol, available from Sasol Chemicals; Cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, available from BASF SE; Lanette O/MB, cetearyl alcohol, available from BASF; and NAFOL 1618 S, cetearyl alcohol, available from Sasol Chemicals. Preferably, the higher aliphatic alcohol is selected from the group consisting of Cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, available from BASF SE; Lanette O/MB, cetearyl alcohol, available from BASF; and NAFOL 1618 S, cetearyl alcohol, available from Sasol Chemicals. More preferably, the higher aliphatic alcohol is Cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, available from BASF SE.

Preferably, the amount of the component (B) is from 1 to 15 wt. %, preferably from 2 to 10 wt. %, and more preferably from 3 to 7wt. %, each based on the total weight of the composition.

Component (C)

According to the present invention, the hair care composition comprises (C) a polyol.

Preferably, the component (C) used in the present invention comprises a polyol selected from the group consisting of 1, 2-butylene glycol, 1, 3-butylene glycol, 1, 4-butylene glycol, 1, 2-pentylene glycol, 1, 5-pentylene glycol, 1, 2-hexanediol, 1, 6-hexanediol, 2, 3-butanediol, 1, 10-decanediol, 1, 9-nonanediol, 1, 5-naphthalenediol, isoprene glycol, dipropylene glycol, pentaerythritol, xylitol, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, inositol, glucose, lactose, maltitol, sucrose, erythritol, cholesterol, menthanediol, magnolol, xylitylglucoside, lactitol, fructoligosaccharide, mannan, mannose, glyceryl glucoside, decyl glucoside, fructan, trehalose, panthenol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol, and the combinations thereof. More preferably, the component (C) used in the present invention comprises a polyol selected from the group consisting of 1, 2-butylene glycol, 1, 3-butylene glycol, 1, 4-butylene glycol, 2, 3-butanediol, xylitol, sorbitol, fructose, mannitol, inositol, glucose, lactose, maltitol, sucrose, panthenol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and the combinations thereof. Most preferably, the component (C) used in the present invention comprises a polyol selected from the group consisting of 1, 3-butylene glycol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, and the combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hair care composition merely comprises sorbitol as component (C) , which further improves smoothness and softness on wet and dry hair.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hair care composition comprises a combination of sorbitol and polyethylene glycol, especially PEG-8, as the component (C) , which shows a significant synergy effect in terms of the hair performance.

Examples of commercially available polyol include, but are not limited to: Sorbitol 70%HS DAB, sorbitol, available from Inter-Harz GmbH; 1, 3-Butylene Glycol, available from Univar Usa Inc.; Propanediol-1, 2, propylene glycol, available from BASF SE; Glycerin 99.5%, glycerine, available from BASF SE; D-Panthenol 75%, D-panthenol, available from BASF SE; and Polyethylene Glycol MG 400, PEG-8, available from Inter-Harz GmbH. Preferably, the polyol used in the present invention is selected from the group consisting of Sorbitol 70%HS DAB, sorbitol, available from Inter-Harz GmbH; 1, 3-Butylene Glycol, available from Univar Usa Inc.; Polyethylene Glycol MG 400, PEG-8, available from Inter-Harz GmbH; and the combinations thereof. More preferably, the polyol used in the present invention is a combination of Sorbitol 70%HS DAB, sorbitol, available from Inter-Harz GmbH; and Polyethylene Glycol MG 400, PEG-8, available from Inter-Harz GmbH.

Preferably, the amount of the component (C) is from 1 to 30 wt. %, preferably from 2 to 20 wt. %, and more preferably from 3 to 18 wt. %, each based on the total weight of the composition.

Component (D)

According to the present invention, the hair care composition may further optionally comprise (D) a silicone oil.

Preferably, the hair care composition according to the present invention further comprises (D) a silicone oil. More preferably, the silicone oil is selected from the group consisting of amodimethicone, dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone, dimethiconol, bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 aminoethyl PG-propyl dimethicone, PEG-12 dimethicone, dimethicone crosspolymer, and the combinations thereof. Most preferably, the silicone oil is an amodimethicone. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hair care composition may comprise one or more silicone oils. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the silicone oil is a mixture containing two amodimethicones.

Examples of commercially available silicone oil include, but are not limited to: XF-42-B1989, amodimethicone, available from Dow Chemical Company; Xiameter PMX-200 Sil Fluid 60000CS, dimethicone, available from Momentive Performance Material Japan LLC; Dow Corning 556 Cosmetic Grade Fluid/SF5600Z, phenyl trimethicone, available from Dow Chemical Company; Xiameter PMX-1503 Fluid, a mixture of dimethicone and dimethiconol, available from Dow Chemical Company; Silsoft A-843 LT, bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 aminoethyl PG-propyl dimethicone, available from Momentive Performance Material Japan LLC; XF-42-B1989, amodimethicone, available from Momentive Performance Materials GmbH; Xiameter MEM-2664 Emulsion, a mixture of dimethicone, laureth-4 and laureth-3, available from Momentive Performance Material Japan LLC; Xiameter OFX 0193 Fluid, PEG-12 dimethicone, available from Dow Chemical Company; Dow Corning 9041, dimethicone, available from Dow Chemical Company; Belsil ADM 6102 E, a mixture of amodimethicone and trideceth-10, available from Wacker Chemie AG; SC-T100, amodimethicone, available from Shanghai Huanqiu Industry; and CB-1002, a mixture of dimethicone and amodimethicone, available from Dow Chemical Company. Preferably, the silicone oil used in the present invention is Belsil ADM 6102 E, a mixture of amodimethicone and trideceth-10, available from Wacker Chemie AG; and/or SC-T100, amodimethicone, available from Shanghai Huanqiu Industry. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the silicone oil used in the present invention is a combination of Belsil ADM 6102 E, a mixture of amodimethicone and trideceth-10, available from Wacker Chemie AG; and SC-T100, amodimethicone, available from Shanghai Huanqiu Industry.

If present, the component (D) is contained in an amount of from 1 to 15 wt. %, and preferably from 2 to 12 wt. %, each based on the total weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hair care composition comprises a combination of sorbitol, PEG-8 and a silicone oil, which leads to a much better hair performance in terms of smoothness, softness and ease of combing on both wet and dry hair, and thus, the dosage of silicone oil in the hair care composition may be lower.

Component (E)

In some embodiments of the present invention, the hair care composition may further optionally comprise additives which are commonly used in the art to which the present invention belongs, such as a carrier, a preservative, a thickening agent, a pH adjuster, an antioxidant, and a perfume, as long as they do not negatively affect the desired technical effects of the inventive composition. For example, the hair care composition according to the present invention further comprises water, phenoxyethanol and lactic acid. The presence, the type and the amount of the additive can be determined by a specialist in the art according to requirements.

The hair care composition according to the present invention can be prepared by conventional methods in the art. For example, the hair care composition according to the present invention may be prepared by a method comprising the following steps: dissolving component (E) at 80 to 90 ℃ to obtain a water phase, melting components (A) and (B) at 80 to 90 ℃ to obtain an oil phase, and then mixing the water phase and the oil phase under stirring to obtain a homogenous mixture; and cooling the homogeneous mixture down by stirring, and when the temperature of the mixture was equal to or lower than 60 ℃, adding all the other components into the mixture one by one.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of conditioning hair, comprising: applying the hair care composition according to the present invention to the hair, especially damaged hair, in particular after being washed, preferably after being shampooed.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a use of the hair care composition according to the present invention for improving the softness and smoothness of hair, in particular both dry hair and wet hair.

The hair care composition according to the present invention is preferably used for improving the softness and smoothness of hair, in particular both dry hair and wet hair. The hair care composition according to the present invention may be used as a hair rinse, a hair conditioner, a hair treatment, a hair pack, a hair cream and the like.

The hair care composition according to the present invention, which utilizes a specific component (C) , especially a specific combination of components (C) and (D) , can improve the softness and smoothness of hair, especially damaged hair. Moreover, the hair care composition according to the present invention can improve softness of hair during rinse out, combility of wet hair after rinse, combility after towel, softness of towel dried hair, combility during blow drying, softness of dry hair, smoothness of dry hair, combility after drying, moisture of dry hair end and finger through of hair during rinse out. In addition, as compared with Pantene intensive shot (available from P&G) , which is a golden benchmark on the market, the hair care composition according to the present invention, which comprises a combination of sorbitol and PEG-8 in a silicone oil, shows overall better hair performances in terms of all of finger through of hair during rinse out, softness of hair during rinse out, combility of wet hair after rinse out, combility after towel, softness of towel dried hair, softness of dry hair, smoothness of dry hair, and combility of hair after drying.

Examples

The following examples are intended to assist one skilled in the art to better understand and practice the present disclosure. The scope of the invention is not limited by the examples but is defined in the appended claims. All parts and percentages are based on weight unless otherwise stated.

Raw materials:

Component (A) :

Component A-1: Dehyquart F 75 T, distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, available from BASF SE.

Component A-2: GENAMIN KDMP, behentrimonium chloride, available from Clariant GmbH.

Component A-3: Lexamine S-13/Tego Amid S 18, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, available from Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH.

Component (B) :

Component B-1: Cetearyl Alcohol, available from BASF SE.

Component (C) :

Component C-1: Sorbitol 70%HS DAB, sorbitol, available from Inter-Harz GmbH.

Component C-2: 1, 3-Butylene Glycol, available from Univar Usa Inc.

Component C-3: Propanediol-1, 2, propylene glycol, available from BASF SE.

Component C-4: Glycerin 99.5%, glycerine, available from BASF SE.

Component C-5: D-Panthenol 75%, D-panthenol, available from BASF SE.

Component C-6: Polyethylene Glycol MG 400, PEG-8, available from Inter-Harz GmbH.

Component C-7’: CETIOL CC, dicaprylyl carbonate, available from BASF SE.

Component (D) :

Component D-1: Belsil ADM 6102 E, a mixture of amodimethicone and trideceth-10, available from Wacker Chemie AG.

Component D-2: SC-T100, amodimethicone, available from Shanghai Huanqiu Industry.

Component (E) :

Component E-1: demineralized water.

Component E-2: Phenoxyethanol, pure, available from BASF SE.

Component E-3: Lactic acid 80%DAB, lactic acid, available from Inter-Harz GmbH.

Preparation of Examples 1-14 (Ex. 1 to Ex. 14) and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 (CEx. 1 to CEx. 4)

Specific amounts and types of components in the hair care compositions of Examples 1 to 14 according to the present invention and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 are shown in Tables 1 to 4 as below. The compositions were prepared as follows: dissolving components E-1, E-2 and E-3 at 85 ℃ to obtain a water phase, melting components A-1, A-2, A-3 and B-1 at 85 ℃ to obtain an oil phase, and then mixing the water phase and the oil phase under stirring to obtain a homogenous mixture; and cooling the homogeneous mixture down by stirring, and when the temperature of the mixture was 60 ℃, adding all the other components into the mixture one by one.

I.Effect of 5 wt. %of humectants on the hair performance

To measure the effect of 5 wt. %of humectants on the hair performance, for each of the hair care compositions of Ex. 1 to Ex. 6, and that of CEx. 1, a blind hair tresses test included 10 panels was carried out, and final results obtained therefrom were judged according to the Maxdiff statistics method.

In particular, heavy damaged (ultra-bleached) hair strands with split ends (30cm, 10g) were cleaned with 1g standard shampoo (a 3%Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) aqueous solution whose pH was adjusted to 6.5 by NaOH or Citric acid) , and then were stored at 25 ℃ and 25%relative humidity for 24 hours.

For wet hair strands evaluation, the hair strands were washed twice with 1g standard shampoo (a 3%SLES aqueous solution whose pH was adjusted to 6.5 by NaOH or Citric acid) each time. Then, 2g of each of the compositions was evenly applied on each of hair strands, and the hair strands were stored at room temperature for about 5 minutes until the effect of the compositions was exerted on the hair. Finally, the hair strands were rinsed with hot water at about 40 ℃ for about 40 seconds. According to the Maxdiff method, the wet hair performance was tested and the test indicators include smoothness and softness.

For dry hair strands evaluation, the hair strands were dried to 80%with a hair dryer, were combed through with a fine-tooth comb, and were left to stand at room temperature for 24 hours until they were completely dry. After that, the smoothness, softness and split ends of the hair was evaluated using the Maxdiff method.

The test results of the hair care compositions of Ex. 1 to Ex. 6, and that of CEx. 1 are shown in Table 1 as below.

Table 1

Note: all the symbols “-” herein indicate that the corresponding component does not exist or the corresponding result was not tested.

From the data in Table 1, it can be seen that the hair care composition according to the present invention (Ex. 1 to Ex. 6) , which comprises (C) a polyol, increases the hair performance on wet hair, as compared with the base formula without (C) a polyol (CEx. 1) . Moreover, among the six polyols used in Ex. 1 to Ex. 6, the hair care composition according to the present invention which uses about 5 wt. %active sorbitol as the component (C) (Ex. 4) shows the best smoothness and softness on wet hair and good performance on dry hair; the hair care composition according to the present invention which uses about 5 wt. %PEG-8 as the component (C) (Ex. 3) shows the best performance on dry hair, but the worst performance on wet hair; and the hair care composition according to the present invention which uses about 5 wt. %1, 3-butylene glycol as the component (C) (Ex. 6) shows medium performance on both wet and dry hair.

II. Effect of 10%of humectants and their combinations on the hair performance

To measure the effect of 10%of humectants and their combinations on the hair performance, for each of the hair care compositions of Ex. 3 and Ex. 7 to Ex. 12, and those of CEx. 1 and CEx. 2, a blind hair tresses test included 10 panels was carried out, and final results obtained therefrom were judged according to the Maxdiff statistics method.

In particular, heavy damaged (ultra-bleached) hair strands with split ends (30cm, 10g) were cleaned with 1g standard shampoo (a 3%SLES aqueous solution whose pH was adjusted to 6.5 by NaOH or Citric acid) , and then were stored at 25 ℃ and 25%relative humidity for 24 hours.

Soft Mask Maxdiff Sensory Tests and 6 Masks Maxdiff Tress Tests were carried out using the same method.

The test results of the hair care compositions of Ex. 3 and Ex. 7 to Ex. 12, and those of CEx. 1 and CEx. 2 are shown in Table 2 as below.

Table 2

From the data in Table 2, it can be seen that the hair care composition according to the present invention (Ex. 9) , which comprises about 10%active sorbitol, shows better performances on both wet and dry hair in both Soft Mask Maxdiff Sensory Test and 6 Masks Maxdiff Tress Test, as compared with that comprising about 5%active sorbitol (Ex. 3) . Moreover, the hair care composition according to the present invention (Ex. 11) , which comprises a combination of about 5 wt. %active sorbitol and 5 wt. %PEG-8, shows better performances than that comprising about 10%active sorbitol (Ex. 9) or that comprising about 10 wt. %PEG-8 (Ex. 8) ; and thus, the combination of sorbitol and PEG-8, shows a significant synergy effect in terms of the hair performance.

III. Effect of the combination of polyols on the hair performance in the treatment with silicone oil

III. 1 Laboratory tests

To preliminarily measure the effect of the combination of polyols on the hair performance in the treatment with silicone oil, for each of the hair care compositions of CEx. 3 and Ex. 13, a blind hair tresses test included 10 panels was carried out, and final results obtained therefrom were judged according to the Maxdiff statistics method.

The test results of the hair care compositions of CEx. 3 and Ex. 13 are shown in Table 3 as below.

Table 3

From the data in Table 3, it can be seen that the hair care composition according to the present invention (Ex. 13) , which comprises the combination of sorbitol and PEG-8 as component (C) in component (D) , shows booster effects on hair performance in terms of smoothness, softness and tips on both wet and dry hair, as compared to that without the component (C) (CEx. 3) . In particular, the addition of about 5 wt. %PEG-8 and about 5 wt. %sorbitol significantly increases the hair performance in terms of both the smoothness and softness on wet hair and dry hair based on the silicone oil treatment.

III. 2 Salon tests

To further measure the effect of the combination of polyols on the hair performance in the treatment with silicone oil, for each of the hair care compositions of CEx. 3 and Ex. 13, a blind half head salon test included 6 models was carried out, and final results obtained therefrom were judged according to the average statistics method.

In particular, for wet hair strands evaluation, the hair strands were treated as above, and the performance was scored when the composition was rinsed off the wet hair; and for dry strands evaluation, the hair strands were dried as above, and the performance was scored after the hair was completely dry. The hair was scored in 1 to 6, which corresponds to very bad to very good; and the scores of 10 people were averaged for each of the masks.

The results obtained from the above tests show that the addition of PEG-8 and sorbitol in silicone oil leads to better performances as compared with silicone oil only in terms of all of softness of hair during rinse out, combility of wet hair after rinse, combility after towel, softness of towel dried hair, combility during blow drying, softness of dry hair, smoothness of dry hair, combility after drying, moisture of dry hair end and finger through of hair during rinse out.

IV. Salon tests of hair care compositions versus competitors

To evaluate the performance of hair care compositions versus golden benchmark on the market, salon tests were carried on Chinese consumers whose hair was medium to serious damaged and who are hair mask heavy users.

In particular, to compare hair care compositions with competitor in terms of hair performance, the consistency of hair dresser and the user’s feeling was verified.

For hair dresser testing, as for wet hair strands evaluation, the hair strands were treated as above, and the performance was scored when the composition was rinsed off the wet hair; and as for dry strands evaluation, the hair strands were dried as above, and the performance was scored after the hair was completely dry. The hair was scored in 1 to 6, which corresponds to from very bad to very good; and the scores of 10 people were averaged for each of the masks.

For self-assessment, models were blinding in products jut to choose left better, right better, on par, or indistinguishable.

Table 4

The test results of the hair care compositions of CEx. 4 and Ex. 14 and competitor are shown in Table 5 as below.

Table 5

From the data in Table 5, it can be seen that, as compared with Pantene intensive shot (available from P&G) , which is a golden benchmark on the market, the hair care composition according to the present invention (Ex. 14) , which comprises a combination of sorbitol and PEG-8 in a silicone oil, shows overall better hair performances in terms of all of finger through of hair during rinse out, softness of hair during rinse out, combility of wet hair after rinse out, combility after towel, softness of towel dried hair, softness of dry hair, smoothness of dry hair, and combility of hair after drying. That is to say, the salon test results are consistent with hair tresses test results obtained above.

Since the combination of sorbitol, PEG-8 and silicone oil leads to a much better hair performance in terms of smoothness, softness and ease of combing on both wet and dry hair, the dosage of silicone oil in the hair care composition may be lower.

Although some preferred embodiments have been described, many modifications and variations may be made thereto in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A hair care composition comprising:

(A) an ionic surfactant,

(B) a higher aliphatic alcohol, and

(C) a polyol.
The hair care composition according to claim 1, wherein the component (C) comprises a polyol selected from the group consisting of 1, 2-butylene glycol, 1, 3-butylene glycol, 1, 4-butylene glycol, 1, 2-pentylene glycol, 1, 5-pentylene glycol, 1, 2-hexanediol, 1, 6-hexanediol, 2, 3-butanediol, 1, 10-decanediol, 1, 9-nonanediol, 1, 5-naphthalenediol, isoprene glycol, dipropylene glycol, pentaerythritol, xylitol, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, inositol, glucose, lactose, maltitol, sucrose, erythritol, cholesterol, menthanediol, magnolol, xylitylglucoside, lactitol, fructoligosaccharide, mannan, mannose, glyceryl glucoside, decyl glucoside, fructan, trehalose, panthenol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol, and the combinations thereof; preferably, the component (C) comprises a polyol selected from the group consisting of 1, 2-butylene glycol, 1, 3-butylene glycol, 1, 4-butylene glycol, 2, 3-butanediol, xylitol, sorbitol, fructose, mannitol, inositol, glucose, lactose, maltitol, sucrose, panthenol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and the combinations thereof; and more preferably, the component (C) comprises a polyol selected from the group consisting of 1, 3-butylene glycol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, and the combination thereof.
The hair care composition according to claim 2, wherein the composition merely comprises sorbitol as component (C) ; or the composition comprises a combination of sorbitol and polyethylene glycol, especially PEG-8, as the component (C) .
The hair care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises (D) a silicone oil; preferably, the silicone oil is selected from the group consisting of amodimethicone, dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone, dimethiconol, bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 aminoethyl PG-propyl dimethicone, PEG-12 dimethicone, dimethicone crosspolymer, and the combinations thereof; more preferably, the silicone oil is an amodimethicone; and most preferably, the silicone oil is a mixture containing two amodimethicones.
The hair care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (A) is a cationic surfactant; preferably, the cationic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, behentrimonium chloride, behenoyl PG-trimonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride, distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, and the combinations thereof; more preferably, the cationic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, behentrimonium chloride, distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, and the combinations thereof; and most preferably, the cationic surfactant is a combination of stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, behentrimonium chloride, and distearoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate.
The hair care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (B) is a linear saturated alcohol having a carbon number of from 12 to 24, preferably from 16 to 22; preferably, the linear saturated alcohol is selected from the group consisting of lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, C_12-15 alcohol, C_12-16 alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, and the combinations thereof; and more preferably, the linear saturated alcohol is cetearyl alcohol.
The hair care composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of the component (A) is from 1 to 5 wt. %, preferably from 2 to 4.8 wt. %, and from 3.3 to 4.4 wt. %, each based on the total weight of the composition; and/or the amount of the component (B) is from 1 to 15 wt. %, preferably from 2 to 10 wt. %, and more preferably from 3 to 7wt. %, each based on the total weight of the composition; and/or the amount of the component (C) is from 1 to 30 wt. %, preferably from 2 to 20 wt. %, and more preferably from 3 to 18 wt. %, each based on the total weight of the composition.
The hair care composition according to claim 4, wherein the amount of the component (D) is from 1 to 15 wt. %, and preferably from 2 to 12 wt. %, each based on the total weight of the composition.
A method of conditioning hair, comprising: applying the hair care composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to the hair, especially damaged hair, in particular after being washed, preferably after being shampooed.
Use of the hair care composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for improving the softness and smoothness of hair, in particular both dry hair and wet hair.