Invented by Heather LEE, Dongcui Li, Jun Liang, LOreal SA

The market for hair care and conditioning compositions has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing consumer awareness about the importance of hair health and the desire for luscious, shiny locks. This market encompasses a wide range of products, including shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, serums, and oils, all designed to nourish and improve the overall condition of the hair. One of the key factors driving the growth of this market is the rising demand for natural and organic hair care products. Consumers are becoming more conscious about the ingredients they use on their hair, and are actively seeking out products that are free from harmful chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, and silicones. This has led to the emergence of a whole new segment of hair care brands that focus on using natural and plant-based ingredients in their formulations. Another trend that has been driving the market is the increasing popularity of personalized hair care products. With advancements in technology, companies are now able to offer customized hair care solutions based on individual hair type, texture, and specific concerns. This personalized approach allows consumers to address their unique hair needs, leading to better results and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the market for hair care and conditioning compositions has also been influenced by the growing trend of multi-functional products. Consumers are looking for products that offer multiple benefits in one, such as a shampoo that also conditions and provides heat protection, or a hair mask that repairs damage and adds shine. This demand for convenience and efficiency has led to the development of innovative formulations that cater to these needs. In addition to these trends, the market for hair care and conditioning compositions has also been driven by the increasing focus on hair styling and the desire for salon-like results at home. Consumers are seeking products that not only improve the health of their hair but also help them achieve their desired hairstyles. This has led to the introduction of styling products such as hair sprays, gels, and mousses that provide hold, volume, and texture while still maintaining the health and integrity of the hair. Overall, the market for hair care and conditioning compositions is experiencing steady growth, fueled by consumer demand for natural and personalized products that offer multiple benefits. As more people become aware of the importance of hair health and invest in their hair care routines, the market is expected to continue expanding, with new innovations and advancements in formulations to meet the evolving needs of consumers.

The LOreal SA invention works as follows

The present disclosure is about hair care and conditioner compositions, as well as methods of styling, managing and/or conditioning hair with the compositions. Hair conditioning and managing compositions consist of propylene glycol, one or several monoalcohols with 2 to 6 carbons atoms, one or multiple cationic surfactants and one or many fatty compounds. “The compositions are non-emulsified, solubilized compositions, until they are applied to wet hair or damp hair. Then, the compositions will form a lamellar structure in situ.

Background for Hair care and conditioning compositions

Many people suffer from damaged and dry hair. The weather, mechanical treatments such as brushing hair (e.g. Brushing hair, excessive chemical treatments, dyeing hair, heat styling etc. Combining cleansing products which can strip hair of its natural oils can lead to split ends and dull hair. Oil treatments, conditioners, hair masks and chemical treatments can be used to mitigate damage.

The simplicity and effectiveness of oils in treating dry hair has led to an increase in their popularity. Olive oil, mineral oils, avocado oil and apricot kernel oils are some of the most commonly used oils. The problem is, the effects usually don’t show up until several hours later (e.g. It takes 8 hours to complete the treatment, and multiple treatments are often required.

Individuals want a treatment that’s not too time-consuming or labor-intensive to use. There are many ways to condition hair. Conditioning agents, such as silicone compounds, oils with low melting points, cationic surfactants, polymers and high melting point fatty acids, are commonly used to provide conditioning benefits. “Most of these agents provide different conditioning benefits.

However there is a need to provide improved hair manageability. For example, improved alignment, reduced unwanted volumes (especially reduced Frizz) and increased shine.” It is important to create hair care products which can provide other benefits in addition to the caring and conditioning, like styling, volume and shaping (for curly and wavy hair) and restylability (without having to reapply product).

The present disclosure is a description of compositions for hair care and conditioning, and methods to style and condition hair with these compositions. The compositions are clear and essentially anhydrous. The compositions form a lamellar layer on damp or wet hair. This phase enhances the deposition onto hair of active conditioning agents, such as cationic detergents and fatty acids. These conditioning actives deposit on the hair a softening and smoothing effect, giving it a shiny appearance. Hair is detangled easily and dryness or fizziness is reduced. Compositions include:

wherein the formulation is a non-emulsified, solubilized composition until it is applied to wet or damphair, at which point the composition forms in situ a lamellarphase.

The compositions are suitable for use immediately after washing the hair. For example, they can replace conditioners.” Compositions can be applied to hair after shampooing, conditioning and styling, such as a rinse-off mask or leave-in treatment. Compositions can be used as pre-treatments before shampooing hair. The compositions can also be applied to damp or wet hair, and then massaged in to the hair for uniform coverage. The hair can be rinsing with water after application, then dried and styled according to your preference. The compositions can also be used as leave-on products. The compositions may be applied to damp or wet hair, and left on indefinitely.

The present disclosure is a cosmetic composition that is transparent and largely anhydrous, comprising:

wherein the weight ratio of the propylene glycol to the monoalcohol(s) (propylene glycol:monoalcohol(s)) is from 20:1 to 1:1;

The term “transparent” is used to describe a composition that has a transmittance of at least 80% when measured using spectrometers with spectra between 600 nm and 800 nm. A transparent composition is one that has a transmittance at least 80% measured with a Lambda-40 UV-visible spectrumrometer. Compositions can have a transmittance, for instance, of at least 80% or 90% at a wavelength 600 nm. This is measured using a Lambda 40 ultraviolet-visible spectrometer. The term “clear” is interchangeable with the term “transparent”. The term “clear” is interchangeable with “transparent” for the purposes of this disclosure.” “For the purposes of this instant disclosure.

The compositions are essentially ahydrous. The phrase “essentially anhydrous” is interchangeable with the phrase “essentially free of water?” The phrase ‘essentially anhydrous’ is interchangeable with ‘essentially free of water. “Substantially free of water” is interchangeable with the phrase “essentially free of moisture”. A composition that is essentially anhydrous may contain up to 5 wt. The composition can contain up to 5 wt. The essentially anhydrous formulation may still contain less than 4 wt. Less than 3 wt. %, less that 2 wt. %, or less than 1 wt. % or less than 0.5 kg. “% of water.

Propylene glycol is included in the compositions disclosed here. Propylene glycol is particularly beneficial because it allows for greater deposition than other glycols of active ingredients that condition the skin (e.g. cationic surfactants, fatty compounds). Propylene glycol is usually found in amounts ranging from 20 to 95 wt. Based on the composition’s total weight, propylene glycol is expressed as a percentage. Propylene glycol can be found in amounts ranging from 30 to 90 wt. About 40 to 90 wt. About 50 to 90 wt. Including ranges and subranges. In some cases, propylene glycol can be present in amounts ranging from 20 to 80 wt. About 30 to 80 wt. Approximately 40 to 80 wt. About 50 to 80 wt. “%, including sub-ranges, is based on the weight of the composition.

The compositions disclosed in the present disclosure can optionally contain additional glycols. For example, a glycol selected from the following: ethylene glycol; butylene glycol; pentylene glycol; diethylene glycol; dipropylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol and methanol.

The total amount of glycols, other than propylene glycol, can vary. In some cases it is between 0.1 and 50 wt. Based on the composition’s total weight, the percentage is %. The total amount of glycols, other than propylene glycols, can vary from 0.1 wt to 40 wt in some cases. About 0.1 to 30 wt. %, 0.1 to 20 wt. %, approximately 0.1 to 10 wt. Approximately 1 to 50 wt. Approximately 1 to 40 wt. %, approximately 1 to 30 wt. %, approximately 1 to 20 wt. About 1 to 10 wt. % and ranges between them based on the weight of the composition.

In some cases, the compositions disclosed in the present disclosure contain butylene glycol, but, in other instances, they are free, or almost free, of butylene glycol. The total amount of butylene can vary, but it is usually between 0.1 and 50 wt. Based on the composition’s total weight, the percentage is based at %. The total amount of butylene-glcyol can vary from 0.1 to 40 wt in some cases. About 0.1 to 30 wt. %, 0.1 to 20 wt. %, approximately 0.1 to 10 wt. %, approximately 1 to 50 wt. %, approximately 1 to 40 wt. %, approximately 1 to 30 wt. Approximately 1 to 20 wt. About 1 to 10 wt. % and ranges between them based on the weight of the composition.

The compositions may include monoalcohols containing from 2 to 6 carbons. For example, the one or more monoalcohols may be selected from ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, isopropyl alcohol, cycohexanol, isobutyl alcohol, 2-methyl-2-butanol (2-methylbutan-2-ol), and a mixture thereof.

The total monoalcohol content can vary, but it is usually between 5 and 70 wt. Based on the total composition weight, the percentage is %. Monoalcohols can range from 5 to 60 wt in some cases. About 5 to 50 wt. Approximately 5 to 45 wt. %, approximately 5 to 40 wt. %, approximately 5 to 35 wt. %, approximately 5 to 35 wt. Approximately 10 to 70 wt. Approximately 10 to 60 wt. %, approximately 10 to 50 wt. %, approximately 10 to 45 wt. %, approximately 10 to 40 wt. Approximately 10 to 35 wt. 10% to 30% wt. % and ranges within that range based on the weight of the entire composition.

In some cases, one or more monoalcohols may include ethanol. The compositions can include ethanol, and optionally another monoalcohol with 2-6 carbon atoms. The amount of ethanol in the composition can vary, but is typically between 5 and 60 wt. The percentage is based on total composition weight. The total amount of ethanol can range from 5 to 50 wt in some cases. %, approximately 5 to 45 wt. Approximately 5 to 40 wt. Approximately 5 to 35 wt. %, approximately 5 to 35 wt. %, approximately 10 to 70 wt. %, approximately 10 to 60 wt. Approximately 10 to 50 wt. %, approximately 10 to 45 wt. Approximately 10 to 40 wt. %, approximately 10 to 35 wt. About 10 to 30 wt. “%, including sub-ranges, is based on the weight of the composition.

The total amount propylene glycol in compositions is usually at least equal to or greater than the total of monoalcohols having from 2-6 carbon atoms. Compositions often contain more propylene than monoalcohols with 2-6 carbon atoms. The ratio of propylene glycol to the total amount of monoalcohol(s) having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms (propylene glycol:monoalcohol(s)) may be from 20:1 to 1:1. The ratio can vary from 20:1 up to 1.1:1, to 20:1 up to 1.5:1, to 20:1 and 2:1. In some cases, the ratio can be 18:1:1, 18 :1:1, 18 :1:1.5:1, or 18 :1:2 including sub-ranges.

The term “cationic surfactant” means a surfactant that can be positively charged when it is contained in the compositions according to the disclosure. “The term?cationic surfactant? This surfactant can have one or more permanent positive charges, or it may contain functional groups which are cationizable within the composition. Non-limiting examples of cationic surfactants include cetrimonium chloride, stearimonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, behentrimonium methosulfate, behenamidopropyltrimonium methosulfate, stearamidopropyltrimonium chloride, arachidtrimonium chloride, distearyldimonium chloride, dicetyldimonium chloride, tricetylmonium chloride, oleamidopropyl dimethylamine, linoleamidopropyl dimethylamine, isostearamidopropyl dimethylamine, oleyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline, stearamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldiethyl-amine, behenamidoethyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachidamido-propyidiethylamine, arachidamidoethyidiethylamine, arachidamidoethyidimethylamine, brassicamidopropyldimethylamine, lauramidopropyl dimethylamine, myristamidopropyl dimethylamine, dilinoleamidopropyl dimethylamine, palmitamidopropyl dimethylamine, and mixtures thereof.

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