The present invention describes compositions which form particular textures in oil-in-water systems and aqueous systems and are used especially in the preparation of cosmetic products.

The invention is directed to a hydratable concentrated surfactant composition. The composition is pourable, easy to dilute, substantially free of sulfate and oil, comprises a C.sub.6-C.sub.14 acid, alcohol, amide or mixture thereof, anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant or both. The composition is in lamellar phase and thickens and transforms to an isotropic phase upon dilution. The composition comprises a mono-, di and/or tri-ester, can be used as a concentrate in small volumes and diluted as used and needed or can be diluted with water in refill packaging to ensure a reduction in plastic waste.

The present invention relates to process for preparing cosmetic compositions at two stages. The first relates to the preparation of organogels in which liquid oils are structured by a mixture of structuring agents such as monoglycerides and waxes, which also have the addition of other components such as polymers and polyol esters. The second step is the formation of the cold or hot process cosmetic compositions where emulsions are prepared by the addition of water, aqueous solutions and other components, to the organogel. The emulsions prepared have superior sensory, chemical-physical and stability characteristics, to those currently produced by the classic technology of preparation with emulsifiers.

The present invention relates to topical bioadhesive formulations comprising low viscosity, non-liquid crystalline, mixtures of: a) at least one neutral diacyl lipid and/or at least one tocopherol; b) at least one phospholipid; c) at least one biocompatible, oxygen containing, low viscosity organic solvent; wherein at least one bioactive agent is dissolved or dispersed in the low viscosity mixture and wherein the pre-formulation forms, or is capable of forming, at least one liquid crystalline phase structure upon contact with an aqueous fluid. The invention additionally relates to a method of delivery of an active agent comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention, a method of treatment comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention and the use of a preformulation of the invention in a method for the manufacture of a medicament.

A method for preparing a liquid crystal emulsion includes: a) mixing, warming and dissolving intercellular lipid ingredients, non-polyoxyethylene (POE) based non-ionic surfactant, higher fatty alcohol, oil and wax to provide an oil phase part; b) mixing, warming and dissolving water, polyol and the other aqueous phase ingredients to provide an aqueous phase part; c) adding the oil phase part to the aqueous phase part, followed by agitation; d) introducing a viscosity modifier to the mixture solution under agitation; e) subjecting the mixture solution to rapid cooling under vacuum while carrying out debubbling under vacuum; and f) filtering the mixture solution through a filtering paper or filtering cloth. Provided is a stable liquid crystal emulsion having a multilayer lamellar structure including a large amount of intercellular lipid ingredients through a process using rapid cooling. The liquid crystal emulsion has an oil phase part and an aqueous phase part.

An aqueous shear-thinning personal care composition comprising:

(a) at least 3 wt % of a sulfonate compound of general formula

##STR00001##

where R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.8-22 alkyl group alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group; each of R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group; and M.sup.+ represents a sodium or potassium cation;
(b) at least 3 wt % of an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant;
(c) at least 10 wt % of water; and
(d) at least 0.5 wt % of an additional component in the form of particles or droplets suspended in the composition. The composition is stable in an aqueous environment and can be formulated with a wide range of additional components.

Disclosed is a method of preparing a microcurrent-forming liquid crystal nanoemulsion. The microcurrent-forming liquid crystal nanoemulsion can further increase electrical conductivity and form voltages well to generate higher microcurrents, thereby exhibiting beneficial effects of increasing skin absorption of active substances and improving skin elasticity.

Provided is a liquid crystal cosmetic composition with excellent electrical conductivity for forming microcurrents. The liquid crystal cosmetic composition is capable of increasing electrical conductivity, forming a voltage, acting as a chemical battery, and forming a microcurrent, based on an appropriate combination of a liquid crystal emulsion with an electrolyte, thereby being highly effective in increasing absorption on the skin through ionization of active ingredients, and in improving skin elasticity and strengthening the skin barrier through the microcurrent.

The invention relates to a foam formulation comprising an emulsion, comprising an oil phase and a water phase, the oil phase comprising at least one membrane-forming substance forming a lamellar membrane in the foam formulation.

An aqueous multilamellar composition for delivering a hydrophobic substance comprising: (i) about 50 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of phenylethylalcohol and/or phenylpropylalcohol; (ii) a mixture of (a) about 10 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of polyglyceryl-4 laurate/sebacate and (b) about 10 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of polyglyceryl-6 caprylate/caprate; (iii) about 10 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of octane-1,2-diol; (iv) optionally about 10 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of 1,3-propanediol; and (v) about 5.0 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of water. Also described is a method of use and process for preparing the same.