PERSONAL CLEANSING COMPOSITION

Abstract

The present invention relates to personal cleansing compositions in liquid or gel form, which can be used for cleansing the skin and hair and is particularly useful as a body wash, facial wash or hand wash. A key feature of the invention is its highly structured nature arising from interaction of polymeric and surfactant constituents, which is useful for the stable incorporation of insoluble benefit agents such as particulate exfoliants, encapsulates or oils. Furthermore, the present invention is cost effective, offers a high degree of mildness, has desirable in-use properties and is easy to manufacture.

Claims

1.-26. (canceled)

27. A personal cleansing composition comprising: a) water; b) one or more anionic surfactants in an amount of about 2 to about 20% by weight of the composition; c) one or more amine oxide surfactants in an amount of about 1 to about 10% by weight of the composition; and d) a hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable acrylic emulsion (HASE) polymer in an amount of about 0.5 to about 3% by weight (as polymer solids) of the total composition; wherein the composition is capable of suspending water insoluble or partially water soluble substances in the form of particles or liquid droplets.

28. A composition according to claim 27, wherein the HASE polymer is provided in the form of an aqueous liquid emulsion.

29. A composition according to claim 27, wherein the HASE polymer is selected from an acrylate/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer, an acrylate/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer, an acrylate/steareth-20 methacrylate crosspolymer, and an acrylate/palmeth-25 acrylate crosspolymer.

30. A composition according to claim 27, wherein the HASE polymer is present in an amount of about 1 to about 2% by weight of the composition.

31. A composition according to claim 27, wherein the one or more anionic surfactants comprise one or more selected from alkyl sulfates; ethoxylated alkyl sulfates; alpha olefin sulfonates; alkyl alkoxy carboxylates; acyl isethionates; acyl sarcosinates; sulfosuccinates; or acyl glutamates; wherein the one or more anionic surfactants optionally comprise one or more selected from sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium cocosulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, or sodium cocoyl glutamate.

32. A composition according to claim 31, wherein the one or more anionic surfactants comprise sodium laureth sulfate.

33. A composition according to claim 27, wherein the one or more anionic surfactants are present in an amount of about 5 to about 15% by weight of the composition.

34. A composition according to claim 27, wherein the one or more amine oxide surfactants comprise alkamine oxides and alkylamidopropyl amine oxides containing at least one hydrocarbon chain containing at least eight carbon atoms.

35. A composition according to claim 34, wherein the one or more amine oxide surfactants comprise one or more selected from alkyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides of the formula: ##STR00005## or alkyl di(hydroxy lower alkyl) amine oxides of the formula: ##STR00006## or alkamidopropyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides of the formula: ##STR00007## wherein the alkyl groups are straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated and contain from 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and the lower alkyl groups contain from 1 to 7 carbon atoms.

36. A composition according to claim 34, wherein the alkyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides comprise one or more selected from lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, dimethyl cocoamine oxide, myristyl/palmityl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl/lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, cetyl dimethyl amine oxide, stearyl dimethyl amine oxide, and myristyl/cetyl dimethyl amine oxide; the alkyl di(hydroxy lower alkyl) amine oxides comprise one or more selected from bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) stearylamine oxide; and the alkamidopropyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides comprise cocoamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide.

37. A composition according to claim 33, wherein the one or more amine oxide surfactants comprise decyl dimethylamine oxide, lauryl dimethylamine oxide, stearyl dimethylamine oxide, oleyl dimethylamine oxide, coco dihydroxyethylamine oxide, cetyl N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, oleyl N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, cocamine oxide, cocamidopropylamine oxide, lauramidopropylamine oxide, oleamine oxide, oleamidopropylamine oxide, wheat germamidopropylamine oxide, isostearamido-propylamine oxide, stearamine oxide, stearamido-propylamine oxide, decylamine oxide, dihydroxyethyl C8-C18 alkoxypropylamine oxide, dihydroxyethyl stearamine oxide, myristamidopropylamine oxide, myristamine oxide, palmitamidopropylamine oxide, palmitamine oxide, undecylenamidopropylamine oxide, and mixtures of any two or more thereof.

38. A composition according to claim 27, wherein the one or more amine oxide surfactants comprise lauramine oxide, myristamine oxide, cocamine oxide, lauramidopropyl amine oxide, myristamidopropyl amine oxide, cocamidopropyl amine oxide and mixtures of any two or more thereof.

39. A composition according to claim 27, wherein the one or more amine oxide surfactants are present in an amount of about 1 to about 5% by weight of the composition.

40. A composition according to claim 27, further comprising one or more electrolytes, wherein the one or more electrolytes optionally comprise sodium chloride.

41. A composition according to claim 27, further comprising one or more liquefied gases wherein the one or more liquefied gases optionally comprises a hydrocarbon.

42. A composition according to claim 27, wherein the pH of the composition is in the range of about 6.0 to about 8.0.

43. A composition according to claim 27, further comprising one or more ingredients selected from oils; natural or synthetic scrub particles; visual effect agents; humectants; cationic conditioning agents; preservatives, colorants, chelating agents, pH adjusters, or a clay-based rheology modifier; or further comprising one or more ingredients selected from emollients, moisturizers, conditioners, skin conditioners, hair conditioners, vitamins, pro-vitamins, antioxidants, free-radical scavengers, abrasives, dyes, hair coloring agents, bleaching agents, UV absorbers, anti-UV agents, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, melanin regulators, tanning accelerators, depigmenting agents, skin lightening agents, skin-coloring agents, liporegulators, weight-reduction agents, anti-acne agents, antiseborrhoeic agents, anti-ageing agents, anti-wrinkle agents, keratolytic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-acne agents, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, botanical extracts, imidazoles, refreshing agents, cicatrizing agents, vascular-protection agents, agents for the reduction of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis, shale oil and derivatives thereof, anti-psoriasis agents, corticosteroids depilating agents, agents for combating hair loss, reducing agents for permanent-waving, reflectants, essential oils and fragrances.

44. A method of manufacturing a personal cleansing composition according to claim 27, the method comprising the steps of: i) loading an amount of water into a suitable vessel; ii) adding a HASE polymer, one or more anionic surfactants and one or more amine oxide surfactants sequentially in any order, with sufficient mechanical stirring to ensure that each material is fully dispersed before adding the next; and iii) continuing mixing until a uniform consistency is achieved.

45. A method according to claim 43, wherein the method comprises the following steps: i) dissolve one or more anionic surfactants in an amount of water; ii) add HASE polymer emulsion, mixing until the polymer is substantially dispersed in the one or more anionic surfactants; iii) add one or more amine oxide surfactants; and iv) mix until substantially uniform consistency is achieved.

46. A method according to claim 43, wherein any of the surfactant or polymer constituents are pre-mixed with an amount of water in any proportion before being added; and where an equal amount of water is subtracted from the starting an amount of water added in step (i).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention uses the type (A) approach detailed hereinabove, enhanced by a specific surfactant interaction which, while not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, is explained below:

[0038] The inventors have found that mixing a pH neutral solution of an anionic surfactant with a pH neutral solution of an amine oxide produces an unexpected rise in pH of the aqueous medium, from about 7.0 to about 9.0 Amine oxides are nonionic surfactants at neutral pH but with a strong dipole across the NO bond. It is reasonable to hypothesise that this strong dipole is capable of interacting with anionic surfactants and surrounding water molecules which may account for the observed pH rise. Further, the inventors have found that inclusion of a particular type of polymer (Hydrophobically modified Alkali Swellable Emulsion polymer, herein referred to as HASE polymer for short) produces a 3-way interaction between the polymer and the two surfactant types which gives an unexpectedly large increase in viscosity.

[0039] This effect is exploited in the present invention in two ways. Firstly, the rise in pH from the surfactant interaction described earlier can be used to neutralise the acidic HASE polymer which would otherwise require the use of a basic neutralising agent such as sodium hydroxide. Secondly, it has been found that the resulting anionic-amine oxide complexation interacts strongly with the HASE polymer. This interaction therefore allows the use of a lower polymer level than normally would be required to achieve the very high zero shear viscosity required to enable the suspension of particulates and oil droplets.

[0040] This is believed to be a new type of structurisation. It is not believed that the surfactant interaction creates lamellar structures, as is described in the prior art (approach B detailed above).

[0041] It is believed that the pairing of the two surfactant molecules creates a more hydrophobic (and larger) entity that interacts more strongly with the hydrophobic appendages on the HASE polymer, building a stronger surfactant-polymer network.

[0042] It is also believed that the pairing of the surfactant molecules in this manner has the potential to reduce irritancy to a person's skin, relative to using the anionic surfactant alone, by: a) reducing the amount of free monomers in solution; b) the anionic charge neutralisation reducing its binding affinity to skin proteins; and c) the larger paired surfactant entities are less able to penetrate the skin. Evidence of this is provided in Surfactants in Cosmetics (Surfactant Science Series volume 68, published by CRC Press), 2.sup.nd edition, page 405, under the heading Surfactant interactions that counter skin irritation, where data is provided using an in-vitro based method based on swelling of isolated stratum corneum tissue. This shows that the degree of swelling, as measured by % increase in hydrated length, was reduced from 46.1% (1% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) only) to just 7.7% for a solution containing 1% SLS+1% lauryldimethylamine oxide (LDAO). The result for a solution of 1% SLS+1% cocamidopropyl betaine (a commonly used amphoteric surfactant well known for reducing irritancy of anionics when used in combination) was 21.0%, a significant reduction but not as dramatic as in the case of LDAO.

[0043] Furthermore, the inventors have also found that the resulting compositions have advantageous sensory qualities when used for personal washing, in particular producing a voluminous yet creamy lather and a pleasant skin-feel during the washing process which persists as a conditioned feel after washing.

[0044] A further advantage of this novel approach is that it uses common surfactants, which is cost-effective. The resulting formulations have a desirably thick but shear-thinning gel texture. This texture is not dependent on the presence of oils, but is flexible in its ability to allow the stable incorporation of oils from zero up to at least 50%. It is also easy to manufacture, has good lathering characteristics, and has been found to leave the skin feeling softer and smoother.

HASE Polymer Constituent:

[0045] HASE polymers or thickeners are well known in the art, and are the associative analogue to ASE synthetic thickeners which are produced commercially by emulsion polymerisation. Like the ASE thickeners, HASE polymers have backbones made from methacrylic acid and various acrylate/methacrylate alkyl ester monomers. However, unlike typical ASE types, HASE polymers contain hydrophobic pendants which are commonly attached via polyethylene oxide chains. Thickening is achieved by 2 mechanisms: firstly, upon addition of an alkaline neutralising base (for example an alkali metal hydroxide), the COOH moieties along the backbone become ionised to COO.sup. carboxyl groups which cause the polymer chain to expand by electrostatic repulsion and become soluble in water, changing from a milky low viscosity dispersion to a transparent gel. Secondly, the hydrophobic pendant groups are able to build associations with each other and also with surfactants, oil droplets and any other dispersed particulates. This creates a network structure that is accompanied by significant viscosity build.

[0046] Suitable HASE polymers for use in the present invention are anionic in nature upon neutralisation. They are typically supplied in the form of an aqueous liquid emulsion (which has an un-neutralised, acidic pH) form with hydrophobic appendages which make them associativei.e. they can associate with other formulation ingredients, such as surfactants, oils or particles.

[0047] Suitable HASE polymers include, but are not limited to, those available from Rohm & Haas under the Aculyn trade name, such as Aculyn 22 (acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer), Aculyn 28 (acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer) and Aculyn 88 (acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate crosspolymer). Another option is Synthalen W2000 from 3V Sigma (acrylates/palmeth-25 acrylates crosspolymer) and Novethix L-10 Polymer (acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer) from Lubrizol.

[0048] The HASE polymer is present in an amount of about 0.5 to about 3% by weight (as polymer solids) of the total composition, typically from about 1 to about 2% by weight.

Anionic Surfactant Constituent:

[0049] Suitable anionic surfactants for use in the composition of the invention include, but are not limited to, alkyl sulfates (e.g. sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium cocosulfate); ethoxylated alkyl sulfates (e.g. sodium laureth sulfate or sodium trideceth sulfate); alpha olefin sulfonates; alkyl alkoxy carboxylates; acyl isethionates (e.g. sodium cocoyl isethionate); acyl sarcosinates (e.g. sodium cocoyl sarcosinate); sulfosuccinates (e.g. disodium laureth sulfosuccinate); or acyl glutamates such as sodium cocoyl glutamate. Alternative counter ions may be used in place of sodium, such as potassium, ammonium, triethanolammonium (TEA), or monoisopropylammonium (MIPA). According to one embodiment, the anionic surfactant system includes, or is, sodium laureth sulfate.

[0050] The one or more anionic surfactants are present in an amount of about 2 to about 20% by weight of the composition; typically from about 5 to about 15% by weight, more typically from about 6 to about 12% by weight, more typically from about 7 to about 10% by weight.

Amine Oxide Constituent:

[0051] Suitable amine oxide surfactants for use in the composition of the invention include, but are not limited to, alkamine oxides containing at least one long hydrocarbon chain containing at least eight carbon atoms.

[0052] One such class of amine oxides is the alkyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides, wherein the alkyl group therein contains from 8 to 22, and preferably about 10 to about 16, carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. The lower alkyl groups in the alkyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides contain from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and typically are methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl, more typically methyl. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, dimethyl cocoamine oxide, dimethyl (hydrogenated tallow) amine oxide, myristyl/palmityl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl/lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, cetyl dimethyl amine oxide, stearyl dimethyl amine oxide, and myristyl/cetyl dimethyl amine oxide. These alkamine oxides have a general structural formula:

##STR00002##

[0053] Another class of useful amine oxides for use in the present invention includes alkyl di(hydroxy lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains from 8 to 22, and preferably about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. The lower alkyl groups in the alkyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides contain from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and typically are methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl, more typically methyl or ethyl. Specific examples, include, but are not limited to, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) stearylamine oxide. These alkamine oxides have a general structural formula:

##STR00003##

[0054] Additional useful amine oxides for use in the present invention are termed alkamidopropyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains from 8 to 22, and preferably about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. The lower alkyl groups in the alkyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides contain from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and typically are methyl, ethyl or propyl, more typically methyl. Non-limiting examples thereof are cocoamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide and lauramidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide. These alkamine oxides have a general structural formula:

##STR00004##

[0055] The above classes of alkamine oxide surfactants contain one or more C8-C22 alkyl groups selected from, for example, octyl, decyl, undecyl, lauryl, tridecyl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, isostearyl, oleyl, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of amine oxide surfactants include, but are not limited to, decyl dimethylamine oxide, lauryl dimethylamine oxide, stearyl dimethylamine oxide, oleyl dimethylamine oxide, coco dihydroxyethylamine oxide, cetyl N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, oleyl N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, cocamine oxide, cocamidopropylamine oxide, lauramidopropylamine oxide, oleamine oxide, oleamidopropylamine oxide, wheat germamidopropylamine oxide, isostearamido-propylamine oxide, stearamine oxide, stearamido-propylamine oxide, decylamine oxide, dihydroxyethyl C8-C18 alkoxypropylamine oxide, myristamidopropylamine oxide, myristamine oxide, palmitamidopropylamine oxide, palmitamine oxide, undecylenamidopropylamine oxide, and mixtures of any two or more thereof. Preferred alkamine oxide surfactants are the alkyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group contains about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms, including lauramine oxide, myristamine oxide, cocamine oxide, cetamine oxide, and mixtures of any two or more thereof. According to one embodiment of the invention, the amine oxide surfactant comprises, or is, lauramine oxide.

[0056] The one or more amine oxide surfactants are present in an amount of about 0.5 to about 10% by weight of the composition; typically from about 0.75 to about 5% by weight, more typically from about 0.9 to about 3% by weight, more typically from about 1 to about 2% by weight.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the composition of the invention may further contain one or more electrolytes, such as, for example, but not exclusively, sodium chloride. If used, the amount of electrolyte would be up to about 2 wt %.

[0058] According to another embodiment of the invention, the composition may further contain one or more of the following components:

[0059] Oils (including vegetable triglycerides, mineral oil, petrolatum, hydrocarbons, silicones, plant derived butters, esters, essential oils, compounded fragrance oils); natural or synthetic scrub particles (e.g. polyethylene, silica, rice bran, loofah, pumice, diatomaceous earth, pearlite, ground fruit or nut stones or shells); visual effect agents (e.g. wax particles, polymeric opacifiers, inorganic shimmers); humectants (e.g. glycerol, sorbitol, glycols, urea, amino acids, lactates); cationic conditioning agents (such as cationic guar or cassia gum derivatives, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-39, Polyquaternium-10 etc.); preservatives, colorants, chelating agents and pH adjusters (either acids or bases). The formulation may optionally include a clay based rheology modifier such as a bentonite, hectorite, montmorillonite or synthetic clay such as Laponite (commercially available from Rockwood Products) which is available in various grades.

[0060] The various components of the composition of the invention are added in their respective amounts as desired; the balance of the composition to 100% is water.

[0061] The composition of the invention may further contain one or more ingredients selected from emollients, moisturizers, conditioners, skin conditioners, hair conditioners, vitamins, pro-vitamins, antioxidants, free-radical scavengers, abrasives, dyes, hair coloring agents, bleaching agents, UV absorbers, anti-UV agents, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, melanin regulators, tanning accelerators, depigmenting agents, skin lightening agents, skin-coloring agents, liporegulators, weight-reduction agents, anti-acne agents, antiseborrhoeic agents, anti-ageing agents, anti-wrinkle agents, keratolytic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-acne agents, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, botanical extracts, imidazoles, refreshing agents, cicatrizing agents, vascular-protection agents, agents for the reduction of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis, shale oil and derivatives thereof, anti-psoriasis agents, corticosteroids depilating agents, agents for combating hair loss, reducing agents for permanent-waving, reflectants, essential oils and fragrances.

[0062] The pH of the invention is typically in the range of about 6.0 to about 10.0, and more typically in the range of about 6.0 to about 8.0. The visual appearance of the composition in the absence of suspended matter is a translucent gel.

[0063] A further embodiment of the present invention is for the stable incorporation of liquefied gases, particularly hydrocarbons. Unexpectedly, the inventors have found that, rather than increasing the turbidity of the base gel (due to dispersed hydrocarbon droplets), certain hydrocarbons when mixed into the gel actually reduce the turbidity of the system following subsequent pressurisation. This enables the making of post-foaming gels with acceptable gel transparency. It has also been found that this is possible using much lower surfactant levels, e.g. 5-10%, than those which are normally required for post-foaming gels, which typically require over 20% surfactant content to produce the necessary micro-structure to stably incorporate hydrocarbons.

[0064] Additionally, the compositions of the present invention are also cost effective to manufacture, offer a high degree of mildness which is desirable for many consumers, have desirable in-use properties, and are easy to manufacture.

[0065] Such post-foaming gel systems are suitable for use as personal cleansing compositions, such as a body wash, facial wash or hand wash, for washing hair, or as shaving gels.

[0066] Also provided in accordance with the present invention is a method of manufacturing a personal cleansing composition comprising: [0067] a) water; [0068] b) one or more anionic surfactants in an amount of about 2 to about 20% by weight of the composition; [0069] c) one or more amine oxide surfactants in an amount of about 1 to about 10% by weight of the composition; and [0070] d) a hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable acrylic emulsion (HASE) polymer in an amount of about 0.5 to about 3% by weight (as polymer solids) of the total composition;
wherein the composition is capable of suspending water insoluble or partially water soluble substances in the form of particles or liquid droplets,
the method comprising the steps of: [0071] i) loading an amount of water into a suitable vessel; [0072] ii) adding a HASE polymer, one or more anionic surfactants and one or more amine oxide surfactants sequentially in any order, with sufficient mechanical stirring to ensure that each material is fully dispersed before adding the next; and [0073] iii) continuing mixing until a uniform consistency is achieved.

[0074] Optionally, any of the surfactant or polymer constituents may be pre-mixed with water (with an equal amount of water being subtracted from the starting an amount of water added in step (i)) in any proportion before being added.

[0075] An exemplary, but non-limiting, method in accordance with the invention comprises the following steps: [0076] i) dissolve one or more anionic surfactants in an amount of water; [0077] ii) add HASE polymer emulsion, mixing until the polymer is substantially dispersed in the one or more anionic surfactants; [0078] iii) add one or more amine oxide surfactants; and [0079] iv) mix until substantially uniform consistency is achieved.

[0080] Alternatively, depending upon the specific polymer being used, one may add the HASE polymer to an amount of water first, before the one or more anionic surfactants, then adding the one or more amine oxide surfactants and mixing until substantially uniform consistency is achieved.

[0081] Optional ingredients (e.g. fragrances, colours, preservatives and benefit agents) may be added directly into the mix either before or after any of the stages indicated above.

[0082] Also provided in accordance with the present invention is a use of a composition comprising: [0083] a) water; [0084] b) one or more anionic surfactants in an amount of about 2 to about 20% by weight of the composition; [0085] c) one or more amine oxide surfactants in an amount of about 1 to about 10% by weight of the composition; and [0086] d) a hydrophobically modified alkali-swellable acrylic emulsion (HASE) polymer in an amount of about 0.5 to about 3% by weight (as polymer solids) of the total composition;
wherein the composition is capable of suspending water insoluble or partially water soluble substances in the form of particles or liquid droplets, as a personal cleansing composition, such as a body wash, facial wash or hand wash, for washing hair, or as shaving gels.

[0087] The present invention will be further described with reference to the following examples, which are intended to be illustrative only, and in no way limiting upon the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

[0088]

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Formulations Ingredients Note A B C D E F Sodium Laureth Sulfate 1 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 5.00 8.00 Sodium Lauroyl 2 Sarcosinate Sodium Cocoyl 3 Isethionate Disodium Laureth 4 Sulfosuccinate Disodium Cocoyl 5 Glutamate Lauramine Oxide 6 2.00 Lauramine/Myristamine 7 2.00 2.00 0.96 Oxide Cocamine Oxide 8 2.00 Lauric/Myristic 9 2.00 Amidopropylamine Oxide Acrylates/Steareth-20 10 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.50 0.90 1.20 methacrylate crosspolymer Acrylates/Palmeth-25 11 acrylate crosspolymer Acrylates/Beheneth-25 12 methacrylate copolymer Sodium Lithium 13 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 Magnesium Silicate Polyquaternium-7 14 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 PEG-200 Hydrogenated 15 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Glyceryl Palmate (and) PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate Tetrasodium Glutamate 16 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 Diacetate Glycerin 17 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 DMDM Hydantoin 18 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 Fragrance Oil 19 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 Sunflower Oil 20 10.00 10.00 5.00 10.00 3.00 Silica (scrub particles) 21 1.00 Visual effect pigment 22 0.10 (Mica, Titanium dioxide, Tine oxide composite)

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Formulations Ingredients Note G H I J K L Sodium Laureth Sulfate 1 7.50 7.50 Sodium Lauroyl 2 7.50 Sarcosinate Sodium Cocoyl 3 7.50 Isethionate Disodium Laureth 4 7.50 Sulfosuccinate Disodium Cocoyl 5 7.50 Glutamate Lauramine Oxide 6 Lauramine/ 7 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 Myristamine Oxide Cocamine Oxide 8 Lauric/Myristic 9 Amidopropylamine Oxide Acrylates/Steareth-20 10 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 methacrylate crosspolymer Acrylates/Palmeth-25 11 1.30 acrylate crosspolymer Acrylates/Beheneth-25 12 1.30 methacrylate copolymer Sodium Lithium 13 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 Magnesium Silicate Polyquaternium-7 14 PEG-200 Hydrogenated 15 Glyceryl Palmate (and) PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate Tetrasodium Glutamate 16 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 Diacetate Glycerin 17 DMDM Hydantoin 18 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 Fragrance Oil 19 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 Sunflower Oil 20 Silica (scrub particles) 21 Visual effect pigment 22 (Mica, Titanium dioxide, Tine oxide composite)

Notes

[0089] 1 Steol CS 270 (Stepan Company)supplied as 70% active paste [0090] 2 Surfacare L30 (Surfachem)supplied as 30% active solution [0091] 3 Elfan AT84 (Akzo Nobel N.V.)supplied as a powder [0092] 4 Rewopol SB FA 30B (Evonik Industries AG)supplied as 30% active solution [0093] 5 Plantapon ACG HC (BASF Personal Care)supplied as 50% active solution [0094] 6 Mackamine LO E (Solvay Europe)supplied as 30% active solution [0095] 7 Mackamine LA (Solvay Europe)supplied as 30% active solution [0096] 8 Mackamine CS (Solvay Europe)supplied as 30% active solution [0097] 9 Mackamine LMDO (Solvay Europe)supplied as 30% active solution Aculyn 88 (The Dow Chemical Company)supplied as a 29% polymer solids [0098] 10 dispersion [0099] 11 Synthalen W2000 (3V Sigma)'supplied as a 31% polymer solids dispersion [0100] 12 Novethix L-10 (The Lubrizol Corporation)30% polymer solids [0101] 13 Laponite XLS (BYK Additives) [0102] 14 Mackernium 007B (Solvay Europe) [0103] 15 Rewoderm LIS 80 (Evonik Industries AG) [0104] 16 Dissolvine GL38 (Akzo-Nobel N.V.) [0105] 17 Cremer Oleo [0106] 18 Microcare DH (Thor Personal Care) [0107] 19 Seven Scent [0108] 20 Food grade, acquired from retail store [0109] 21 Sorbosil BFG 50 (PQ Corporation) [0110] 22 Timiron Silk Gold (Merck Performance Materials)

[0111] In each of the formulations listed in Tables 1 and 2, the balance was made up with water. All figures refer to % w/w as active substance with the exception of Rewoderm LIS 80 for which the inclusion levels are quoted as supplied.

[0112] Examples A-E are opaque white with a cream-like texture and visual appearance.

[0113] Example F is a viscous translucent gel with an iridescent visual appearance.

[0114] Example G-L are all translucent viscous gels.

[0115] The visual appearances of the formulations of the examples varies from translucent to opaque, depending on the presence of the suspended water-insoluble substances. In contrast, the systems and formulations of the existing compositions based on structured surfactant systems always results in opaque compositions; the necessary base technology to be able to provide a clear composition is not an option in the existing systems in the field of personal cleansing products. The compositions of the invention allow a person skilled in the art the choice of whether to prepare a translucent or opaque composition.

[0116] For example, the presence of vegetable oils in the formulation generally gives the formulation an opaque appearance due to the nature in which it is dispersed. This demonstrates the ability of the formulations to suspend water insoluble or partially water soluble substances in the form of particles or liquid droplets therein. Examples A and F, on the other hand, have solid particulates suspended therein, thus demonstrating the ability of the base formulation to suspend different types of insoluble matter.

[0117] All of the formulations A-L listed above are able to act as personal cleansing compositions which are able to incorporate insoluble benefit agents in a stable manner, have long shelf lives, are cost effective, and are easy to manufacture; the formulations A-F actually contain said benefit agents (in the form of silica, oils and visual effect pigment), whereas formulations G-L do not contain any insoluble benefit agents but are able to do so if required. Additionally, these compositions have advantageous sensory qualities when used for personal washing, in particular producing a voluminous yet creamy lather and a pleasant skin-feel during the washing process which persists as a conditioned feel after washing.

[0118] It is of course to be understood that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the foregoing example, which is described by way of illustration only.