FR3146804A1 - COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING COLOR FROM HAIR - Google Patents

Abstract

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING COLOR FROM HAIR The disclosure relates to compositions and methods for removing color from keratinous fibers such as hair. The compositions comprise (a) at least one reducing agent, (b) at least one clay compound, and (c) at least one solvent. Figure for abstract: none

Description

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING COLOR FROM HAIR

The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for removing color from keratinous fibers, such as hair.

CONTEXT

Consumers often want to change the color of their hair. For example, as a person ages, the hair follicle loses its natural pigment, resulting in gray, silver, or white hair. It is common for consumers to color their gray hair, for example, to match their natural hair color. Similarly, consumers may want to change the color of their hair from its natural color. For example, consumers often want to lighten or darken their hair color.

However, the process of changing hair color is complex, especially when permanent (oxidative) hair dyes are used. In some cases, the process requires that the natural pigment (melanin) in the hair fiber be destroyed before adding the dye molecules of the desired color. This process is typically used when an individual wishes to change their hair color to a lighter shade than their natural color, by dissolving the melanin with an oxidizing agent before the oxidative dye molecules enter the hair where they reach the target shade by undergoing a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. If a person wishes to change their hair color to a darker shade than their natural shade, it may not be necessary to destroy the melanin in the hair, but the oxidative dye must still undergo a reaction with an oxidizing agent to reach the target shade.

However, if a person who has previously changed the color of their hair with a primary oxidative dye wishes to change the color of their previously colored hair to a second color or shade, the primary oxidative dye, which cannot be washed out, must be neutralized so that it no longer imparts the primary color to the hair. Although there are known methods for removing the primary color from the hair by neutralizing (reducing) the primary oxidative dye molecules, these methods are not completely satisfactory because the primary oxidative dye molecules can reoxidize, thereby interfering with the consumer's ability to achieve the desired secondary color or shade. Other known methods for removing the primary color from the hair use oxidizing agents, but these compositions are harsh and cause damage to the hair, making it weak, brittle, and unhealthy-looking.

It has now been surprisingly discovered that a synergistic combination of components unexpectedly removes oxidative dyes from hair in a manner that also prevents the dyes from re-oxidizing. The combination of components can therefore be used to change the overall hair color by removing all or nearly all of the previously applied color, or to remove only certain colors or shades, in order to vary the color or tone of the hair without removing all of the color (e.g., to change the hair color to a warmer or cooler tone).

The combination of components has the additional amazing advantage that the hair color removal compositions do not have the traditional strong odor associated with typical color removal compositions, which smell bad to most users.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates to compositions and methods that successfully remove color from hair, particularly hair that has been previously dyed with an oxidative dye composition.

In various embodiments, the disclosure relates to compositions for treating keratinous fibers such as hair, the compositions comprising (a) at least one reducing agent; (b) at least one clay compound; and (c) at least one solvent. In various embodiments, reducing agents that may be selected include, but are not limited to, cysteine and/or salts thereof, homocysteine and/or salts thereof, thiolactic acid and/or salts thereof, thioglycolic acid and/or esters thereof, borohydrides and/or derivatives thereof, phosphines and/or salts thereof, bisulfites and/or salts thereof, or combinations of two or more thereof. Optionally, the reducing agent may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of sulfur and/or thio-based reducing agents and/or salts thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the reducing agent may be selected from sulfites, bisulfites, and/or salts thereof, e.g., sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, may be selected from thio-based reducing agents such as thiolactic acid or thioglycolic acid, or may be selected from combinations of two or more thereof. In various embodiments, the at least one clay compound may be selected from kaolin, bentonite, smectite, hectorite, vermiculite, illite, chlorite, halloysite, palygorskite, sepiolite, sesquioxide, imogolite, allophane, or combinations of two or more thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the clay compound comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of smectite, hectorite, kaolin, bentonite, or a combination of two or more thereof. The solvent may be selected from water and/or non-aqueous solvents.

In various embodiments, the total amount of reducing agents in the composition may range from about 0.1% to about 20%, such as from about 1% to about 18%, from about 2% to about 15%, or from about 4% to about 12% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the total amount of reducing agents ranges from about 3% to about 7%, from about 4% to about 6%, or is about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the total amount of reducing agents ranges from about 8% to about 12%, from about 9% to about 11%, or is about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

In various embodiments, the total amount of clay compounds may range from about 0.1% to about 15%, from about 0.5% to about 12%, from about 1% to about 10%, or from about 5% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the total amount of clay compounds ranges from about 3% to about 7%, from about 4% to about 6%, or is about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the total amount of clay compounds ranges from about 8% to about 12%, from about 9% to about 11%, or is about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the compositions comprise total amounts of reducing agent(s) and clay compound(s) such that the weight ratio of reducing agents to clay compounds is from about 1 to about 10, such as from about 1 to about 5, from about 1 to about 3, or from about 1 to about 2.5.

Optionally, the compositions may include one or more additional components, such as carboxylic acids and/or salts thereof, surfactants, thickening agents, fatty compounds, or the like. In various embodiments, the compositions are free or substantially free of various components such as cationic surfactants, antioxidants, ascorbic acid, persulfates, peroxides, and/or ammonia.

The compositions are typically acidic, for example may have a pH ranging from about 1 to about 6, such as from about 2 to about 5, from about 2.5 to about 5, from about 2.75 to about 4.75, or from about 3 to about 4.5.

In exemplary embodiments, the disclosure relates to compositions for removing color from hair, the compositions comprising (a) at least one reducing agent selected from sulfur-based reducing agents, thio-based agents, salts thereof, or combinations thereof; (b) at least one clay compound; and (c) at least one solvent. In various embodiments, the compositions comprise at least one reducing agent selected from sulfites, bisulfites, salts thereof, or combinations thereof, for example selected from sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and/or potassium metabisulfite, and/or at least one reducing agent selected from thiolactic acid or thioglycolic acid. In various embodiments, the at least one clay compound may be selected from kaolin, bentonite, smectite, vermiculite, illite, chlorite, halloysite, palygorskite, sepiolite, sesquioxide, imogolite, allophane, or combinations of two or more thereof, for example may include kaolin, bentonite, smectite, hectorite, or a combination of two or more thereof. Optionally, the total amount of reducing agents and/or clay compounds may independently vary from about 1% to about 15%, and in various embodiments, the composition may have a weight ratio of the total amount of reducing agents to the total amount of clay compounds ranging from about 1 to about 10, such as from about 1 to about 5, or from about 1 to about 3. The composition may include additional components such as anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, carboxylic acids and/or salts thereof, thickening agents, fatty compounds, or combinations of two or more thereof.

In other exemplary embodiments, the disclosure relates to compositions for removing color from hair, the compositions comprising (a) at least one reducing agent; (b) at least one clay compound; and (c) at least one solvent, wherein the composition comprises total amounts of reducing agent(s) and clay compound(s) such that the weight ratio of reducing agents to clay compounds is from about 1 to about 5, such as from about 1 to about 3, or from about 1 to about 2.5. In various embodiments, the compositions comprise at least one reducing agent selected from sulfites, bisulfites, salts thereof, or combinations thereof, for example selected from sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite and/or potassium metabisulfite, and/or at least one reducing agent selected from thiolactic acid or thioglycolic acid. In various embodiments, the at least one clay compound may be selected from kaolin, bentonite, smectite, vermiculite, illite, chlorite, halloysite, palygorskite, sepiolite, sesquioxide, imogolite, allophane, or combinations of two or more thereof, for example may comprise kaolin, bentonite, smectite, hectorite, or a combination of two or more thereof. Optionally, the total amount of reducing agents may range from about 0.1% to about 20%, and the total amount of clay compounds may range from about 0.1% to about 10%. The composition may include additional components such as anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, carboxylic acids and/or salts thereof, thickening agents, fatty compounds, or combinations of two or more thereof.

The disclosure also relates to methods of treating hair using the compositions of the disclosure. For example, the methods may be methods of removing oxidative dyes from hair. In some embodiments, a composition of the disclosure may be applied to hair and left on the hair for a period of time, for example up to about 2 hours, such as from about 30 seconds to about 2 hours, from about 1 minute to about 1 hour, from about 1 minute to about 45 minutes, from about 1 minute to about 30 minutes, from about 5 minutes to about 1 hour, from about 5 minutes to about 45 minutes, from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes, etc. The methods may further comprise rinsing the hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure relates to compositions and methods for removing color, particularly color provided by previously applied oxidative dyes, from hair. The color removal benefits according to various embodiments may be long lasting, for example may last at least 7 days, at least 1 month, at least 2 months, etc.

COMPOSITIONS

The compositions according to the disclosure comprise (a) at least one reducing agent, (b) at least one clay compound and (c) at least one solvent.

Reducing agents

The compositions according to the disclosure comprise at least one reducing agent. For example, useful reducing agents may be selected from cysteine and/or its salts, homocysteine and/or its salts, thiolactic acid and/or its salts, thioglycolic acid and/or its esters, borohydrides and/or their derivatives, phosphines and/or their salts, bisulfites and/or their salts, sulfites and/or their salts, or combinations of two or more. Non-limiting examples of salts of the foregoing include sodium salts, ammonium salts, lithium salts, potassium salts, and calcium salts. In various embodiments, sulfur-based (e.g., sulfites, bisulfites, metabisulfites) and/or thio-based (e.g., thiolactic acid, thioglycolic acid) reducing agents, and/or salts thereof may be used.

In various embodiments, the at least one reducing agent is selected from sulfites, bisulfites, and/or their salts. For example, the at least one reducing agent may be selected from sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, or combinations of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one reducing agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one reducing agent comprises sodium metabisulfite. In other embodiments, the reducing agent is selected from thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, or a combination thereof. In yet other embodiments, the reducing agent comprises a combination of at least two of the above.

In various embodiments, the total amount of reducing agents may range from about 0.1% to about 20%, from about 1% to about 18%, from about 2% to about 15%, or from about 4% to about 12% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, in various embodiments, the total amount of reducing agents may range from about 1% to about 20%, from about 1% to about 15%, from about 1% to about 14%, from about 1% to about 13%, from about 1% to about 12%, from about 1% to about 11%, from about 1% to about 10%, from about 1% to about 9%, from about 1% to about 8%, from about 1% to about 7%, from about 1% to about 6%, from about 1% to about 5%, from about 2% to about 20%, from about 2% to about 15%, from about 2% to about 14%, from about 2% to about 13%, from about 2% to about 12%, from about 2% to about 11%, from about 2% to about 10 %, from about 2% to about 9%, from about 2% to about 8%, from about 2% to about 7%, from about 2% to about 6%, from about 2% to about 5%, from about 3% to about 20%, from about 3% to about 15%, from about 3% to about 14%, from about 3% to about 13%, from about 3% to about 12%, from about 3% to about 11%, from about 3% to about 9%, from about 3% to about 8%, from about 3% to about 7%, from about 3% to about 6%, from about 3% to about 5%, from about 4% to about 20%, from about 4% to about 15%, from about 4% to about 14%, from about 4% to about 13%, from about 4% to about 12%, from about 4% to about 11%, from about 4% to about 10%, from about 4% to about 9%, from about 4% to about 8%, from about 4% to about 7%, from about 4% to about 6%, from about 4% to about 5%, from about 5% to about 20%, from about 5% to about 15%, from about 5% to about 14%, from about 5% to about 13%, from about 5% to about 12%, from about 5% to about 11%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 5% to about 9%, from about 5% to 8%, from about 5% to about 8%, from about 5% to about 7%, or from about 5% to about 6%, from about 6% to about 6%, from about 6% to 15%, from about 6% to about 14%, from about 6% to about 13%, from about 6% to about 12%, from about 6% to about 11%, from about 6% to about 10%, from about 6% to about 9%, from about 6% to about 7%, from about 6% to about 7%, from about 6% to about 7%, from about 7% to about 20%, from about 7% to about 15%, from about 7% to about 14%, from about 7% to about 13%, from about 7% to about 12%, from about 7% to about 11%, from about 7% to about 10%, from about 7% to about 9%, from about 7% to about 8%, from about 8% to about 20%, from about 8% to about 15%, from about 8% to about 14%, from about 8% to about 13%, from about 8% to about 12%, from about 8% to about 11%, from about 8% to about 10%, from about 8% to about 9%, from about 9% to about 20%, from about 9% to about 15%, from about 9% to about 14%, from about 9% to about 13%, from about 9% to about 12%, from about 9% to about 11%, from about 9% to about 11%, from about 9% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 20%, from about 10% to about 15%, from about 10% to about 14%, from about 10% to about 13%, from about 10% to about 12%, or from about 10% to about 11% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the total amount of reducing agents may be about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11% or about 12% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, including any range using any of the above as upper and lower limits.

By way of non-limiting example, the reducing agent may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of sulfur and/or thio-based reducing agents and/or salts thereof, and the total amount of reducing agents may be about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, or about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, or may be a range using one of the above values as an upper or lower limit.

As a further non-limiting example, the reducing agent may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, sulfites, bisulfites, metabisulfites, salts thereof, or combinations of two or more thereof, and the total amount of reducing agents may be about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, or about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, or may be a range using one of the above as an upper or lower limit.

As another non-limiting example, the reducing agent may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, or combinations of two or more thereof, and the total amount of reducing agents may be about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, or about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, or may be a range using one of the above as upper limits. or lower.

Clay compounds

The compositions according to the disclosure comprise at least one clay compound. In some embodiments, the compositions comprise more than one clay compound, for example, at least two clay compounds, at least three clay compounds, etc.

By way of non-limiting example, the clay compound may be selected from kaolinite (also referred to as kaolin), bentonite, hectorite, smectite, vermiculite, illite, chlorite, halloysite, palygorskite, sepiolite, sesquioxide, imogolite, allophane, or combinations of two or more thereof. For example, in one embodiment, kaolin is selected. In another embodiment, bentonite is selected. In various embodiments, the clay compound comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of smectite, hectorite, kaolin, bentonite, or a combination of two or more thereof.

In various embodiments, the total amount of clay may range from about 0.1% to about 15%, from about 0.5% to about 12%, from about 1% to about 10%, or from about 5% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the total amount of clay may range from about 1% to about 12%, from about 1% to about 11%, from about 1% to about 10%, from about 1% to about 9%, from about 1% to about 8%, from about 1% to about 7%, from about 1% to about 6%, from about 1% to about 5%, from about 1% to about 4%, from about 1% to about 3%, from about 1% to about 2%, from about 2% to about 12%, from about 2% to about 11%, from about 2% to about 10%, from about 2% to about 9%, from about 2% to about 8%, from about 2% to about 7%, from about 2% to about 6%, from about 2% to about 5%, from about 2% to about 4%, from about 2% to about 3%, from about 3% to about 12%, from about 3% to about 11%, from about 3% to about 10%, from about 3% to about 9%, from about 3% to about 8%, from about 3% to about 7%, from about 3% to about 6%, from about 3% to about 5%, from about 3% to about 4%, from about 4% to about 12%, from about 4% to about 11%, from about 4% to about 10%, from about 4% to about 9%, from about 4% to about 8%, from about 4% to about 7%, from about 4% to about 6%, from about 4% to about 5%, from about 5% to about 12%, from about 5% to about 11%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 5% to about 9%, from about 5% to about 8%, from about 5% to about 7%, from about 5% to about 6%, from about 6% to about 12%, from about 6% to about 11%, from about 6% to about 10%, from about 6% to about 9%, from about 6% to about 8%, from about 6% to about 7%, from about 7% to about 12%, from about 7% to about 11%, from about 7% to about 10%, from about 7% to about 9%, from about 7% to about 8%, from about 8% to about 12%, from about 8% to about 11%, from about 8% to about 10%, from about 8% to about 9%, from about 9% to about 12%, from about 9% to about 11%, from about 9% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 12%, or from about 10% to about 11% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the total amount of clays may be from about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11% or about 12% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, including any range using any of the above as upper and lower limits.

By way of non-limiting example, the clay compound may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of bentonite, kaolin, smectite, hectorite, or a combination of two or more thereof, and the total amount of clays may be about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, or about 12% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, or may be a range using any of these as an upper or lower limit.

Optionally, in at least some embodiments, it may be advantageous to select amounts of reducing agent(s) and clay compound(s) such that the weight ratio of reducing agents to clay compounds is at least about 1, e.g., greater than 1. By way of example only, in various embodiments, the weight ratio of the total amount of reducing agents to the total amount of clay compounds may range from about 1 to about 10, from about 1.25 to about 8, from about 1.5 to about 6, from about 1.75 to about 4, from about 1.8 to about 3.5, from about 1.9 to about 3, or from about 2 to about 2.5. As further examples, the weight ratio of the total amount of reducing agents to the total amount of clay compounds can range from about 1 to about 5, about 1 to about 4.5, about 1 to about 4, about 1 to about 3.5, about 1 to about 3, about 1 to about 2.5, about 1 to about 2.25, about 1 to about 2, about 1 to about 1.75, about 1 to about 1.5, or about 1 to about 1.25.

Solvents

The compositions according to the disclosure comprise at least one solvent. The solvent may be selected from water, non-aqueous solvents or combinations thereof.

In various embodiments, the solvent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of water. The total amount of water may vary depending on the desired properties of the composition, e.g., consistency, viscosity, etc.

In some embodiments, non-aqueous solvents may be used, for example, glycerin, C _1-4 alcohols, fatty alcohols, fatty ethers, fatty esters, polyols, glycols, vegetable oils, mineral oils, liposomes, laminar lipid materials, or combinations thereof. Other non-limiting examples of non-aqueous solvents include alkanediols such as glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, trimethylolpropane, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 2-butene-1,4-diol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, (caprylyl glycol), 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, and 4-methyl-1,2-pentanediol; alkyl alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethanol, methanol, butanol, propanol, and isopropanol; glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol acetate monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, 1-methyl-1-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether and dipropylene glycol mono-isopropyl ether; 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, formamide, acetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sorbit, sorbitan, acetin, diacetin, triacetin, sulfolane, and combinations thereof.

The total amount of solvents in the composition generally ranges from about 50% to about 98%, such as from about 60% to about 98%, from about 70% to about 98%, from about 75% to about 98%, from about 75% to about 95%, or from about 80% to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Surfactants

The compositions according to the disclosure may optionally comprise at least one surfactant selected from anionic, nonionic and/or amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants. For example, the compositions may comprise one or more anionic surfactants, one or more nonionic surfactants, or one or more amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, or the compositions may comprise mixtures of surfactants having the same or different ionicities.

Anionic surfactants

In at least some embodiments, the composition comprises at least one anionic surfactant. The term "anionic surfactant" refers to a surfactant comprising, as ionic or ionizable groups, only anionic groups. A species is said to be "anionic" when it carries at least one permanent negative charge or when it can be ionized as a negatively charged species, under the conditions of use of the composition of the invention (for example the medium or the pH) and not comprising any cationic charge. These anionic groups can be chosen from the groups —CO ₂ H, —CO ₂ ⁻ , —SO ₃ H, —SO ₃ ⁻ , —OSO ₃ H, —OSO ₃ ⁻ , —H ₂ PO ₃ , —HPO ₃ ⁻ ,
-PO ₃ ²⁻ , -H ₂ PO ₂ , ═HPO ₂ , -HPO ₂ ⁻ , ═PO ₂ ⁻ , ═POH and ═PO ⁻ .

Anionic surfactants may be sulfate, sulfonate and/or carboxylic (or carboxylate) surfactants, or mixtures thereof.

Anionic sulfate surfactants comprise at least one sulfate function but do not comprise carboxylate or sulfonate functions. Anionic sulfate surfactants that may be used comprise at least one sulfate function
(—OSO ₃ H or —OSO ₃ ).

Non-limiting examples of anionic sulfate surfactants include alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamido ether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates; as well as the salts of these compounds; the alkyl groups of these compounds comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, in particular from 12 to 28, better still from 14 to 24 or even from 16 to 22 carbon atoms; the aryl group preferably denoting a phenyl or benzyl group; these compounds being polyoxyalkylenated, in particular polyoxyethylenated, and then preferably comprising from 1 to 50 ethylene oxide units and better still from 2 to 10 ethylene oxide units.

The anionic sulfonate surfactants comprise at least one sulfonate function (-SO ₃ H or -SO ₃ ^- ) and may optionally also comprise one or more sulfate functions, but do not comprise carboxylate functions. The anionic sulfonate surfactants that may be used comprise at least one sulfonate function (—SO ₃ H or —SO ₃ ⁻ ).

Non-limiting examples of anionic sulfonate surfactants include alkylsulfonates, alkylamidesulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, α-olefinsulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkylsulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkylamidesulfosuccinates, alkylsulfoacetates, N-acyltaurates, acylisethionates; alkylsulfolaurates; and also salts of these compounds; the alkyl groups of these compounds comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, in particular from 12 to 28, more preferably from 14 to 24 or even from 16 to 22 carbon atoms; the aryl group preferably denoting a phenyl or benzene group; these compounds being polyoxyalkylenated, in particular polyoxyethylenated, and then preferably comprising from 1 to 50 ethylene oxide units and better still from 2 to 10 ethylene oxide oxide units.

The anionic carboxylate surfactants comprise at least one carboxylic or carboxylate function (-COOH or -COO ^- ) and may optionally also comprise one or more sulfate and/or sulfonate functions. The anionic carboxylate surfactants which may be used therefore comprise at least one carboxylic or carboxylate function (—COOH or —COO ⁻ ).

Non-limiting examples of anionic carboxylate surfactants include acylglycinates, acyllactylates, acylsarcosinates, acylglutamates, alkyl-D-galactosideuronic acids, alkyl ether carboxylic acids, alkyl(C6-30 aryl) ether carboxylic acids, alkylamido ether carboxylic acids; and also salts of these compounds; the alkyl and/or acyl groups of these compounds comprising from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, in particular from 12 to 28, more preferably from 14 to 24 or even from 16 to 22 carbon atoms; the aryl group preferably denoting a phenyl or benzyl group; these compounds being polyoxyalkylenated, in particular polyoxyethylenated, and then preferably comprising from 1 to 50 ethylene oxide units and better still from 2 to 10 ethylene oxide units.

When the anionic surfactant is in salt form, said salt may be chosen from alkali metal salts, such as the sodium or potassium salt, ammonium salts, amine salts and in particular amino alcohol salts, and alkaline earth metal salts, such as the magnesium salt.

Examples of amino alcohol salts that may be mentioned include, but are not limited to, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine salts, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine or triisopropanolamine salts, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol salts, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol salts and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane salts.

In some embodiments, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts and in particular sodium or magnesium salts may be chosen, in particular in the form of alkali metal, ammonium, amino alcohol and alkaline earth metal salts, or a mixture of these compounds.

In exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, the anionic surfactant may be selected from sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, diammonium lauryl sulfosuccinate, sodium diethylhexyl sulfosuccinate, sodium oleyl succinate, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, sodium lauryl isethionate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium laureth-5 carboxylate, lauryl ether carboxylic acid, ammonium lauryl sulfate, triethylamine lauryl sulfate, triethylamine laureth sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, laureth triethanolamine sulfate, laureth monoethanolamine sulfate, laureth monoethanolamine sulfate, laureth diethanolamine sulfate, laureth sulfate diethanolamine, sodium lauryl monoglyceride sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, potassium laureth sulfate, ammonium cocoyl sulfate, ammonium lauroyl sulfate, sodium cocoyl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sulfate, potassium cocoyl sulfate, monoethanolamine cocoyl sulfate, sodium tridecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium C _14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, stearoyl sarcosine, lauryl sarcosine, cocoyl sarcosine, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium methyl lauroyl taurate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, disodium cocoyl glutamate, myristoyl glutamate potassium, TEA-cocoyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl glycinate, potassium cocoyl glycinate, sodium cocoyl alaninate, TEA-cocoyl alaninate, or a combination of two or more thereof. For example, the compositions may include at least one anionic surfactant selected from sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sulfate, sodium lauroyl methyl estethionate, or a combination of two or more thereof.

If present, the total amount of anionic surfactants may be up to about 15%, such as up to about 12%, up to about 10%, up to about 8%, up to about 5%, up to about 3.5%, or up to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the total amount of additional surfactants may be from about 0.01% to about 10%, from about 0.1% to about 8%, from about 0.5% to about 6%, or from about 1% to about 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In various embodiments, the compositions comprise at least one anionic surfactant, and have a total amount of anionic surfactants ranging from about 0.25% to about 5%, from about 0.5% to about 4%, from about 0.75% to about 3%, from about 1% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants

In at least some embodiments, the composition comprises at least one amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant. Non-limiting examples of useful amphoteric surfactants include secondary and tertiary aliphatic amine derivatives where the aliphatic radical may be straight or branched chain and one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic group such as carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include sodium cocaminopropionate, sodium cocaminodipropionate, sodium cocoamphoacetate, sodium cocoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, sodium cocoamphopropionate, sodium cornamphopropionate, sodium lauraminopropionate, sodium lauroamphoacetate, sodium lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, sodium lauroamphopropionate, sodium laurimin cornamphopropionate, sodium odipropionate, ammonium cocaminopropionate, ammonium cocaminodipropionate, ammonium cocoamphoacetate, ammonium cocoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, ammonium cocoamphopropionate, ammonium cornamphopropionate, ammonium lauraminopropionate, ammonium lauroamphoacetate, ammonium lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, ammonium lauroamphopropionate, ammonium cornamphopropionate, lauriminodipropionate ammonium, triethanolamine cocaminopropionate, triethanolamine cocaminodipropionate, triethanolamine cocoamphoacetate, triethanolamine cocoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, triethanolamine cocoamphopropionate, triethanolamine cornamphopropionate, triethanolamine lauraminopropionate, triethanolamine lauroamphoacetate, triethanolamine lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, triethanolamine lauroamphopropionate, triethanolamine cornamphopropionate, triethanolamine lauriminodipropionate, cocoamphodipropionic acid, disodium caproamphodiacetate, disodium caproamphoadipropionate, disodium capryloamphodiacetate, disodium capryloamphodipriopionate, disodium cocoamphocarboxyethylhydroxypropylsulfonate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, disodium cocoamphodipropionate, disodium dicarboxyethylcocopropylenediamine, laureth-5 disodium carboxyamphodiacetate, disodium lauriminodipropionate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, disodium lauroamphodipropionate, disodium oleoamphodipropionate, disodium PPG-2-isodecethyl-7 carboxyamphodiacetate, lauraminopropionic acid, lauroamphodipropionic acid, lauryl aminopropylglycine and lauryl diethylenediaminoglycine, as well as combinations of two or more of these.

Betaines can also be used. For example, coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl alphacarboxyethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) carboxymethyl betaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyl dimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) alpha-carboxyethyl betaine, coco dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) sulfopropyl betaine, and amidobetaines and amidosulfobetaines, oleyl betaine or cocamidopropyl betaine, or combinations of any two thereof or more, can be chosen.

If present, the total amount of amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may be up to about 15%, such as up to about 12%, up to about 10%, up to about 8%, up to about 5%, up to about 3.5%, or up to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the total amount of amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may be from 0.01% to about 10%, from about 0.1% to about 8%, from about 0.5% to about 6%, or from about 1% to about 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In at least some embodiments, the compositions comprise at least one amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant, and have a total amount of amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants ranging from about 0.25% to about 5%, such as from about 0.5% to about 4%, from about 0.75% to about 3%, or from about 1% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In at least some other embodiments, the compositions are free or substantially free of amphoteric surfactants.

Nonionic surfactants

The nonionic surfactants may be chosen from alcohols, α-diols and alkylphenols (C ₁ -C ₂₀ ), these compounds being polyethoxylated and/or polypropoxylated and/or polyglycerolated, the number of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide groups optionally ranging from 1 to 100, and the number of glycerol groups optionally ranging from 2 to 30, or alternatively the compounds comprising at least one fatty chain comprising from 8 to 30 carbon atoms and in particular from 16 to 30 carbon atoms. For example, the nonionic surfactants may be selected from linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, oxyalkylenated (C ₈ -C ₂₄ ) alkylphenols, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, oxyalkylenated C ₈ -C ₃₀ alcohols, oxyalkylenated C ₈ -C ₃₀ amides, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, C ₈ -C ₃₀ acid esters and polyethylene glycols, polyoxyalkylenated esters of linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, C ₈ -C ₃₀ acids and sorbitol, saturated or unsaturated, oxyalkylenated vegetable oils, ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide condensates, among others, alone or as mixtures.

By way of example only, adducts of ethylene oxide with lauryl alcohol, for example those containing from 9 to 50 oxyethylene units or from 10 to 12 oxyethylene units (Laureth-10 to Laureth-12); adducts of ethylene oxide with behenyl alcohol, for example those containing from 9 to 50 oxyethylene units (Beheneth-9 to Beheneth-50); adducts of ethylene oxide with cetearyl alcohol (mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol), for those containing from 10 to 30 oxyethylene units (Ceteareth-10 to Ceteareth-30); adducts of ethylene oxide with cetyl alcohol, for those containing from 10 to 30 oxyethylene units (Ceteth-10 to Ceteth-30); oxide adducts with stearyl oxide, for example those containing from 10 to 30 oxyethylene units (Steareth-10 to Steareth-30); ethylene oxide adducts with cetearyl alcohol, for those containing from 10 to 50 oxyethylene units (Isosteearth-10 to Isosteth-50); monoglycerolated or polyglycerolated C alcohols₈-C₄₀, for example in C₈-C₃₀, such as lauryl alcohol containing 4 mol of glycerol (polyglyceryl-4 lauryl ether), lauryl alcohol containing 1.5 mol of glycerol, oleyl alcohol containing 4 mol of glycerol (polyglyceryl-4 oleyl ether), oleyl alcohol containing 2 mol of glycerol (polyglyceryl-2 oleyl ether), cetearyl alcohol containing 2 mol of glycerol, cetearyl alcohol containing 6 mol of glycerol, oleocetyl alcohol containing 6 mol of glycerol or octadecanol containing 6 mol of glycerol; polyoxyethylene fatty esters such as adducts of ethylene oxide with esters of lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid or behenic acid, and mixtures thereof, for example those containing from 9 to 100 oxyethylene units such as PEG-9 to PEG-50 laurate, PEG-9 to PEG-50 palmitate, PEG-9 to PEG-50 stearate, PEG-9 to PEG-50 palmitostearate, PEG-9 to PEG-50 palmitosterate, polyethylene glycol 100 EO monostearate (PEG-100 stearate); glyceryl stearate (glyceryl mono, di and/or tristearate); glyceryl ricinoleate; sorbitan palmitate; sorbitan isostearate; sorbitan stearate; sorbitan palmitate; sorbitan trioleate; alkylglucose sesquistearates and alkylglucose methylglucose palmitates such as methylglucose or ethylglucose palmitate, etc., etc., or a combination of two or more of these may be selected.

If present, the total amount of nonionic surfactants may be up to about 15%, such as up to about 12%, up to about 10%, up to about 8%, up to about 5%, up to about 3.5%, or up to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the total amount of nonionic surfactants may be from about 0.01% to about 10%, from about 0.1% to about 8%, from about 0.5% to about 6%, or from about 1% to about 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In at least some embodiments, the compositions comprise at least one nonionic surfactant, and have a total amount of nonionic surfactants ranging from about 0.25% to about 5%, from about 0.5% to about 4%, from about 0.75% to about 3%, from about 1% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In at least some embodiments, the compositions are free or substantially free of nonionic surfactants.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the disclosure are free or substantially free of cationic surfactants.

Fatty compounds

Optionally, the compositions of the disclosure may include at least one fatty compound. In some embodiments, the at least one fatty compound may be selected from lower alkanes, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty alcohol esters, oils such as mineral, vegetable, animal, silicone and non-silicone oils, silicone and non-silicone waxes, or combinations of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the compositions include at least one naturally occurring fatty compound. In some embodiments, the compositions are free of fatty compounds that are not naturally occurring.

Non-limiting examples of silicone oils include dimethicone, amodimethicone, cyclomethicone, polysilicone-11, phenyl trimethicone, trimethylsilylamodimethicone and stearoxytrimethylsilane. For example, the composition may include at least one silicone selected from amodimethicone, PEG-7 dimethicone, PEG-8 dimethicone, PEG-9 dimethicone, PEG-10 dimethicone, PEG-12 dimethicone, PEG-14 dimethicone, PEG-17 dimethicone, PEG/PPG-3/10 dimethicone, PEG/PPG-4/12 dimethicone, PEG/PPG-17/18 dimethicone, cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone, PEG-8 dimethicone benzoate, PEG-7 dimethicone phosphate, PEG-8 dimethicone phosphate, PEG-10 dimethicone phosphate, or a combination of two or more thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise a silicone oil component that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of dimethicone, amodimethicone, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the compositions are free or substantially free of silicone oils and/or silicone waxes.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the disclosure may include at least one fatty compound selected from fatty alcohols. In some embodiments, "fatty alcohol" refers to any alcohol with a carbon chain of C5 or more, such as, for example, C8 or more, C10 or more, or C12 or more, such as 6 to 30 carbon atoms or 8 to 30 carbon atoms. The fatty alcohols may be alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated, saturated or unsaturated, and linear or branched. Non-limiting examples of fatty alcohols include arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, caprylic alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, coconut alcohol, decyl alcohol, hydrogenated tallow alcohol, jojoba alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, palm alcohol, palm kernel alcohol, stearyl alcohol, tallow alcohol, tridecyl alcohol, or combinations of two or more thereof. In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions comprise a fatty alcohol component that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, or combinations thereof.

For example, the compositions may optionally comprise fatty compounds selected from oils of animal, vegetable or mineral origin (e.g., lanolin, squalene, fish oil, perhydrosqualene, mink oil, turtle oil, soybean oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, avocado oil, olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, peanut oil, sweet almond oil, palm oil, cucumber oil, hazelnut oil, apricot kernel oil, wheat germ oil, calophyllum oil, macadamia oil, coconut oil, cereal germ oil, bancoul nut oil, thistle oil, candelilla oil, safflower oil, safflower oil or shea butter), linear or branched hydrocarbons (e.g., polybutene, polyiso ... hydrogenated, polyisoprene, polydecenes such as hydrogenated polydecene, and/or linear, branched and/or cyclic alkanes which are optionally volatile, such as, for example, isohexadecane, isododecane, isodecane or isohexadecane), optionally branched and/or unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid or isostearic acid), fatty alcohols other than those described above (e.g. alkoxylated fatty alcohols), mono- and/or polyesters of fatty acids and/or fatty alcohols (e.g. mono- and polyesters of hydroxy acids and fatty alcohols, esters of benzoic acid and fatty alcohols, polyesters of polyols, dipentaerythrityl esters C5-C9, trimethylolpropane polyesters, propylene glycol polyesters or hydrogenated castor oil polyesters), perfluorinated and/or organofluorinated oils, fluorosilicone oils, or mixtures of two or more thereof. Non-limiting examples of fatty acids optionally include branched and/or unsaturated fatty acids such as myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, isostearic acid, or combinations of two or more thereof.

If present, the total amount of fatty compounds in the composition may be up to about 20%, such as up to about 18%, up to about 15%, up to about 12%, up to about 10%, up to about 8%, or up to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the total amount of fatty compounds may be from about 0.1% to about 20%, from about 0.5% to about 18%, from about 1% to about 15%, from about 1.25% to about 12%, or from about 1.5% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In at least some embodiments, the compositions are free or substantially free of fatty compounds.

Thickening agents

The compositions according to the disclosure optionally comprise at least one thickening agent. Useful thickening agents include, but are not limited to, semi-synthetic polymers, such as semi-synthetic cellulose derivatives, synthetic polymers, such as carbomers, poloxamers, and acrylate/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymers, acrylate copolymers, polyethyleneimines (e.g., PEI-10), natural polymers, such as acacia, tragacanth, alginates (e.g., sodium alginate), carrageenan, vegetable gums, such as xanthan gum, guar gum, petroleum jelly, waxes, associated particulate colloids, such as bentonite, colloidal silicon dioxide, and microcrystalline cellulose, celluloses such as hydroxyethylcellulose and hydroxypropylcellulose, and guars such as hydroxypropyl guar.

In some embodiments, the thickening agent may be selected from associative thickening polymers such as anionic associative polymers, amphoteric associative polymers, cationic associative polymers, or nonionic associative polymers. A non-limiting example of an amphoteric associative polymer is acrylates/beheneth-25 methacrylate copolymer, and non-limiting examples of anionic associative polymers include acrylates copolymer and acrylates-4 crosslinked polymer.

If present, the total amount of thickening agents may range from about 0.001% to about 5%, such as from about 0.01% to about 4%, from about 0.1% to about 3.5%, from about 0.2% to about 3%, from about 0.3% to about 2.5%, from about 0.4% to about 2%, from about 0.5% to about 1.5%, or from about 0.5% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Carboxylic acids

In various embodiments, the compositions of the disclosure optionally comprise at least one carboxylic acid. In some embodiments, the compositions comprise more than one carboxylic acid, e.g., at least two carboxylic acids, at least three carboxylic acids, etc. For example, mono-, di-, or tri-carboxylic acids may be selected.

In various embodiments, the at least one carboxylic acid may be selected from citric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, their salts, or combinations thereof, preferably citric acid, lactic acid, their salts, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, citric acid may be selected.

If present, the total amount of carboxylic acids may be up to about 3%, such as up to about 2.5%, up to about 2%, up to about 1.5%, up to about 1%, or up to about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the total amount of carboxylic acids may be from about 0.001% to about 3%, such as from about 0.01% to about 2.5%, from about 0.1% to about 2%, or from about 0.1% to about 1.5%, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the total amount of mono-, di-, and tri-carboxylic acids does not exceed about 1%, for example, may range from about 0.001% to about 1%, from about 0.001% to about 0.9%, from about 0.001% to about 0.8%, from about 0.001% to about 0.7%, from about 0.001% to about 0.6%, from about 0.001% to about 0.5%, from about 0.001% to about 0.4%, from about 0.001% to about 0.3%, from about 0.001% to about 0.2%, from about 0.001% to about 0.1%, based on the total weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the compositions are free or essentially free of carboxylic acids, or are free or essentially free of mono-, di-, and/or tricarboxylic acids. In other embodiments, the compositions are free or essentially free of citric acid.

Auxiliary components

The compositions of the disclosure may optionally include one or more auxiliary components. Non-limiting examples include preservatives, fragrances such as perfumes, pH adjusters (e.g., citric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, etc.), salts, antioxidants, vitamins (e.g., ascorbic acid, tocopherol), vitamin derivatives, amino acids (e.g., betaine, arginine, glycine, proline, etc.), amines (e.g., monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, etc.), botanical extracts, buffers, sequestering agents, and the like. In some embodiments, the compositions are free or substantially free of any of the foregoing, for example: the compositions may be free or substantially free of antioxidants, free or substantially free of ascorbic acid, etc.

The total amount of auxiliary components, if present, is typically in the range of about 0.01% to about 15%, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, in some embodiments, the individual amounts of each component or the total amount of components may range from about 0.1% to about 10%, from about 0.1% to about 8%, from about 0.1% to about 5%, from about 0.1% to about 4%, from about 0.1% to about 3%, from about 0.1% to about 2%, from about 0.25% to about 10%, from about 0.25% to about 8%, about 0.25% to about 5%, about 0.25% to about 4%, about 0.25% to about 3%, about 0.25% to about 2%, about 0.5% to about 10%, about 0.5% to about 8%, about 0.5% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 4%, about 0.5% to about 3%, about 0.5% to about 2%, about 0.75% to about 10%, about 0.75% to about 8%, about 0.75% to about 5%, about 0.75% to about 4%, about 0.75% to about 3%, about 0.75% to about 2%, by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the compositions may be free of ascorbic acid, persulfates, peroxides and/or ammonia. In yet other embodiments, the compositions may be substantially free of ascorbic acid, persulfates, peroxides, and/or ammonia, for example, may comprise less than 5%, less than 4.5%, less than 4%, less than 3.5%, less than 3%, less than 2.5%, less than 2%, less than 1.5%, less than 1.5%, less than 1.25%, less than 1%, less than 0.75%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.4%, less than 0.3%, less than 0.2%, less than 0.1%, less than 0.05%, or less than 0.01% of a total amount of ascorbic acid, persulfates, peroxides, or ammonia, or a total amount of two or more combinations thereof.

The compositions may be in any suitable form. For example, the compositions may be a liquid, a gel, a cream gel, a cream, a serum, etc. Advantageously, the compositions may be used as a one-part hair color removal composition, as compared to known hair color removal systems which require the application of multiple compositions to effectively remove hair color.

The pH of the composition is generally acidic, namely: below 7, such as below about 6, below about 5, or below about 4. For example, the compositions of the disclosure may have a pH of from about 1 to about 6, such as from about 2 to about 5. In some embodiments, the compositions have a pH of from about 2.5 to about 5, from about 2.75 to about 4.75, or from about 3 to about 4.5.

II. PROCESSES

The disclosure further relates to methods of removing color from keratinous fibers, particularly hair that has been previously dyed such as with an oxidation dye. The methods comprise applying a composition according to the disclosure to the keratinous fibers, e.g., hair, optionally leaving the composition on the keratinous fibers for a period of time ("resting period", "resting period" or "setting period"), and optionally rinsing the composition from the keratinous fibers. Thus, the methods may comprise a two-step process, which is simpler and more effective than known three- or more-step processes where multiple compositions are applied to the hair for color removal prior to rinsing the hair.

The appropriate exposure period will be determined based on the color to be removed, and may in various embodiments be up to about 1 minute, up to about 2 minutes, up to about 5 minutes, up to about 10 minutes, up to about 20 minutes, up to about 30 minutes, up to about 45 minutes, up to about 1 hour, up to about 2 hours, etc., such as from about 1 minute to about 60 minutes, from about 2 minutes to about 45 minutes, from about 5 minutes to about 40 minutes, or from about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes.

Surprisingly, the compositions and methods of the disclosure effectively remove color imparted to hair by previously applied oxidative dyes without the use of persulfates, peroxides, and/or ammonia, and can prevent or substantially prevent the oxidative dyes from reoxidizing so that the color does not return. Thus, in at least some embodiments, the compositions are free or substantially free of persulfates, peroxides, and/or ammonia, and/or the methods include only compositions free or substantially free of persulfates, peroxides, and/or ammonia. This benefit has surprisingly been observed on hair even several months after the original color has been removed with the compositions and methods of the disclosure, and therefore the color removal is considered permanent, which is a benefit not achieved by traditional hair color removal compositions that utilize reducing agents.

Additionally, the synergistic combination of components in the compositions and methods of the disclosure also surprisingly reduces or eliminates the odor typically encountered with hair color removal compositions and methods.

Having described in detail the numerous embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims. Further, it should be noted that all examples of the present disclosure, while illustrative of numerous embodiments of the disclosure, are provided by way of non-limiting examples and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects thus illustrated. It should be understood that all definitions herein are provided only for the purposes of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” (or “understand,” “have,” and “include”) are used in their open, non-limiting sense.

In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural, unless otherwise specifically indicated. The singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, “the” and “at least one” are understood to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The expressions “one or more” and “at least one” are interchangeable and expressly include individual components as well as mixtures/combinations. Similarly, the expression “a salt thereof” also refers to “salts thereof”. Thus, when the disclosure refers to "at least one member selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, a salt thereof, or mixtures thereof", it indicates that one or more of A, B, C, D and F may be included, one or more of a salt of A, a salt of B, a salt of C, a salt of D, a salt of E and a salt of F may be included, or a mixture of any two of A, B, C, D, E, F, one or more salts of A, one or more salts of B, one or more salts of C, one or more salts of D, one or more salts of E and one or more salts of F may be included.

The expression “and/or” should be understood to include both the conjunctive and the disjunctive. For example, “water and/or non-aqueous solvents” means “water and non-aqueous solvents” as well as “water or non-aqueous solvents”, and expressly covers cases of either.

As used herein, the phrases “and mixtures thereof,” “and a mixture thereof,” “and a combination thereof,” “or mixtures thereof,” “or a mixture thereof,” “or combinations thereof,” and “or a combination thereof,” are used interchangeably to indicate that the list of components immediately preceding the phrase, such as “A, B, C, D, or mixtures thereof,” means that the component(s) may be selected from A, B, C, D, A + B, A + B + C, A + D, A + C + D, etc., without limitation on variations thereof. Thus, the components may be used individually or in any combination thereof.

For the purposes of this disclosure, it should be noted that, in order to provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative expressions given herein are not qualified with the term "approximately". It is understood, whether the term "approximately" is used explicitly or not, that each quantity given herein is intended to refer to the actual value given, and it is also intended to refer to the approximation of that given value that would be reasonably deduced by the person skilled in the art, including approximations due to experimental and/or measurement conditions for that given value.

All ranges and quantities stated herein are intended to include subranges and quantities using any disclosed point as a boundary, and all boundaries are intended to be inclusive unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, a range of “1% to 10%,” such as 2% to 8%, such as 3% to 5%,” is intended to encompass ranges of “1% to 8%,” “1% to 5%,” “2% to 10%,” and so on. All numbers, quantities, ranges, etc. are intended to be modified by the term “approximately,” whether or not expressly stated, unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a given range of “approximately 1% to 10%” is intended to have both its 1% and 10% boundaries modified by the term “approximately.” The term “approximately” is used herein to indicate a difference of up to +/- 10% from the stated number, such as +/- 9%, +/- 8%, +/- 7%, +/- 6%, +/- 5%, +/- 4%, +/- 3%, +/- 2%, or +/- 1%. Similarly, all bounds of the ranges are understood to be individually disclosed, such that, for example, a range of 1:2 to 2:1 is understood to disclose a ratio of 1:2 and 2:1.

As used herein, if a component is described as being present “in an amount less than or equal to” a certain amount, it is intended that such component is in fact present in the composition, i.e., present in an amount greater than 0%.

All quantities and ratios given herein are on the basis of the total weight of the composition, unless otherwise stated. Unless otherwise stated, all percentages given herein are by weight of active ingredient.

As used herein, the expression “applying a composition to keratinous fibers,” and variations thereof, is intended to mean contacting the keratinous fibers with at least one of the compositions of the disclosure in any manner. It may also mean contacting the keratinous fibers with an effective amount of the composition.

As used herein, the term "salts" throughout the disclosure may include salts having a counterion such as an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or an ammonium counterion. This list of counterions, however, is not limiting. Salts also include a dissociated form of a compound, for example in an aqueous solution.

As used herein, the terms “substantially free” or “essentially free” mean that the specific material may be present in small amounts that do not markedly affect the basic and novel characteristics of the compositions disclosed. For example, there may be less than 2% by weight of a specific material added to a composition, based on the total weight of the compositions (provided that an amount less than 2% by weight does not materially affect the fundamental and novel characteristics of the compositions according to the disclosure). Similarly, the compositions may include less than 2%, less than 1.5%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.1%, less than 0.05% or less than 0.01%, or none of the specified materials. Any components positively presented in the present disclosure may be negatively excluded from the claims, for example, a claimed composition may be “free,” “substantially free” (or “substantially free”) of one or more components that are positively presented in the present disclosure. The term “substantially free” or “substantially free” as used herein may also mean that the specific material is not added to the composition, but may still be present in a starting material included in the composition. the composition.

As used herein, the terms “treat,” “treated,” “processing,” and variations thereof are not intended to be limiting, but are instead intended to simply indicate that one or more compositions are applied to the hair, and optionally removed from the hair. For example, hair that is “treated” with a composition according to the disclosure may have had the composition applied to it, and/or may have had the composition applied and removed, for example, by rinsing or towel drying. As another example, hair that is “treated” with a composition according to the disclosure may have had the composition applied to it, and/or may have had the composition applied and rinsed from the hair.

For the purposes of the disclosure, the terms “color removal,” “hair color removal,” and variations thereof are to be understood to refer to the removal of artificial hair color provided by previously applied oxidative dyes. It is to be understood that color removal may include the removal of all color, or may include the removal of various tones of color. Therefore, in some embodiments, an overall lightening of hair color will be observed (e.g., higher ΔE), while in other embodiments even though the overall color change is not considered significant, a variation in one or more of the L*, a*, or b* values will be observed.

The following examples serve to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure without being limiting in nature. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the compositions and methods of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to be non-limiting and explanatory in nature only. In the Examples, unless otherwise indicated, the amounts are expressed as a percentage by weight (% by weight) of active ingredients, relative to the total weight of the composition.

In these examples, hair color change is assessed with the CIE L* a* b* system, using Colorshot MS, where the change is determined by evaluating the hair color after treatment (L* ₂ , a* ₂ , b* ₂ ) in comparison to the hair color before treatment (L* ₁ , a* ₁ , b* ₁ ). The color change (ΔE) is defined by:

In this system, the three parameters represent the color intensity (L*), the green/red color axis (a*), and the blue/yellow color axis (b*), respectively. The higher the value of L*, the lighter the color, the higher the value of a*, the redder the color, and the higher the value of b*, the yellower the color. The larger the value of ΔE, the greater the color difference from the hair color before treatment.

Example 1 – Compositions

Compositions 1A-1D according to the disclosure were prepared as shown in Table 1A, and Comparative Compositions C1-C3 were prepared as shown in Table 1B. Two commercially available hair color removing compositions C4-C5 are shown in Table 1C, which shows the ingredients as listed on the packages.

1A 1B 1C 1D Metabisulfite
sodium 10 10 5.0 5.0 Kaolin 5.0 Bentonite 5.0 5.0 10 Citric acid 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 Scent 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Xanthan gum 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 Lauryl sulfate
sodium 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Water Qs for 100 Qs for 100 Qs for 100 Qs for 100

Compositions according to the disclosure

C1 C2 C3 Sodium metabisulfite 10 10 5.0 Citric acid 0.50 0.50 0.50 Scent 1.0 1.0 Xanthan gum 0.70 0.70 0.70 Sodium lauryl sulfate 1.5 1.5 1.5 Water Qs for 100 Qs for 100 Qs for 100

Comparative compositions

Ingredients listed on the packaging C4 Sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, strontium peroxide, sodium metasilicate, ammonium chloride, cellulose gum, sodium diethylhexyl sulfosuccinate, EDTA, CI 77007/Outremers, sodium benzoate C5 Ascorbic Acid, Bentonite, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Gluconate

Hair Color Removal Products

Example 2 – Evaluation of color removal

Ten strands of virgin and permed hair, ~90% gray hair (20 strands in total) were colored with a commercially available oxidative hair dye composition. The oxidative hair dye composition was mixed in a 1:1 ratio with a 20 V hydrogen peroxide developer to form a hair dye mixture, and the hair dye mixture was applied to the strands at a rate of approximately 3 grams per gram of hair. The strands were left at room temperature for approximately 35 minutes, rinsed, shampooed with a commercial shampoo, rinsed again, and allowed to air dry.

Once the strands were dry, they were treated as follows. Each of the compositions 1A-1D and C1-C5 was applied to a virgin strand and a permed strand at a rate of approximately 2 grams per gram of hair, so that the color removal capacity of each composition could be evaluated on both virgin hair colored with the hair dye mixture and permed hair colored with the hair dye mixture. The strands were left to rest for 30 minutes at 33°C. The strands were then rinsed for approximately 30 seconds, shampooed with a commercial shampoo, rinsed, shampooed again, rinsed again, and then blow-dried.

A virgin strand and a permed strand colored with the hair dye mixture were not treated with a color removing composition, and are used as controls.

The color of each strand was then evaluated using the CIE L* a* b* system.

Example 2A – Evaluation of color removal efficiency

The color of each strand was evaluated immediately after the strands were treated as described above and dried (time = T ₀ ), in order to assess the effectiveness of color removal.

Table 2A-1 shows the L*, a*, b*, and ΔE values for virgin hair strands at T ₀ .

L* has* b* ΔE L* ₁ , a* ₁ , b* ₁ WITNESS 6.49 1.37 0.03 - L* ₂ , a* ₂ , b* ₂ 1A 43.24 6.28 27.08 45.90 1B 45.09 5.79 26.03 46.75 1C 17.18 5.93 6.26 13.19 1D 27.64 6.65 17.51 27.94 C1 32.17 6.98 26.04 36.98 C2 35.69 10.11 25.74 39.87 C3 10.25 4.81 1.17 5.23 C4 7.50 2.32 0.92 1.64 C5 12.41 13.39 7.15 15.17

Table 2A-2 shows the L*, a*, b*, and ΔE values for permed hair strands at T ₀ .

L* has* b* ΔE L* ₁ , a* ₁ , b* ₁ WITNESS 5.90 1.64 0.20 - L* ₂ , a* ₂ , b* ₂ 1A 48.81 6.15 19.26 47.16 1B 48.61 5.82 17.90 46.41 1C 38.58 7.40 17.08 37.22 1D 39.62 8.89 18.22 38.91 C1 43.16 8.54 17.87 41.81 C2 43.98 12.32 19.03 43.80 C3 27.88 14.86 14.40 29.31 C4 14.53 24.62 15.41 28.87 C5 14.92 22.50 13.76 26.46

Tables 2A-1 and 2A-2 demonstrate that when the same amount of reducing agents is used, the presence of the clay compound surprisingly improves the color removal efficiency of the composition. This can be seen, for example, by comparing the ΔE values of compositions 1A and 1B with those of compositions C1 and C2, and by comparing the ΔE values of compositions 1C and 1D with those of composition C3.

Further, Tables 2A-1 and 2A-2 show that the compositions according to the disclosure are significantly better than commercially available color removing compositions C4 and C5, particularly on permed hair.

Since a difference in ΔE of ~2 is visible to the naked eye, these results are significant.

Example 2B – Evaluation of the durability of color removal

The color of the strands treated with compositions 1A-1D and C1-C3 was evaluated again after one week (time = T ₇ ), to assess the durability of color removal.

Table 2B-1 shows the L*, a*, b*, and ΔE values for virgin hair strands at T ₇ .

L* has* b* ΔE L* ₁ , a* ₁ , b* ₁ WITNESS 6.49 1.37 0.03 - L* ₂ , a* ₂ , b* ₂ 1A 42.52 6.26 28.04 45.90 1B 45.72 6.40 27.79 48.32 1C 26.99 7.19 20.13 29.30 1D 31.84 8.28 24.31 35.77 C1 37.13 8.07 29.82 43.26 C2 36.17 10.80 26.76 41.04 C3 12.79 6.03 2.69 8.28

Table 2B-2 shows the L*, a*, b*, and ΔE values for hair strands permed at T ₇ .

L* has* b* ΔE L* ₁ , a* ₁ , b* ₁ WITNESS 5.90 1.64 0.20 - L* ₂ , a* ₂ , b* ₂ 1A 50.39 5.98 18.76 48.40 1B 50.53 5.60 19.77 48.89 1C 41.63 7.90 19.02 40.86 1D 41.78 8.83 19.56 41.39 C1 43.42 9.47 18.79 42.59 C2 46.31 12.78 18.32 45.66 C3 28.74 16.01 15.52 31.02

Although the L*, a*, b* and ΔE values for the strands treated with compositions 1A-1D are slightly higher or lower in Tables 2B-1 and 2B-2 than in Tables 2A-1 and 2A-2, these differences are considered to be within an acceptable range. Visually, there was no difference in the color of the strand at T ₇ compared to T ₀ .

Tables 2B-1 and 2B-2 therefore demonstrate that the color removal lasts at least one week. It was observed that even after several months, the strands treated with compositions 1A-1D appeared to visually maintain the same level of color removal, demonstrating that reoxidation of the color does not occur.

Example 3 – Odor control assessment

Consistent with how such evaluations are typically conducted, odor control performance was evaluated by a fragrance expert, who reported the results shown in Table 3 for the detected odor of Compositions 1A, 1B, C1, and C2, as well as for strands treated with each of Compositions 1A, 1B, C1, and C2.

Odor composition Hair strand smell C1 Strong smell of vinegar The scent remains on the wick C2 Strong floral scent, but base scent still present Perfume detected on the wick 1A Good scent coverage A slight burning smell persists on the wick 1B Better coverage, good layering of fragrance and base The best smell on the wick

The expert confirmed that both compositions 1A and 1B had a less offensive odor than compositions C1 and C2, and that hair treated with compositions 1A and 1B had a less offensive odor than hair treated with compositions C1 and C2. Thus, Example 3 demonstrates that the compositions according to the disclosure have surprisingly better odor control than the compositions not according to the disclosure.

Example 4 – Additional compositions

Compositions 4A-4F according to the disclosure can be prepared as shown in Table 4, and are also expected to provide synergistic hair color removal and odor reduction benefits.

4A 4B 4C 4D 4E 4F Sodium bisulfite 13 6 1 Metabisulfite
of potassium 4 4 Ammonium sulfite 2 2 Thiolactic acid 2 Thioglycolic acid 15 Hectorite 6 10 Kaolin 12 2 Bentonite 2 Smectite 3 3 Citric acid 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.7 Hydroxypropyl guar 0.5 0.7 1 0.7 1.5 2 Lauroyl sulfate
sodium 2 1.5 1 1.5 2 1 Water Qs for 100 Qs for 100 Qs for 100 Qs for 100 Qs for 100 Qs for 100

The above examples demonstrate that compositions and methods according to the disclosure, which combine reducing agents and clay compounds for removing hair color, surprisingly and unexpectedly enhance the removal of oxidative hair dyes from hair, the removal of which is sustained, compared to compositions and methods not according to the disclosure. The examples further demonstrate that improved odor control of hair color removing compositions is also achieved by compositions according to the disclosure.

Claims (10)

Hair coloring removal composition comprising:
(a) at least one reducing agent selected from sulfur-based reducing agents, thio-based reducing agents, salts thereof or combinations of two or more thereof;
(b) at least one clay compound; and
(c) at least one solvent. The hair color removing composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one reducing agent is selected from thiolactic acid, thioglycolic acid, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, or combinations of two or more thereof, preferably including sodium metabisulfite. A hair color removing composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the total amount of reducing agents is from 0.1% to 20%, preferably from 1% to 15%, more preferably from 2% to 15%, most preferably from 4% to 12% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. A hair color removing composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one clay compound is selected from hectorite, smectite, kaolin, bentonite, or combinations of two or more thereof, preferably comprising kaolin, bentonite, or combinations thereof. A hair color removing composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the total amount of clay compounds is from 0.1% to 15%, preferably from 0.5% to 12%, more preferably from 1% to 10%, most preferably from 5% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. A hair color removing composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of the total amount of reducing agents to the total amount of clay compounds is from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 5, more preferably from 1 to 4, more preferably still from 1 to 3, most preferably from 1 to 2. A hair color removing composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one component selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, thickeners, pH adjusters, or combinations of two or more thereof. Hair coloring removal composition comprising:
(a) at least one reducing agent selected from thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, or combinations of two or more thereof;
(b) at least one clay compound selected from hectorite, smectite, kaolin, bentonite or combinations of two or more thereof; and
c) water,
wherein the pH of the composition ranges from 1 to 6, preferably from 2 to 5, and
in which the weight ratio of the total amount of reducing agents to the total amount of clay compounds is from 1 to 5. A hair color removing composition according to claim 8, further comprising at least one component selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, thickeners, pH adjusters, or combinations of two or more thereof. A method of removing oxidative hair dye from hair, the method comprising:
(i) the application to the hair of a composition according to one of the preceding claims;
(ii) optionally, leaving the composition on the hair for a period of from 1 minute to 60 minutes; and
(iii) rinsing the hair.