Third US patent awarded to Ashland scientists for hair care formulation

The US Patent and Trademark Office issued patent No. 8,076,279, entitled ‘Cleansing formulations comprising non-cellulosic polysaccharide with mixed cationic substituents,’ to the scientists for their composition, which is a cleansing solution that includes a surfactant, a noncellulosic polysaccharide and a solvent.

Third time’s a charm​

The composition can be used in a number of personal care products and follows patents received by Ashland scientists for a formulation thickener​ and a protein composition​ in the last couple of months.

“The team's patent includes surfactant-based formulations and a cationically modified polysaccharide, such as cationic guar, modified with a combination of ammonium groups,”​ explained a company statement.

“The combination of ammonium groups improves the polysaccharide's efficiency in shampoo and body wash formulations as a deposition agent, improves the rheology of the formulations, and helps reduce buildup on hair from surfactants and conditioning oils that are present in two-in-one conditioning shampoo formulas.”​

Improves delivery systems​

Despite all of the positive benefits, repeated use of a product with these cationically modified polysaccharides can cause unwanted build-up of conditioning components such as silicone and other oils on the hair.

This can lead to only the root end of the hair fiber being cleansed efficiently allowing dandruff to build up and can leave hair difficult to manage, however Ashland believes it has corrected this issue.

“These modified polysaccharides also address the delivery problem, improving the uniformity of silicone deposition along the hair fiber from conditioning shampoos, and help deliver other active materials such as colors, dye and anti-dandruff agents more efficiently and more selectively from surfactant-based formulations,”​ it explains.

Thickeners and emulsifiers​

Non-cellulosic polysaccharides and cationic polysaccharides are used in a number of personal care products as thickeners and emulsifiers. Cationic polysaccharides are also used as carriers for enhancing the rheology, efficacy, deposition, aesthetics and delivery of active ingredients in personal care compositions.

Cationic guars are a cationic polysaccharide, commonly used as conditioners in hair shampoos and body washes.

Cationic polysaccharides give hair a soft feeling after use, and can also deliver and retain other personal care ingredients such as fragrance, dyes or antimicrobial compounds on the hair or skin.