FR3142896A1 - SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STABILIZING COMPOSITIONS, AND COMPOSITIONS INCLUDING THE SYSTEMS - Google Patents

Abstract

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STABILIZING COMPOSITIONS, AND COMPOSITIONS INCLUDING THE SYSTEMS The disclosure relates to systems for stabilizing compositions, methods for stabilizing compositions using the systems, and compositions comprising the systems. The systems include at least one starch polymer, at least one cationic polymer, and at least one fatty alcohol. The compositions may comprise at least one electrolyte and may be compositions for the treatment of keratinous substrates. Figure for the abstract: none

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STABILIZING COMPOSITIONS, AND COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING THE SYSTEMS

The present disclosure relates to systems for stabilizing compositions, methods of stabilizing compositions with the systems, and compositions comprising the systems.

CONTEXT

Consumers desire compositions for the treatment, care, conditioning, make-up, etc., of keratinous substrates such as skin, hair and nails. However, it is a real challenge to formulate compositions that can satisfactorily meet these needs. For example, it is difficult to formulate compositions that include the active ingredient(s) needed to address the particular concern (e.g., reduce wrinkles, repair damaged hair, etc.) while providing compositions that are considered to have the qualities desired by the consumer (e.g., not too liquid, not too thick, etc.) as well as the quality needed to ensure consumer confidence in the product (e.g., the composition does not separate over time).

For example, consumers desire compositions to revitalize or repair damaged hair, which may also provide cosmetic benefits such as volume and shine. Hair revitalization can help manage dry, frizzy and/or tangle-prone hair that may result from various factors such as environmental conditions and/or repeated styling, such as with heat and/or styling tools.

Additionally, hair color or shape modification processes, including those using harsh chemicals such as bleaching, dyeing, straightening, and permanent waving, can damage hair. This damage can appear as split ends, brittle hair, unruly hair, etc. and can make hair feel rough and give it a dull, unhealthy appearance.

Hair care products are used to address these concerns. For example, a hair treatment or conditioning composition may be used on the hair to impart conditioning, smoothing, and/or softening properties to the hair. However, certain components that may be advantageous to include in such hair treatment and/or conditioning compositions because of the beneficial properties they may impart, particularly electrolytes, are known to cause instability of the composition.

Thus, the present disclosure relates to systems for stabilizing compositions for treating keratinous substrates, methods of stabilizing compositions using the systems, and compositions comprising the systems.

It has been surprisingly discovered that the systems described herein can be used to stabilize compositions, for example, compositions for treating keratinous substrates, caring for keratinous substrates, revitalizing keratinous substrates, etc., such as keratin fibers, including hair. The stability provided can, in various embodiments, be long-lasting.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to systems for stabilizing compositions, which compositions may optionally include at least one electrolyte in an amount of at least about 0.25%, such as at least about 0.5%, at least about 0.75%, or at least about 1%. The compositions may, in various embodiments, be compositions for treating keratin substrates, for example, keratin fibers such as hair. The systems comprise a synergistic combination of at least one starch, at least one cationic polymer, and at least one fatty alcohol, which are present in amounts sufficient to stabilize the composition.

In various embodiments, the starch polymers, which may be modified or unmodified, may be selected from corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, waxy corn starch, oat starch, cassava starch, waxy barley, waxy rice starch, glutinous rice starch, sticky rice starch, amioca, potato starch, tapioca starch, oat starch, sago starch, sticky rice, or mixtures of two or more thereof, and in some embodiments comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of modified or unmodified potato starch. The total amount of starch polymers, based on the weight of the composition comprising the system, may, in various embodiments, be at least about 0.75%, such as at least about 0.8%, at least about 0.85%, at least about 0.9%, at least about 0.95%, or at least about 1%. In some embodiments, the total amount of starch polymers is not less than 1% by weight, based on the weight of the composition comprising the system.

In some embodiments, the cationic polymers may be selected from quaternary ammonium cationic polymers. As non-limiting examples, Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-15, Polyquaternium-22, Polyquaternium-32, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-39, Polyquaternium-47, Quaternium-14, Quaternium-22, Quaternium-24, or a mixture of two or more thereof may be selected. In some embodiments, the cationic polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of Polyquaternium-37. The total amount of cationic polymers, based on the weight of the composition comprising the system, may, in various embodiments, be at least about 0.35%, such as at least about 0.4%, at least about 0.45%, or at least about 0.5%. In some embodiments, the total amount of cationic polymers is not less than 0.5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition comprising the system.

In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to select amounts of starch polymers and cationic polymers such that a weight ratio of the total amount of starch polymers to the total amount of cationic polymers is greater than 1, such as greater than about 1.25, greater than about 1.5, greater than about 1.75, greater than about 2, greater than about 2.25, greater than about 2.5, greater than about 2.75, or greater than about 3, such as from greater than 1 to about 3, to about 4, or to about 5.

In various embodiments, the fatty alcohols, which may be liquid or solid, are not alkoxylated or glycerolated and comprise at least 8 carbon atoms. For example, octyldodecanol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, lignoceryl alcohol, or mixtures of two or more thereof may be selected. In some embodiments, the fatty alcohol comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of octyldodecanol, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to stable compositions comprising the systems described herein. The compositions may optionally include at least one electrolyte, for example in an amount of at least about 0.25%, such as at least about 0.5%, at least about 0.75%, or at least about 1%. The electrolytes may include an anion such as, for example, phosphate, chloride, sulfate, or citrate, and a cation such as, for example, sodium, ammonium, potassium, or magnesium. The compositions include total amounts of starch polymers, cationic polymers, and fatty alcohols sufficient to stabilize the compositions.

The compositions may optionally be compositions for treating keratinous substrates, for example treating, caring for and/or revitalizing keratin fibers such as hair. As such, the stable compositions may optionally comprise one or more additional components typically found in such compositions, for example surfactants such as anionic, cationic, nonionic and/or amphoteric surfactants; solvents, such as water and/or non-aqueous solvents; fatty compounds such as oils; thickening agents; and/or cosmetically acceptable adjuvants.

In some embodiments, the stable compositions comprise: at least one starch polymer, which optionally comprises modified or unmodified potato starch, and the total amount of starch polymer(s) is at least about 0.75%; at least one cationic polymer, which optionally comprises Polyquaternium-37, and the total amount of cationic polymers is at least about 0.35%; at least one fatty alcohol, which optionally comprises octyldodecanol, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, or mixtures of two or more thereof, and the total amount of fatty alcohols is from about 0.5% to about 10%; at least one electrolyte, and the total amount of electrolytes is at least about 0.25%, such as at least about 0.5%, at least about 0.75%, or at least about 1%; at least one surfactant, which may optionally be selected from cationic and/or nonionic surfactants; and water, wherein all amounts are by weight, relative to the weight of the stable composition, and wherein the weight ratio of the total amount of starch polymers to the total amount of cationic polymers is greater than 1, for example up to about 5, up to about 4 or up to about 3.

In some embodiments, the stable compositions comprise: at least one starch polymer, which optionally comprises modified or unmodified potato starch, and the total amount of starch polymer(s) is at least about 1%, for example not less than 1%; at least one cationic polymer, which optionally comprises Polyquaternium-37, and the total amount of cationic polymers is at least about 0.5%, for example not less than 0.5%; at least one fatty alcohol, which optionally comprises octyldodecanol, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, or mixtures of two or more thereof, and the total amount of fatty alcohols is from about 0.5% to about 10%; at least one electrolyte, and the total amount of electrolytes is at least about 0.25%, such as at least about 0.5%, at least about 0.75%, or at least about 1%; at least one surfactant, which may optionally be selected from cationic and/or nonionic surfactants; and water, wherein all amounts are by weight, relative to the weight of the stable composition, and wherein the weight ratio of the total amount of starch polymers to the total amount of cationic polymers is greater than 1, for example up to about 5, up to about 4 or up to about 3.

The compositions may, in various embodiments, have a viscosity of less than about 30,000 mPas, such as less than about 25,000 mPas, less than about 20,000 mPas, less than about 18,000 mPas, less than about 15,000 mPas, less than about 152,000 mPas, less than about 10,000 mPas, or less than about 8,000 mPas.

In various embodiments, the compositions are stable for at least 4 weeks, and in some embodiments at least 8 weeks, at least 12 weeks, at least 24 weeks, at least 6 months, or at least 12 months or longer, such as up to about 2 years.

In other embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of stabilizing a composition by including a system according to the disclosure herein. The compositions that can be stabilized can optionally include at least one electrolyte, for example in an amount of at least about 0.25%, such as at least about 0.5%, at least about 0.75%, or at least about 1%. The compositions, in at least some embodiments, are compositions for treating keratinous substrates, for example for treating, caring for, and/or revitalizing keratin fibers, such as hair.

The disclosure relates to systems for stabilizing compositions that can be used for treating keratinous substrates, such as keratin fibers, particularly compositions comprising at least one electrolyte. Compositions that comprise at least one electrolyte can strengthen and/or repair keratinous substrates, such as skin, hair, and nails, that have been damaged. However, such compositions are generally unstable and efforts to stabilize them have had limited success. Including the systems described herein, however, the compositions are surprisingly stable. Therefore, the combination of components disclosed for the systems herein provides surprising and unexpected stability to compositions that can be used for treating keratinous substrates, such as keratin fibers, particularly when the compositions comprise one or more electrolytes.

The disclosure also relates to methods of stabilizing compositions using the systems and to stable compositions comprising the systems.

I. SYSTEMS

In various embodiments, the systems comprise a synergistic combination of (a) at least one starch polymer, (b) at least one cationic polymer, and (c) at least one fatty alcohol.

Starch polymers

The compositions according to the disclosure comprise at least one starch-derived polymer. Optionally, the systems may, in some embodiments, comprise at least two, at least three, at least four, etc., starch polymers.

Starches are nonionic polymers that can be modified to be cationic or anionic. Nonionic, cationic, or anionic starch polymers can be used in systems according to the disclosure, as well as mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of starches that may be used include cereal starches, tuber starches, bean starches, wild grass starches, stem or trunk starches, and modified starches thereof. For example, in various embodiments, these starches may be modified or unmodified and may be selected from corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, waxy corn starch, oat starch, cassava starch, waxy barley, waxy rice starch, glutinous rice starch, sticky rice starch, amioca, potato starch, tapioca starch, oat starch, sago starch, sticky rice, or mixtures of two or more thereof. In at least some embodiments, the starch polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more of corn starch, tapioca starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, sago starch, modified starches thereof, or mixtures thereof. In other embodiments, the starch polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more of potato starch, sweet potato starch, modified starches thereof, or mixtures thereof. In at least some embodiments, the starch polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of modified potato starch.

Modified starches are generally obtained by subjecting the starch to a derivatization treatment (e.g., etherification, esterification, alkylation or grafting), a decomposition treatment (e.g., roasting, enzymatic denaturation, oxidation or acid treatment) or a processing step (e.g., gelatinization, granulation or introduction of pores). In some embodiments, the modification includes crosslinking, stabilization, phosphorylation or hydrolysis of the starch.

In some embodiments, the modified starch is included in the system in cationic form, such as in the form of hydrolyzed starch (e.g., acid, enzymatic, or alkaline degradation), oxidized starch (e.g., peroxide, peracid, hypochlorite, alkali, or other oxidizing agent), physically/mechanically degraded starch (e.g., via the input of thermomechanical energy from the processing equipment), or combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of cationic starch polymers that may be used include degraded cationic corn starch, cationic tapioca, cationic potato starch, or mixtures thereof. In at least some embodiments, the starch polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of cationic starch polymers. In other embodiments, the starch polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more of cationic corn starch, cationic potato starch, cationic sweet potato starch, or mixtures thereof.

The starch polymers are present in the systems in a total amount sufficient, in combination with the other components of the systems, to stabilize the composition in which the system is included. For example, the starch polymers may be present in a total amount of at least about 0.75%, such as at least about 0.8%, at least about 0.85%, at least about 0.9%, at least about 0.95%, or at least about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition in which the system is present. For example, the systems may comprise a total amount of starch polymers ranging from about 0.75% to about 10%, from about 0.8% to about 8%, from about 0.85% to about 6%, from about 0.9% to about 4%, from about 0.95% to about 3%, or from about 1% to about 2.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition in which the system is present. In some embodiments, the total amount of starch polymers in the system is not less than 0.75%, not less than 0.8%, not less than 0.85%, not less than 0.9%, not less than 0.95%, or not less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition in which the system is present.

In some embodiments, the system may include a total amount of potato starches ranging from about 0.75% to about 10%, such as from about 0.75% to about 9%, from about 0.75% to about 8%, from about 0.75% to about 7%, from about 0.75% to about 6%, from about 0.75% to about 5%, from about 0.75% to about 4.5%, from about 0.75% to about 4%, from about 0.75% to about 3.5%, from about 0.75% to about 3%, from about 0.75% to about 2.75%, from about 0.75% to about 2.5%, from about 0.75% to about 2.25%, from about 0.75% to about 2%, from about 0.75% to about 3%, from about 0.75% to about 4%, from about 0.75% to about 5%, from about 0.75% to about 6%, from about 0.75% to about 7%, from about 0.75% to about 8%, from about 0.75% to about 9%, from about 0.75% to about 10%, from about 0.75% to about 11%, from about 0.75% to about 12%, from about 0.75% to about 13%, from about 0.75% to about 14%, from about 0.75% to about 15%, from about 0.75% to about 16%, from about 0.75% to about 17%, from about 0.75% to about 18%, from about 0.75% to about 19%, from about 0.75% to about 20%, from about 0.75% to about 21%, from about 0. about 1.75%, from about 0.75% to about 1.5% by weight, from about 0.75% to about 1.25%, or from about 0.75% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition in which the system is present.

In various embodiments, the system comprises a total amount of starch polymers of about 0.75% to about 2.5%, about 0.75% to about 2.4%, about 0.75% to about 2.3%, about 0.75% to about 2.2%, about 0.75% to about 2.1%, about 0.75% to about 1.9%, about 0.75% to about 1.8%, about 0.75% to about 1.7%, about 0.75% to about 1.6%, about 0.75% to about 1.5%, about 0.75% to about 1.4%, about 0.75% to about 1.3%, about 0.75% to about 1.2%, about 0.75% to about 1.1%, from about 0.8% to about 5%, from about 0.8% to about 4%, from about 0.8% to about 3%, from about 0.8% to about 2.5%, from about 0.8% to about 2.4%, from about 0.8% to about 2.3%, from about 0.8% to about 2.2%, from about 0.8% to about 2.1%, from about 0.8% to about 1.9%, from about 0.8% to about 1.8%, from about 0.8% to about 1.7%, from about 0.8% to about 1.6%, from about 0.8% to about 1.5%, from about 0.8% to about 1.4%, from about 0.8% to about 1.3%, from about 0.8% to about 1.2%, from about 0.8% to about 1.1%, from about 0.8% to about 1%, from about 0.85% to about 5%, from about 0.85% to about 4%, from about 0.85% to about 3%, from about 0.85% to about 2.5%, from about 0.85% to about 2.4%, from about 0.85% to about 2.3%, from about 0.85% to about 2.2%, from about 0.85% to about 2.1%, from about 0.85% to about 1.9%, from about 0.85% to about 1.8%, from about 0.85% to about 1.7%, from about 0.85% to about 1.6%, from about 0.85% to about 1.5%, from about 0.85% to about 1.4%, from about 0.85% to about about 1.3%, from about 0.85% to about 1.2%, from about 0.85% to about 1.1%, from about 0.85% to about 1%, from about 0.9% to about 5%, from about 0.9% to about 4%, from about 0.9% to about 3%, from about 0.9% to about 2.5%, from about 0.9% to about 2.4%, from about 0.9% to about 2.3%, from about 0.9% to about 2.2%, from about 0.9% to about 2.1%, from about 0.9% to about 1.9%, from about 0.9% to about 1.8%, from about 0.9% to about 1.7%, from about 0.9% to about 1.6%, from about 0.9% to about 1.5%, from about 0.9% to about 1.4%, from about 0.9% to about 1.3%, from about 0.9% to about 1.2%, from about 0.9% to about 1.1%, from about 0.9% to about 1%, from about 0.95% to about 5%, from about 0.95% to about 4%, from about 0.95% to about 3%, from about 0.95% to about 2.5%, from about 0.95% to about 2.4%, from about 0.95% to about 2.3%, from about 0.95% to about 2.2%, from about 0.95% to about 2.1%, from about 0.95% to about 1.9%, from about 0.95% to about 1.8%, from about 0.95% to about 1.7%, from about 0.95% to about 1.6%, from about 0.95% to about 1.5%, from about 0.95% to about 1.4%, from about 0.95% to about 1.3%, from about 0.95% to about 1.2%, from about 0.95% to about 1.1%, or from about 0.95% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition in which the system is present.

Cationic polymers

The systems according to the disclosure comprise at least one cationic polymer, other than cationic starch polymers. Optionally, the systems may, in some embodiments, comprise at least two, at least three, at least four, etc., cationic polymers other than cationic starch polymers.

As used herein, a “cationic polymer” is any polymer containing cationic groups and/or groups that can be ionized to cationic groups, and includes polymers other than cationic starch polymers. Non-limiting examples of cationic polymers that may be used include polyamine, polyaminoamide, polyquaternary ammonium polymers, or mixtures thereof. Examples of polyamine, polyaminoamide, and polyquaternary ammonium polymers that may be used include those described in French patents FR 2 505 348 and FR 2 542 997. These polymers may be selected from the following:

(1) homopolymers or copolymers derived from esters or amides of acrylic or methacrylic acid;

(2) cationic cellulose derivatives such as (a) cellulose ether derivatives containing quaternary ammonium groups which are described, for example, in French patent FR 1 492 597, or (b) copolymers of cellulose or cellulose derivatives grafted with a water-soluble quaternary ammonium monomer, which are described, for example, in U.S. patent No. 4,131,576, such as hydroxyalkylcelluloses, for example hydroxymethyl-, hydroxyethyl- or hydroxypropyl celluloses grafted with a methacryloylethyltrimethylammonium, methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium or dimethyldiallylammonium salt. A non-limiting example which may be mentioned is polyquaternium-10;

(3) other cationic polysaccharides such as those described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,589,578 and U.S. Patent No. 4,031,307, such as guar gums containing cationic trialkylammonium groups;

(4) Polymers composed of piperazinyl units and straight or branched chain divalent alkylene or hydroxyalkylene groups, optionally interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atoms or by aromatic or heterocyclic rings, as well as the oxidation and/or quaternization products of these polymers. Polymers of this type are described, for example, in French patents FR 2 162 025 and FR 2 280 361;

(5) water-soluble polyaminoamides, such as those described in French patents FR 2 252 840 and FR 2 368 508;

(6) polyaminoamide derivatives, for example, adipic acid/dialkylaminohydroxyalkyldialkylenetriamine polymers in which the alkyl group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms and is preferably a methyl, ethyl or propyl group, and the alkylene group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms and is preferably the ethylene group. Polymers of this type are described, for example, in French patent FR 1 583 363;

(7) polymers obtained by reacting a polyalkylene polyamine comprising two primary amine groups and at least one secondary amine group, with a dicarboxylic acid selected from diglycolic acid and saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. The molar ratio between the polyalkylene polyamine and the dicarboxylic acid is between 0.8:1 and 1.4:1, and the resulting polyaminoamide is reacted with epichlorohydrin in a molar ratio between epichlorohydrin and the secondary amine group of the polyaminoamide of between 0.5:1 and 1.8:1. Polymers of this type are described, for example, in Publication No. 3,227,615, and U.S. Patent No. 2,961,347;

(8) alkyldiallylamine or dialkyldiallylammonium cyclopolymers such as dimethyldiallylammonium chloride homopolymer, and diallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylamide copolymers;

(9) quaternary diammonium polymers having a number average molecular weight generally between 1000 and 100,000, such as those described, for example, in French patents FR 2,320,330, 2,270,846, 2,316,271, 2,336,434 and 2,413,907 and U.S. patents Nos. 2,273,780, 2,375,853, 2,388,614, 2,454,547, 3,206,462, 2,261,002, 2,271,378, 3,874,870, 4,001,432, 3,929,990, 3,966,904, 4 005 193, 4 025 617, 4 025 627, 4 025 653, 4 026 945 and 4 027 020; an example that can be mentioned is hexadimethrine chloride (INCI name), sold by Chimex under the name Mexomere PO;

(10) polyquaternary ammonium polymers such as those described, for example, in patent application EP-A-122 324;

(11) quaternary vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole polymers such as, for example, the products sold under the names Luviquat® FC 905, FC 550 and FC 370 by BASF;

(12) polyamines such as Polyquart® H sold by Henkel, which is referenced as Polyethylene Glycol (15) Tallow Polyamine in the CTFA dictionary; and

(13) crosslinked polymers of methacryloyloxyalkyl(C1-C4) trialkyl(C1-C4) ammonium salts, such as those sold under the names Salcare® SC 92, Salcare® SC 95 and Salcare® SC 96 by Allied Colloids.

In some embodiments, the cationic polymer may be selected from Polyquaternium-5, Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-15, Polyquaternium-16, Polyquaternium-17, Polyquaternium-18, Polyquaternium-22, Polyquaternium-28, Polyquaternium-32, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-39, Polyquaternium-46, Polyquaternium-47, Polyquaternium-53, Quaternium-14, Quaternium-15, Quaternium-22, Quaternium-24, Quaternium-26, Quaternium-72, or Quaternium-82.

As further examples of cationic polymers, poly(methacryloyloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride), quaternized cellulose derivatives, cationic alkyl polyglycosides, cationized honey, cationic guar derivatives, polymeric dimethyl diallyl ammonium salts and their copolymers with esters and amides of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone with quaternized derivatives of dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate and methacrylate, copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl imidazolium methochloride or quaternized polyvinyl alcohol may be selected.

Mixtures of two or more of any of the above may also be used. In some embodiments, the cationic polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-15, Polyquaternium-22, Polyquaternium-32, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-39, Polyquaternium-47, Quaternium-14, Quaternium-22, Quaternium-24, or mixtures of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the cationic polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of Polyquaternium-37.

The cationic polymers are present in the systems in a total amount sufficient, in combination with the other components of the systems, to stabilize the composition in which the system is included. For example, the total amount of cationic polymers may be at least about 0.35%, such as at least about 0.4%, at least about 0.45%, or at least about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition in which the system is present. In some cases, the systems may include a total amount of cationic polymers ranging from about 0.35% to about 5%, from about 0.4% to about 4%, from about 0.45% to about 3%, from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition in which the system is present. In various embodiments, the system comprises a total amount of cationic polymers that is not less than 0.35%, such as not less than 0.4%, not less than 0.45% or not less than 0.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition in which the system is present.

In various embodiments, the cationic polymers are present in the system in an amount ranging from about 0.35% to about 8%, such as from about 0.35% to about 7%, from about 0.35% to about 6%, from about 0.35% to about 5%, from about 0.35% to about 4.5%, from about 0.35% to about 4%, from about 0.35% to about 3.5%, from about 0.35% to about 3%, from about 0.35% to about 2.5%, from about 0.35% to about 2%, from about 0.35% to about 1.75%, from about 0.35% to about 1.5%, from about 0.35% to about 1.25%, from about 0.35% to about 1%, from about 0.35% to about 2%, from about 0.35% to about 3%, from about 0.35% to about 4%, from about 0.35% to about 5%, from about 0.35% to about 6%, from about 0.35% to about 7%, from about 0.35% to about 8%, from about 0.35% to about 9%, from about 0.35% to about 10%, from about 0.35% to about 11%, from about 0.35% to about 12%, from about 0.35% to about 13%, from about 0.35% to about 14%, from about 0.35% to about 15%, from about 0.35% to about 16%, from about 0.35% to about 17%, from about 0.35% to about 18%, from about 0.35% to about 20%, from about 0.35% to about 21%, from about to about 0.75%, from about 0.4% to about 8%, from about 0.4% to about 7%, from about 0.4% to about 6%, from about 0.4% to about 5%, from about 0.4% to about 4.5%, from about 0.4% to about 4%, from about 0.4% to about 3.5%, from about 0.4% to about 3%, from about 0.4% to about 2.5%, from about 0.4% to about 2%, from about 0.4% to about 1.75%, from about 0.4% to about 1.5%, from about 0.4% to about 1.25%, from about 0.4% to about 1%, from about 0.4% to about 0.75%, from about 0.45% to about 8%, from about 0.45% to about 7%, from about 0.45% to about 6%, from about 0.45% to about 5%, from about 0.45% to about 4.5%, from about 0.45% to about 4%, from about 0.45% to about 3.5%, from about 0.45% to about 3%, from about 0.45% to about 2.5%, from about 0.45% to about 2%, from about 0.45% to about 1.75%, from about 0.45% to about 1.5%, from about 0.45% to about 1.25%, from about 0.45% to about 1%, from about 0.45% to about 0.75%, from about 0.5% to about 8%, from about 0.5% to about 7%, from about 0.5% to about 6%, from about 0.5% to about 5%, from about 0.5% to about 4.5%, from about 0.5% to about 4%, from about 0.5% to about 3.5%, from about 0.5% to about 3%, from about 0.5% to about 2.5%, from about 0.5% to about 2%, from about 0.5% to about 1.75%, from about 0.5% to about 1.5%, from about 0.5% to about 1.25%, from about 0.5% to about 1%, or from about 0.5% to about 0.75% by weight, based on the total weight of the base composition.

In some embodiments, it may be particularly advantageous to select amounts of starch polymers and cationic polymers such that the system (and the composition comprising the system) has a weight ratio of the total amount of starch polymers to the total amount of cationic polymers greater than 1, such as greater than about 1.25, greater than about 1.5, greater than about 1.75, greater than about 2, greater than about 2.25, greater than about 2.5, greater than about 2.75, or greater than about 3. For example, the weight ratio of starch polymer(s) to cationic polymer(s) may range from greater than 1 to about 6, such as greater than 1 to about 5, greater than 1 to about 4, greater than 1 to about 3.5, greater than 1 to about 3, greater than 1 to about 2.5, or greater than about 4. more than 1 to about 2.25, more than 1 to about 2, more than 1 to about 1.75, more than 1 to about 1.5, or more than 1 to about 1.25. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the starch polymer(s) to the cationic polymer(s) may range from 1.1 to 5, from 1.2 to 4, from 1.3 to 3, from 1.5 to 2.5, or may range from about 1.25 to about 5, from about 1.25 to about 4, from about 1.25 to about 3, from about 1.25 to about 2.5, from about 1.5 to about 5, from about 1.5 to about 4, from about 1.5 to about 3.5, from about 1.5 to about 3, from about 1.5 to about 2.5, from about 1.5 to about 2.25, or from about 1.5 to about 2.

In other embodiments, the weight ratio of the starch polymer(s) to the cationic polymer(s) may range from about 1.25 to about 8, such as from about 1.5 to about 8, from about 1.75 to about 8, from about 2 to about 8, from about 2.25 to about 8, from about 2.5 to about 8, from about 2.75 to about 8, from about 3 to about 8, from about 1.25 to about 7, from about 1.5 to about 7, from about 1.75 to about 7, from about 2 to about 7, from about 2.25 to about 7, from about 2.5 to about 7, from about 2.75 to about 7, from about 3 to about 7, from about 1.25 to about 6, from about 7 to about 8, from about 8 to about 9, from about 9 to about 10, from about 10 to about 11, from about 11 to about 12, from about 12 to about 13, from about 13 to about 14, from about 14 to about 15, from about 15 to about 16, from about 16 to about 17, from about 17 to about 18, from about 18 to about 19, from about 19 to about 20, from about 20 to about 21, from about 21 to about 22, from about 22 to about 23, from about 23 to about 24, from about 24 to about 25, from about 25 to about 26, from about 26 to about 27, from about 27 to about 28, from about 28 to about 29, from about 29 to about 30, from about 30 to about 31, from about 31 to about 32, from about 32 to about 33, from about 33 to about 34, from about 1.5 to about 6, from about 1.75 to about 6, from about 2 to about 6, from about 2.25 to about 6, from about 2.5 to about 6, from about 2.75 to about 6, from about 3 to about 6, from about 1.25 to about 5, from about 1.5 to about 5, from about 1.75 to about 5, from about 2 to about 5, from about 2.25 to about 5, from about 2.5 to about 5, from about 2.75 to about 5, or from about 3 to about 5.

Fatty alcohols

The systems according to the disclosure comprise at least one fatty alcohol. The systems may, in some embodiments, comprise at least two, at least three, at least four, etc., fatty alcohols.

Fatty alcohols that are useful in the system include alcohols comprising at least one hydroxyl (OH) group, and comprising at least 8 carbon atoms, and which are neither oxyalkylenated (in particular neither oxyethylenated nor oxypropylenated) nor glycerolated. The fatty alcohols may be represented by the general formula R-OH, in which R denotes a saturated (alkyl) or unsaturated (alkenyl) group, linear or branched, comprising from 8 to 40 carbon atoms, for example from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, or from 14 to 22 carbon atoms. The fatty alcohol(s) may be liquid or solid, and the systems may comprise one or more liquid fatty alcohols, one or more solid fatty alcohols, or a mixture of one or more liquid fatty alcohols and one or more solid fatty alcohols.

In some embodiments, the systems comprise at least one solid fatty alcohol. Solid fatty alcohols that may be used include those that are solid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure (25°C, 780 mmHg), and are insoluble in water, i.e., have a water solubility of less than 1 wt. %, preferably less than 0.5 wt. %, at 25°C, 1 atm.

In some embodiments, the systems comprise at least one liquid fatty alcohol. The liquid fatty alcohols, such as those containing 10 to 34 carbon atoms, may in some cases have branched carbon chains and/or have one or more double bonds, for example 1 to 3 double bonds. Thus, in some embodiments, the fatty alcohol is selected from branched and/or unsaturated liquid fatty alcohols containing 12 to 40 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the liquid fatty alcohol is selected from branched saturated alcohols.

Non-limiting examples of useful fatty alcohols include lauryl alcohol (1-dodecanol), myristyl alcohol (1-tetradecanol), cetyl alcohol (1-hexadecanol), stearyl alcohol (1-octadecanol), cetearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol (1-eicosanol), behenyl alcohol (1-docosanol), lignoceryl alcohol (1-tetracosanol), ceryl alcohol (1-hexacosanol), montanyl alcohol (1-octacosanol), myricyl alcohol (1-triacontanol), oleyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, linolenic alcohol, isocetyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, octyldodecanol-2-octyl-1-dodecanol), 2-butyloctanol, 2-hexyl-1-decanol, 2-decyl-1-tetradecanol, 2-tetradecyl-1-cetanol, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the one or more fatty alcohols are selected from those having from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, octyldodecanol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, lignoceryl alcohol, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the fatty alcohol comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

The fatty alcohols are present in the systems in a total amount sufficient, in combination with the other components of the systems, to stabilize the composition in which the system is included. In one embodiment, the fatty alcohols may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 10%, such as from about 1% to about 10%, from about 1% to about 8%, from about 1.5% to about 7%, from about 2% to about 6%, or from about 3% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition in which the system is present.

For example, in some embodiments, the total amount of fatty alcohols may range from about 0.5% to about 10%, from about 0.5% to about 9%, from about 0.5% to about 8%, from about 0.5% to about 7%, from about 0.5% to about 6%, from about 0.5% to about 5%, from about 0.5% to about 4%, from about 0.5% to about 3%, from about 0.5% to about 2%, from about 0.5% to about 1%, 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%, or from about 1% to about 2% by weight, from about 1.5% to about 10%, from about 1.5% to about 9%, from about 1.5% to about 8%, from about 1.5% to about 7%, from about 1.5% to about 6%, from about 1.5% to about 5%, from about 1.5% to about 4%, from about 1.5% to about 3%, from about 1.5% to about 2%, 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 2.5% to about 10%, from about 2.5% to about 9% %, from about 2.5% to about 8%, from about 2.5% to about 7%, from about 2.5% to about 6%, from about 2.5% to about 5%, from about 2.5% to about 4%, from about 2.5% to about 3%, 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%, or from about 3% to about 4% based on the total weight of the composition in which the system is present.

II. COMPOSITIONS

The compositions of the disclosure include the systems described herein. Compositions comprising at least one electrolyte, which tend to be unstable, may particularly benefit from use of the systems described herein. Examples of compositions that may be stabilized by the systems include at least one electrolyte in addition to various components typically used in compositions for treating keratinous substrates, caring for keratinous substrates, revitalizing keratinous substrates, etc. Although examples of components and compositions are provided herein, it should be understood that other compositions may also be stabilized using the systems described herein, and other components may be selected.

Electrolytes

Compositions that can be stabilized with systems according to the disclosure generally comprise at least one electrolyte. Compositions comprising electrolytes, particularly at levels greater than about 0.1%, can be used, for example, to prevent damage to keratinous substrates, repair damaged keratinous substrates, or strengthen keratinous substrates, but such compositions are known to be unstable.

As used herein, the term "electrolyte" refers to compounds such as salts, acids, and bases that form ions when present in a composition comprising a polar solvent, such as water. Although not limiting, electrolytes may include an anion such as phosphate, chloride, sulfate, or citrate, and a cation such as sodium, ammonium, potassium, or magnesium. It may refer to a compound that is added to the composition (e.g., sodium citrate) or a compound that may be formed in situ via balancing counterions from other components.

The electrolytes may therefore, in certain embodiments, be added to the composition in the form of acid or salt. For example, acids that may be used include non-polymeric mono-, di-, and tri-carboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, entanthic acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, undecylic acid, lauric acid, tridecylic acid, lauric acid, tridecylic acid, myristic acid, pentadecylic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, nonadecylic acid, arachidic acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, citraconic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, dodecanoic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, citric acid, isocitric acid, aconitric acid, propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid.

Salts of any of the above acids may also be used, for example, sodium, ammonium, potassium and/or magnesium salts of the acids. By way of non-limiting example only, the salt may be sodium citrate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium chloride, etc.

The amount of electrolyte in the composition may vary, but is typically greater than about 0.1%, such as greater than about 0.25%, greater than about 0.5%, greater than about 0.75%, or greater than about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the total amount of electrolytes may range from about 0.5% to about 5%, from about 0.5% to about 4%, from about 0.5% to about 3%, from about 0.5% to about 2%, from about 0.5% to about 1.5%, from about 0.6% to about 5%, from about 0.6% to about 4%, from about 0.6% to about 3%, from about 0.6% to about 2%, from about 0.6% to about 1.5%, from about 0.7% to about 5%, from about 0.7% to about 4%, from about 0.7% to about 3%, from about 0.7% to about 2%, from about 0.7% to about 1.5%, from about 0.8% to about 5%, from about 0.8% to about 4%, from about 0.8% to about 3%, from about 0.8% to about 2%, from about 0.8% to about 1.5%, from about 0.9% to about 5%, from about 0.9% to about 4%, from about 0.9% to about 3%, from about 0.9% to about 2%, or from about 0.9% to about 1.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Surfactants

Compositions for treating keratin substrates, caring for keratin substrates, revitalizing keratin substrates, etc. often include one or more surfactants. The surfactants may be anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric, and the compositions may include mixtures of surfactants having the same or different ionicities.

For example, anionic surfactants that may be selected include alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates, such as, for example, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, triethylamine lauryl sulfate, triethylamine laureth sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine laureth sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate, monoethanolamine laureth sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl sulfate, diethanolamine laureth sulfate, lauric monoglyceride sodium sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, potassium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, lauryl sarcosine, cocoyl sarcosine, ammonium cocoyl sulfate, ammonium lauroyl sulfate, sodium cocoyl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sulfate, potassium cocoyl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, monoethanolamine cocoyl sulfate, sodium trideceth-1 sulfate, sodium trideceth-2 sulfate, sodium sulfate, sodium trideceth-3 sulfate, sodium tridecyl sulfate, sodium methyl lauryl taurate, sodium undecyl sulfate, sodium decyl sulfate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium laurethsulfosuccinate, sodium laurylsulfosuccinate, sodium tridecyl benzene sulfonate or sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate.

Typical amphoteric surfactants include derivatives of secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines 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, cornamphopropionate sodium, sodium lauriminodipropionate, 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, PPG-2-isodecethyl-7 disodium carboxyamphodiacetate, lauraminopropionic acid, lauroamphodipropionic acid, lauryl aminopropylglycine and lauryl diethylenediaminoglycine.

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 of the amidobetaines and amidosulfobetaines, oleyl betaine or cocamidopropyl betaine may be selected.

Nonionic surfactants may include, for example, polyoxyethylene glyceryl fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, alkylated polysaccharides, alkyl glycosides, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyglycol fatty acid esters, alkaloyl diethanolamides, and fatty acid isopropanolamides. For example, ethoxylated or propoxylated alcohols and alkyl phenols, which in various embodiments contain a linear or branched C8-22 alkyl group, e.g., C10-20 or C12-20, and from about 6 to about 30, such as from about 6 to about 25, ethylene oxide or propylene oxide groups (high HLB nonionic surfactants) or from about 1 to about 5 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide groups (low HLB nonionic surfactants), or esters of acids and alcohols, e.g., glyceryl esters of fatty acids may be present. For example, the nonionic surfactants may be selected from polyoxyethylenated stearyl alcohol with 2 EO (Steareth-2), glyceryl laurate, glyceryl stearate, glycol stearate, sorbitan isostearate; sorbitan oleate; sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan stearate, sorbitan trioleate, polyoxyethylene cetyl alcohol with 20 EO (Ceteth-20), polyoxyethylene cetyl alcohol with 24 EO (Ceteth-24), polyoxyethylene lauryl alcohol with 21 EO (Laureth-21), polyoxyethylene lauryl alcohol with 23 EO (Laureth-23), polyoxyethylene stearyl alcohol with 20 EO (Steareth-20), polyoxyethylene stearyl alcohol with 21 EO (Steareth-21), polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Polysorbate-20) or polyoxyethylene (6) oleyl ether (Oleth-20).

Cationic surfactants that may be selected include quaternary alkylamines such as those of the general formula (I) below:

  X ^-

(I)

in which R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄are independently selected from linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals comprising from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, polyoxyalkylene, alkylamido, alkylamidoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aromatic, aryl or alkylaryl radical comprising from about 12 to about 30 carbon atoms, and X^-is an anion, for example a halide, for example, a chloride, a bromide or an iodide, a (C1-C4) alkyl sulfate, a (C1-C4) alkylsulfonate or a (C1-C4) alkylarylsulfonate, a methanesulfonate, a phosphate, a nitrate, a tosylate, an anion derived from an organic acid such as an acetate or a lactate, or any other ammonium-compatible ion bearing an ester function. In some embodiments, the anion X^-is bromide, chloride or methosulfate. Optionally, at least one of R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄has at least 8 carbon atoms, such as 12 to 30 carbon atoms, 16 to 24 carbon atoms, or 18 to 22 carbon atoms.

In some compositions, the quaternary alkylamines may be selected from monoalkyl alkyl quaternary amines, dialkyl alkyl quaternary amines, their salts, or mixtures thereof, such as behenyltrimethylammonium bromide, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium methosulfate, distearyldimethylammonium bromide, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium methosulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium methosulfate, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, or dodecyltrimethylammonium methosulfate.

As further examples of cationic surfactants, steartrimonium chloride, stearalkonium chloride, dicetyldimonium chloride, hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, cocotrimonium methosulfate, olealkonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride, babassuamidopropalkonium chloride, brassicamidopropyl dimethylamine, behenalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, lauralkonium chloride, cetalkonium chloride, cetylamine hydrofluoride or mixtures thereof may be used.

Amido amines can also be chosen. For example, the compositions may include tertiary amido amines having an alkyl group of about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms, such as brassicamidopropyl dimethylamine, stearamidopropyldimethylamine, stearamidopropyldiethylamine, stearamidoethyldiethylamine, stearamidoethyldimethylamine, palmitamidopropyldimethylamine, palmitamidopropyldiethylamine, palmitamidoethyldiethylamine, palmitamidoethyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldiethylamine, or diethylaminoethylethylstearamide.

Typically, the total amount of surfactants may vary, but may range up to about 15%, such as from about 0.5% to about 12%, from about 1% to about 10%, from about 1.5% to about 8%, or from about 2% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the amount of surfactants may range from about 0.5% to about 15%, such as from about 1% to about 15%, from about 1% to about 12%, 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 1.5% to about 15%, from about 1.5% to about 12%, from about 1.5% to about 10%, from about 1.5% to about 9%, from about 1.5% to about 8%, from about 1.5% to about 7%, from about 1.5% to about 6%, from about 1.5% to about 5%, from about 1.5% to about 4%, from about 1.5% to about 3%, from about 2% to about 15%, from about 2% to about 12%, 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 2.5% to about 15%, from about 2.5% to about 12%, from about 2.5% to about 10%, from about 2.5% to about 9%, from about 2.5% to about 8%, from about 2.5% to about 7%, from about 2.5% to about 6%, from about 2.5% to about 5%, from about 2.5% to about 4%, from about 3% to about 15%, from about 3% to about 12%, 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 3.5% to about 15%, from about 3.5% to about 12%, from about 3.5% to about 10%, from about 3.5% to about 9%, from about 3.5% to about 8%, from about 3.5% to about 7%, from about 3.5% to about 6%, from about 3.5% to about 5%, or from about 3.5% to about 4% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Solvent(s)

Compositions for treating keratin substrates, caring for keratin substrates, revitalizing keratin substrates, etc. generally comprise one or more solvents, for example water and/or at least one non-aqueous solvent. The compositions may comprise water in an amount ranging from about 30% to about 95%, such as from about 50% to about 95%, about 60% to about 95%, about 70% to about 95%, about 75% to about 95%, about 80% to about 95%, about 60% to about 90%, about 65% to about 90%, about 70% to about 90%, about 75% to about 90% or about 80% to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the solvent includes non-aqueous solvents, for example, glycerin, C ₁ - ₄ alcohols, organic solvents, fatty alcohols, fatty ethers, fatty esters, polyols, glycols, vegetable oils, mineral oils, liposomes, laminar lipid materials, or any mixture thereof. Other non-limiting examples of non-aqueous solvents that may be used 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 monomethyl ether acetate, 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; or mixtures of two or more thereof.

Additional Fatty Compounds

Compositions for treating keratin substrates, caring for keratin substrates, revitalizing keratin substrates, etc. often comprise one or more fatty compounds other than fatty alcohols as described above.

For example, the compositions may optionally include 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, hydrogenated polyisobutene, 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, C5-C9 dipentaerythrityl esters, polyesters of trimethylolpropane, propylene glycol polyesters or hydrogenated castor oil polyesters), perfluorinated and/or organofluorinated oils, volatile or non-volatile silicone oils, fluorosilicone oils, or mixtures of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the composition may be free or substantially free of silicone oils.

Optionally, the total amount of additional fatty compounds may be up to about 30%, such as from about 0.1% to about 20%, from about 0.5% to about 15%, from about 1% to about 10%, from about 1.5% to about 8%, or from about 2% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In various embodiments, the total amount of additional fatty compounds may range from about 1% to about 15%, from about 1% to about 12%, from about 1% to about 7%, from about 1% to about 5%, from about 1% to about 4%, from about 1% to about 3%, from about 1.5% to about 15%, from about 1.5% to about 12%, from about 1.5% to about 10%, from about 1.5% to about 7%, from about 1.5% to about 5%, from about 1.5% to about 4%, from about 1.5% to about 3%, from about 2% to about 15%, from about 2% to about 12%, from about 2% to about 10%, from about 2% to about 7%, from about 2% to about 5%, from about 2% to about 4%, from about 2% to about 3%, from about 2.5% to about 15%, from about 2.5% to about 12%, from about 2.5% to about 10%, from about 2.5% to about 7%, from about 2.5% to about 5%, from about 2.5% to about 4%, from about 2.5% to about 3.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Thickening agents

Compositions for treating keratin substrates, caring for keratin substrates, revitalizing keratin substrates, etc. often include one or more thickening agents other than starch polymers.

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.

Where applicable, the total amount of thickening agents may vary, but may be, for example, at least about 0.1%, such as at least about 0.25%, at least about 0.5%, at least about 0.75%, or at least about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the total amount of thickening agents may range from about 0.5% to about 5%, from about 0.5% to about 4%, from about 0.5% to about 3%, from about 0.5% to about 2%, from about 0.5% to about 1.5%, from about 0.6% to about 5%, from about 0.6% to about 4%, from about 0.6% to about 3%, from about 0.6% to about 2%, from about 0.6% to about 1.5%, from about 0.7% to about 5%, from about 0.7% to about 4%, from about 0.7% to about 3%, from about 0.7% to about 2%, from about 0.7% to about 1.5%, from about 0.8% to about 5%, from about 0.8% to about 2%, from about 0.8 ...1.5%, from about 0.8% to about 5%, from about 0.8% to about 2%, from about 0.8% to about 4%, from about 0.8% to about 3%, from about 0.8% to about 2%, from about 0.8% to about 1.5%, from about 0.9% to about 5%, from about 0.9% to about 4%, from about 0.9% to about 3%, from about 0.9% to about 2%, or from about 0.9% to about 1.5%, based on the total weight of the composition.

Adjuvants

Typically, compositions for treating keratin substrates, caring for keratin substrates, revitalizing keratin substrates, etc. include one or more adjuvants. Non-limiting examples include preservatives, fragrances, pH adjusters, salts, antioxidants, vitamins, vitamin derivatives, botanical extracts, UV filtering agents, proteins, protein hydrolysates, protein isolates, hydrotropes, pearlizing agents, buffers, colorants for coloring the compositions (not for coloring the hair), sequestering agents, and the like.

The total amount of adjuvants, if any, typically ranges from about 0.01% to about 10%, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, in some embodiments, the individual amounts of each adjuvant or the total amount of adjuvants may range from about 0.1% to about 10%, about 0.1% to about 8%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 4%, about 0.1% to about 3%, about 0.1% to about 2%, about 1% to about 10%, about 1% to about 8%, about 1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 4%, about 1% to about 3%, or about 1% to about 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Compositions comprising the systems of the disclosure generally have a viscosity of less than about 30,000 mPas, such as less than about 25,000 mPas, less than about 20,000 mPas, less than about 18,000 mPas, less than about 15,000 mPas, less than about 12,000 mPas, less than about 10,000 mPas, or less than about 8,000 mPas, when measured with a Brookfield viscometer, RV-05 spindle, at 5 rpm for one minute at ambient conditions. Surprisingly, the viscosity of the composition comprising the systems according to the disclosure remains relatively stable for a period of at least about 4 weeks, and in some embodiments, at least about 8 weeks, at least about 12 weeks, at least about 24 weeks, at least about 6 months, at least about 12 months, at least about 2 years, at least about 3 years or more.

Compositions comprising systems according to the disclosure are surprisingly stable in that no phase separation is observed (visually) in the stabilized compositions over a period of time. For example, by including the systems according to the disclosure in various compositions for keratin substrates that include at least one electrolyte, no phase separation is observed for at least about 4 weeks, and in some embodiments at least about 8 weeks, at least about 12 weeks, at least about 24 weeks, at least about 6 months, at least about 12 months, at least about 2 years, at least about 3 years, or more.

As such, the disclosure also relates to methods of stabilizing compositions, particularly compositions comprising at least one electrolyte, by including or employing a system according to the disclosure in the compositions. Methods for including or employing systems according to the disclosure in the compositions to be stabilized may be by any means known to those skilled in the art for preparing such compositions, so long as the components of the systems described herein are incorporated into the composition in total combined amounts sufficient to stabilize the composition. No specific steps are required to prepare such stable compositions.

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 illustrating 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 is understood that all definitions herein are provided for the purposes of the present disclosure only.

In this document, 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 specifically indicated otherwise. 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 concerns “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” is to be understood as including both the conjunctive and the disjunctive. For example, “citric acid and/or salts thereof” means “citric acid and salts thereof” as well as “citric acid or salts thereof”, and expressly covers cases of either.

In this document, the expressions “and mixtures thereof”, “and a mixture thereof”, “and combinations 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 “about”. It is understood, whether the term “about” 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.

In this document, if a component is described as being present "in an amount less than or equal to" a certain amount, it is intended that that component is in fact present in the composition, i.e., present in an amount greater than 0%.

All amounts stated herein are based on the total weight of the composition comprising a system according to the disclosure, unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages are expressed by weight of active ingredient. It is to be understood that the terms “based on the total weight of the composition”, “based on the weight of the composition in which the system is present”, and the like, refer to the weight of the composition, including the components of the system as well as any components present in the composition other than those described for the systems described herein.

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.

It is to be understood that, with respect to the salts of carboxylic acids described herein, it is intended to encompass the use of a salt of a carboxylic acid as an ingredient added to a composition according to the disclosure, or to the ion or salt of the carboxylic acid that is formed when the carboxylic acid is used as an ingredient in a composition according to the disclosure.

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 basic 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 expression “substantially free” or “substantially free” 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.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “system” or “stabilization system” means the combination of (a) at least one starch polymer, (b) at least one cationic polymer, and (c) at least one fatty alcohol as described herein, wherein the components are present in a composition in combined amounts sufficient to stabilize the composition.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, no method presented herein is intended to be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in any specific order.

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.

Example 1 – Stability study

The stability of compositions comprising systems according to the disclosure, and compositions not comprising systems according to the disclosure, were evaluated. The compositions of Table 1, including composition 1A which employs a system according to the disclosure and comparative compositions C1 to C6, were prepared. Each of compositions 1A and C1 to C6 can be used for the treatment, care and/or conditioning of keratin fibers, such as hair.

Inv. Comparative 1A C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 POTATO STARCH (MODIFIED) 1.00 0.50 0.50 1.00 - 1.00 1.00 POLYQUATERNIUM-37 0.50 0.25 0.50 - 0.50 - 0.50 POLYQUATERNIUM-4 - - - - - 0.50 - CETEARYL ALCOHOL 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 - OCTYLDODECANOL 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 - SODIUM CITRATE 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 CITRIC ACID 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 NON-IONIC SURFACTANTS (sorbitan oleate and/or glyceryl stearate and/or polysorbate 20) 0.99 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 CATIONIC SURFACTANTS (behentrimonium chloride and/or stearamidopropyl dimethylamine) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 PPG-1 TRIDECETH-6 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 ADDITIVES (vitamins, pH regulators, preservatives, fragrance) <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 Solvents (water and non-aqueous solvents) QS QS QS QS QS QS QS

The stability of each of Compositions 1A and C1 to C6 was studied by subjecting the compositions to a freeze-thaw process, which is a generally accepted method for conducting an accelerated stability study. Equal amounts of each composition were placed in separate 4 oz glass jars before being placed in the freeze-thaw chamber. The samples were then subjected to seven (7) consecutive freeze-thaw cycles, each cycle lasting 24 hours and including a freezing step where the sample was held at a temperature of -10°C for 12 hours, followed by a thawing step where the sample was held at a temperature of 25°C for 12 hours.

The samples were evaluated (visually) after four (4) and seven (7) cycles. The results of the stability study are presented in Table 2, where an “X” indicates that phase separation was observed after the specified cycle and a “√” indicates that no phase separation was observed after the specified cycle.

1A C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 After 4 cycles √ X X √ √ X X After 7 cycles √ X X X X X X

Example 1 thus demonstrates that the use of systems according to the disclosure in compositions which have at least one electrolyte surprisingly provides stability to the compositions, compared to compositions which include some of the components but not the synergistic combination of starch polymers, cationic polymers and fatty alcohols, and/or include these components but in amounts insufficient to stabilize the composition.

Example 2 – Viscosity study

The viscosity of composition 1A of Table 1, stabilized with a system according to the disclosure, was evaluated. The initial viscosity was measured within 24 hours of preparation using a Brookfield viscometer, RV-05 spindle, 5 rpm for one minute at ambient conditions, and again after storage at 45 °C for 2 months. The results are shown in Table 3.

Composition 1A Initial viscosity Viscosity after 2 months 7760 mPas 10080 mPas

The viscosity study demonstrates that the stability provided to the compositions with systems according to the disclosure is a lasting benefit. A typical composition for treating keratinous substrates, caring for keratinous substrates, revitalizing keratinous substrates, etc., would be expected to experience a significant increase in viscosity when subjected to the extreme storage conditions used in this study. However, Composition 1A experienced less than a 30% increase in viscosity, which was surprising. These results indicate that the same composition, when stored under normal use conditions, would remain stable for three years or more.

Thus, Example 2 demonstrates that the inclusion of systems according to the disclosure in compositions with at least one electrolyte surprisingly provides long-lasting stability to such compositions.

Example 3 – Additional compositions

The following compositions comprising systems according to the disclosure can be prepared and are expected to have stability similar to that of Composition 1A.

1B 1C 1D 1E POTATO STARCH (MODIFIED) 2.00 3.50 - - CORN STARCH - - 1.00 2.00 POLYQUATERNIUM-37 1.00 1.50 - - POLYQUATERNIUM-32 - - 0.50 1.50 CETEARYL ALCOHOL 5.00 6.00 - - STEARYL ALCOHOL - - 3.50 5.00 SODIUM CITRATE 0.50 1.00 - - SODIUM CHLORIDE - - 1.00 1.25 CITRIC ACID 0.50 0.50 - - MALEIC ACID, - - 0.25 0.25 NON-IONIC SURFACTANTS (sorbitan oleate and/or glyceryl stearate and/or polysorbate 20) 0.99 0.95 0.95 0.95 CATIONIC SURFACTANTS (behentrimonium chloride and/or stearamidopropyl dimethylamine) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 PPG-1 TRIDECETH-6 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 ADDITIVES (vitamins, pH regulators, preservatives, fragrance, etc.) <2 <2 <2 <2 Solvents (water and non-aqueous solvents) QS QS QS QS

Claims (10)

A system for stabilizing a composition comprising at least 0.25% electrolytes, the system comprising:

1. at least one starch polymer, preferably comprising modified and/or unmodified potato starch;
2. at least one cationic polymer, preferably comprising Polyquaternium-37; and
3. at least one fatty alcohol,

wherein the total amount of starch polymers ranges from about 0.75% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.75% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.75% to about 3%, most preferably from about 0.75% to about 1.5%;
wherein the total amount of cationic polymers ranges from about 0.35% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.4% to about 4%, more preferably from about 0.45% to about 3%, most preferably from about 0.5% to about 2%;
wherein the total amount of fatty alcohols ranges from about 0.5% to about 10%, preferably from about 1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 1% to about 8%, more preferably still from about 1.5% to about 7%, most preferably from about 2% to about 6% by weight;
wherein all quantities are by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition comprising the system. The system of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the total amount of starch polymers to the total amount of cationic polymers is greater than 1, preferably from about 1.5 to about 8, more preferably from about 2 to about 7, more preferably still from about 2.5 to about 6, most preferably from about 3 to about 5. Stable composition comprising:
(a) a composition stabilization system comprising:
i. at least one starch polymer, preferably comprising modified and/or unmodified potato starch;
ii. at least one cationic polymer, preferably comprising Polyquaternium-37; and
iii. at least one fatty alcohol; and
(b) at least one electrolyte,
wherein the composition comprises a total amount of electrolytes of at least about 0.25% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, and
wherein the total amounts of starch polymers, cationic polymers and fatty alcohols present in the composition stabilize the composition. Stable composition according to claim 3, in which:
the total amount of starch polymers ranges from about 0.75% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.75% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.75% to about 3%, most preferably from about 0.75% to about 1.5%;
the total amount of cationic polymers ranges from about 0.35% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.4% to about 4%, more preferably from about 0.45% to about 3%, most preferably from about 0.5% to about 2%; and
the total amount of fatty alcohols ranges from about 0.5% to about 10%, preferably from about 1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 1% to about 8%, more preferably still from about 1.5% to about 7%, most preferably from about 2% to about 6%;
in which all quantities are by weight, relative to the total weight of the stable composition. A stable composition according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the weight ratio between the total amount of starch polymers and the total amount of cationic polymers is greater than 1, preferably from about 1.5 to about 8, more preferably from about 2 to about 7, more preferably still from about 2.5 to about 6, most preferably from about 3 to about 5. A stable composition according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising at least one surfactant selected from nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof, wherein the total amount of surfactant(s) present in the composition ranges from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition. Stable composition according to any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising at least one fatty compound chosen from oils of animal, vegetable or mineral origin; linear or branched hydrocarbons; fatty acids; alkoxylated fatty alcohols; mono- and/or polyesters of fatty acids and/or fatty alcohols; or combinations thereof. Stable composition according to any one of claims 3 to 7, having a viscosity of less than about 30,000 mPas, preferably less than about 25,000 mPas, more preferably less than about 20,000 mPas, more preferably still less than about 15,000 mPas, most preferably less than about 12,000 mPas. Stable composition according to any one of claims 3 to 8, comprising:
(a) a composition stabilization system comprising:
i. modified and/or unmodified potato starch;
ii. Polyquaternium-37; and
iii. at least one fatty alcohol;
(b) at least one electrolyte; and
(c) water,
wherein the total amount of electrolytes is at least about 0.5%,
wherein the total amount of starch polymers is at least about 1%,
wherein the total amount of cationic polymers is at least about 0.5%, and
in which all quantities are by weight, relative to the weight of the stable composition. A method of stabilizing a composition comprising at least one electrolyte, the method comprising a stabilization system in the composition, wherein the system comprises:
(a) at least one starch polymer;
(b) at least one cationic polymer; and
(c) at least one fatty alcohol,
wherein the total amounts of starch polymers, cationic polymers and fatty alcohols present in the composition stabilize the composition.