IMPROVED LIPSTICK FORMULATION AND METHOD

Abstract: An improved lipstick formulation is provided which is creamy, shiny and soft, yet maintains its structural integrity and has excellent color laydown and includes an acrylates copolymer powder together with conventional lipstick ingredients.

Description: The present invention relates to a new lipstick formulation which has unique color laydown properties primarily due to the presence therein of an acrylates copolymer powder. Lipsticks have been used for many years to impart color to the lips. The color helps to define the mouth area while imparting cosmetic shades that are suitable with fashion trends. Such lipsticks, in general, are made of an oily vehicle comprising fat or oil stiffened to a desired consistency with waxes of various types which also serve to raise the melting point and improve the physical stability. The color is ordinarily provided by insoluble pigments such as lakes of dye finely dispersed in the oily vehicle and one or more fluorescein dye derivatives which serve to stain the lips. A solvent for the dye is also included for increasing the effectiveness of this staining on the lips. In recent years, attemps have been made to provide a lipstick which will impart a uniform long-lasting coloring to the lips and thus lessen the need for frequent reapplication. This has been accomplished by increasing the concentration of the dye and pigment in the conventional lipstick formulation to greater than 10% by weight. However, lipsticks containing such high concentrations of dye and pigment have been found to impart a dry non-uniform "cakey" look to the lips. This is particularly undesirable since current fashion trends are directed to producing a "wet" or "moist" look on the mouth. As a result, emollients, lubricants, and moisturizers are added in increased amounts to counteract the "cakey" results of the high dye and pigment containing lipstick formulations. However, these materials may impart a soft mushy easily breakable structure to the lipstick. Furthermore, these materials themselves are usually short-lived on the mouth since they are mechanically removed. In addition, these materials tend to act as vehicles for the dyes and pigments causing "creeping" or "feathering" on the outer edges of the mouth. This eliminates the sharp line of definition of the mouth area for which the product is applied. As hereinafter described, a new creamy soft lipstick formulation is provided which has excellent laydown properties so that it may impart uniform long-lasting coloring to the lips and has excellent structural integrity properties so it will not easily break or become mushy, but stays intact. Furthermore, the lipstick formulation does not contain inordinately high amounts of pigment and/or dye so that it will not impart an undesirable dry "cakey" look to the lips. The improved laydown properties of the lipstick formulation is achieved, at least in part, through the inclusion of an acrylates copolymer powder therein. The preferred lipstick formulation of the invention is formed of from about 40 to about 80% and preferably from about 50 to about 70% by weight of anhydrous base intermediate which will be fully described hereinafter; from about 3 to about 20% by weight and preferably from about 5 to about 15% by weight of one or more dispersing oils for organic pigments, from about 8 to about 35% by weight and preferably from about 12 to about 30% by weight of color intermediate comprised of a mixture of pigments or colors and one or more dispersing oils or other softeners, optionally antioxidant and optionally preservative; from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight and preferably from about 1 to about 3% by weight of an acrylates copolymer intermediate, which includes from about 0.1 to about 4% and preferably from about 0.2 to about 2.5% by weight of the acrylates copolymer by itself to impart and enhance laydown properties of the formulation, and optionally from about 0 to about 1% and preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.8% by weight fragrance, all of the above % being based on the total lipstick formulation. The ingredients of the preferred formulation will now be described in more detail. The acrylates copolymer intermediate will generally be formed of from about 20 to about 80% by weight acrylates copolymer powder and from about 80 to about 20% by weight of one or more dispersants therefor, such as caster oil, mineral oil, oleyl alcohol, liquid lanolin, sesame oil, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, squalene and the like, with caster oil being preferred. The acrylates copolymer powder will preferably have the unit general formula wherein R¹ is lower alkyl or hydrogen and R² is hydrogen or lower alkyl, and will have an average molecular weight of within the range of from about 100,000 to about 1,000,000. The powder will have an average particle size of within the range of from about 270 to about 325 mesh. The term "lower alkyl" or "alkyl" as employed herein includes both straight and branched chain radicals of up to 12 carbons, preferably 1 to 8 carbons, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isoproyl, butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, heptyl, 4,4-dimethylpentyl, octyl, 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, and the various branched chain isomers thereof. Examples of such acrylates copolymers suitable for use herein include but are not limited to preferred A most preferred acrylate copolymer powder is Polytrap 249 polymer powder which has the formula which has an average molecular weight within the range of from about 100,000 to about 500,000 and is marketed by Wickhen Products, Incorporated, Chemical Specialty Products, Huguenot, New York and has a bulk density of from about 0.52 to about 0.57, a flash point of greater than 300°F and a particle size so that about 30% is retained on a 270 mesh screen and about 4% is retained on a 325 mesh screen. The anhydrous base intermediate will generally be formed of one or more external stick strengtheners in an amount of within the range of from about 5 to about 20% by weight and preferably from about 8 to about 16% by weight based on the weight of the total lipstick formulation. Such external stick strengtheners provide one or more of the following properties: impart structural integrity to the lipstick, provide hardness, provide mold release properties, and stick strength and drag on the lips. Examples of external stick strengtheners suitable for use herein include waxes such as candelilla, ozokerite, carnauba, beeswax and the like or mixture of two or more of such waxes. One or more wax feel enhancers and structure strentheners will also be included in the base intermediate in an amount within the range of from about 5 to about 20% by weight and preferably from about 9 to about 16% by weight of the total lipstick formulation. Examples of such wax feel enhancers and structure strengtheners include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, lanolin USP, super wool wax (a lanolin alcohol fraction), glyceryl monostearate and the like or mixtures thereof. The best intermediate will also contain an internal stick strengthener in an amount within the range of from about 0.5 to about 10% by weight and preferably from about 1 to about 6% by weight based on the total stick formulation. A preferred internal stick strengthener is paraffin wax. Other examples are ozokerite wax or carnauba wax. One or more feel enhancers in cream form will also be included in the base intermediate in an amount within the range of from about 1 to about 10% by weight and preferably from about 2 to about 7% by weight based on the total stick formulation. Examples of suitable cream feel enhancers include hydrogenated vegetable oil, isopropyl lanolate, synthetic cocoa butter, acetylated lanolin alcohol and lanolin derivatives or mixtures thereof. One or more lip moisturizers, emollients, lubricants and/or glide or slip agents will be present, such as petrolatum white (which is a slip moisturizer), oleyl alcohol (a penetrant), castor oil, low viscosity mineral oils (which are glide or slip agents, emollients and/or moisturuzers), liquid lanolin, and/or jojoba oil (which are shine enhancers), isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, squaline and/or sesame oil (which are lubricants), and the like will also be present in the base intermediate in amounts within the range of from about 3 to about 30% by weight and preferably from about 5 to about 25% by weight based on the total weight of the stick formulation. It is preferred to employ a mixture of these oils for their different functions. A coupling agent for waxes and oils will also be present in the anhydrous base intermediate in an amount within the range of from about 6 to about 20% by weight and preferably from about 8 to about 15% by weight of the total formulation. Examples of suitable coupling agents include oleyl alcohol, dipropyl diperlargonate or caster oil or mixtures thereof. The base intermediate may optionally include one or more preservatives in amounts of less than about 0.3% and preferably less than about 0.2% by weight of the total lipstick formulation, such as propyl p-hydroxybenzoate (propyl paraben), methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (methyl paraben) and/or butyl p-hydroxybenzoate (butyl paraben), and optionally less than about 0.05% by weight of an antioxidant such as butylated hydroxyanisole, or Vitamin E tocopherol, and other moisturizers such as wheat germ glycerides and hydrolyzed animal protein. The color intermediate will contain from about 25 to about 40% by weight and preferably from about 30 to about 36% by weight of one or more dyes and/or pigments, from about 55 to about 75% by weight and preferably from about 60 to about 70% by weight of one or more color dispersants, such as any of those set out above and used for dispersing the acrylate copolymer, with caster oil being preferred, optionally less than about 0.05% and preferably less than about 0.03% by weight antioxidant, such as set out above with respect to the base intermediate, and optionally less than about 0.3% by weight and preferably less than about 0.2% by weight preservative, such as set out above with respect to the base intermediate, all of the above percentages being based on the total weight of the color intermediate. The dyes employed in the formulation are the U.S. Government certified colors, both Drug and Cosmetic grade, and Food, Drug and Cosmetic grade. The pigments employed are of the inorganic grade such as iron oxides, titanium dioxide, iron sulfides, or other conventional pigments approved for cosmetic use. Anhydrous natural flavor and fragrance oils such as peppermint oil, lemon oil, orange oil, etc. or synthetic flavor and fragrance oils may optionally be included in the lipstick formulation by incorporation into the anhydrous base or even into the color intermediate, in amounts of less than about 1% by weight of the lipstick formulation and preferably from about 0.1 to about 0.8% by weight. The lipstick when applied coats the lips with the acrylate copolymer causing the color or pigment to easily laydown in a creamy uniform manner with the colors penetrating every pore and crevice on the lip surface. Preferred lipstick formulations in accordance with the present invention are set out below. The lipstick formulation of the invention may be prepared by forming a mixture of the anhydrous base intermediate ingredients wherein the waxes are melted and the oil components are added with agitation to form the anhydrous base intermediate. The base intermediate and softener (caster oil) are heated to 75 to 85°C with propeller mixing until a liquid is formed. The color intermediate phase (formed by adding the color to the dispersant, heating with agitation at 65 to 75°C and then roller milling three times) is added to the base intermediate-­ softener phase with mixing for 40 to 80 minutes. Next, the acrylates copolymer intermediate (formed by adding the copolymer to the dispersant and roller milling 3 times) is added to the mix and mixing is continued for 20 to 35 minutes until a uniform mixture is obtained. Fragrance (where present) is then added and mixing is continued for 10 minutes. The mixture is then molded to form the lipstick formulation of the invention. The following Examples represent preferred embodiments of the present invention. Example 1 A lipstick formulation having the following composition is prepared as described below. 1. All of the waxes were melted in a steam-jacketed kettle with propeller mixer agitation while maintaining the temperature at from 75 to 85°C. After the waxes were melted, the oil components except for the caster oil and the remaining components of the base intermediate were added and agitation was continued. 2. The dyes, pigments, preservative and antioxidant were added to the caster oil in a separate kettle and heated with agitation at 70°C. Agitation was continued until a proper dispersion achieved. The dispersion of oil and coloring agent were passed through a three-roll mill. The color dispersion was added to the base intermediate with mixing for 40 to 60 minutes. 3. The acrylates copolymer dispersed in caster oil and roller milled three times was added to the above mixture with mixing for 20 to 30 minutes until a uniform mixture was obtained. 4. Fragrance was then added with mixing for 10 minutes. The resulting lipstick formulation was poured into molds and refrigerated to form the lipstick. It was found that the lipstick formulation of the invention incorporating the acrylates copolymer powder was soft but had good structure, was creamy, shiny and had excellent laydown. Example 2 Following the procedure of Example 1, a lipstick formulation was prepared having the following composition. It was found that the lipstick formulation of the invention incorporating the acrylates copolymer powder was soft but had good structure, was creamy, shiny and had excellent color laydown.

Claims: 1. A lipstick formulation which is soft but has a good structure, is creamy, shiny and has excellent laydown properties comprising an anhydrous base intermediate comprising one or more waxes and one or more oils, a color intermediate, and at least one acrylates copolymer which imparts creaminess, shininess and superior laydown properties to the formulation. 2. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 1 wherein the acrylates copolymer is present in an amount within the range of from about 0.1 to about 4% by weight of the lipstick formulation. 3. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 1 wherein the acrylates copolymer is present in an amount within the range of from about 0.2 to about 2.5% by weight of the lipstick formulation. 4. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the acrylates copolymer has the structure wherein R¹ is lower alkyl or hydrogen and R² is hydrogen or lower alkyl and an average molecular weight of within the range of from about 100,000 to about 500,000. 5. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 4 wherein the acrylates copolymer has the structure and an average molecular weight of within the range of from about 100,000 to about 500,000. 6. The lipstick formulation as defined in any one of Claims 1-5 wherein the acrylates copolymer is dispersed in an organic dispersant. 7. The lipstick formulation as defined in any one of Claims 1-6 wherein the anhydrous base is present in an amount within the range of from about 50 to about 70% by weight of the lipstick formulation. 8. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 6 wherein the base intermediate includes one more external stick strengtheners, one or more wax feel enhancers and structure strengtheners, one or more internal stick strengtheners, one or more feel enhancers in cream form, one or more lip moisturizers, emollients, lubricants and/or glide or slip agents, one or more coupling agents for waxes and oils, optionally one or more preserva­ tives and optionally one or more antioxidants. 9. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 8 wherein the external stick strengthener is present in an amount of within the range of from about 5 to about 20% by weight of the total formulation and is candelilla wax, paraffin wax, carnauba wax, beeswax or mixtures thereof. 10. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 8 or 9 wherein the wax feel enhancer and structure strengthener is present in an amount of within the range of from about 5 to about 18% by weight of the total formulation and is cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, lanolin, lanolin alcohol, glyceryl monostearate or mixtures thereof. 11. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein the internal stick strengthener is present in an amount within the range of from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of the total formulation and is paraffin wax, carnauba wax or ozokerite wax. 12. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 8, 9, 10 or 11 wherein the feel enhancer in cream form is present in an amount within the range of from about 1 to about 10% by weight of the total formulation and is hydrogenated vegetable oil, isopropyl lanolate, cocoa butter, acetylated lanolin alcohol, lanolin derivatives or mixtures thereof. 13. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 wherein the lip moisturizers, emollients, lubricants and/or glide or slip agents are present in an amount within the range of from about 3 to about 30% based on the total formulation and are petrolatum white, oleyl alcohol, caster oil, low viscosity mineral oil, liquid lanolin, jojoba oil, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, squalane, sesame oil or mixtures thereof. 14. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the coupling agent for waxes and oils is present in an amount within the range of from about 6 to about 15% by weight of the total formulation and is oleyl alcohol, dipropyl diperlargonate, caster oil or mixtures thereof. 15. The lipstick formulation as defined in any preceding claim wherein said color intermediate is comprised of one or more pigments and/or dyes and a dispersing agent therefor. 16. The lipstick formulation as defined in Claim 9 wherein said dispersing agent is caster oil, mineral oil, isopropyl isostearate, oleyl alcohol, liquid lanolin, sesame oil, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, or squalene. 17. A method for imparting improved laydown properties, creaminess and shininess to a lipstick formulation, which comprises incorporating in a lipstick formulation an acrylates copolymer having the structure wherein R¹ is H or lower alkyl and R² is H or lower alkyl.

Inventors: KROG, ANN MARSHALL, MERCADO, CLARA GARCIA
Applicants: CHARLES OF THE RITZ GROUP LTD.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61K8, A61Q1