DESC:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hair oil composition. More particularly, the present invention provides a pre-wash or a post-wash hair oil composition with vegetable derived esterified proteins and vitamin E acetate to reduce damage to hair and to replenish the damaged hair.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hair is a natural part of a person’s look and is considered as an expression of their personality. Hair also offers protection by serving as a barrier for the sun’s rays from reaching the scalp. Eyelashes and eyebrows keep dust, dirt and sweat out of eyes. Body hair helps to regulate our body temperature.
Each hair has a hair shaft and a hair root. The shaft is the visible part of the hair that sticks out of the skin. The hair root is in the skin and extends down to the deeper layers of the skin. It is surrounded by the hair follicle (a sheath of skin and connective tissue), which is also connected to a sebaceous gland.
Hair fiber/shaft is composed of three main structures: cuticle, cortex and medulla. The cuticle covers the hair shaft from the scalp to the end as overlapping layer and it is the most important component of the human hair since it may be affected 6by cosmetic treatments. On the cuticle, cosmetic products, such as conditioners, hair sprays, mousses and gels are deposited. Dyers, straightening and curling products also spread themselves through the cuticle to expand their effects by the hair fiber. There are approximately 8 to 11 layers of cuticle, which are overlapped in the distal direction of the hair shaft, depending on the type, condition, and length of the hair.
The cortex occupies most of the hair area (75%). Like cuticle, cortex has cells filled by cross linked cystine and hard cells separated by the cell membrane complex (CMC).
The medulla is a thin cylindrical layer in the centre of the hair thread containing high lipid concentration and poor cysteine.
Hair damage occurs when parts of the hair structure are altered, which weakens hair and sets off an effect of noticeable results and further damage that looks and feels like unhealthy, dry hair. At the heart of the fibre is the hair's cortex, which contains the hair colour (melanin). This core is protected by overlapping scales of cuticles which, on normal healthy hair, lie flat against one-another to strengthen the hair and give it a uniform, shiny appearance. When these cuticles are damaged or weakened, the core is exposed and vulnerable to snapping. When hair snaps off or breaks into split ends, the hair looks frizzy and dull. Dry hair and damaged hair can be used interchangeably, but damaged hair refers more to the overuse of products or hair processes that have ruined the hair shaft. Hair damage can be caused by factors, such as: hair colouring, heat styling, hair product overload, hair processing (straightening treatments, perms, etc.), sun damage and chlorine damage.
Damaged hair repair is often claimed through application of water-based products like shampoo, hair mask etc. or range of products like shampoo-conditioner-serum systems and salon treatments. For example, hair masks are deep conditioning treatments that provide an intensive boost of hydration and nourishment to the hair. They are typically formulated with a variety of beneficial ingredients such as natural oils, proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants. They are left on for a certain period of time, allowing the ingredients to penetrate deeply into the hair shaft, repairing damaged hair, and restoring moisture. Hydrolyzed keratin is often used in these kinds of formulations where the deposition of the same is through cationic charge attached to the molecule for the superficial layer formation on hair along with other hair conditioning actives, silicones etc.
The available damage repair products in state of the art are based on superficial film formation/coating and these technically might not penetrate inside the hair to tackle the protein loss/ to improve the shaft properties like hair strength, flexibility etc.
At present many hair care formulations/ compositions are available which uses synthetic chemicals. Extensive usage of chemical-based products may lead to adverse hair problems starting from damaged scalp to problem in growing new hair. Further, the synthetic chemicals used may also result in allergic reactions to sensitive individuals.
Thus, consumers still need safe, effective, natural compositions for significant repairing of damaged hair and structure of the cortex of hair fibers, where the increase in mass and structure of hair fiber is long lasting.
The present invention provides a hair oil with mineral oil, vegetable oil, natural vegetable derived proteins (esterified keratin), vitamin E acetate and other ingredients providing reduced hair breakage by replenishing the damaged hair. The compositions of the present invention provide thicker, more manageable hair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hair oil composition for replenishing damage hair comprising: Mineral oil present in a range from 70% to 80% (v/v); Vegetable oil present in a range from 15% to 25% (v/v); Esterified keratins present in a range from 0.6 to 1.0% (w/v); Vitamin E acetate present in a range from 0.15% to 0.22% (w/v); and additives.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the mineral oil in the hair oil composition is light liquid paraffin oil.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hair oil composition comprises the vegetable oil selected from mustard oil, rice bran oil, coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, argon oil or a mixture thereof.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the esterified keratin is obtained from at least one of soy, quinoa and onion proteins.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the additives are selected from the group comprising fragrance, antioxidant, sunscreen, and colouring pigments.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the additives are present up to 5% (w/v).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the composition is in anhydrous form.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is to be noted that, as used in the specification, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes a mixture of two or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
Similarly, the words "comprise", "comprises", and "comprising" are to be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively. Likewise, the terms "include", "including" and "or" should all be construed to be inclusive, unless such a construction is clearly prohibited from the context. However, the embodiments provided by the present disclosure may lack any element that is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, a disclosure of an embodiment defined using the term "comprising" is also a disclosure of embodiments "consisting essentially of” and "consisting of” the disclosed components. Where used herein, the term "example", particularly when followed by a listing of terms, is merely exemplary and illustrative, and should not be deemed to be exclusive or comprehensive. Any embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with any other embodiment disclosed herein unless explicitly indicated otherwise.
Unless otherwise specified, % refers to % weight; and % weight refers to % of the weight of the respective component with respect to the total weight or volume of the composition.
In the present invention "Hair oil composition" as used, is meant to include a composition for topical application to the human hair to provide nourishment for proper health of hair and to repair damaged hair. Hair oils are lightweight oils that are used to moisturize, nourish, and protect the hair. They are typically formulated with natural oils such as argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and many others. Hair oils can be applied to either wet or dry hair and are used to add shine, smooth frizz, and provide heat protection. Hair oils can penetrate the hair shaft, nourish the hair from within, and prevent moisture loss, resulting in softer, smoother, and more manageable hair. Hair oils can add instant shine and lustre to the hair.
It is desirable that the composition of the present invention provides the said advantages in addition to repairing the damaged hair and should be easy to apply, not be too sticky, non-greasy and the hair should feel smooth and silky to the touch after application and washing. Such a composition has been invented by the present inventors by a combination of mineral oil, vegetable oil, esterified keratin, vitamin E acetate and other additives at well-defined ranges of concentrations.
The present compositions when applied to hair, can deposit useful components in the cuticle, for influencing and/or enhancing the cortex and repairing the damaged hair. The thicker hair fiber may be a result of increase in the degree of the molecular structure and crosslinking within the cortex thus repairing the damaged hair.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hair oil composition is for topical application.
In another embodiment of the present invention, compositions of the invention are preferably in anhydrous form, i.e. used as neat hair oil.
The present invention provides a hair oil composition for repairing damaged hair by means of an oil soluble naturally derived vegetable esterifies protein and vitamin E acetate. The hair oil may be used both pre-wash and post- wash on hair.
The cuticle is located on the outside of the hair fibers, protecting the cortex. It has been suggested that the outermost surface of the cuticle cells has been covered by a monolayer of covalently bound fatty acids, a major component of which is 18-methyleicosanoic acid (18-MEA). 18-MEA is an unusual branched-chain fatty acid. It is covalently bound, possibly via thioester or ester linkage, to the cuticle surface of hair fibers. It is known that 18-MEA creates a hydrophobic surface and acts as a boundary lubricant to reduce friction resistance between hair fibers. As the hair gets damaged, 18-MEA gets removed and cuticle gets cracked. In the present invention active molecule is esterified keratin obtained from vegetable protein which displays a higher degree of penetration in comparison to regular oils and replenishes the hair with lipids and proteins.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the hair oil composition comprises of mineral oil, vegetable oil, vegetable derived esterified keratin, vitamin E acetate, and other additives.
Mineral oils are clear oily liquids obtained from petroleum oil, from which waxes have been removed, and the more volatile fractions removed by distillation. The fraction distilling between 250° C to 300° C is termed mineral oil, and it consists of a mixture of hydrocarbons, in which the number of carbon atoms per hydrocarbon molecule generally ranges from C10 to C40. Mineral oil may be characterised in terms of its viscosity, where light mineral oil is relatively less viscous than heavy mineral oil.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the mineral oil preferably comprises light liquid paraffin oil (LLPO). Light liquid paraffin oil is a clear and odourless oil. The light liquid paraffin oil increases hair thickness and promotes growth as well. Its conditioning properties make it ideal for maintaining the texture and shine of hair. The LLPO is preferably present in a range of 70 to 80% v/v in the compositions of the present invention. The LLPO concentration is suitably selected to balance the stickiness often encountered with high concentration of vegetable oils. It has been observed that using a concentration of mineral oil (LLPO) higher than the said amount range makes the composition "too-light" where the consumers find the composition to be very free-flowing. Using a concentration of mineral oil (LLPO) lower than the said amount range makes the composition suffer from stickiness which is one of the problems which is sought to be solved by way of the present invention.
Vegetable oils are excellent hair conditioners. They can penetrate the hair shaft, nourish the hair from within and smoothen the raised cuticles for softer and smoother hair. Vegetable oil is also beneficial for maintaining and moisturizing processed and colored hair. The vegetable oil is preferably selected from mustard oil, rice bran oil, coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, argon oil or a mixture thereof. The vegetable oil is preferably present in a range from 15 to 25% v/v in the compositions of the present invention. It has been observed that when vegetable oil is present in high concentration the obtained hair oil gives user a stickier feeling and too low concentration of vegetable oil does not give the desired amount of nourishment to the hair and the hair oil rheology is not desirable.
Hair oil compositions of the present invention include vegetable derived protein like keratin that is able to pass through the cuticle to reach the cortex and helps in building mass and structure within the cortex thereby repairing the hair damage. Vegetable derived proteins are like combination of amino acids similar to keratin. For the purpose of the present invention esterified keratin are suitable. Esterified keratin is obtained from soy, quinoa and onion proteins. Esterified keratin has improved compatibility with other components of the hair oil composition and facilitates its penetration to hair shaft to replenish the damaged hair with inherent protein-amino acids. Esterified keratins are soluble in lipids which in turn help in higher penetration to the hair shaft for replenishing different compartments of damaged hair. The lipid layer penetrated to the hair shaft helps in protection of the hair damaged from hygral fatigue and subsequently helps in improving hair thickness, hair strength, elasticity and flexibility to reduce hair fall by breakage. Esterified keratin is present in a range from 0.6 to 1.0% (v/v).
Vitamin E acetate is a fat-soluble nutrient that is available from several food sources as well as in supplement form. Tocopherol acetate form of Vitamin E is suitable for the purpose of the present invention. Tocopherol acetate is a stable form of Vitamin E that is able to withstand light, heat, and air impact better than the regular Vitamin E. Tocopherol acetate is used in the composition of the present invention as an antioxidant, moisturizing agent and improves the elasticity and smoothness of the hair. Vitamin E acetate is present in a range from 0.15 to 0.22% (w/v).
The compositions of the present invention may comprise of optional ingredients which are usually used in hair care formulation. These other ingredients may include colouring agents such as CI 47000, CI 26100, antioxidants such as Tertiary Butyl Hydro Quinone, any suitable fragrances, antimicrobials, sunscreens such as avobenzone and lipid soluble ingredients e.g., fatty acids or sterols. A person skilled in art knows these ingredients and is aware of the said ingredients use in a hair oil composition in an amount effective to accomplish its purpose. Preferably, these optional ingredients are included individually at a level of up to about 5% by weight of the total hair oil.
The present invention provides pre/post wash hair oil for damaged hair repair to reduce the hair breakage by replenishing the damaged hair with keratin like protein-amino acids alone and by its synergy with tocopherol’s oxidative damage protection ability. Esterified keratin of the present invention is soluble in lipids which in turn helps in higher penetration to the hair shaft for replenishing different compartments of damaged hair. The composition of the present invention helps in protection of the porous damaged hair from hygral fatigue and subsequently helps in improving hair thickness, hair strength, elasticity and flexibility to reduce hair fall by breakage.
The method of using the hair oil composition of the present invention involves the step of applying the composition of the present invention on the scalp. The hair oil composition of the invention may be delivered to the consumer in a bottle, jar, tube or sachet. The bottle containing the hair oil may be provided with a dispensing orifice or with a suitable nozzle for controlled dispensing of the contents of the dispenser.
The topical application of oil on the hair usually comprises the step where the consumer takes the desired amount of oil in the palm of the hand, rubs the oil on the two palms and then applies it on the hair with the two palms. The product should be such that the sensory feel of the oil on the palm should be liked by the consumer. The present inventors have ensured that the hair oil is carefully formulated to meet all of these rheology and palm-feel requirements.
The present invention can be understood more clearly and accurately by reading the following examples, which are indicative of preferred embodiments of the invention. They are provided for illustration in greater detail of the present invention, without introducing any limitation and without being limited to those applications.
Examples:
The examples that are within the scope of the claims represent different embodiments of the invention; all other examples are comparative examples.
Example 1: Process for manufacturing of hair oil composition
The hair oil composition of the present invention is manufactured in following steps: Depending on the batch size required amount of mineral oil LLPO, vegetable oils like mustard oil and rice bran oil are taken in a manufacturing vessel and colouring pigment, antioxidant, and perfume are added in requisite amount and mixed with a stirrer to form a homogenous solution. To the homogenous solution esterified keratin, Vitamin E acetate, sweet almond oil and sunscreen (Avobenzone) is added and stirred to get a uniform mixture.
The homogenous mixture is filtered through a sparkler filter and is send for quality assurance check. After getting approval form QA, the hair oil composition is packaged in bottles of required volume or sachet.
Table 1:
S. No. Ingredients Functions Qty. (%)
1 Mineral Oil (LLP, IS No. 7299: 1974) Base oil 70-80 % v/v
2 Vegetable Oils (IS: 7123:1993) including Sweet Almond oil (BP) Base oil 15-25 % v/v
3 Perfume Aesthetic 0.80 -1.4 % w/v
4 Veg Keratin Protein Ester (Esterified keratin) Active 0.6 -1.0 % v/v
5 Vitamin E acetate IP Active 0.15 – 0.22 % w/v
6 Antioxidant (Tertiary Butyl Hydro Quinone) Antioxidant Max 0.020 % w/v
7 Sunscreen (Avobenzone) Sunscreen 0.05 – 0.10% w/v
8 Colour, Quinoline Yellow (CI 47000) Aesthetic q.s.
9 Colour, Cos oil Toney Red (CI 26100) Aesthetic q.s.

Example 2: Hair oil compositions of the present invention
The different ingredients of the hair oil composition as shown above in Table 1 are taken in definite amount as shown below in Table 2 to 4 to make hair oil composition suitable for use.
Table 2:
S. No. Ingredients Functions Qty (%)
1 Mineral Oil (LLP, IS No. 7299: 1974) Base oil 73% (v/v)
2 Vegetable Oils (IS: 7123:1993) including Sweet Almond oil (BP) Base oil 25% (v/v)
3 Perfume Aesthetic 0.8% (w/v)
4 Esterified keratin Active 0.6% (v/v)
5 Vitamin E acetate Active 0.15% (w/v)
6 Antioxidant (Tertiary Butyl Hydro Quinone) Antioxidant 0.001% (w/v)
7 Sunscreen (Avobenzone) Sunscreen 0.05% (v/v)
8 Colour, Quinoline Yellow (CI 47000) Aesthetic q.s.
9 Colour, Cos oil Toney Red (CI 26100) Aesthetic q.s.

Table 3:
S. No. Ingredients Functions Qty. (%)
1 Mineral Oil (LLP, IS No. 7299: 1974) Base oil 77 % v/v
2 Vegetable Oils (IS: 7123:1993) including Sweet Almond oil (BP) Base oil 21 % v/v
3 Perfume Aesthetic 0.8 % w/v
4 Esterified keratin Active 0.8 % v/v
5 Vitamin E acetate Active 0.22 % w/v
6 Antioxidant (Tertiary Butyl Hydro Quinone) Antioxidant 0.010 % w/v
7 Sunscreen (Avobenzone) Sunscreen 0.09 % w/v
8 Colour, Quinoline Yellow (CI 47000) Aesthetic q.s.
9 Colour, Cos oil Toney Red (CI 26100) Aesthetic q.s.

Table 4:
S. No. Ingredients Functions Qty (%)
1 Mineral Oil (LLP, IS No. 7299: 1974) Base oil 80% (v/v)
2 Vegetable Oils (IS: 7123:1993) including Sweet Almond oil (BP) Base oil 16% (v/v)
3 Perfume Aesthetic 1.4% (w/v)
4 Esterified keratin Active 1% (w/v)
5 Vitamin E acetate Active 0.22% (w/v)
6 Antioxidant (Tertiary Butyl Hydro Quinone) Antioxidant 0.02% (w/v)
7 Avobenzone Sunscreen 0.1% (w/v)
8 Colour, Quinoline Yellow (CI 47000) Aesthetic q.s.
9 Colour, Cos oil Toney Red (CI 26100) Aesthetic q.s.

Example 3: Efficacy of the compositions of the present invention
Hair oil compositions of the present invention are studied for synergy of esterified keratin with Vitamin E acetate by measuring the mechanical properties such as break strength (gm force) and elongation % by test method of ASTM D 3822-07. The sample size consists of six hair swatches per test group. The swatches are treated with (i) placebo, (ii) treated with composition of the present invention (Table 3 composition), (iii) treated with placebo and esterified keratin and (iv) treated with placebo and vitamin E acetate. The hair swatches are treated with said compositions for 12 cycles. INSTRON Tensile Testing machine is used for testing mechanical properties. The test is carried out at 22 ± 5° C, R.H. 65 %.
For each group (0.15g/ gm of hair) of oil/ composition is applied and allowed to rest for 2 hours. The hair swatches are washed with a non-conditioning shampoo (0.2g/gm of hair) (2% SLS) and allowed to dry naturally by placing them flat for a minimum of 3 hours. The cycle is repeated for 12 times and then hair fibers are tested for breaking strength and elongation%. After completion of 12 application cycles with test products, an equilibrium time of at least 4 hours will be maintained for all the hair swatches. 20 hair fibers or more will be cut from each swatch to perform tensile test. The hair fiber is attached in root to tip alignment and is pulled at a fixed force and speed. The force at which the hair breaks and the elongation% is recorded and analyzed. Higher the break force, higher the tensile strength of the hair.
The composition of the present invention increases the thickness of hair thereby increasing the mechanical properties of the hair which is reflected by the increase in value of breaking strength and elongation % of hair treated with compositions of the present invention.
Table 5: Mechanical strength parameters
Mechanical strength parameters
Placebo – Synergy of Esterified Keratin and Vitamin E Esterified keratin + Placebo Vitamin E acetate + Placebo
(Without Keratin and Without Vitamin E) (Without Vitamin E) (Without Esterified keratin)
Break Strength (Gram force) 93.7 101.4 96.4 94.8
Elongation % 56.5 59.3 57.9 56.5

The high values of break strength and elongation % in hair fiber treated with compositions of the present invention containing esterified keratin and vitamin E illustrates the synergistic effect of the compositions of the present invention.
The hair oil compositions of the present invention provided non-greasy feel, ease of combing, excellent sensories in terms of feel and manageability. The compositions of the present invention improve the properties and characteristics of the hair, such as elasticity, resistance and appearance, repairing damages of the hair.
While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
,CLAIMS:1. A hair oil composition for replenishing damage hair comprising:
- Mineral oil present in a range from 70% to 80% (v/v);
- Vegetable oil present in a range from 15% to 25% (v/v);
- Esterified keratins present in a range from 0.6 to 1.0% (w/v);
- Vitamin E acetate present in a range from 0.15% to 0.22% (w/v); and additives.
2. The hair oil composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mineral oil is light liquid paraffin oil.
3. The hair oil composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vegetable oil is selected from mustard oil, rice bran oil, coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, argon oil or a mixture thereof.
4. The hair oil composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the esterified keratin is obtained from at least one of soy, quinoa and onion proteins.
5. The hair oil composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additives are selected from the group comprising fragrance, antioxidant, sunscreen, and colouring pigments.
6. The hair oil composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additives are present up to 5% (w/v).
7. The hair oil composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is in anhydrous form.