FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cosmetic composition particularly a hair wash formulation/ composition, in powder form and more particularly, relates to said hair wash powder comprising a synergistic combination of anionic surfactant with cationic polymers, starch and silicone emulsion in a suitable carrier / filler that is adapted to deliver superior conditioning benefits of significantly improved foam, cleansing, softness of hair while wet. Advantageously, said formulation/ composition as a free flowing powder form with extended shelf life is selectively achieved in combination with selective powdered inorganic materials adapted as suitable carriers of the silicone emulsion in presence of starch to thus favour extended shelf life of the composition as a free flowing powder, which in addition imparts softness and shine to the hair after applying and drying of the hair favouring ease of combing of dry hair and making hair manageable.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of silicones in hair shampoo compositions for improving conditioning is very well known. Generally the silicones are dispersed /suspended in the composition which is then applied to the hair to deposit silicones. The prior art literature suggests that steps have to be taken to prevent creaming of the emulsified droplets of the silicones present in the composition during storage. To prevent such a situation, in the prior art, certain materials such as certain gums and/ or crystalline materials like ethylene glycol di stearate are incorporated in the composition. The use of such materials renders the resulting composition cloudy or opaque. Another disadvantage is that such materials lead to dulling of the hair as well as lowering of other conditioning attributes of the composition.

Another known method of improving the deposition of conditioning agent such as silicone on hair is by involving a cationic deposition polymers that may be synthetic or natural further modified with cationic substituents.

However the conditioning delivery mechanism is very different in case of a powder shampoo as compared to that of the liquid shampoo systems. The key hurdle faced in case of powder shampoo composition containing liquid silicone is the incorporation of said liquid-silicone emulsion into the powdered form of the composition such that the same efficiently gets adsorbed in powder base of the composition and yet does not deteriorate the conditioning attributes of the silicone in said powder composition and such that inspite of containing the liquid silicone in the powdered shampoo does not affect the stability of the same to thus have an extended shelf life.

US5840669 describes a herbal dry cleaning powder composition and a process for preparing the composition for fabrics. Dry cleaning synthetic powders are known in the art and have been found to be particularly popular largely because of the cleansing property. The herbal materials used in this prior art composition are selected from Cocoa nucifera, Bassia malabarica, Hibiscus rosa sinesis, Sapindus trifoliatus, Trigonella foenum graeceum & Melia azadirachta. Concentration and purpose are summarized in the following table Said herbal materials were cleaned, dried and crushed to a mesh size 150-300 sieve size wherein the pH of the final composition was maintained at 6 to 9 and further sodium carbonate was used to maintain the pH at 7 during the crushing time. The cleansing powder composition was found to have a shelf life of more than three years. The composition is 100 % herbal and it includes constituents which are excellent in maintaining the texture and colour of fabric and thus increasing the life of the fabric.

US5872087 relates to dry powder shampoos that have not been particularly popular largely because they are rather inefficient in removing sebum from the hair. This prior art composition contains biodegradable dry herbal powder wherein about 6-12% by weight of a foaming accelerating agent, 6-12% by weight of a pigment recreating agent, about 6-12% by weight of a foaming agent, 6-12% by weight of a conditioning agent and 52-76% by weight of Bassia malabarica act as the preservative and the composition pH varied between 6 and 9. Herbal dry shampoo composition thus has a longer shelf life of three to four years after it is packed and this prior art composition is 100 % herbal and no synthetic chemicals were used even for preservation but also does not relate to conditioning of the hair.

Natarajan and Natarajan in Global Journal of Pharmacology, (3): 06-07, 2009 deals with decoction of the pods of Acacia concinna for use in hair wash in lieu of soap. The pods ground up and formed into an ointment make good application skin diseases. Acacia concinna popularly known as 'Shikkai' has been widely used in washing hair by the people of India and Srilanka. This prior art exclusively deals with the extraction methodology and antifungal activity of Acacia concinna and does not relate to any conditioning of the hair.

US4330438 discloses powder shampoo concentrates which comprise a combination of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic derivative of a polygalactomannan gum together with conventional shampoo ingredients. These concentrates readily form liquid shampoos, when mixed with water, which are viscous and have satisfactory foaming and rinsability properties. The shampoos prepared from the powder concentrates of this invention cleanse, impart luster, detangle and improve comb ability of human hair. Anionic surfactants which are useful in the practice of the present invention include alpha olefin sulfonates having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms. They are used in the form of water-soluble salts, for example, the sodium, potassium and ammonium salts. A preferred material is sodium alpha olefin sulfonate having 14 to 16 carbon atoms which is commercially available. The amount of alpha olefin sulfonate necessary to obtain the desired effect is from about 50 to 75 parts by weight, and preferably from about 50-60 parts by weight. The composition of invention describes powder shampoo concentrates which comprise a combination of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic derivative of a polygalactomannan gum together with conventional shampoo ingredients.

US4035267 discloses a method of cleaning the hair by spraying on hair a sprayable powder chitin being suspended in a non-toxic volatile liquid carrier allowing the liquid carrier to evaporate and removing the residual powder from hair. Chitin was found to be better over other available powder (like pulverized clay, silica and talc) because it is biodegradable and over alumina and activated carbon as chitin does not present inconvenience. This invention deals with an efficient, non-toxic biodegradable dry powder shampoo. This prior dry powder shampoo formulations based on chitin powder was found to be an ideal active ingredient for such use. Chitin itself, is a naturally occurring form of poly-N-acetyl glucosamine which may be isolated from several sources, expecially the exoskeleton of Crustacea, such as shrimp. Chitin is readily broken down by enzymes found in body fluids, and thus, will present no hazard if it should accidently be swallowed, come in contact with an abraided area of the skin or get into the user's eyes. Chitin which does come into contact with body fluids, will be readily broken down into soluble, nontoxic materials. From the point of view of safety, therefore, chitin is desirable as an active ingredient in dry powder shampoos.

Hence as apparent from the abovesaid, though dry powder shampoos are known, they have not been particularly popular largely because they are rather inefficient in removing sebum from the hair. Currently available dry powder shampoos consist of an active powder suspended in a carrier. When used, the powder is sprayed onto the hair, the carrier evaporates, the sebum from the hair is absorbed by the powder, and the powder is removed by brushing the hair. By this means, the hair is cleaned. Often such dry powder shampoos use starch as the active powder, and unfortunately starch tends to remain, attached to the hair and is not readily removed after treatment. While dry shampoos could be formulated with other powders such as activated carbon and alumina, such shampoos was not found to be undesirable as they are not biodegradable, and are difficult to remove from the hair. Alumina, for example, has been tested and found to be efficacious in removing sebum. However, it is unsuitable for use in a dry powder shampoo because it leaves behind a residue which causes the hair to feel gritty. Similarly, activated carbon leaves a residue on the hair which gives it a dark sooty appearance. Other powders such as pulverized clay, silica, and talc could be used in dry shampoo, but again these powders have the disadvantage that they are not biodegradable and tend to be difficult to remove from hair. A truly efficacious dry powder shampoo would be useful in situations where the use of a water-base product is inconvenient or impossible. For example, bedridden patients might very well find it impossible to wash their hair with a water-based shampoo but could use a dry powder shampoo. In addition, people who wash and dry their hair in a hurry would welcome the convenience of a dry shampoo.

It is therefore desirable to have the provision of a dry hair wash powder formulation/composition such that when mixed with water and applied onto hair as a paste and then subsequently rinsed off would be truly effective in removing oil from the hair to also provide for improved conditioning attributes and detergency, and also at the same time would be effective in entirely removing the inorganic material if employed in the composition to not leave behind a gritty feel on the hair that would also be shelf stable for an extended period of time.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the primary object of the present invention to provide for hair wash formulation/composition in powder form which when applied onto the hair as a paste provides for improved detergency and when subsequently rinsed off delivers significantly improved conditioning attributes to the hair.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for said hair wash formulation/composition in powder form which in involving some selective ingredients would effectively remove the sebum of the hair by having improved detergency and would also simultaneously provide for improved conditioning attributes.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide for said hair wash formulation/composition in powder form which in involving some selective ingredients would not leave a gritty feel on the hair even upon employing inorganic fillers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for said hair wash formulation/composition in powder form adapted to deliver superior conditioning benefits, compatibility, softness and shine to the hair based on the selective incorporation of silicone emulsion in the powder form of the composition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for said hair wash formulation/ composition in powder form that would one hand have extended shelf life and yet would be capable of imparting softness and shine to the hair after drying, ease of combing of dry hair and making hair manageable.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide said hair wash formulation/ composition in powder form adapted for application in different forms selected from paste, concentrated paste, premixes, and for incorporation in shampoo formulation/ composition in said different forms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair wash formulation/composition in powder form with improved conditioning and detergency comprising a synergistic combination of
(a) Anionic surfactant;
(b) Cationic polymers;
(c) Silicone emulsion;
(d) Starch; and
involving inorganic filler as carriers/fillers.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided a hair wash formulation/composition in powder form comprising a synergistic combination of

(a) said anionic surfactant at the levels of 10-30 % by wt. of the composition;
(b) said cationic polymers at the levels of 0.01-5.0 % by wt. of the composition;
(c) said silicone emulsion at the levels of 0.01-15.0 % by wt. of the composition;
(d) said starch at the levels of 0.1 to 10.0 % by wt. of the composition; and involving said inorganic carriers / fillers 10-50 by wt. of the composition.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided said hair wash formulation/composition in powder form wherein said composition is a free flowing powder with improved conditioning and detergency with or without additional benefit agents/ actives adapted to impart additional functional benefits to the said powder formulation/ composition.

Advantageously, said hair wash formulation/composition in powder form is provided that is adapted for end use and application in forms selected from premix for paste shampoo, paste shampoo, concentrated paste.

It is thus surprisingly found by way of the present invention that only when a synergistic combination of anionic surfactant with cationic polymers, starch and silicone emulsion is provided together with selective inorganic fillers with or without additional benefit agents/actives, a powder hair wash formulation/composition could be thus achieved even upon incorporation of the liquid silicone emulsion to deliver superior conditioning attributes and also have an extended shelf life upon storage.

Based on the aforesaid it also a special and selective finding of the present invention that inspite of incorporation of starch in the said hair wash formulation/composition, a powder form of said composition could still be achieved comprising silicone emulsion, anionic surfactant, cationic polymers, when said ingredients are present in selective combination with powdered / inorganic fillers.

Advantageously, only the selective combination of inorganic fillers with or without other additional benefit agents/ actives while on one hand aid in attaining the powder form of the shampoo in the presence of silicone emulsion, anionic surfactant, cationic polymers, and starch, on the other hand enables delivery of superior foam and conditioning attributes onto the hair irrespective of the presence of powdered inorganic fillers that too without leaving any gritty feel on the hair and also ensures superior spreadability of the shampoo on the hair.

Since the conditioning delivery mechanisms are different for a powder hair wash and liquid hair wash systems, it is therefore a significant finding of the present invention that only by way of incorporating said selective powdered inorganic fillers while one of the key hurdle in incorporating a liquid silicone emulsion in a powder shampoo could be overcome, yet another hurdle to achieve a superior conditioning benefits in the presence of said inorganic filler could be also overcome by incorporating starch in the formulation/ composition together with other ingredients of the formulation/ composition of anionic surfactant, cationic polymers, and silicone emulsion. Advantageously, the formulation/ composition thus achieved has extended shelf life that can be applied onto the hair as a paste wherein the synergistic combination of said ingredients deliver superior foam and conditioning attributes onto the hair irrespective of the presence of powdered inorganic fillers. Further such synergistic combination of anionic surfactant, cationic polymers, and starch and silicone emulsion together with powdered inorganic fillers facilitates easy application of the product on the hair which said fillers additionally favour easy spreading of the formulation/ composition on the hair. Most importantly, said inorganic fillers and starch not only favours incorporation of silicone emulsion in powder form for improving the conditioning attributes but also eases spreading of the formulation/ composition on hair without leaving any gritty feel on the hair/ scalp after washing the hair.

The composition of the present invention is a traditional hair wash powder shampoo formulation/ composition which contains a synergistic combination of Anionic surfactant with cationic polymers, starch and silicone emulsion together with inorganic carriers/ fillers. The composition of invention on mixing with water and applied on to hair as a paste and then subsequently rinsed off delivers significantly improved

1. Foam
2. Cleansing
3. Softness of washed hair while wet
4. Softness of hair after drying
5. Ease of combing of dried hair &
6. Making hair manageable

When compared to binary and ternary combinations of cationic polymer, starch and silicone emulsion.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided said shampoo formulation/composition with or without additional benefit agents/ actives adapted to impart additional functional benefits to the said powder formulation/ composition.

According to yet another preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided said hair wash formulation/composition in powder form comprising anionic surfactants selected from sodium lauryl sulfate, alpha olefein sulfonate, sodium stearate, potassium lauryl sulfate, sodiumdodecyl sulfate at the levels of 10% to 30% in powder form.

Preferably, said hair wash formulation/composition in powder form is provided comprising cationic polymers selected from copolymers of vinylmonomers having cationic amine or quaternary ammonium functionalities with water soluble spacer monomers such as (meth) acylamide, alkyl and dialkyl (meth) acrylamides, Alkyl (meth) acrylate, vinyl caprolactone and vinyl pyrrolidone wherein said alkyl and dialkyl substituted monomers preferably have C1-C7 alkyl groups, more preferably Cl-3 alkyl groups wherein suitable.spacers include vinyl esters, vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-16, Polyquaternium-11 and terpolymers of acrylic acid with dimethyldiallylammonium chloride and acrylamide (referred to in the industry by PCPC as Polyquaternium 39), and terpolymers of acrylic acid with methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride and methyl acrylate (referred to in the industry by PCPC as Polyquaternium 47); and are also preferably selected from a class of cationic polymers formed from methacrylamidopropyl trimonium chloride and/or acrylamidopropyl trimonium chloride and copolymers of these monomers with acrylamide; and are also preferably selected from the class of Hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (or are selected from the class of. cationic polysaccharides including cationic guar gum derivative, especially guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride; and preferably selected from cationic polysaccharides include cationic cellulose derivatives such as those salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, and is also preferably selected from cationic polysaccharide including cationic guar gum derivative, especially guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride at the levels of 0.01 % to 5.0 %

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided said hair wash formulation/composition in powder form comprising starch selected from potato starch, rice starch, wheat starch, maize starch, tapioca starch or mixtures thereof at the levels of 0.1 to 10.0 %.

More preferably said hair wash formulation/composition is provided comprising silicone emulsion selected from surfactant soluble silicones and surfactant dispersible silicones which may include, but are not limited to copolyol of dimethicone, copolyol of aminofunctionalised silicone, microemulsion of silicone oils such as dimethicone, aminofunctionalised silicone, quartemised silicone or mixtures there of; wherein non-volatile non functionalized silicones include polydiorganosiloxanes, preferably polydi organosiloxanes, more preferably polydimethylsiloxanes which have the PCPC designation as dimethicone also including polysiloxanes having the general formula RaG3-a-Si(OSiG2)n-(OSiGbR2-b)m-0-SiG3-a-R'a in which :G is selected from H, phenyl,OH or Cl-8 alkyl,eg.methyl;a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3,preferably 0;b is 0 or 1,preferably 1; m and n are numbers such that (m+n) can range from 1 to 2000,preferably from 50 to 150;m is a number from 1 to 2000,preferably from 1 to 10; n is a number from 0 to 1999, preferably from 49 to 149, and R' is a monovalent radical of formula -CqH2qL in which q is a number from 2 to 8 and L is an aminofunctional group selected from the following -NR'-CH2-CH2-N(R")2,-N ( R")2,_IM+(R")3A-,-N+H(R")2A-,_ in which R" is selected from H, phenyl, benzyl or a saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical,e.g.Cl-20 alkyl, and A is a halide ion , e.g.chloride or bromide; present at the levels of 0.01 to 15.0 %.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided said hair wash formulation/composition comprising inorganic materials as carriers / fillers selected from Sodium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, hydrated aluminium silicates (Bentonite), hydrated magnesium silicates or mixtures thereof present at the levels of 10 % to 50%.

Preferably, said hair wash formulation/composition is provided comprising additional benefit agents/ actives selected from Lawsonia inermis leaf powder (Mehandhi), Embilica officinalis fruit powder (Amla), Acacia concinna pod powder (Shikakai), Prunus amygdalus powder (Badam), Vetiveria zizanioides (Vetiver), Sapindus trifoliatus (Reetha), Trigonella foenum-graecum (Methi), Camellia sinensis (Tea leaves powder), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Hibiscus), Cornflower {Centaurea Cyanus), Chamomile: {Anthemis nobilis), Safflower {Carthamus tinctorius), Geranium {Geranium spp), Jasmine {Jasminum spp), Lavender {Lavandula officinalis), White lily {Lilium candidum), Mint {Mentha spp), Mimosa {Mimosa spp), Marigold {Tagetes spp), Sweet orange Tree {Citrus Aurantium) , Peach-tree {Prunus persica), Rose mary {Rosmarinus officinalis), Saffron {Crocus sativus), Sage {Salvia officinalis), Marigold {Calandula officinalis), Thyme {Thymus vulgaris), Lime {Tilia spp), Green gram{Vigna radiate), Korai kizangu {Cyperus rotundus), Thattai Kitchali {Hedychium spicatum), Eucalyptus {Eucalyptus globules), Bhringaraj {Eclipta alba) Usilam {Momosa amara), Brinji {Cinnamomum tamala), Poduthalai {Lippia nodiflora) or mixtures thereof present at the levels of 10 to 30.0 %.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the preparation of said hair wash formulation/composition comprising the steps of

(a) adding silicone emulsion to powdered inorganic fillers followed by addition of the optional benefit agents/actives;

(b) subsequently blending the cationic polymer and starch with the mixture of step (a) followed by blending with the anionic surfactant to obtain said powder shampoo formulation/ composition therefrom.

Preferably, a process for the preparation of said herbal hair wash powder formulation/composition is provided wherein said step (a) of adding silicone emulsion to powdered inorganic fillers involves spraying of the emulsion on said powdered inorganic carriers/ fillers.

Most preferably a process for the preparation of herbal hair wash formulation/composition in powder form is provided comprising the steps of (a) adding silicone emulsion at the levels of 0.01-15.0 % by wt. to inorganic fillers at the levels of 10 to 50.0. % by wt. followed by addition of the optional benefit agents/ actives;

(b) subsequently blending the cationic polymer at the levels of 0.01-5.0 % by wt. and starch at the levels of 0.1 to 10.0 % by wt. with the mixture of step (a) followed by blending with the anionic surfactant at the levels of 10-30 % by wt. to obtain said powder shampoo formulation/ composition therefrom.

The invention is explained hereunder in greater details in relation to the non-limiting exemplary illustrations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As discussed hereinbefore the present invention provides for a cosmetic composition such as a hair wash formulation/ composition in powder form. More specifically the present invention provides for said formulation/ composition in powder form comprising a synergistic combination of anionic surfactant with cationic polymers, starch and silicone emulsion which when present together with inorganic carriers/fillers is adapted to deliver superior conditioning benefits of significantly improved foam, cleansing, softness of hair while wet. Advantageously, said formulation/ composition was achievable in powder form even after incorporation of liquid silicone emulsion and also provided for superior conditioning benefits that is also adapted to favour an extended shelf lifeand impart softness and shine to the hair after drying, favours ease of combing of dry hair and making hair manageable just like any other liquid shampoo compositions.

Formulation details

Additional benefit agents/ actives:

Lawsonia inermis leaf powder (Mehandhi), Embilica officinalis fruit powder (Amla), Acacia concinna pod powder (Shikakai), Prunus amygdalus powder (Badam), Metiveria zizanioides (Vetiver), Sapindus trifoliatus (Reetha), Trigonella foenum-graecum (Methi), Camellia sinensis (Tea leaves powder), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Hibiscus), Cornflower {Centaurea Cyanus), Chamomile: {Anthemis nobilis), Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), Geranium (Geranium spp), Jasmine (Jasminum spp), Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), White lily (Lilium candidum), Mint (Mentha spp), Mimosa (Mimosa spp), Marigold (Tagetes spp), Sweet orange Tree (Citrus Aurantium) , Peach-tree (Prunus persica), Rose mary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Saffron (Crocus sativus), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Marigold (Calandula officinalis), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Lime (Ti/ia spp), Green gram(Vigna radiate), Korai kizangu (Cyperus rotundus), Thattai Kitchali (Hedychium spicatum), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules), Bhringaraj (Eclipta alba) Usilam (Momosa amara), Brinji (Cinnamomum tamala), Poduthalai (Lippia nodiflora) etc. Concentration : 10 to 30.0 %. Inorganic filler:

Sodium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, hydrated aluminium silicates (Bentonite), hydrated magnesium silicates, etc. Concentration: 10 % to 50%

Anionic surfactant:
Sodium lauryl sulfate, alpha olefein sulfonate, sodium stearate, potassium lauryl sulfate and
sodium dodecyl sulfate etc.
Concentration: 10% to 30%
Cationic Polymer: Concentration: 0.01 % to 5.0 %

Copolymers of vinylmonomers having cationic amine or quaternary ammonium functionalities with water soluble spacer monomers such as (meth) acylamide, alkyl and dialkyl (meth) acrylamides, Alkyl (meth) acrylate, vinyl caprolactone and vinyl pyrrolidone wherein said alkyl and dialkyl substituted monomers preferably have C1-C7 alkyl groups, more preferably Cl-3 alkyl groups wherein suitable spacers include vinyl esters, vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-6, Polyquatemium-16, Polyquaternium-11 and terpolymers of acrylic acid with dimethyldiallylammonium chloride and acrylamide (referred to in the industry by PCPC as Polyquaternium 39), and terpolymers of acrylic acid with methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride and methyl acrylate (referred to in the industry by PCPC as Polyquaternium 47); and are also preferably selected from a class of cationic polymers formed from methacrylamidopropyl trimonium chloride and/or acrylamidopropyl trimonium chloride and copolymers of these monomers with acrylamide (Specific examples of these materials include polymethyacrylamidopropyl trimonium chloride, available under the trade name Polycare 133, from Rhone-Poulenc, and acrylamidopyltrimonium chloride/acrylamide copolymer which is available under the trade name of Salcare SC60 from Ciba); and are also preferably selected from the class of Hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (Example of these material is Softcat SL polymer series from Amerchol); or are selected from the class of cationic polysaccharides including cationic guar gum derivative, especially guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride.

Preferably said cationic polysaccharides include cationic cellulose derivatives such as those salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, referred to in the industry (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association - usually referred to as CTFA) as Polyquaternium 10. Specific examples of these materials include those polymers available from Amerchol Corporation in their Polymer JR series of polymers, such as Polymer JR125, Polymer JR400 and Polymer JR30M. Other suitable types of cationic cellulose include the polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with lauryl dimethyl ammonium-substituted epoxide referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquaternium 24.

Yet another preferred class of cationic polysaccharide include cationic guar gum derivative, especially guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride. Specific examples of these materials include those polymers available from Rhodia in their JAGUAR series of polymers, such as JAGUAR C13S and JAGUAR CI7.

Starch derivative:
Potato starch, rice starch, wheat starch, maize starch, tapioca starch etc. Concentration: 0.1 to 10.0 % Silicone emulsion:

Concentration: 0.01 to 15.0 %

The silicone mixture used in the composition may be selected from surfactant soluble silicones and surfactant dispersible silicones which may include, but are not limited to copolyol of dimethicone, copolyol of aminofunctionalised silicone, microemulsion of siliconeoils such as dimethicone, aminofunctionalised silicone, quarternised silicone etc. Examples.of the said silicones may include, but are not limited to Bis -PEG/PPG 20.20dimethicone, PEG14 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 4/12 dimethicone, methoxy PEG/PEG amino propyl dimethicone, Abil quat 3272, DC193, DC8500, DC1870, Silplex J2S, Silsoft A553 and Silsoft ME-86 and mixtures thereof.

Non-volatile non functionalized silicones:

The powder shampoo composition of invention comprises of a non-volatile non functionalized silicone which is present as a part of intimate mixture .The silicone I insoluble in the aqueous matrix of the shampoo composition and so is present in an emulsified form, with the silicone present as dispersed particles. The viscosity of the non-volatile non functionalized silicone itself (not the emulsion or final composition) is minimum 100cst.

Suitable silicones include polydiorganosiloxanes, in particular polydi organosiloxanes,in particular polydimethylsiloxanes which have the PCPC designation as dimethicone. Also suitable for use in powder shampoo compositions of the invention are polydimethylsiloxanes having hydroxylend groups,which have the PCPC description as dimethiconol. Also suitable for use in powder shampoos of invention are silicone gums having a slight degree of crosslinking which is known in the art. Polysiloxanes having the general formula RaG3-a-Si(OSiG2)n-(OSiGbR2-b)m-0-SiG3-a-R'a in which :G is selected from H, phenyl,OH or Cl-8 alkyl,eg.methyl;a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3,preferably 0;b is 0 or 1,preferably 1; m and n are numbers such that (m+n) can range from 1 to 2000,preferably from 50 to 150;m is a number from 1 to 2000,preferably from 1 to 10; n is a number from 0 to 1999, preferably from 49 to 149, and R' is a monovalent radical of formula -CqH2qL in which q is a number from 2 to 8 and L is an aminofunctional group selected from the following -NR'-CH2-CH2-N(R")2,-N ( R")2,_N+(R")3A-,-N+H(R")2A-,_ in which R" is selected from H,phenyl,benzyl or a saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical,e.g.Cl-20 alkyl, and A is a halide ion ,e.g.chloride or bromide.

Suitable aminofunctionalised silicones corresponding to the above formula include those polysiloxanes termed "trimethylsilylamodimethicone" as depicted below, and which are sufficiently water insoluble so as to be useful in compositions of the invention:

Si(CH3)3-0-[Si(CH3)2-0-]x-[Si(CH3)(R-NH-CH2CH2NH2)-0-]y-Si(CH3) wherein x+y is a number from about 50 to about 500, and wherein R is an alkylene group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms. Preferably, the number x+y is in the range of from about 100 to about 300.

Quaternary silicone polymers having the general formula: {(Ri(R2)(R3) N+ CH2CH(OH)CH20(CH2)3 [Si(R4)(R5)-0-]n-Si(R6)(R7)-(CH2)3-0- CH2CH(OH)CH2N+(R8)(R9)(R10)} (X)2 where in Ri and R10 may be the same or different and may be independently selected from Hm saturated or unsaturated long or short chain alk(en)yl, branched chain alk(en)yl and C5-C8 cyclic ring systems; R2 to R9 may be the same or different and may be independently selected from H, straight or branched chain lower alk(en)yl, and C5-C8 cyclic ring systems; n is a number within the range of about 60 to about 120, preferably about 80, and X" is preferably acetate, but may instead be for example halide, organic carboxylate, organic sulphonate or the like.

Formulation details

PS- Powder shampoo

Example I: Evaluation procedure
Performance and comparisons of the composition of the present invention illustrated in above formula with the known composition were done using paired comparison salon tests for foam, cleansing, softness of washed hair while wet, softness of hair after drying, ease of combing of dried hair and making hair manageable. The actives under each trial totaled to the same wt % and the synergy demonstrated below was found to be achieved within the wt % of the range discussed above. Monadic evaluations were performed by a trained, licensed cosmetologist. Following use of the compositions, the consumers were asked to assess their hair for the above said attributes. The findings are given below:
Table 1
1 to 10 scale

It can thus be clearly concluded from the Table 1 above that while the individual ingredient alone fails to achieve a score anywhere closer to the formulations (PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4) in accordance with the present invention, it may be noted that inorganic filler in combination with anionic surfactant reaches to a score of 5. While the beautician score involving the combination of inorganic filler + anionic surfactant could reach a score of 5, a stagnancy was observed at the score 5 even upon individual additions of the cationic polymer or silicone emulsion to the combination of inorganic filler + anionic surfactant and did not improve by adding excess amount of each of the ingredients beyond the selectively indentified wt % range of the each of said ingredients. The score slightly improved to 6 by the addition of starch to the said combination.

Further, though the addition of both starch and cationic polymer in the above said combination of inorganic filler + anionic surfactant together still maintained the stagnancy of the score at 5 or 6 depending on the type of cationic polymer; and though another alternative combination of both starch and silicone emulsion together with inorganic filler + anionic surfactant also maintained the score at 5; and yet though another alternative combination of both cationic polymer and silicone emulsion together with inorganic filler + anionic surfactant maintained the score at 5; it was thus surprisingly found by way of the present invention that when the starch, cationic polymer and silicone emulsion are provided together with inorganic filler + anionic surfactant only then the said ingredients synergize together at the selectively identified wt % range involving anionic surfactant at the levels of 10-30 % by wt. of the composition, cationic polymers at the levels of 0.01-5.0 % by wt. of the composition, silicone emulsion at the levels of 0.01-15.0 % by wt. of the composition, starch at the levels of 0.1 to 10.0 % by wt. of the composition and inorganic carriers / fillers 10-50 % by wt. of the composition to enhance the score to 9 as in (PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4) which previously could not be otherwise contemplated given the known characteristics of the individual ingredients and the scores attained by them either individually or even after their combinations as discussed and tabulated above.

While all the above discussed ingredients of the shampoo composition synergize to provide enhanced conditioning benefits, the selective powdered inorganic fillers yielded a hair wash formulation/composition in the form of a free flowing powder in the presence of both liquid silicone emulsion and starch with enhanced storage stability that also yielded synergistic benefits.

Only the selective inorganic fillers enable achievement of the powder form of the hair wash formulation/composition involving silicone emulsion and starch amidst other ingredients which silicone emulsion was found to not get imbibed by a wide range of inorganic fillers but only a selective few to lead to a herbal hair wash powder formulation/composition with improved conditioning attributes.

Example II:
In a typical process for the preparation of the powder formulation/ composition, the required quantities of additional benefit agents / actives are first blended thoroughly. The inorganic fillers are loaded in separate mini blender. Silicone emulsion is then slowly added through a spray pump and blended for 30 minutes and then added to the herbal actives. Cationic polymer and starch are added subsequently to herbal actives and blended for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes blending anionic surfactant is added and again blended for 30 minutes and said powder shampoo formulation/ composition is obtained thereof.

It is thus possible by way of the present advancement to provide for a cosmetic composition such as powder hair wash formulation/ composition, wherein based on the synergistic combination of anionic surfactant with cationic polymers, starch and silicone emulsion which when present together with inorganic fillers is adapted to deliver superior conditioning benefits of significantly improved foam, cleansing, softness of hair while wet when applied on hair just like liquid shampoos and moreover aids a powder form of the shampoo composition preferably as a free flowing powder. Advantageously, said formulation/ composition provided in powder form in having extended shelf life also imparts softness and shine to the hair after drying, ease of combing of dry hair and making hair manageable.

We Claim:

1. A hair wash formulation/composition in powder form with improved conditioning and detergency comprising a synergistic combination of

(a) Anionic surfactant;

(b) Cationic polymers;

(c) Silicone emulsion;

(d) Starch; and
involving inorganic materials as carriers / fillers.

2. A hair wash formulation/composition in powder form as claimed in claim 1 comprising a synergistic combination of

(a) said anionic surfactant at the levels of 10-30 % by wt. of the composition;

(b) said cationic polymers at the levels of 0.01-5.0 % by wt. of the composition;

(c) said silicone emulsion at the levels of 0.01-15.0 % by wt. of the composition;

(d) said starch at the levels of 0.1 to 10.0 % by wt. of the composition; and involving said inorganic carriers / fillers 10-50 by wt. of the composition.

3. A hair wash formulation/composition in powder form as claimed in claim 1 wherein said composition is a free flowing powder with improved conditioning and detergency with or without additional benefit agents/ actives adapted to impart additional functional benefits to the said powder formulation/ composition.

4. A hair wash formulation/composition in powder form as claimed in claim 3 adapted for end use and application in forms selected from premix for paste shampoo, paste shampoo, concentrated paste.

5. A hair wash formulation/composition in powder form as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims comprising powdered anionic surfactants selected from sodium lauryl sulfate, alpha olefein sulfonate, sodium stearate, potassium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate and the like at the levels of 10% to 30% in powder form.

6. A hair wash formulation/composition in powder form as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims comprising cationic polymers selected from copolymers of vinylmonomers having cationic amine or quaternary ammonium functionalities with water soluble spacer monomers such as (meth) acylamide, alkyl and dialkyl (meth) acrylamides, Alkyl (meth) acrylate, vinyl caprolactone and vinyl pyrrolidone wherein said alkyl and dialkyl substituted monomers preferably have C1-C7 alkyl groups, more preferably Cl-3 alkyl groups wherein suitable spacers include vinyl esters, vinyl alcohol, maleic anhydride, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-16, Polyquaternium-11 and terpolymers of acrylic acid with dimethyldiallylammonium chloride and acrylamide (referred to in the industry by PCPC as Polyquaternium 39), and terpolymers of acrylic acid with methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride and methyl acrylate (referred to in the industry by PCPC as Polyquaternium 47); and are also preferably selected from a class of cationic polymers formed from methacrylamidopropyl trimonium chloride and/or acrylamidopropyl trimonium chloride and copolymers of these monomers with acrylamide; and are also preferably selected from the class of Hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (or are selected from the class of cationic polysaccharides including cationic guar gum derivative, especially guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride; and preferably selected from cationic polysaccharides include cationic cellulose derivatives such as those salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, and is also preferably selected from cationic polysaccharide including cationic guar gum derivative, especially guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride at the levels of 0.01 % to 5.0 %

7. A hair wash formulation/composition in powder form as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims comprising starch selected from potato starch, rice starch, wheat starch, maize starch, tapioca starch or mixtures thereof at the levels of 0.1 to 10.0 %.

8. A herbal hair wash formulation/composition in powder form as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims comprising silicone emulsion selected from surfactant soluble silicones and surfactant dispersible silicones which may include, but are not limited to copolyol of dimethicone, copolyol of aminofunctionalised silicone, microemulsion of silicone oils such as dimethicone, aminofunctionalised silicone, quarternised silicone or mixtures there of; wherein non-volatile non functionalized silicones include polydiorganosiloxanes, preferably polydi organosiloxanes, more preferably polydimethylsiloxanes which have the PCPC designation as dimethicone also including polysiloxanes having the general formula RaG3-a-Si(OSiG2)n-(OSiGbR2-b)m-0-SiG3-a-R'a in which :G is selected from H, phenyl,OH or Cl-8 alkyl,eg.methyl;a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3,preferably 0;b is 0 or 1,preferably 1; m and n are numbers such that (m+n) can range from 1 to 2000,preferably from 50 to 150;m is a number from 1 to 2000,preferably from 1 to 10; n is a number from 0 to 1999, preferably from 49 to 149, and R' is a monovalent radical of formula -CqH2qL in which q is a number from 2 to 8 and L is an aminofunctional group selected from the following -NR'-CH2-CH2-N(R")2,-N ( R")2,_N+(R")3A-,-N+H(R")2A-,_ in which R" is selected from H, phenyl, benzyl or a saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radical, e.g.Cl-20 alkyl, and A is a halide ion , e.g. chloride or bromide; present at the levels of 0.01 to 15.0 %.

9. A hair wash formulation/composition in powder form as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims comprising inorganic materials as carriers / fillers and are selected from sodium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, hydrated aluminium silicates (Bentonite), hydrated magnesium silicates or mixtures thereof present at the levels of 10 % to 50%.

10. A hair wash formulation/composition in powder form as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims comprising additional benefit agents/ actives selected from Lawsonia inermis leaf powder (Mehandhi), Embilica officinalis fruit powder (Amla), Acacia concinna pod powder (Shikakai), Prunus amygdalus powder (Badam), Metiveria zizanioides (Vetiver), Sapindus trifoliatus (Reetha), Trigonella foenum-graecum (Methi), Camellia sinensis (Tea leaves powder), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Hibiscus), Cornflower {Centaurea Cyanus), Chamomile: {Anthemis nobilis), Safflower {Carthamus tinctorius), Geranium {Geranium spp), Jasmine {Jasminum spp), Lavender {Lavandula officinalis), White lily {Lilium candidum), Mint {Mentha spp), Mimosa {Mimosa spp), Marigold {Tagetes spp), Sweet orange Tree {Citrus Aurantium) , Peach-tree {Prunus persica), Rose mary {Rosmarinus officinalis), Saffron {Crocus sativus), Sage {Salvia officinalis), Marigold {Calandula officinalis), Thyme {Thymus vulgaris), Lime {Tilia spp), Green q