CLIAMS:1. A transparent optically clear microemulsion composition that is free of ethanol comprising of:
a) from 0.001 to 20% by weight of at least one oil and/or fragrance oil;
b) from 0.1 to 15% by weight of solvent which is branched fatty alcohols;
c) from 1 to 40% by weight of at least one non-ionic surfactant; and
d) water to make 100%.

2. The microemulsion composition of Claim 1 wherein the oil or fragrance may be selected from the group comprising of but not limited to capryliccapric triglycerides, almond oil, apricot oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, apricot kernal oil, borage oil, canola oil, castor oil, coconut oil, cottonseed oil, evening primrose oil, flax seed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, rice bran oil, rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil, soya bean oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil, wheat-germ oil, lavender oil, rose oil, rosemary oil, camphor oil, cypress oil, geranium oil, rosewood oil, tea tree oil, manuka oil, thyme linalool oil, petit grain oil, grapefruit oil, sandalwood oil, vetiver oil, mint oil, basil oil, chamomile oil, cedarwood oil, palmarosa oil, cajeput oil, niaouli oil, yarrow oil, lime oil, coriander oil, thymus vulgaris oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass oil, myrrh oil, patchouli oil, calendula infused oil, black pepper oil, cinnamon leaf oil, clove bud oil, ginger oil, sweet basil oil, juniper oil, lemon oil, helichrysum oil, parsley oil, eucalyptus globulous oil, myrtle oil, basil juniper oil, pine oil, orange oil, spearmint oil, petit grain oil, clary oil, carrot seed oil, jasmine oil, bergamot oil, teat tree oil, ylangylang oil, calendula oil, cranberry seed oil, sweet orange oil, mandarine oil, tangerine oil, neroli oil, manuka oil, laurel oil, cistus oil, galbanum oil, angelica oil, witch hazel oil, heli oil, elemi oil, frankincense oil, fennel oil, sage oil, rose hip oil, Melissa oil, grapefruit oil, lavandin oil, spike rose oil, lemon myrtle oil, Spanish marjoram oil, spikenard oil, caraway oil, Spanish sage oil, their synthetic counterparts and mixtures thereof.

3. The microemulsion composition of claim 1, wherein the fatty alcohols may be selected from the group comprising octyldodecanol, 2-butyloctanol (isolauryl alcohol), 2-butyldecanol/ 2-hexyloctanol (isomyristyl alcohol), 2-hexyldecanol (isocetyl alcohol), 2-octyldecanol/ 2-hexyldodecanol isostearyl alcohol), 2-octyldecanol/ 2-hexyldodecanol (isostearyl alcohol), 2-octyldecanol (isoarachidyl alcohol), 2-octyltetradecanol (isolignocery alcohol), 2-dodecyl hexadecanol (isolauryl cetyl alcohol) or the mixtures thereof.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the non-ionic surfactants may be selected from the group comprising polyethylene glycol derivative of natural oils especially polyethylene glycol derivative of Ricinus communis (Castor) oil, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester of sorbitan especially polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene glycol (40) hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene glycol (40) sorbitan perisostearate, polyoxyethylene glycol (40) stearate, polyoxyethylene glycol (80) glyceryl cocoate, polyoxyethylene glycol (120) methyl glucose dioleate, polyoxyethylene glycol (150) distearate, polyoxyethylene glycol (200) hydrogenated glyceryl palmate, polyglyceryl-3 caprate, polyglyceryl-3 caprylate, polyglyceryl-3 methyl glucose distearate, polyglyceryl-3 diisotearate, polyglyceryl-3 oleate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-4 laurate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, polyglyceryl-6 isostearate, polyglyceryl-6 dioleate, polyoxyethylene glycol (20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene glycol (20) sorbitanmono stearate, polyoxyethylene glycol (20) sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene glycol (8), caprylic/ capric glycerides singly or in combination thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the non-ionic surfactant(s) to the oil is in the range of from 9:1 to 3:1.

6. The composition of the preceding claims, wherein the composition may optionally comprise one or more additional cosmetically acceptable ingredients in a concentration of 1-10 wt%.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the additional cosmetically acceptable ingredients may be selected from moisturisers, vitamins, skin lightening, anti-ageing, conditioning, sun protection, hair growth promoting and hair fall control actives, anti-hair graying actives, exfoliating, anti-wrinkle, collagen boosting, dark circle removing, anti-blemish, scar removing and anti-acne agents and others.

8. A process for preparing a transparent optically clear microemulsion composition that is free of ethanol, comprising of
a) addition of branched fatty alcoholic solvent to oil and/or fragrance oil;
b) addition of one or more non-ionic surfactants to the mixture obtained in step a);
c) slow addition of water to the mixture obtained in step b);
while thoroughly mixing at every step under constant stirring at a temperature of 10°C to 45°C and an rpm range of 100 - 2000.
,TagSPECI:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the ethanol-free microemulsion compositions for cosmetic and dermatological applications and methods for their preparation. The microemulsions with improved solubilisation of oil, comprising natural oil and/or fragrance oil, and other hydrophobic materials insoluble in water, non-ionic surfactants, alkyl/fatty alcohols, specifically branched saturated fatty alcohols and water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Microemulsions are transparent, optically isotropic, thermodynamically stable colloidal dispersions, which is practically the intimate admixture of water and oil in the presence of one or more surfactants along with co-surfactants. The particle size of the dispersed-phase (oil) is <100 nm, which is less than one-fourth the wavelength of visible light. As a result, the microemulsion appears transparent. Microemulsions are generally accepted as micellar systems and may be classified as swollen micelle.

Water-based transparent microemulsions containing natural oils, fragrance oils, flavors or other hydrophobic active materials have already been reported in the prior art. In most of the prior arts, the transparent dispersion of tiny oil droplets in the water-based microemulsion was obtained by using large quantities of short-chain alcohols and other volatile ethanol materials (containing carbon chain ranging from C1-C5).

The major disadvantages of using short chain volatile alcohols, especially ethanol are
• Highly volatile
• Highly inflammable
• Dries the skin or scalp
• Causes irritation or itching to skin or scalp
• Disturb or damage barrier functions
• Highly regulated materials worldwide, because of it is falling under category of Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC) and it affects the ozone layer
• Religiously prohibited in some part of the globe
• Highly taxed that leads to higher cost of the formulations
• Finally ethanol or other short chain alcohol has distinct odor

US 2006/0165739 discloses the preparation of alcohol-free microemulsions and methods for their use in cosmetic compositions. These microemulsions include a surfactant, a lipophilic and hydrophilic linker, a co-oil and can include a hydrotrope. These hydrotropes are present at a concentration between 0.001 and 30% and are used as agents that increase the solubility of other organic substances in water. Specifically, ammonium xylene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium mono or dimethyl naphthalene sulfonate, and alkyl glucosides are mentioned as suitable hydrotropes.

US 4,488,989 discloses aqueous compositions containing urea as a hydrotrope, and in particular liquid detergents of improved storage stability. Urea is used in combination with a hydrolysable ester as the storage stability promoting component. Ethanol is present in such formulations up to a concentration of 10%.

US 2011/0177995 discloses an EtOH-free microemulsion, which needs a 1/1 to 5/1 mixture of non-ionic/ ionic surfactant. The ionic surfactant is mandatory and in amount quite important for the formation of a microemulsion and this can be an issue as ionic surfactants do have in general negative effects on the overall performance of a perfuming composition once applied on the skin.

US 5,468,725 describes an EtOH-free microemulsion, which is defined in a way that makes it difficult to retrieve the ratio of surfactant and perfume and exemplifies a fragrance oil that does not specify how much solvent and oil are in the fragrance- with a 100/2 mixture of non-ionic/ ionic surfactant. There is no mention of use of a hydrodrope to decrease the amount of surfactant, and the amount of surfactant used is still considered to be quite high compared to the perfume amount (w/w perfume/surfactant ratio of about 0.38). Therefore, there is a need for an alcohol-free perfume formulation that is sprayable, stable, transparent, that has moreover a light skin feel as close as possible to the one of ethanol containing compositions, having the lowest possible amount of surfactant and that can contain useful amounts of fragrance oil (which depend on the intended use). Last but not the least, said alcohol-free perfume formulation should advantageously also have a superior profile for fragrance or olfactive delivery. These are requirements needed to satisfy the current need in the perfuming field.
The major limitations of the transparent microemulsion disclosed in the prior art are
• Use of ethanol
• Use of ionic surfactants
• Use of high surfactants

Therefore, there exists a need in providing ethanol-free or short-chain alcohol free transparent water-based microemulsion containing oils or fragrance oils or flavor or other hydrophobic water-insoluble materials using non-ionic surfactants.

OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The main object to be achieved by the present invention is therefore to provide an ethanol-free microemulsion composition.

It is another objective of the present invention is to provide a transparent microemulsion using non-ionic surfactants or their mixture.

It is an object of the present invention is to produce an oil-in-water microemulsion that is transparent and stable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide articles that contain an ethanol-free perfume oil composition with reduced stickiness as described above.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an energy saving process for producing an ethanol-free perfume oil composition.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is related to a process and composition of ethanol-free microemulsion composition. The microemulsion composition of the present invention is suitable for cosmetics and dermatological applications.

The present invention is related to an ethanol-free perfume oil microemulsion comprising of:
(a) water;
(b) one or more branched fatty alcohols as solvent;
(c) one, two or three non-ionic surfactants;
(d) one or more oils; and/or
(e) one or more fragrance oils.

The present invention is also related to a process for preparing a transparent optically clear microemulsion composition that is free of ethanol. The said process comprises of
a) addition of branched fatty alcoholic solvent to oil and/or fragrance oil;
b) addition of one or more non-ionic surfactants to the mixture obtained in step a);
c) slow addition of water to the mixture obtained in step c);
while thoroughly mixing at every step under constant stirring at a temperature of 10°C to 45°C and an rpm range of 100-2000.

For the accomplishment of the above and related objects, the invention may be embodied in the form described in the following description. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the examples given are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows the samples of working and non-working examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a transparent optically clear microemulsion composition that is free of ethanol and contains oils and/or fragrance oils at a concentration of 0.001 to 20% by weight; a solvent at a concentration of 0.1 to 20% by weight; non-ionic surfactant(s) at a concentration of 1 to 40% by weight; and 40-80 % by weight of water. The microemulsion of the present invention can be diluted with water for further use. The surfactant to oil ratio may vary from a range of 9:1 to 3:1.

The microemulsion composition of the present invention can be prepared with components presented in Table 1. The process of making the microemulsion of the present invention comprises the following steps:
Step 1: Taking fragrance and/or oil in a container;
Step 2: Addition of branched fatty alcoholic solvent to the fragrance and/or oil and mixing well;
Step 3: Addition of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring;
Step 4: Addition of PEG(20) sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring;
Step 5: Slow addition of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring, until a homogeneous transparent system is obtained.
Thus obtained system was characterized by measuring the particle size and transparency using dynamic light scattering and UV-Vis spectrophotometer, respectively.

The mixing is performed at temperature ranging from 10°C to 45°C at an rpm ranging from 100 - 2000. The transparency (>97 %) of the homogeneous system having particle size >5 nm but <100 nm indicates the formation of a microemulsion.

The process of the present invention is related to an energy conserving process for the preparation of a microemulsion by eliminating the need for heating.

According to the present invention, the composition may optionally contain other cosmetically acceptable ingredients in concentration range of 1-10 wt%. Such actives may be selected from a group consisting of moisturisers, vitamins, skin lightening, anti-ageing, conditioning, sun protection, hair growth promoting and hair fall control actives, anti-hair graying actives, exfoliating, anti-wrinkle, collagen boosting, dark circle removing, anti-blemish, scar removing, anti-acne agents and others.

The skin lightening agents can be selected from the group consisting of Licorice extract, Arbutin, hydroquinone, Basil flower extract, niacinamide, ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, ?-oryzanol, glucosamine, lactic acid, lemon extract, lemon extract, pomegranate extract, grape seed extract, resveratrol, isoflavones and soy isoflavones.

The exfoliating agents can be selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxyl acids and physical agents such as polyethylene beads, crystalline sugar, crystalline salt, pumice powder, bamboo exfoliating agents and rice exfoliating agents.

Anti-ageing, anti-acne agents, dark circle removing, anti-blemish, scar removing agents, collagen boosting agents and anti-wrinkle agents can be selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, vitamin E, grape seed extract, resveratrol, isoflavones, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, beta glucan, coenzyme Q10, ceramides, phospholipid, collagen proteins hydrolyzed, glycoproteins, peptides, D-panthenol, vitamin A and its derivatives, vitamin C and its derivatives and caffeine.

Anti-hair graying actives can be selected from but not limited to L-Tyrosine, Theophyllene, Melenogenin, IBMX, Nettle root and any other natural extracts claimed to have the said benefits, the genera Amaranthus or plants of the Oryza species, Pisum sativum L. (Pea), Phaseolus vulgaris (bean), Theobroma cacao L. (Cocoa), compounds of natural protein and peptide alone or in combination with at least another active agent, in a cosmetic composition. The purpose of introducing an extract in the composition is to promote an increase in the synthesis of melanin in the melanocytes of the skin or of the hair bulb and improve the natural pigmentation of the skin, Camellia serum fraction, feverfew serum fraction, parsley serum fraction and a kelp serum fraction.

Anti-hair fall actives can be selected from minoxidil, azelaic acid, Cuscuta reflexa, Emu oil, Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Fenugreek – Trigonella Foenum, Green tea, Pumpkin seed oil, L – Lysine and any other natural extracts claimed to have the said effect.

The branched fatty alcohols of the present invention can be selected from the group comprising of but not limited to octyldodecanol, 2-butyloctanol (isolauryl alcohol), 2-butyldecanol/ 2-hexyloctanol (isomyristyl alcohol), 2-hexyldecanol (isocetyl alcohol), 2-octyldecanol/ 2-hexyldodecanol (isostearyl alcohol), 2-octyldecanol/ 2-hexyldodecanol (isostearyl alcohol), 2-octyldecanol (isoarachidyl alcohol), 2-octyltetradecanol (isolignocery alcohol), 2-dodecyl hexadecanol (isolauryl cetyl alcohol) and mixture thereof.

The emulsifiers/ surfactants used in the preparation of microemulsions according to the present invention are non-ionic surfactants and may be selected from the group comprising of: polyethylene glycol derivative of natural oils especially polyethylene glycol derivative of Ricinus communis (Castor) oil, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester of sorbitan especially polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene glycol (40) hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene glycol (40) sorbitan perisostearate, polyoxyethylene glycol (40) stearate, polyoxyethylene glycol (80) glyceryl cocoate, polyoxyethylene glycol (120) methyl glucose dioleate, polyoxyethylene glycol (150) distearate, polyoxyethylene glycol (200) hydrogenated glyceryl palmate, polyglyceryl-3 caprate, polyglyceryl-3 caprylate, polyglyceryl-3 methyl glucose distearate, polyglyceryl-3 diisotearate, polyglyceryl-3 oleate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-4 laurate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate, polyglyceryl-6 dioleate, polyoxyethylene glycol (20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene glycol (20) sorbitanmono stearate, polyoxyethylene glycol (20) sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene glycol (8), caprylic/capric glycerides and combinations thereof.

The oils used in the composition of the present invention are selected from the group comprising of but not limited to capryliccapric triglycerides, almond oil, apricot oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, apricot kernal oil, borage oil, canola oil, castor oil, coconut oil, cottonseed oil, evening primrose oil, flax seed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, rice bran oil, rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil, soya bean oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil, wheat-germ oil, lavender oil, rose oil, rosemary oil, camphor oil, cypress oil, geranium oil, rosewood oil, tea tree oil, manuka oil, thyme linalool oil, petit grain oil, grapefruit oil, sandalwood oil, vetiver oil, mint oil, basil oil, chamomile oil, cedarwood oil, palmarosa oil, cajeput oil, niaouli oil, yarrow oil, lime oil, coriander oil, thymus vulgaris oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass oil, myrrh oil, patchouli oil, calendula infused oil, black pepper oil, cinnamon leaf oil, clove bud oil, ginger oil, sweet basil oil, juniper oil, lemon oil, helichrysum oil, parsley oil, eucalyptus globulous oil, myrtle oil, basil juniper oil, pine oil, orange oil, spearmint oil, petit grain oil, clary oil, carrot seed oil, jasmine oil, bergamot oil, teat tree oil, ylang ylang oil, calendula oil, cranberry seed oil, sweet orange oil, mandarine oil, tangerine oil, neroli oil, manuka oil, laurel oil, cistus oil, galbanum oil, angelica oil, witch hazel oil, heli oil, elemi oil, frankincense oil, fennel oil, sage oil, rose hip oil, Melissa oil, grapefruit oil, lavandin oil, spike rose oil, lemon myrtle oil, Spanish marjoram oil, spikenard oil, caraway oil, Spanish sage oil, their synthetic counterparts and mixtures thereof.

Skin care formulations of the present invention include but are not limited to under eye serum (anti-ageing), anti-acne serum, moisturising serum, skin radiance serum, under eye gel, alcohol free deodorant (spray and roll on) and rejuvenating skin care products.

Hair care formulations of the present invention include but are not limited to hair odour management products, moisturizing hair mist, conditioning hair spray, anti-frizz hair serum, hair growth serum, anti-hair graying serum, anti-hair loss serum, hair tonic, hair mask, Moisture Treatment Serum, Damage Repair Serum, revitalizing hair serum, anti-dandruff hair serum, scalp rejuvenating serum, and scalp and hair nourishing serum.

The following examples and experimental studies are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting to this disclosure in any way. Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examples and the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Example 1
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 2. The process for the preparation of microemulsion comprises the steps of:
Step 1. Taking 2 gms of fragrance oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 3 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil of step 1 and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 5 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring;
Step 4. Addition of 2 gms of PEG(20) sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring;
Step 5. Slow addition of 88 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
An opaque/ translucent heterogeneous system was obtained.

Example 2
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 3. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 3 gms of fragrance oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 6 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 10 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring;
Step 4. Addition of 2 gms of PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring;
Step 5. Slow addition of 79 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
An opaque/ translucent heterogeneous system was obtained.

Example 3
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 4. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 3 gms of fragrance oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 1 gm of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 15 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring;
Step 4. Addition of 5 gms of PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm;
Step 5. Slow addition of 76 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
A transparent homogeneous system with a particle size of 15 nm was obtained.

Example 4
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 5. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 5 gms of fragrance oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 2 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 15 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm;
Step 4. Addition of 2 gms of PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm;
Step 5. Slow addition of 76 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
A transparent highly stable homogeneous system with a particle size of 14 nm was obtained.

Example 5
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 6. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 6 gms of fragrance oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 6 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 2 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 4. Addition of 5 gms of PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 5. Slow addition of 81 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
An opaque milky system with a particle size of >300nm was obtained.

Example 6
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 7. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 6 gms of fragrance oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 2 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 10 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 4. Addition of 15 gms of PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 5. Slow addition of 67 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
An opaque/ translucent heterogeneous system was obtained.

Example 7
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 8. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 3 gms of natural oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 3 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 20 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 4. Addition of 5 gms of PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 5. Slow addition of 69 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
A transparent system comprising a natural oil/water microemulsion was obtained.

Example 8
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 9. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 3 gms of natural oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 3 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 15 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring;
Step 4. Addition of 5 gms of PEG(20) sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 5. Slow addition of 69 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
A transparent system comprising a natural oil/water microemulsion was obtained.

Example 9
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 10. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 4 gms of natural oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 4 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 2 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 4. Addition of 10 gms of PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring;
Step 5. Slow addition of 69 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
A translucent/ opaque system was obtained.

Example 10
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 11. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 5 gms of fragrance oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 2 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 15 gms of Sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 4. Addition of 2 gms of PEG(20) sorbitan monolaurate to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 5. Slow addition of 76 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
An opaque/ milky while heterogeneous system which exhibits phase separation upon standing was obtained.

Example 11
A microemulsion composition was prepared with the ingredients presented in Table 12. The process for the preparation of the said microemulsion comprises of:
Step 1. Taking 5 gms of fragrance oil in a container;
Step 2. Addition of 2 gms of octyldodecanol to the fragrance oil and mixing well;
Step 3. Addition of 2 gms of Sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) to the mixture obtained in step 2 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 4. Addition of 2 gms of PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil to the mixture obtained in step 3 and mixing well under stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC;
Step 5. Slow addition of 76 gms of water to the mixture obtained in step 4 under constant stirring at 400 rpm and at 25oC.
The translucent system which exhibits phase separation upon standing was obtained.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.