Hair and scalp compositions with a crosslinked silicone elastomer and method of using same

Abstract

The present invention provides a water-based composition comprising a non-emulsifying crosslinked silicone elastomer in an amount effective to decrease the amount of sebum on the hair or scalp. The water-based compositions of the present invention are in non-emulsion form. More preferably, the water-based compositions of the present invention have a suspending agent in an amount effective to suspend the crosslinked silicone elastomer within the water-based composition. The present invention also provides to a method of method for absorbing and/or removing sebum and/or styling product residue from the hair or scalp. The method comprises the step of applying the water-based composition to the hair and/or scalp. Preferably, the water-based hair composition is distributed through the hair and/or scalp, e.g., by using a comb or brush.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of decreasing the amount of sebum on a person's hair or scalp comprising applying a non-emulsion water-based composition comprising a crosslinked silicone elastomer to said hair or said scalp.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising distributing said composition through said hair or over said scalp.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said distributing is accomplished by combing or brushing said hair with a comb, a brush or a plurality of fingers.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said hair or scalp has not been washed for a period of time greater than 1 hour before said applying of said water-based composition.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said hair or scalp has not been washed for a period of time greater than 2 hours before said applying of said water-based composition.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises from about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % of said crosslinked silicone elastomer.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % of said crosslinked silicone elastomer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises from about 0.5 wt % to about 2.5 wt % of said crosslinked silicone elastomer.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said crosslinked silicone elastomer is selected from the group consisting of a dimethicone crosspolymer, an organopolysiloxane, a dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a suspending agent.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said comprises said suspending agent in an amount sufficient to suspend said crosslinked silicone elastomer in said composition for at least three months.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said composition comprises from about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % of said suspending agent.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said composition comprises from about 0.05 wt % to about 0.75 wt % of said suspending agent.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the suspending agent is an acrylates/C10 −30  alkyl acrylate crosspolymer  
     
     
         15 . A leave-in non-emulsion hair-care composition comprising 
 (a) a crosslinked silicone elastomer an amount effective to deposit a sebum-absorbing level of said crosslinked silicone elastomer on the hair or scalp after the composition has been applied to the hair or scalp;    (b) a suspending agent in amount sufficient to suspend said crosslinked silicone elastomer in said composition;    (c) at least about 20 wt % water.    
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said crosslinked silicone elastomer is a dimethicone crosspolymer, an organopolysiloxane, a dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, and any combination thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said suspending agent includes at least one carbomer, acrylate polymer, acrylates co-polymer, polysaccharide, clay, metal silicate, polyacrylamide or long chain acyl derivative.  
     
     
         18 . The composition or  claim 15 , wherein the composition contains less than about 5 wt % oil soluble ingredients.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the composition comprises an emulsifier in an amount less than about 1 wt % of the composition.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the composition contains less than about 5 wt % oil soluble ingredients.  
     
     
         21 . A non-emulsion composition consisting essentially of: 
 a. a crosslinked silicone elastomer;    b. 0 to less than about 5 wt % oil-soluble ingredients;    c. 0 to less than about 1 wt % surfactants/emulsifiers;    d. a water-based vehicle; and    e. a suspending agent present in an amount sufficient to suspend said crosslinked silicone elastomer in said water-based vehicle.