Thickening composition

Abstract

The present invention provides a thickening composition simultaneously exhibiting suitable thickening performance and superior usability, which contains N-long-chain acyl acidic amino acid and/or a salt thereof, an amphipathic substance, an inorganic salt, and water as essential components, and has a viscosity of not less than 200 mPa·s. By the addition of the thickening composition, moreover, cleansing compositions and cosmetic compositions for skin, hair and the like, which maintain thickening performance and usability, while containing N-long-chain acyl acidic amino acid and/or a salt thereof are provided.

1 . A thickening composition, comprising:
 (A) at least one N-long-chain acyl acidic amino acid and/or a salt thereof;   (B) at least one amphipathic substance;   (C) at least one inorganic salt; and   (D) water,   
       wherein said thickening composition has a viscosity of not less than 200 mPa·s. 
     
     
         2 . The thickening composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one amphipathic substance (B) has an organic value and an inorganic value satisfying the following formula (I):
   (inorganic value)≦−5×(organic value)+2500  (1).   
     
     
         3 . The thickening composition of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of (A):(B) is 90:10 to 30:70; the weight ratio of (A):(C) is 99.5:0.5 to 50:50; and the weight ratio of the total weight of (A), (B), and (C):(D) is 2:98 to 70:30. 
     
     
         4 . The thickening composition of  claim 2 , wherein the weight ratio of (A):(B) is 90:10 to 30:70; the weight ratio of (A):(C) is 99.5:0.5 to 50:50; and the weight ratio of the total weight of (A), (B), and (C):(D) is 2:98 to 70:30. 
     
     
         5 . The thickening composition of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid of (A) is glutamic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The thickening composition of  claim 2 , wherein said amino acid of (A) is glutamic acid. 
     
     
         7 . The thickening composition of  claim 1 , wherein said acyl group of (A) derives from one or more members selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, behenic acid, coconut fatty acid, palm fatty acid, hydrogenated beef tallow fatty acid, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The thickening composition of  claim 2 , wherein said acyl group of (A) derives from one or more members selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, behenic acid, coconut fatty acid, palm fatty acid, hydrogenated beef tallow fatty acid, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The thickening composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one amphipathic substance (B) comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of glyceryl monofatty acid, propyleneglycol monofatty acid, butyleneglycol monofatty acid, diethyleneglycol monofatty acid, monofatty acid N-methylethanolamide, lauryl glycol hydroxypropylether, polyoxypropylene(1)coconut fatty acid monoisopropanolamide, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The thickening composition of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one amphipathic substance (B) comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of glyceryl monofatty acid, propyleneglycol monofatty acid, butyleneglycol monofatty acid, diethyleneglycol monofatty acid, monofatty acid N-methylethanolamide, lauryl glycol hydroxypropylether, polyoxypropylene(1)coconut fatty acid monoisopropanolamide, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The thickening composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one amphipathic substance (B) comprises a glyceryl monofatty acid having not less than 8 and not more than 18 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         12 . The thickening composition of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one amphipathic substance (B) comprises a glyceryl monofatty acid having not less than 8 and not more than 18 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         13 . The thickening composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one inorganic salt (C) comprises an alkaline earth metal inorganic salt. 
     
     
         14 . The thickening composition of  claim 2 , wherein at said least one inorganic salt (C) comprises an alkaline earth metal inorganic salt. 
     
     
         15 . The thickening composition of  claim 1 , further comprising: (E) at least one polyhydric alcohol. 
     
     
         16 . The thickening composition of  claim 2 , further comprising: (E) at least one polyhydric alcohol. 
     
     
         17 . The thickening composition of  claim 1 , further comprising: (F) at least one chelating agent. 
     
     
         18 . The thickening composition of  claim 2 , further comprising: (F) at least one chelating agent. 
     
     
         19 . A cleansing composition, comprising a thickening composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A cosmetic composition, comprising a thickening composition of  claim 1 .