Nail-hardening cosmetic composition, use of aldehydes to harden and strengthen nails, and method for applying same

Abstract

A cosmetic composition for nails containing a concentration less than or equal to 1 wt % of at least one monoaldehyde of the formula (I): R—CHO, where R is a C5-C12 linear alkyl radical or a C5-C12 alkenyl with an unconjugated double bond to the —CHO aldehyde group, as nail hardening agent, and provided in the form of a colored or colorless fingernail polish, a polish undercoat, a peelable polish, a beauty oil, an emulsion or an aqueous solution, or a gel. Also the use of aldehydes of the formula (I) for hardening and strengthening nails and to a method for applying same.

1 . A nail hardening agent, comprising: a monoaldehyde of formula (I): R—CHO, R being a linear C 5 -C 12  alkyl radical, or a C 5 -C 12  alkenyl having a double bond that is not conjugated with the —CHO aldehyde group. 
     
     
         2 . A cosmetic composition for nails comprising the nail hardening agent of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . The cosmetic composition as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the cosmetic composition contains a concentration of aldehyde of formula (I) of less than or equal to 1% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 0.5% by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic composition as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the cosmetic composition contains a concentration of aldehyde of formula (I) of less than or equal to 0.1% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 0.05% by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic composition as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the composition contains a concentration of aldehyde of formula (I) of less than or equal to 0.01% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic composition as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the aldehyde of formula (I) is chosen from hexanal, heptanal, octanal, nonanal, dodecanal, trans-4-decenal, undecanal and undecylenic aldehyde, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic composition as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the cosmetic composition is a film-forming composition, such as a colored or colorless nail polish, a polish base coat, or a peelable polish. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetic composition as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the cosmetic composition for the nails is in the form of an aqueous solution or emulsion, a care oil, or a gel. 
     
     
         9 . A cosmetic composition for topical application to the nails, characterized in that it contains a concentration of less than or equal to 1% by weight of at least one monoaldehyde of formula (I): R—CHO, R being a linear C 5 -C 12  alkyl radical, or a C 5 -C 12  alkenyl having a double bond that is not conjugated with the —CHO aldehyde group, as a nail hardening agent. 
     
     
         10 . The cosmetic composition for the nails as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that it is in the form of a colored or colorless nail polish, a polish base coat, a peelable polish, a care oil, an aqueous solution or emulsion, or a gel. 
     
     
         11 . A process for hardening the nails, especially cracked, thin, brittle, soft or split nails, consisting in applying topically to said nails and/or the periphery thereof, a monoaldehyde of formula (I): R—CHO, R being a linear C 5 -C 12  alkyl radical, or a C 5 -C 12  alkenyl having a double bond that is not conjugated with the —CHO aldehyde group. 
     
     
         12 . The process as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the aldehyde of formula (I) is present in a cosmetic composition for nails. 
     
     
         13 . The process as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that the cosmetic composition is in the form of a colored or colorless nail polish, a polish base coat, a peelable polish, a care oil, an aqueous solution or emulsion, or a gel. 
     
     
         14 . The nail hardening agent as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the aldehyde of formula (I) is chosen from hexanal, heptanal, octanal, nonanal, dodecanal, trans-4-decenal, undecanal and undecylenic aldehyde, or a mixture thereof.