Depilatory compositions

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a depilatory composition which comprises a depilatory active and at least one material which alters the thermal properties of the composition by either having a higher heat of fusion or a lower thermal conductivity than the bulk.

1 . A depilatory composition comprising:
 bulk composition having a heat of fusion and a thermal conductivity;   a depilatory active; and   a material that alters the thermal properties of the composition;   wherein the material has one or both a higher heat of fusion or a lower thermal conductivity than the bulk composition.   
     
     
         2 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of a phase changing material, a micro-encapsulated phase changing material, a silica and silicate-based insulator. 
     
     
         3 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a phase changing material selected from the group consisting of organic, inorganic materials, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the phase changing material is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and esters thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises an encapsulated phase-changing material selected from the group consisting of saturated hydrocarbons, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, and hydrated inorganic salts. 
     
     
         6 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a silica-based insulator selected from the group consisting of silica aerogels and fumed silica material. 
     
     
         7 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a silicate-based insulator selected from the group consisting of a mica, a clay, and kaolin. 
     
     
         8 . A method of removing hair from skin comprising:
 applying heat to a depilatory composition comprising a combination of components selected from the group consisting of saturated hydrocarbons, vinylpyrrolidone/hexadecane co-polymer, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, esters and surfactants, which on heating act to enable the composition to have an improved cooling profile; and   applying the heated depilatory composition to an area of skin.   
     
     
         9 . The method of removing hair as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the depilatory composition is heated to a temperature of between 40° C.-60° C. 
     
     
         10 . The method of removing hair as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the depilatory composition is heated to a temperature of between 45° C.-55° C. 
     
     
         11 . The method of removing hair as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the depilatory composition is heated to a temperature of 55° C. 
     
     
         12 . The method of removing hair as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the depilatory composition retains its heat for a period of up to 15 mins. 
     
     
         13 . The method of removing hair as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the depilatory composition retains its heat for a period of up to 12 mins. 
     
     
         14 . The method of removing hair as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the depilatory composition cools to a temperature of between 32° C.-35° C. over a period of between 10-15 mins. 
     
     
         15 . The method of removing hair as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the combination of components which on heating act to enable the composition to have an improved cooling profile is selected from the group consisting of cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth 20 and a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and hexadecane. 
     
     
         16 . The method of removing hair as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the combination of components which on heating act to enable the composition to have an improved cooling profile is present at a level of at least 9 weight %. 
     
     
         17 . The method of removing hair as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the combination of components which on heating act to enable the composition to have an improved cooling profile is present at a level of between 9.5-10 weight %. 
     
     
         18 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein components of the bulk composition, depilatory active; and material comprise talc, water, magnesium triscillicate, sodium gluconate, calcium hydroxide, sorbitol 70%, glycerin, TiO-2/propylene glycol, mineral oil, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth 20, lotus flower milk extract, acrylates copolymer, urea, lithium magnesium sodium silicate, potassium thioglycolate (TGK) 43% solution, and potassium hydroxide solution 50%. 
     
     
         20 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising vinylpyrrolidone/hexadecane co-polymer. 
     
     
         21 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising PlusICE A46. 
     
     
         22 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising MPCM 43 D. 
     
     
         23 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising Parafol 22-95. 
     
     
         24 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising VM-2270 aerogel. 
     
     
         25 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising fumed silica. 
     
     
         26 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising spray dried silica. 
     
     
         27 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising Thelma 200 Fragrance. 
     
     
         28 . The depilatory composition as claimed in  claim 20  further comprising Nutrifruit Fragrance.