Modular emulsion-based product differentiation

Abstract

A micro-scale heterogeneous emulsion is provided. In some examples, the micro-scale heterogeneous emulsion can include at least two internal phases and an external phase. A method of producing a micro-scale heterogeneous emulsion is also disclosed herein. A method of providing a stable, custom cosmetic composition is also disclosed herein.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A product which is a cosmetic composition for treating keratinous tissue, comprising a micro-scale heterogeneous emulsion, the micro-scale heterogeneous emulsion comprising: at least a first internal phase and a second internal phase each dispersed as droplets in a silicone external phase, wherein
 the droplets of the first internal phase comprise a polar solvent, one or more preservatives and one or more electrolytes;   the droplets of the second internal phase comprise a core at least of a polar solvent and a membrane at least of a silicone oil and surfactant soluble in silicone oil but not the polar solvent;   the droplets of the first internal phase and the droplets of the second internal phase are each stabilized within the external phase, are separate from each other, and the droplets do not substantially exhibit droplet coalescence;   the second internal phase differs at least in part from the first internal phase in chemical makeup.   
     
     
         22 . A product according to  claim 21  wherein the polar solvent of the first internal phase differs from the polar solvent of the second internal phase. 
     
     
         23 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the polar solvent of the first internal phase is water and the polar solvent of the second internal phase is a non-aqueous polar solvent. 
     
     
         24 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the polar solvents of the first and second internal phases differ and are non-aqueous. 
     
     
         25 . A product according to  claim 21  wherein the polar solvents of the first and second internal phases are the same. 
     
     
         26 . A product according to  claim 21  wherein the external phase is substantially free of destabilizing constituents. 
     
     
         27 . A product according to  claim 26  wherein the destabilizing constituents include at least benzyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, phenoxyalcohol or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . A product according to  claim 21  wherein the external phase further comprises stabilizers. 
     
     
         29 . A product according to  claim 28  wherein the stabilizers include surfactants, functionally modified polymers or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . A product according to  claim 29  wherein the stabilizers include silicone surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, ethers and esters of polyglycols and fatty acids, linear or branched silicone emulsifiers, silicone elastomers or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . A product according to  claim 21  wherein the internal phases include one or more structuring agents. 
     
     
         32 . A product according to  claim 31  wherein the structuring agents include polymeric agents, natural or synthetic gums, polysaccharides, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         33 . A product according to  claim 32  wherein the polymeric agents include carboxylic acid polymers, polyacrylamide polymers, sulfonated polymers, high molecular weight polyalkyl glycols, high molecular weight polyglycerins, copolymers of said polyalkyl glycols and polyglycerins, hydrophobically modified derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         34 . A product according to  claim 21  wherein the droplets of at least one of the first and second internal phases contain an active selected from the group consisting of a biologically active, a cosmetic ingredient, a fragrance, a color and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         35 . A product according to  claim 34  wherein the droplets of both of the first and second internal phases contain an active. 
     
     
         36 . A product according to  claim 35  wherein the active of the droplets of the first internal phase differ from the active of the droplets of the second internal phase. 
     
     
         37 . A product according to  claim 21  further comprising multiple internal phases dispersed as droplets in the silicone external phase and the droplets of the internal phases except for the first internal phase comprise cores of polar solvents immiscible in the external phase and membranes of silicone oil and surfactant soluble in the silicone oil but not the polar solvent, and the droplets of the internal phases are stabilized within the external phase, are separate from each other, and the droplets do not substantially exhibit droplet coalescence 
     
     
         38 . A product according to  claim 37  wherein the internal phases except for the first internal phase comprise substantially homogeneous droplets of polar solvents and non-aqueous components. 
     
     
         39 . A product according to  claim 38  wherein the first internal phase includes water as the polar solvent. 
     
     
         40 . A product according to  claim 21  wherein the external phase includes one or more structuring agents. 
     
     
         41 . A product according to  claim 40  wherein the structuring agent includes one or more of silicone elastomers, silicone gums, silicone waxes, linear silicones, natural waxes, synthetic waxes, natural or synthetic monmorillonite minerals, silicas, silicates, silica silylate, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal derivatives of any of the silicone gums, waxes, natural or synthetic waxes, minerals, silicas, silicates, silica silyate, polyamides, polysilicone-polyamide copolymers or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         42 . A product according to  claim 21  wherein the silicone of the external phase is a silicone oil. 
     
     
         43 . A product according to  claim 42  wherein the silicone oil is a polysiloxane, a dimethicone, a cyclic silicone or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         44 . A product according to  claim 21  wherein the droplets of the first internal phase have an overall size of 0.5 microns to 100 microns.