High Skin Hydration and Comfortable Texture of a Moisturizing Lotion Fulfilled by Controlling the Phase Sequence of a Vesicle/Micelle Complex

Abstract

The formation of micellar solutions with hydrophilic surfactants is generally used to include oily substances into transparent water-based formulae. However, a restriction exists on hydrophilic surfactants due to their sticky feeling arising from long hydrophilic groups. We found a stable transparent dispersion of a lipophilic polyether-modified silicone (PEMS) in combination with an ionic surfactant by a certain procedure. Various analyses revealed that it is a 10-100 nm sized vesicle/micelle complex consisting of bi-molecular membranes. Although there are several reports on the vesicle formation of PEMS, the practical stability has been insufficient because of the high fluidity of the membrane. The present vesicle/micelle complex can solubilize silicone oils, which have been considered difficult, resulting in a feature of good spreadability onto surfaces. In addition to that, it shows a non-sticky, highly permeable feeling owing to the formation of a lamellar liquid crystalline phase by a water evaporation on application despite the high glycerol concentration. The present moisturizing lotion fulfilled mutually exclusive events of high skin hydration to prepare for future skincare items: a moisturizing lotion with an important function and a highly comfortable texture.