WO2025127156A1

WO2025127156A1 - Composition for keratin fibers

Info

Publication number: WO2025127156A1
Application number: PCT/JP2024/080213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Satoshi Kitano
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2023-12-15
Filing date: 2024-12-03
Publication date: 2025-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for keratin fibers, comprising: (a) at least one oxidizing agent; (b) at least one oil; and (c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound different from the (b) oil, wherein the amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is 0.1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition. The composition according to the present invention can bleach or color keratin fibers such as hair, while also improving the feeling to touch of the bleached or colored hair, even without the aid of cationic polymers.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF INVENTION

COMPOSITION FOR KERATIN FIBERS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a composition for keratin fibers, in particular, a composition for bleaching or coloring keratin fibers such as hair.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known to dye keratin fibers, in particular hair, using dyeing compositions containing oxidative coloring precursors, generally called oxidative bases, such as ortho- or para- phenylenediamines, ortho- or para-aminophenols and heterocyclic compounds. These oxidative bases are generally combined with couplers. These oxidative bases and couplers are colorless or weakly colored compounds. However, when combined with oxidizing agents, they can provide colored dye molecules through an oxidative condensation process.

This type of coloring by oxidation, i.e., oxidative dyeing, makes it possible to get colors with very high visibility, coverage of white hair, and a wide variety of shades. Oxidative dyeing is widely used because of the high color uptake as compared with direct dyeing using so-called direct dyes.

In order to perform oxidative dyeing, typically, a composition comprising oxidative base(s), as well as coupler(s), with alkaline agent(s), is mixed with a developer composition comprising oxidizing agent(s) to prepare a ready-to-use composition, and then, the ready-to- use composition is applied onto keratin fibers to dye the keratin fibers.

The developer composition is capable of bleaching keratin fibers due to the function of the oxidizing agent(s) in the composition. Therefore, the developer composition as well as the ready-to-use composition (this may not include any oxidation base with or without any coupler) may be used to bleach keratin fibers.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Cationic polymers have been commonly used to improve the feeling to touch of hair after being bleached or colored. However, in recent years, avoiding or reducing the use of cationic polymers is desired.

Thus, an objective of the present invention is to provide a composition for keratin fibers, which can bleach or color the keratin fibers while also improving the feeling to touch of the bleached or colored hair, even without the aid of cationic polymers.

The above objective can be achieved by a composition for keratin fibers, comprising:

(a) at least one oxidizing agent;

(b) at least one oil; and

(c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound different from the (b) oil, wherein the amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is 0.1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The (a) oxidizing agent may be hydrogen peroxide.

The amount of the (a) oxidizing agent(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% to 30% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 25% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 20% as active by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The (b) oil may be selected from ester oils, hydrocarbon oils, and mixtures thereof.

The amount of the (b) oil(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% to 40% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 35% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The (c) branched hydrocarbon compound may be selected from hydrogenated polyisobutenes.

The (c) branched hydrocarbon compound may comprise a plurality of hydrogenated polyisobutenes with different molecular weight or polymerization degree.

The amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1 % to 15% by weight or less, and more preferably from 0.1% to 10% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition according to the present invention may further comprise (d) water.

The amount of the (d) water in the composition according to the present invention may be from 30% to 80% by weight, preferably from 40% to 70% by weight, and more preferably from 50% to 65% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition according to the present invention may further comprise (e) at least one fatty alcohol.

The amount of the (e) fatty alcohol(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 15% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition according to the present invention may further comprise (f) at least one nonionic surfactant.

The composition according to the present invention may be a cosmetic composition for keratin fibers, preferably a cosmetic composition for coloring keratin fibers, and more preferably a cosmetic composition for coloring hair.

The present invention may also relate to a process for treating, preferably coloring, keratin fibers, such as hair, comprising the steps of:

(1 ) mixing a first composition and a second composition to prepare a mixture, wherein the first composition comprises

(a) at least one oxidizing agent,

(b) at least one oil, and

(c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound different from the (b) oil wherein the amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is 0.1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition, and the second composition comprises (h) at least one alkaline agent; and

(2) applying the mixture to the keratin fibers.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

After diligent research, the inventors have discovered that it is possible to provide a composition for keratin fibers, which can bleach or color the keratin fibers, while also improving the feeling to touch of the bleached or colored hair, even without the aid of cationic polymers.

Thus, the composition according to the present invention comprises:

(a) at least one oxidizing agent;

(b) at least one oil;

The composition according to the present invention can bleach or color keratin fibers such as hair, while also improving the feeling to touch of the bleached or colored hair, even without the aid of cationic polymers. For example the composition according to the present invention can enhance softness and/or smoothness of bleached or colored hair.

The composition according to the present invention can be used as a cosmetic composition for keratin fibers such as hair, preferably a cosmetic composition for bleaching or dyeing keratin fibers, and more preferably a cosmetic composition for oxidative dyeing keratin fibers.

Further, the composition according to the present invention can also provide keratin fibers such as hair with good shine. Thus, the composition according to the present invention can bleach or color keratin fibers, while enhancing the shine of the keratin fibers.

Furthermore, the composition according to the present invention can color or dye keratin fibers such as hair with limiting the brightening or lightening of the keratin fibers. In other words, the composition according to the present invention can color or dye keratin fibers such as hair, without the significant increase in brightness or lightness of the keratin fibers.

Hereafter, the present invention will be described in a detailed manner.

[Composition]

(Oxidizing Agent) The composition according to the present invention comprises (a) at least one oxidizing agent. If two or more oxidizing agents are used, they may be the same or different.

The (a) oxidizing agent may be chosen from hydrogen peroxide, peroxygenated salts, and compounds capable of producing hydrogen peroxide by hydrolysis. For example, the (a) oxidizing agent can be chosen from hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, alkali metal bromates and ferricyanides and persalts such as perborates and persulphates. At least one oxidase enzyme chosen, for example, from laccases, peroxidases and 2-electron oxidoreductases such as uricase may also be used as the (a) oxidizing agent, where appropriate in the presence of the respective donor or co-factor thereof.

It is preferable that the (a) oxidizing agent be hydrogen peroxide.

In one embodiment, the composition according to the present invention may comprise at least one hydrogen peroxide stabilizer, which may be chosen, for example, from alkali metal and alkaline-earth metal pyrophosphates, alkali metal and alkaline-earth metal stannates, phenacetin and salts of acids and of oxyquinoline, for example, oxyquinoline sulphate. In another embodiment, at least one stannate optionally in combination with at least one pyrophosphate is used. It is also possible to use salicylic acid and its salts, pyridinedicarboxylic acid and its salts, and paracetamol.

In the composition according to the present invention, the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide stabilizer may range from 0.0001% to 5% by weight such as from 0.01% to 2% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

In the composition according to the present invention, the concentration ratio of the hydrogen peroxide to the possible at least one stabilizer may range from 0.05:1 to 1,000:1, such as from 0.1 : 1 to 500: 1 and further such as from 1 :1 to 200:1.

The amount of the (a) oxidizing agent(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% by weight or more, preferably 0.5% by weight or more, and more preferably from 1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (a) oxidizing agent(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 30% by weight or less, preferably from 25% by weight or less, and more preferably from 20% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (a) oxidizing agent(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% to 30% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 25% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

(Oil)

The composition according to the present invention comprises (b) at least one oil. If two or more oils are used, they may be the same or different.

Here, “oil” means a fatty compound or substance which is in the form of a liquid or a paste (non-solid) at room temperature (25°C) under atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg). As the (b) oil(s), those generally used in cosmetics can be used alone or in combination thereof. These oils may be volatile or non-volatile.

The (b) oil may be a non-polar oil such as a hydrocarbon oil, a silicone oil, or the like; a polar oil such as a plant or animal oil and an ester oil or an ether oil; or a mixture thereof.

The (b) oil may be selected from the group consisting of oils of plant or animal origin, synthetic oils, silicone oils, and hydrocarbon oils.

As examples of plant oils, mention may be made of, for example, linseed oil, camellia oil, macadamia nut oil, com oil, mink oil, olive oil, avocado oil, sasanqua oil, castor oil, safflower oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, and mixtures thereof.

As examples of synthetic oils, mention may be made of alkane oils such as isododecane and isohexadecane, ester oils, ether oils, and artificial triglycerides.

The ester oils are preferably liquid esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched Ci- C₂₆ aliphatic monoacids or polyacids and of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched Ci- C₂₆ aliphatic monoalcohols or polyalcohols, the total number of carbon atoms of the esters being greater than or equal to 10.

Preferably, for the esters of monoalcohols, at least one from among the alcohol and the acid from which the esters of the present invention are derived is branched.

Among the monoesters of monoacids and of monoalcohols, mention may be made of ethyl palmitate, ethyl hexyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, dicaprylyl carbonate, alkyl myristates such as isopropyl myristate or ethyl myristate, isocetyl stearate, 2-ethylhexyl isononanoate, isononyl isononanoate, isodecyl neopentanoate and isostearyl neopentanoate.

Esters of C₄-C₂₂ dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids and of C₁-C₂₂ alcohols, and esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or tricarboxylic acids and of non-sugar C₄-C₂₆ dihydroxy, trihydroxy, tetrahydroxy or pentahydroxy alcohols may also be used.

Mention may especially be made of: diethyl sebacate; isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate; diisopropyl sebacate; bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate; diisopropyl adipate; di-n-propyl adipate; dioctyl adipate; bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate; diisostearyl adipate; bis(2-ethylhexyl) maleate; triisopropyl citrate; triisocetyl citrate; triisostearyl citrate; glyceryl trilactate; glyceryl trioctanoate; trioctyldodecyl citrate; trioleyl citrate; neopentyl glycol diheptanoate; diethylene glycol diisononanoate.

As ester oils, one can use sugar esters and diesters of C₆-C₃₀ and preferably C₁₂-C₂₂ fatty acids. It is recalled that the term “sugar” means oxygen-bearing hydrocarbon-based compounds containing several alcohol functions, with or without aldehyde or ketone functions, and which comprise at least 4 carbon atoms. These sugars may be monosaccharides, oligosaccharides or polysaccharides.

Examples of suitable sugars that may be mentioned include sucrose (or saccharose), glucose, galactose, ribose, fucose, maltose, fructose, mannose, arabinose, xylose and lactose, and derivatives thereof, especially alkyl derivatives, such as methyl derivatives, for instance methylglucose. The sugar esters of faty acids may be chosen especially from the group comprising the esters or mixtures of esters of sugars described previously and of linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₆-C₃₀ and preferably C₁₂-C₂₂ fatty acids. If they are unsaturated, these compounds may have one to three conjugated or non-conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds.

The esters according to this variant may also be selected from monoesters, diesters, triesters, tetraesters and polyesters, and mixtures thereof.

These esters may be, for example, oleates, laurates, palmitates, myristates, behenates, cocoates, stearates, linoleates, linolenates, caprates and arachidonates, or mixtures thereof such as, especially, oleopalmitate, oleostearate and palmitostearate mixed esters, as well as pentaerythrityl tetraethyl hexanoate.

More particularly, use is made of monoesters and diesters and especially sucrose, glucose or methylglucose monooleates or dioleates, stearates, behenates, oleopalmitates, linoleates, linolenates and oleostearates.

An example that may be mentioned is the product sold under the name Glucate® DO by the company Amerchol, which is a methylglucose dioleate.

As examples of preferable ester oils, mention may be made of, for example, diisopropyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate, ethyl laurate, cetyl octanoate, octyldodecyl octanoate, isodecyl neopentanoate, myristyl propionate, 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate, 2- ethylhexyl octanoate, 2-ethylhexyl caprylate/caprate, methyl palmitate, ethyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, dicaprylyl carbonate, isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, isononyl isononanoate, ethylhexyl palmitate, isohexyl laurate, hexyl laurate, isocetyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl myristate, isodecyl oleate, glyceryl tri(2-ethylhexanoate), pentaerythrithyl tetra(2-ethylhexanoate), 2-ethylhexyl succinate, diethyl sebacate, and mixtures thereof.

As examples of artificial triglycerides, mention may be made of, for example, capryl caprylyl glycerides, glyceryl trimyristate, glyceryl tripalmitate, glyceryl trilinolenate, glyceryl trilaurate, glyceryl tricaprate, glyceryl tricaprylate, glyceryl tri(caprate/caprylate) and glyceryl tri(caprate/caprylate/linolenate).

As examples of silicone oils, mention may be made of, for example, linear organopolysiloxanes such as dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane, methylhydrogenpolysiloxane, and the like; cyclic organopolysiloxanes such as cyclohexasiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, and the like; and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, silicone oil is chosen from liquid polydialkylsiloxanes, especially liquid polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) and liquid polyorganosiloxanes comprising at least one aryl group.

These silicone oils may also be organomodified. The organomodified silicones that can be used in accordance with the present invention are silicone oils as defined above and comprise in their structure one or more organofunctional groups attached via a hydrocarbon-based group. Organopolysiloxanes are defined in greater detail in Walter Noll’s Chemistry and Technology of Silicones (1968), Academic Press. They may be volatile or non-volatile.

When they are volatile, the silicones are more particularly chosen from those having a boiling point of between 60°C and 260°C, and even more particularly from:

(i) cyclic polydialkylsiloxanes comprising from 3 to 7 and preferably 4 to 5 silicon atoms. These are, for example, octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane sold in particular under the name Volatile Silicone® 7207 by Union Carbide or Silbione® 70045 V2 by Rhodia, decamethyl cyclopentasiloxane sold under the name Volatile Silicone® 7158 by Union Carbide, Silbione® 70045 V5 by Rhodia, and dodecamethylcyclopentasiloxane sold under the name Silsoft 1217 by Momentive

Performance Materials, and mixtures thereof. Mention may also be made of cyclocopolymers of the type such as dimethylsiloxane/methylalkylsiloxane, such as Silicone Volatile® FZ 3109 sold by the company Union Carbide, of formula:

Mention may also be made of mixtures of cyclic polydialkylsiloxanes with organosilicon compounds, such as the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and tetratrimethylsilylpentaerythritol (50/50) and the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and oxy-1,1’-bis(2,2,2’,2’,3,3’- hexatrimethylsilyloxy)neopentane;

(ii) linear volatile polydialkylsiloxanes containing 2 to 9 silicon atoms and having a viscosity of less than or equal to 5 x 10^-6 m²/s at 25°C. An example is decamethyltetrasiloxane sold in particular under the name SH 200 by the company Toray Silicone. Silicones belonging to this category are also described in the article published in Cosmetics and Toiletries, Vol. 91, Jan. 76, pp. 27-32, Todd & Byers, Volatile Silicone Fluids for Cosmetics. The viscosity of the silicones is measured at 25°C according to ASTM standard 445 Appendix C.

Non-volatile polydialkylsiloxanes may also be used. These non-volatile silicones are more particularly chosen from polydialkylsiloxanes, among which mention may be made mainly of polydimethylsiloxanes containing trimethylsilyl end groups.

Among these polydialkylsiloxanes, mention may be made, in a non-limiting manner, of the following commercial products: the Silbione^® oils of the 47 and 70 047 series or the Mirasil^® oils sold by Rhodia, for instance the oil 70 047 V 500 000; the oils of the Mirasil^® series sold by the company Rhodia; the oils of the 200 series from the company Dow Coming, such as DC200 with a viscosity of 60 000 mm²/s; the Viscasil^® oils from General Electric and certain oils of the SF series (SF 96, SF 18) from General Electric.

Mention may also be made of polydimethylsiloxanes containing dimethylsilanol end groups known under the name dimethiconol (CTFA), such as the oils of the 48 series from the company Rhodia.

Among the silicones containing aryl groups are polydiarylsiloxanes, especially polydiphenylsiloxanes and poly alkylarylsiloxanes. Examples that may be mentioned include the products sold under the following names: the Silbione® oils of the 70 641 series from Rhodia; the oils of the Rhodorsil® 70 633 and 763 series from Rhodia; the oil Dow Corning 556 Cosmetic Grade Fluid from Dow Corning; the silicones of the PK series from Bayer, such as the product PK20; certain oils of the SF series from General Electric, such as SF 1023, SF 1154, SF 1250 and SF 1265.

The organomodified liquid silicones may especially contain polyethyleneoxy and/or polypropyleneoxy groups. Mention may thus be made of the silicone KF-6017 proposed by Shin-Etsu, and the oils Silwet® L722 and L77 from the company Union Carbide.

Hydrocarbon oils may be chosen from linear hydrocarbons, for example: linear or cyclic, C₆-C₁₆ lower alkanes. Examples that may be mentioned include hexane, undecane, dodecane, and tridecane; cyclopentane, and cyclohexane; and linear hydrocarbons containing more than 16 carbon atoms, such as paraffin, polydecenes and squalane.

As preferable examples of hydrocarbon oils, mention may be made of, for example, linear hydrocarbons such as squalane, mineral oil (e.g., liquid paraffin), paraffin, vaseline or petrolatum, naphthalenes, and the like; decene/butene copolymer; and mixtures thereof.

It is preferable that the (b) oil be chosen from ester oils, hydrocarbon oils, and mixtures thereof, and more preferably from ester oils, mineral oil, and mixtures thereof.

The amount of the (b) oil(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be 0.1% by weight or more, preferably 0.5% by weight or more, and more preferably 1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (b) oil(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be 40% by weight or less, preferably 35% by weight or less, and more preferably 30% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

(Branched Hydrocarbon Compound)

The composition according to the present invention comprises (c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound. If two or more branched hydrocarbons compounds are used, they may be the same or different.

The (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is different from the (b) oil.

The (c) branched hydrocarbon compound may be volatile or non-volatile. It is preferable that the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound be branched, aliphatic hydrocarbons compound.

It is more preferable that the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound be branched, aliphatic and saturated hydrocarbons compound.

The (c) branched hydrocarbon compound may be selected from branched alkanes with 6 to 16 carbon atoms, such as isohexadecane, isodecane, and isododecane.

The (c) branched hydrocarbon compound may be selected from branched, preferably aliphatic, and more preferably aliphatic and saturated, hydrocarbons with more than 16 carbon atoms such as hydrogenated polyisobutene.

It is preferable that the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound be selected from hydrogenated polyisobutenes.

Hydrogenated polyisobutene or isoparaffin may be prepared by the co-polymerization of isobutene and n-butene, followed by hydrogenation.

Hydrogenated polyisobutene denotes a branched hydrocarbon which comprises at least one side chain such as a methyl group, which may be represented by the following chemical formula:

wherein n denotes an integer of 4 or more.

Hydrogenated polyisobutene may be referred to as isoparaffin which may be categorized as light liquid isoparaffin, liquid isoparaffin, and heavy liquid isoparaffin.

Light liquid isoparaffin may have a repeating unit of -(C(CH₃)₂-CH₂)- with a polymerization degree of 4 to 6, and may have a viscosity of from 1 to less than 10 mm²/s at 20°C. Light liquid isoparaffin may be volatile. As an example of liquid paraffin, mention may be made of Parleam® 4 by NOF Corp.

Liquid paraffin which may have a repeating unit of -(C(CH₃)₂-CH₂)- with a polymerization degree of 5 to 10, and may have a viscosity of from 10 to 100 mm²/s at 20°C. As an example of liquid paraffin, mention may be made of Parleam® and Parleam® Lite by NOF Corp.

Heavy liquid isoparaffin which may have a repeating unit of -(C(CH₃)₂-CH₂)- with a higher polymerization degree, and may have may have a viscosity of more than 100 mm²/s at 20°C. As an example of liquid paraffin, mention may be made of Parleam® V, Parleam® HV, and Parleam® SV by NOF Corp. It is preferable that the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound comprises a plurality of hydrogenated polyisobutenes with different molecular weight or polymerization degree.

It may be preferable that a mixture of liquid paraffin and heavy liquid isoparaffin be used as the ingredient (c). For example, a mixture of Parleam® Lite and Parleam® V may be preferably used as the ingredient (c).

The amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound(s) in the composition according to the present invention is 0.1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be 20% by weight or less, preferably 15% by weight or less, and more preferably 10% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1% to 15% by weight, and more preferably from 0.1% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

(Water)

Preferably, the composition according to the present invention may comprise (d) water.

The (d) water can constitute an aqueous phase which can be, for example, a continuous phase in the composition according to the present invention.

The amount of the (d) water in the composition according to the present invention may be 30% by weight or more, preferably 40% by weight or more, and more preferably 50% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (d) water in the composition according to the present invention may be 80% by weight or less, preferably 70% by weight or less, and more preferably 65% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

(pH)

The composition according to the present invention may have a pH of from 1.0 to less than 7.0, preferably from 1.1 to 5.0, and more preferably from 1.2 to 3.0, which is measured at 25°C.

The pH may be adjusted to the desired value using at least one acidifying agent and/or at least one basifying agent.

The acidifying agents can be, for example, mineral or organic acids, for instance hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, carboxylic acids, for instance tartaric acid, citric acid, and lactic acid, or sulphonic acids.

The acidifying agent may be present in an amount ranging from less than 15% by weight, preferably from 10% by weight or less, and more preferably from 5% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The basifying agent may be, for example, any inorganic or organic basic agents which are commonly used in cosmetic products such as ammonia; alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and tri-ethanolamine, isopropanolamine; sodium and potassium hydroxides; urea, guanidine and their derivatives; basic amino acids such as lysine or arginine; and diamines such as those described in the structure below:

wherein

R denotes an alkylene such as propylene optionally substituted by a hydroxyl or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical, and R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ independently denote a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical, or a C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl radical, which may be exemplified by 1,3 -propanediamine, and derivatives thereof. Arginine, urea, and monoethanolamine may be preferable.

It is preferable that the amount of the basifying agent in the composition according to the present invention be as small as possible.

Thus, it is preferable that the composition comprise at least one basifying agent in an amount of 5% by weight or less, preferably 3% by weight or less, and more preferably 1% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition, or the composition may comprise no basifying agent.

(Fatty Alcohol)

The composition according to the present invention may comprise (e) at least one fatty alcohol. If two or more fatty alcohols are used, they may be the same or different.

The term “fatty” here means the inclusion of a relatively large number of carbon atoms.

Thus, alcohols which have 6 or more, preferably 8 or more, and more preferably 10 or more carbon atoms are encompassed within the scope of fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohols may be saturated or unsaturated. The fatty alcohol may be linear or branched. Two or more fatty alcohols may be used in combination.

The (e) fatty alcohol may have the structure R-OH wherein R is chosen from saturated and unsaturated, linear and branched radicals containing from 8 to 40 carbon atoms, for example from 8 to 30 carbon atoms. In at least one embodiment, R is chosen from C₁₂-C₂₄ alkyl and C₁₂-C₂₄ alkenyl groups. R may be or may not be substituted with at least one hydroxyl group.

Non-limiting examples of the (e) fatty alcohols that may be mentioned include lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, undecylenyl alcohol, palmitoleyl alcohol, arachidonyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable fatty alcohols include, but are not limited to, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

The fatty alcohol may represent a mixture of fatty alcohols, which means that several species of fatty alcohol may coexist, in the form of a mixture, in a commercial product.

According to at least one embodiment, the fatty alcohol used in the composition according to the present invention is chosen from a mixture of cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol (cetearyl alcohol).

The amount of the (e) fatty alcohol(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% by weight or more, preferably 0.5% by weight or more, and more preferably from 1 % by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (e) fatty alcohol(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 20% by weight or less, preferably from 15% by weight or less, and more preferably from 10% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

(Nonionic Surfactant)

The composition according to the present invention may comprise (f) at least one nonionic surfactant. If two or more nonionic surfactants are used, they may be the same or different.

Nonionic surfactants are well known (for example, refer to “Handbook of Surfactants” by M. R. Porter, Blackie & Son publishers (Glasgow and London), 1991, pp. 116-178), and can be chosen from, for example, alcohols, alpha-diols, alkylphenols, and esters of fatty acids, where these compounds are ethoxylated, propoxylated, or glycerolated and have at least one fatty chain comprising, for example, from 8 to 30 carbon atoms, it being possible for the number of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide groups to range from 2 to 50, and for the number of glycerol groups to range from 1 to 30. Maltose derivatives may also be mentioned. Non- limiting mention may also be made of copolymers of ethylene oxide and/or of propylene oxide; condensates of ethylene oxide and/or of propylene oxide with fatty alcohols; poly ethoxylated fatty amides comprising, for example, from 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide; polyglycerolated fatty amides comprising, for example, from 1.5 to 5 glycerol groups, such as from 1.5 to 4; ethoxylated fatty acid esters of sorbitan comprising from 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide; ethoxylated oils of plant origin; fatty acid esters of sucrose; fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol; polyethoxylated fatty acid mono or diesters of glycerol (C₆- C₂₄)alkylpolyglycosides; N-(C₆- C₂₄)alkylglucamine derivatives; amine oxides such as (C₁₀- C₁₄)alkylamine oxides or N-(C₁₀-C₁₄)acylaminopropylmorpholine oxides; silicone surfactants; and mixtures thereof.

The (f) nonionic surfactants may preferably be chosen from monooxyalkylenated, polyoxyalkylenated, monoglycerolated, or polyglycerolated nonionic surfactants. The oxyalkylene units are more particularly oxyethylene or oxypropylene units, or a combination thereof, and are preferably oxyethylene units. Examples of monooxyalkylenated or polyoxyalkylenated nonionic surfactants that may be mentioned include: monooxyalkylenated or polyoxyalkylenated (C₈-C₂₄)alkylphenols, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, monooxyalkylenated or polyoxyalkylenated C₈- C₃₀ alcohols, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, monooxyalkylenated or polyoxyalkylenated C₈- C₃₀ amides, esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C₈-C₃₀ acids and of monoalkyleneglycol or polyalkyleneglycols, monooxyalkylenated or polyoxyalkylenated esters of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C₈-C₃₀ acids, and of sorbitol, saturated or unsaturated, monooxyalkylenated or polyoxyalkylenated plant oils, and condensates of ethylene oxide and/or of propylene oxide, inter alia, alone or as mixtures.

The (f) nonionic surfactants preferably contain a number of moles of ethylene oxide and/or of propylene oxide of between 1 and 100, preferably between 1 and 50, and more preferably between 1 and 20.

According to one of the embodiments of the present invention, the monooxyalkylenated nonionic surfactants may be chosen from monooxyethylenated fatty alcohol (ether of ethyleneglycol and fatty alcohol), monooxyethylenated fatty ester (ester of ethyleneglycol and fatty acid), and mixtures thereof.

Examples of monooxyalkylenated fatty esters that may be mentioned include glycol distearate.

According to one of the embodiments of the present invention, the polyoxyalkylenated nonionic surfactants may be chosen from polyoxyethylenated fatty alcohol (ether of polyethyleneglycol and fatty alcohol), polyoxyethylenated fatty ester (ester of polyethyleneglycol and fatty acid), and mixtures thereof.

Examples of polyoxyethylenated saturated fatty alcohols (or C₈-C₃₀ alcohols) that may be mentioned include adducts of ethylene oxide with lauryl alcohol, especially those containing from 2 to 20 oxyethylene units and more particularly those containing from 2 to 10 oxyethylene units (Laureth-2 to Laureth-20, as the CTFA names); adducts of ethylene oxide with behenyl alcohol, especially those containing from 2 to 20 oxyethylene units (Beheneth-2 to Beheneth-20, as the CTFA names); adducts of ethylene oxide with cetearyl alcohol (mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol), especially those containing from 2 to 20 oxyethylene units (Ceteareth-2 to Ceteareth-20, as the CTFA names); adducts of ethylene oxide with cetyl alcohol, especially those containing from 2 to 20 oxyethylene units (Ceteth-2 to Ceteth-20, as the CTFA names); adducts of ethylene oxide with stearyl alcohol, especially those containing from 2 to 20 oxyethylene units (Steareth-2 to Steareth-20, as the CTFA names); adducts of ethylene oxide with isostearyl alcohol, especially those containing from 2 to 20 oxyethylene units (Isosteareth-2 to Isosteareth-20, as the CTFA names); and mixtures thereof.

Examples of polyoxyethylenated unsaturated fatty alcohols (or C₈-C₃₀ alcohols) that may be mentioned include adducts of ethylene oxide with oleyl alcohol, especially those containing from 2 to 20 oxyethylene units and more particularly those containing from 2 to 10 oxyethylene units (Oleth-2 to Oleth-20, as the CTFA names); and mixtures thereof.

It is preferable that the (f) nonionic surfactant be selected from monooxyalkylenated, polyoxyalkylenated nonionic surfactants, more preferably polyoxyalkylenated nonionic surfactants, and even more preferably polyoxyethylenated fatty alcohols.

The amount of the (f) nonionic surfactant(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% by weight or more, preferably 0.5% by weight or more, and more preferably from 1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (f) nonionic surfactant(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 20% by weight or less, preferably from 15% by weight or less, and more preferably from 10% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (f) nonionic surfactant(s) in the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 15% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

(Other Optional Ingredients)

The composition according to the present invention may also include at least one other optional or additional ingredient.

The other optional or additional ingredient(s) may be selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants; thickeners; antidandruff agents; antioxidants; antibacterial agents such as benzoic acid; preservatives such as phenoxyethanol; nacreous agents and opacifiers; plasticizers or coalescers; fillers; chelating agents; emulsifiers; and fragrances.

As the other optional or additional ingredient(s), the composition according to the present invention may include one or several cosmetically acceptable organic solvents, which may be alcohols: in particular monovalent alcohols such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and phenylethyl alcohol; diols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and caprylyl glycol; other polyols such as glycerol; and ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl, monoethyl, and monobutyl ethers, propylene glycol monomethyl, monoethyl, and monobutyl ethers, and butylene glycol monomethyl, monoethyl, and monobutyl ethers.

The amount of the other optional or additional ingredient(s) is not limited, but may be from 0.01% to 30% by weight, preferably from 0.1% to 20% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition according to the present invention.

The composition according to the present invention may comprise at least one cationic polymer; however, it is preferable that the composition according to the present invention is free of any cationic polymer.

The cationic polymer may be selected from those including at least one quaternary ammonium group such as polyquatemium polymers.

The term “free of any cationic polymer” means that the composition according to the present invention does not include a substantial amount of a cationic polymer. Preferably the composition according to the present invention includes 1% by weight or less, more preferably 0.5% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.1% by weight or less of a cationic polymer, in particular no cationic polymer.

(Preparation)

The composition according to the present invention can be prepared by mixing the above- described essential and optional ingredients in a conventional manner.

For example, the composition according to the present invention can be prepared by a process comprising the step of mixing

(a) at least one oxidizing agent;

(b) at least one oil; and

(c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound different from the (b) oil, such that the amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is 0.1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition.

For the above ingredients (a) to (c), those explained above can be used.

It is possible to further mix therein any of optional ingredients such as (d) water, (e) fatty alcohol, (f) nonionic surfactants, and the above other optional or additional ingredients.

[Use]

The composition according to the present invention is preferably used for cosmetic purposes of keratin fibers. Thus, the composition according to the present invention is preferably a cosmetic composition for keratin fibers, in particular for bleaching or coloring/dyeing keratin fibers.

As the keratin fibers, mention may be made of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. It is preferable that the keratin fibers be hair.

If the composition according to the present invention explained above is used for bleaching keratin fibers such as hair, for example, the composition according to the present invention may be used as it is or as a mixture with another composition comprising (g) at least one alkaline agent explained below.

Alternatively, if the composition according to the present invention is used for coloring or dyeing keratin fibers such as hair, the composition according to the present invention can be used as a mixture with another composition comprising (g) at least one alkaline agent and (h) at least one dye. In this case, the composition according to the present invention can function as a developer.

The above mixture may be regarded as a ready-to-use composition. For the purposes of the present invention, the expression "ready-to-use composition" is defined herein as a composition to be applied immediately to keratin fibers such as hair. The ready-to-use composition can also be a cosmetic composition for keratin fibers, in particular for bleaching or coloring/dyeing keratin fibers, such as hair.

The mixing ratio of the composition according to the present invention and another composition is not limited. The mixing ratio may be 1 :3 to 3:1, preferably 1 :2 to 2:1, and more preferably 1 : 1 , as the weight ratio thereof.

(Alkaline Agent)

The composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention comprises (g) at least one alkaline agent. If two or more alkaline agents are used, they may be the same or different.

The (g) alkaline agent may comprise at least one selected from alkanolamines, derivatives of alkanolamines (alkanolamine derivatives), and salts of alkanolamines or alkanolamine derivatives.

The alkanolamines have an alkane structure with at least one hydroxyl group and at least one amino group.

As the alkanolamines, mention may be made of, for example, mono-, di-, and tri- ethanolamines. The alkanolamine may be selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, N-dimethylethanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-l -propanol, triisopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl- 1,3 -propanediol, 3-amino-l,2-propanediol, 3- dimethylamino-l,2-propanediol, tris(hydroxymethylamino)methane, and a mixture thereof.

The alkanolamine derivative may be selected from alkanolamines in which the hydrogen atom on the nitrogen atom, if present, of the amino group in the alkanolamines is substituted with at least one substituent.

As the substituent, mention may be made of, for example, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, and an alkynyl group.

The alkyl group may be a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group. The alkyl group may be a linear or branched C₁-C₆ alkyl group, preferably C₁-C₄ alkyl group, such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an i-propyl group and a butyl group. On the other hand, the alkyl group may be a cyclic C₃-C₆ alkyl group, such as a cyclopentyl group and a cyclohexyl group.

The alkenyl group may be a C₂-C₆ alkenyl group such as a vinyl group, an allyl group, a butylene group, a pentenyl group and a hexenyl group.

The alkynyl group may be a C₂-C₆ alkynyl group such as an ethynyl group, and a propanyl group.

The above substituent may be further substituted with at least one group such as a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a hydroxyl group and an aromatic group such as a phenyl group.

The (g) alkaline agent may also comprise an additional basifying agent. The additional basifying agent may be selected from inorganic and/or organic basifying agents.

As the inorganic basifying agent, mention may be made of, for example, sodium and potassium hydroxide.

As the inorganic basifying agent, ammonia may be used. However, it is preferable that the amount of ammonia in the composition according to the present invention be as small as possible. For example, the amount of ammonia in the composition according to the present invention may be 1% by weight or less, preferably 0.1% by weight or less, and more preferably 0.01% by weight or less. It is most preferable that the composition according to the present invention includes no ammonia.

As the organic basifying agent, mention may be made of, for example, urea, guanidine and derivatives thereof; diamines such as those described in the structure below: wherein

R denotes an alkylene such as propylene optionally substituted by a hydroxyl or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical, and R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ independently denote a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical, or a C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl radical, which may be exemplified by 1,3 -propanediamine, and derivatives thereof.

The type of the salts of alkanolamines and alkanolamine derivatives is not limited. The salts may be acid salts. As acid salts, mention may be made of, for example, inorganic acid salts such as hydrochloride, sulfates, nitrates, and phosphates, and organic acid salts such as citrates, oxalates, acetates, formats, maleates, and tartrates.

The amount of the (g) alkaline agent(s) in the composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% by weight or more, preferably 0.5% by weight or more, and more preferably from 1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the former composition.

The amount of the (g) alkaline agent(s) in the composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention may be from 15% by weight or less, preferably from 10% by weight or less, and more preferably from 5% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the former composition.

The amount of the (g) alkaline agent(s) in the composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.1% to 15% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the former composition.

(Dye) The composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention may comprise (h) at least one dye. If two or more dyes are used, they may be the same or different.

It is preferable that the dye be selected from oxidative dyes.

The oxidative dyes may be selected from oxidation bases and couplers.

The oxidation base can be selected from those conventionally known in oxidation dyeing, preferably from the group consisting of ortho- and para-phenylenediamines, double bases, ortho- and para-aminophenols, heterocyclic bases, and the acid addition salts thereof.

There may be mentioned in particular:

- (I) the para-phenylenediamines of the following formula (I) and their addition salts with an acid:

in which:

Ri represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical, a monohydroxy( C₁-C₄ alkyl) radical, a polyhydroxy-(C₂-C₄ alkyl) radical, a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl radical, a C₁-C₄ alkylradical substituted with a nitrogen-containing group, a phenyl radical, or a 4 ’-aminophenyl radical;

R₂ represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical, a monohydroxy(C₁-C₄ alkyl) radical, a polyhydroxy(C₂-C₄ alkyl) radical, a (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl radical, or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical substituted with a nitrogen-containing group;

R₁ and R₂ may also form with the nitrogen atom carrying them a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen- containing heterocycle optionally substituted with one or more alkyl, hydroxyl, or ureido groups;

R₃ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom such as a chlorine atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical, a sulpho radical, a carboxyl radical, a monohydroxy(C₁-C₄ alkyl) radical, a hydroxy(C₁-C₄ alkoxy) radical, an acetylamino(C₁-C₄ alkoxy) radical, a mesylamino(C₁-C₄ alkoxy) radical, or a carbamoylamino(C₁-C₄ alkoxy) radical; and

R₄ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical.

Among the nitrogen-containing groups of formula (I) above, there may be mentioned in particular the amino, mono(C₁-C₄)alkylamino, (C₁-C₄)dialkylamino, (C₁-C₄)trialkylamino, monohydroxy(C₁-C₄)alkylamino, di(monohydroxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl)amino, imidazolinium, and ammonium radicals.

Among the para-phenylenediamines of formula (I) above, mention may be more particularly made of para-phenylenediamine, para-tolylenediamine, 2-chloro-paraphenylenediamine, 2,3- dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,6-dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,6-diethyl-para- phenylenediamine, 2,5-dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-dimethylpara- phenylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-dipropyl- paraphenylenediamine, 4-amino-N,N-diethyl-3 -methylaniline, N,N-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)- paraphenylenediamine, 4-N,N-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)amino-2-methylaniline, 4-N,N-bis(β- hydroxyethyl)amino-2-chloroaniline, 2-β-hydroxyethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-fluoro- paraphenylenediamine, 2-isopropyl-para-phenylenediamine, N-(β-hydroxypropyl)- paraphenylenediamine, 2-hydroxymethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-dimethyl-3- methylpara-phenylenediamine, N,N-(ethyl-β-hydroxyethyl)-para-phenylenediamine, N-(β,γ~ dihydroxypropyl)-para-phenylenediamine, N-(4’ -aminophenyl)-para-phenylenediamine, N- phenyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-P-hydroxyethyloxy-para-phenylenediamine, 2-β- acetylamino-ethyloxy-para-phenylenediamine, N-(p-methoxyethyl)-para-phenylenediamine, 2-methyl-1-N-β-hydroxyethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N-(4-aminophenyl)-3 -hydroxy- pyrrolidine, 2-[{2-[(4-Aminophenyl)amino]ethyl}(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-ethanol, and their addition salts with an acid.

Among the para-phenylenediamines of formula (I) above, most particularly preferred are para-phenylenediamine, para-tolylenediamine, 2-isopropyl-paraphenylenediamine, 2-β- hydroxyethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-β -hydroxy ethyloxy -para-phenylenediamine, 2,6- dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,6-diethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,3 -dimethyl -para- phenylenediamine, N,N-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-para-phenylenediamine, 2-chloro-para- phenylenediamine, and their addition salts with an acid.

- (II) According to the present invention, “double bases” are understood to mean compounds containing at least two aromatic rings on which amino and/or hydroxyl groups are carried.

Among the double bases which can be used as oxidation bases in the dyeing compositions in accordance with the present invention, mention may be made in particular of compounds corresponding to the following formula (II), and their addition salts with an acid:

in which:

- Z₁ and Z₂, which are identical or different, represent a hydroxyl or -NH₂ radical which may be substituted with a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical or with a linking arm Y;

- the Uniting arm Y represents a linear or branched alkylene chain comprising from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, which may be interrupted by or which may end with one or more nitrogen- containing groups and/or one or more heteroatoms such as oxygen, sulphur, or nitrogen atoms, and optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl or Ci-Ce alkoxy radicals;

- R₅ and R₆ represent a hydrogen or halogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical, a monohydroxy(C₁- C₄ alkyl) radical, a polyhydroxy(C₂-C₄ alkyl) radical, an amino(C₁-C₄ alkyl) radical, or a linking arm Y;

- R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁ and R₁₂, which are identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom, a linking arm Y, or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical; it being understood that the compounds of formula (II) contain only one linking arm Y per molecule.

Among the nitrogen-containing groups of formula (II) above, mention may be made in particular of the amino, mono(C₁-C₄)alkylamino, (C₁-C₄)dialkylamino, (C₁-C₄)trialkylamino, monohydroxy(C₁-C₄)alkylamino, imidazolinium, and ammonium radicals. Among the double bases of formulae (II) above, mention may be more particularly made of N,N’-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-N,N’-bis(4’-aminophenyl)- 1,3 -diaminopropanol, N,N’-bis(β- hydroxyethyl)-N,N’-bis(4’-aminophenyl)ethylenediamine, N,N’-bis(4-aminophenyl)- tetramethylenediamine, N,N’ -bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-N,N’ -bis(4- aminophenyl)tetramethylenediamine, N,N’-bis(4-methylaminophenyl)tetramethylenediamine,

N,N’-bis(ethyl)-N,N’-bis(4’-amino-3’ -methyip henyl)ethylene-diamine, 1 ,8-bis(2,5- diaminophenoxy)-3,5-dioxaoctane, and their addition salts with an acid.

Among these double bases of formula (II), N,N’-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-N,N’-bis(4’- aminophenyl)- 1,3 -diaminopropanol, 1,8-bis(2,5-diaminophenoxy)-3,5-dioxaoctane, or one of their addition salts with an acid are particularly preferred.

- (Ill) The para- aminophenols corresponding to the following formula (III), and their addition salts with an acid: in which:

- R₁₃ represents a hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom such as fluorine, a C₁-C₄ alkyl, monohydroxy(C₁-C₄ alkyl), (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, amino(C₁-C₄ alkyl), or hydroxy(C₁- C₄)alkylamino-(C₁-C₄ alkyl) radical,

- R₁₄ represents a hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom such as fluorine, a C₁-C₄ alkyl, monohydroxy(C₁-C₄ alkyl), polyhydroxy(C₂-C₄ alkyl), amino(C₁-C₄ alkyl), cyano(C₁-C₄ alkyl), or (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl radical.

Among the para-aminophenols of formula (III) above, mention may be more particularly made of para-aminophenol, 4-amino-3 -methylphenol, 4-amino-3 -fluorophenol, 4-amino-3- hydroxymethylphenol, 4-amino-2-methylphenol, 4-amino-2 -hydroxymethylphenol, 4-amino- 2 -methoxymethylphenol, 4-amino-2-aminomethylphenol, 4-amino-2-(β- hydroxyethylaminomethyl)phenol, and their addition salts with an acid.

- (IV) The ortho-aminophenols which can be used as oxidation bases in the context of the present invention are chosen in particular from 2-aminophenol, 2-amino-1-hydroxy-5- methylbenzene, 2-amino-1-hydroxy-6-methylbenzene, 5-acetamido-2-aminophenol, and their addition salts with an acid.

- (V) Among the heterocyclic bases which can be used as oxidation bases in the dyeing compositions in accordance with the present invention, mention may be more particularly made of pyridine derivatives, pyrimidine derivatives, pyrazole derivatives, and their addition salts with an acid.

Among the pyridine derivatives, mention may be more particularly made of the compounds described for example in Patents GB 1,026,978 and GB 1,153,196, such as 2,5- diaminopyridine, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-3 -aminopyridine, 2,3-diamino-6- methoxypyridine, 2-(β-methoxyethyl)amino-3-amino-6-methoxypyridine, 3,4- diaminopyridine, and their addition salts with an acid. Among the pyrimidine derivatives, mention may be more particularly made of the compounds described, for example, in Patents DE 2 359 399; JP 88-169571; and JP 91-10659, or patent application WO 96/15765, such as 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine, 4-hydroxy-2,5,6- triaminopyrimidine, 2-hydroxy-4,5,6-triaminopyrimidine, 2,4-dihydroxy-5,6- diaminopyrimidine, 2,5,6-triamino-pyrimidine, and the pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives such as those mentioned in patent application FR-A-2 750 048 and among which there may be mentioned pyrazo lo [ 1 ,5 -a] -pyrimidine-3 ,7-diamine; 2, 5 -dimethyl-pyrazolo [ 1 ,5 -a] -pyrimidine- 3,7-diamine; pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3,5-diamine; 2,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine- 3,5-diamine; 3-aminopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ol; 3-amino-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-ol; 2-(3-amino-pyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ylamino)ethanol, 2-(7-aminopyrazolo[1,5- a]pyrimidin-3-ylamino)ethanol, 2-[(3-amino-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl)-(2-hydroxy- ethyl)amino]-ethanol, 2-[(7-aminopyrazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidin-3-yl)-(2- hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol, 5,6-dimethylpyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3,7-diamine, 2,6- dimethylpyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3,7-diamine, 2,5,N7,N7-tetramethyl-pyrazolo[1,5- a] pyrimidine-3 ,7-diamine, 3 -amino-5-methyl-7 -imidazolylpropyl-aminopyrazolo [ 1 ,5-a]- pyrimidine, their addition salts and their tautomeric forms, when a tautomeric equilibrium exists, and their addition salts with an acid.

Among the pyrazole derivatives, mention may more particularly be made of the compounds described in Patents DE 3 843 892 and DE 4 133 957 and patent applications WO 94/08969, WO 94/08970, FR-A-2 733 749, and DE 195 43 988 such as 4,5-diamino-1-methylpyrazole, 3,4-diaminopyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-(4’-chlorobenzyl)-pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1,3- dimethylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-3-methyl-1 -phenylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-methyl-3- phenylpyrazole, 4-amino-1,3-dimethyl-5-hydrazino-pyrazole, 1-benzyl-4,5-diamino-3- methyl-pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-3-tert-butyl-1-methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-tertbutyl-3- methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-(β-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-(β- hydroxyethyl)pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-ethyl-3-methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-ethyl-3-(4’- methoxyphenyl)pyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-ethyl-3-hydroxy-methylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-3- hydroxymethyl-1 -methyip yrazole, 4, 5-diamino-3 -hydroxymethyl- 1-isopropyl-pyrazole, 4,5- diamino-3 -methyl- 1 -isopropyl -pyrazole, 4-amino-5 -(2’ -aminoethyl)amino- 1 ,3 - dimethylpyrazole, 3,4,5-triaminopyrazole, 1-methyl-3,4,5-triamino-pyrazole, 3, 5 -diamino- 1- methyl-4-methylaminopyrazole, 3,5-diamino-4-(β-hydroxy-ethyl)amino-1-methylpyrazole, and their addition salts with an acid.

Among the heterocyclic bases which can be used as oxidation bases, mention may more particularly be made of diaminopyrazolopyrazolones and especially 2,3-diamino-6,7-dihydro- lH5H-[pyrazolol,2,a]pyrazol-1-one and the addition salts of these diaminopyrazolopyrazolones with an acid.

The coupler may be an oxidation coupler which can be selected from those conventionally known in oxidation dyeing, preferably from the group consisting of meta-phenylenediamines, meta-aminophenols, meta-diphenols, naphthols, heterocyclic couplers, and the acid addition salts thereof.

The heterocyclic couplers may be selected from the group consisting of indole derivatives, indoline derivatives, sesamol and its derivatives, pyridine derivatives, pyrazolotriazole derivatives, pyrazolones, indazoles, benzimidazoles, benzothiazoles, benzoxazoles, 1,3- benzodioxoles, quinolines, and their addition salts with an acid.

These couplers are more particularly chosen from 2,4-diamino-1-(β- hydroxyethyloxy)benzene, 2-methyl-5-aminophenol, 5-N-(β-hydroxyethyl)amino-2- methylphenol, 3 -aminophenol, 2-chloro-3-amino-6-methylphenol, 1,3 -dihydroxybenzene, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 4-chloro-1,3-dihydroxybenzene, 2-amino-4-(β- hy droxy ethylamino)- 1 -methoxybenzene, 1,3 -diaminobenzene, 2-methyl-5- hydroxyethylaminophenol, 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene, 1 ,3-bis(2,4-diaminophenoxy)- propane, sesamol, 1-amino-2-methoxy-4,5-methylene-dioxybenzene, a-naphthol, 6- hydroxyindole, 4-hydroxyindole, 4-hydroxy-N-methylindole, 6-hydroxy-indoline, 2,6- dihydroxy-4-methylpyridine, 1-H-3-methylpyrazol-5-one, 1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazol-5-one, 2-amino-3 -hydroxypyridine, 3,6-dimethyl-pyrazolo[3,2-c]-1,2,4-triazole, 2,6- dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-b]-1,2,4-triazole, and their addition salts with an acid.

In general, the addition acid salts of the oxidation bases and couplers are chosen in particular from hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulfates, citrates, succinates, tartrates, lactates, tosylates, benzenesulfonates, phosphates, and acetates.

The amount of the (h) dye(s) in the composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention may be 0.05% by weight or more, preferably 0.1% by weight or more, and more preferably 0.5% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition. It is even more preferable that the amount of the (h) dye(s) in the composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention be 1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition.

On the other hand, the amount of the (h) dye(s) in the composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention may be 15% by weight or less, preferably 10% by weight or less, and more preferably 5% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition. It is even more preferable that the amount of the (h) dye(s) in the composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention be 3% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The amount of the (h) dye(s) in the composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention may be from 0.05% to 15% by weight, preferably from 0.1% to 10% by weight, and more preferably from 0.5% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. It is even more preferable that the amount of the (h) dye(s) in the composition to be mixed with the composition according to the present invention be from 1% to 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

[Kit]

The present invention also relates to a kit for keratin fibers, preferably a cosmetic kit, and more preferably a cosmetic kit for bleaching or coloring/dyeing keratin fibers, in particular hair, comprising: a first compartment comprising a first composition comprising

(a) at least one oxidizing agent;

(b) at least one oil; and

(c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound different from the (b) oil, wherein the amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is 0.1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition, and a second compartment comprising a second composition comprising (g) at least one alkaline agent.

The second composition may further comprise (h) at least one dye.

The first composition may further comprise any of the ingredients (d) to (f) explained above.

For the above ingredients (a) to (h), those explained above can be used.

It is possible to use the kit by, for example, dispensing or discharging the first composition from the first compartment, while dispensing or discharging the second composition from the second compartment, followed by treating keratin fibers such as hair with the mixture of the first and second compositions.

The mixture of the first and second compositions may be regarded as the ready-to-use composition as explained above.

The mixing ratio of the first and second compositions is not limited. The mixing ratio may be 1 :3 to 3 : 1 , preferably 1 :2 to 2: 1 , and more preferably 1 : 1 , as the weight ratio thereof.

[Process]

The present invention also relates to a process, preferably a cosmetic process, and more preferably a cosmetic process for bleaching or coloring/dyeing keratin fibers, in particular hair, comprising the steps of:

(1) mixing a first composition and a second composition to prepare a mixture, wherein the first composition comprises

(a) at least one oxidizing agent,

(b) at least one oil, and

(c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound different from the (b) oil, wherein the amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is 0.1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition, and the second composition comprises (g) at least one alkaline agent; and

(2) applying the mixture to the keratin fibers.

The second composition may further comprise (h) at least one dye.

For the above ingredients (a) to (h), those explained above can be used.

The mixing ratio of the first and second compositions is not limited. The mixing ratio may be 1 :3 to 3: 1, preferably 1 :2 to 2:1, and more preferably 1 :1, as the weight ratio thereof. It is preferable that the process according to the present invention further comprise a step of washing, with or without drying, keratin fibers before and/or after the step of applying the mixture of the first and second compositions, as a ready-to-use composition, onto the keratin fibers.

The step of applying the ready-to-use composition onto the keratin fibers can be performed by a conventional applicator such as a brush, or even by the hands.

The keratin fibers to which the ready-to-use composition has been applied can be left for an appropriate time which is required to treat the keratin fibers. The time length for the treatment is not limited, but it may be from 1 minute to 1 hour, preferably 1 minute to 30 minutes. For example, the time for dyeing the keratin fibers may be from 1 to 30 minutes, preferably 20 to 30 minutes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the present invention comprises: from 0.1% to 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of (a) at least one oxidizing agent being hydrogen peroxide; from 0.1% to 40% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of (b) at least one oil selected from the group consisting of ester oils such as ethylhexyl palmitate, hydrocarbon oils such as mineral oil, and mixtures thereof; and from 0.1% to 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of (c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound selected from hydrogenated polyisobutenes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition according to the present invention comprises: from 1% to 20% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, (a) at least one oxidizing agent being hydrogen peroxide; from 1% to 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, (b) at least one oil selected from the group consisting of ester oils such as ethylhexyl palmitate, hydrocarbon oils such as mineral oil, and mixtures thereof; and from 0.1% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, (c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound selected from hydrogenated polyisobutenes.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be described in a more detailed manner by way of examples. However, these examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. The examples below are presented as non-limiting illustrations in the field of the present invention.

[Examples 1-12 and Comparative Examples 1-5]

The following compositions according to Examples 1-12 and Comparative Examples 1-5, shown in Tables 1 and 2, were prepared by mixing the ingredients shown in Tables 1 and 2. The numerical values for the amounts of the ingredients shown in Tables 1 and 2 are all based on “% by weight” as raw materials.

Table 2

(1) sold by the company NOF Corporation under the name Parleam® V

(2) sold by the company NOF Corporation under the name Parleam® Lite

[Evaluations]

(Softness and Smoothness)

Each of the compositions, among those according to Examples 1-12 and Comparative Examples 1-5 was mixed with a dye composition (L’Oreal iNOA Japan 8.11). The mixing weight ratio of each of the compositions according to Examples 1-12 and Comparative Examples 1-5 and the dye composition was 1 :1.

8 g each of the above mixture thus obtained was applied onto 2.7 g (27 cm) of a Chinese natural hair swatch. The hair swatch was left for 35 minutes at 25°C. The hair swatch was then washed with water, followed by shampooing, rinsing and drying.

Then, the softness and smoothness of the hair swatch was evaluated visually by 5 panelists by scoring the hair swatch in accordance with the following criteria.

Excellent: +++

Good: ++

Fair: +

Poor: - The score was averaged. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

(Summary)

The compositions according to Examples 1-12 which include (a) at least one oxidizing agent;

(b) at least one oil; (c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound different from the (b) oil, under the condition that the amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is 0.1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition, were able to dye keratin fibers, while also improving the feeling to touch of the dyed keratin fibers.

The comparison of Examples 5 and 6 with Example 7 in Table 1 shows that a use of a plurality of hydrogenated polyisobutenes with different molecular weight or polymerization degree (the difference in molecular weight or polymerization degree causes the difference in dynamic viscosity) can provide better smoothness.

The composition according to Comparative Example 1 , which does not include the ingredient

(c), and the composition according to Comparative Example 2, which includes the ingredient (c) in an amount of less than 0.1% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, could not provide cosmetic performance as the compositions according to Examples 1-12 did.

The compositions according to Comparative Examples 3-5, which include ingredients different from the ingredient (c) could not provide either cosmetic performance as the compositions according to Examples 1-12 did.

Claims

1. A composition for keratin fibers, comprising:

(a) at least one oxidizing agent;

(b) at least one oil; and

2. The composition according to Claim 1, wherein the (a) oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide.

3. The composition according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of the (a) oxidizing agent(s) in the composition is from 0.1% to 30% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 25% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 20% as active by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

4. The composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the (b) oil is selected from ester oils, hydrocarbon oils, and mixtures thereof.

5. The composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the amount of the

(b) oil(s) in the composition is from 0.1% to 40% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 35% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

6. The composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is selected from hydrogenated polyisobutenes.

7. The composition according to Claim 6, wherein the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound comprises a plurality of hydrogenated polyisobutenes with different molecular weight or polymerization degree.

8. The composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the amount of the

(c) branched hydrocarbon compound in the composition is from 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1% to 15% by weight or less, and more preferably from 0.1% to 10% by weight or less, relative to the total weight of the composition.

9. The composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, further comprising (d) water.

10. The composition according to Claim 9, wherein the amount of the (d) water in the composition is from 30% to 80% by weight, preferably from 40% to 70% by weight, and more preferably from 50% to 65% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

11. The composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the composition further comprises (e) at least one fatty alcohol.

12. The composition according to Claim 11 , wherein the amount of the (e) fatty alcohol(s) in the composition is from 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 15% by weight, and more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

13. The composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the composition further comprises (f) at least one nonionic surfactant.

14. The composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the composition is a cosmetic composition for keratin fibers, preferably a cosmetic composition for coloring keratin fibers, and more preferably a cosmetic composition for coloring hair.

15. A process for treating, preferably coloring, keratin fibers, such as hair, comprising the steps of:

(a) at least one oxidizing agent,

(b) at least one oil, and

(c) at least one branched hydrocarbon compound different from the (b) oil wherein the amount of the (c) branched hydrocarbon compound is 0.1% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the composition, and the second composition comprises (g) at least one alkaline agent; and

(2) applying the mixture to the keratin fibers.