Epilatory compositions

Abstract

An epilatory composition of the adhesive type comprises a gel-like matrix material, for example of a rosin-based or sugar-based material, together with 0.1-5 wt % of a branched polyalkene, for example polyisobutene. The resulting compositions offer skin care benefits whilst maintaining excellent viscoelastic and adhesive properties.

1 . An epilatory composition comprising a matrix material of an adhesive type, wherein the composition includes a branched polyalkene in an amount of up to 5% of the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         2 . An epilatory composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the polyalkene has pendent C 1-4  alkyl groups on the carbon backbone, the numerical ratio of the pendent alkyl groups to hydrogen atoms on the carbon backbone being in the range 0.1:1 to 10:1.  
     
     
         3 . An epilatory composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the branched polyalkene contains units derived from isobutene.  
     
     
         4 . An epilatory composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the branched polyalkene consists of polyisobutene.  
     
     
         5 . An epilatory composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the branched polyalkene provides up to 5% of the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         6 . An epilatory composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material comprises a rosinous material and/or a sugar-based material, and provides at least 60% of the weight of the epilatory composition.  
     
     
         7 . An epilatory composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition includes a particulate material which supplies 1-40% of the weight of the epilatory composition.  
     
     
         8 . An epilatory composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the particulate material is a siliceous material.  
     
     
         9 . An epilatory composition according to  claim 1  wherein the composition is of elastic nature when unstressed and of viscous nature when moderately stressed, on application to the skin.  
     
     
         10 . An epilatory composition according to  claim 9  wherein the composition is of elastic nature when highly stressed, on removal of the composition from the skin.  
     
     
         11 . An epilatory composition, comprising 
 at least 60% wt of a sugar-based matrix material;    0-30% wt of a rosin-based matrix material; 0.1-5% wt of a branched polyalkene;    1-20% wt of a particulate material; and    0-40% wt of additional components.    
     
     
         12 . An epilatory composition, comprising: 
 at least 70% wt of a sugar-based matrix material;    2-20% wt of a rosin-based matrix material; 0.5-3% wt of a branched polyalkene;    1-5% wt of a particulate material; and    0-20% wt of additional components.    
     
     
         13 . An epilatory product comprising an epilatory composition according to  claim 1 , the product being selected from: strips of such a composition sandwiched between sheets which are peelable from the strips; and a dispenser containing such a composition, having an applicator adapted to deposit a sheet thereof on the skin of a user.  
     
     
         14 . (canceled)