JP7590073B2 - Gel bath composition - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gel bath composition.

In recent years, the practice of adding bath additives to bath water has become common for the purpose of giving the bath water a fragrance and color to make the bather feel refreshed, stimulating the metabolism to improve poor circulation, and obtaining a warming effect. Bath additives are sold in a variety of forms, including powder, tablet, and liquid.
On the other hand, as a gel-type bath additive, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a warm-water gradually soluble gel composition containing a water-soluble gelling agent such as agar and a higher polyhydric alcohol such as polyethylene glycol. This warm-water gradually soluble gel composition is intended to maintain efficacy and effectiveness for a long period of time, and is different from bath additives that are completely dissolved during one bath before use.
Furthermore, Patent Document 3 below discloses a gel-type bath additive containing a thickener such as hydroxyethyl cellulose. This gel-type bath additive does not dissolve and diffuse in bath water, but adheres to the skin as a gel-type film to act on the body, or is used by applying it, and is also different from bath additives that are completely dissolved during one bath before use.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-026213 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-026214 JP 2005-053883 A

Recently, powdered or tablet-type bath additives have become mainstream, and most of them are used by completely dissolving the bath additive in bath water and obtaining the effect of the dissolved ingredients while bathing. In this case, the ingredients are diluted in the bath water, so the desired effect may not be obtained sufficiently. On the other hand, gel-type bath additives can be applied to the skin while bathing, and the ingredients can be delivered directly to the skin, so they may be more effective. However, when a large amount of oil-based moisturizing agent is blended, there are problems such as a decrease in gel strength because the oil-based moisturizing agent cannot be stably retained, a decrease in solubility in the bath water, or water separation over time.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gel-like bath composition which contains a large amount of an oil-based moisturizing agent and is stable.

In the course of researching gel bath compositions that would solve the above problems, the present inventors discovered that, depending on the type of moisturizer used to achieve a moisturizing effect, the composition may not gel properly, or even if it does gel, it may have poor stability over time, such as releasing water over time.
Therefore, the present inventors conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and discovered that by incorporating a specific oily moisturizing component, a gel-like bath additive can be obtained that has appropriate gel strength, excellent stability over time, and excellent solubility in bath water, thereby completing the present invention.

Specifically, the present invention relates to the following items.
1. A gel bath composition containing the following components (A) to (E):
(A) one or more polysaccharides derived from seaweed, plant seeds, or microorganisms, (B) one or more sugars or sugar alcohols, (C) one or more polyhydric alcohols, (D) one or more triglycerides consisting of fatty acids having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, saturated hydrocarbons having from 15 to 50 carbon atoms, fatty acids having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and cationized cellulose, (E) water. 2. The gel bath composition according to 1, characterized in that the gel strength at 25°C is within the range of 0.001 to 0.2 kgf.

The gel bath composition of the present invention, by selecting a specific oily moisturizer, has a suitable gel strength and excellent stability over time without problems such as syneresis, and therefore does not break or crack during storage or transportation, and exhibits excellent shape retention, even though it contains a large amount of oily moisturizer.
In other words, the gel bath composition of the present invention is extremely useful since it achieves both stability over time and solubility in bath water.

The gel bath composition of the present invention will be described in detail below.
The gel bath composition of the present invention contains the following components (A) to (E).
(A) one or more polysaccharides derived from seaweed, plant seeds, or microorganisms; (B) one or more sugars or sugar alcohols; (C) one or more polyhydric alcohols; (D) one or more triglycerides of fatty acids having 10 to 20 carbon atoms, saturated hydrocarbons having 15 to 50 carbon atoms, fatty acids having 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and cationized cellulose; and (E) water.

<Component (A)>
The gel bath composition of the present invention contains, as component (A), one or more polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides derived from seaweed, plant seeds, and microorganisms, which function as a gelling agent.
Examples of component (A) include carrageenan extracted from red algae, galactomannans obtained from plant seeds, particularly the endosperm of legume seeds, such as locust bean gum, tamarind gum, guar gum, and tara gum, and xanthan gum, gellan gum, and succinoglycan obtained by microbial fermentation. Among these, component (A) of the present invention is preferably one or more selected from carrageenan, locust bean gum, and xanthan gum.
Carrageenan is a polysaccharide consisting of repeating units of D-galactose, and always contains sulfate groups. Depending on the bonding state of the sulfate groups, it is classified into three types: kappa (κ)-carrageenan, iota (ι)-carrageenan, and lambda (λ)-carrageenan. Kappa (κ)-carrageenan is preferred as carrageenan.
Locust bean gum is classified as a water-soluble polymer with no electric charge called galactomannan, which consists of a main chain of mannose and a side chain of galactose, and the galactose and mannose are present randomly in a ratio of 1: 4. Note that gum with this ratio of 1: 3 is called tara gum, and that with this ratio of 1: 2 is called guar gum.
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by recovering and purifying polysaccharides secreted outside the cell by the microorganism Xanthomonas campestris using glucose and other nutrients as a source of nutrients. Its main chain is composed of two glucose units, and its side chains are composed of two mannose units and one glucuronic acid unit. The side chains are very long compared to the main chain, which gives it great stability.

The gel bath composition of the present invention preferably contains component (A) in the range of 0.01% to 2% by weight, more preferably 0.05% to 1.5% by weight, and particularly preferably 0.1% to 1% by weight. If the composition contains less than 0.01% by weight of component (A), the formulation may not gel or the stability over time may decrease, such as by separation of water, and if it contains more than 2% by weight, the gel strength may increase and the solubility in bath water may decrease.

<Component (B)>
The gel bath composition of the present invention contains, as component (B), one or more types selected from sugars and sugar alcohols that function as gelling assistants.
The saccharides of component (B) of the present invention are classified into monosaccharides and polysaccharides, among which monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides are preferred. Examples of monosaccharides include glucose, galactose, mannose, and fructose, and examples of disaccharides in which two monosaccharides are bonded include lactose, sucrose, maltose, and palatinose, and oligosaccharides in which several to ten monosaccharides are bonded are also called oligosaccharides.
The sugar alcohol of component (B) of the present invention is preferably one containing at least 5 hydroxyl groups in one molecule, and specific examples thereof include xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, etc. Among these, xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol are preferred.

The gel bath composition of the present invention preferably contains component (B) in the range of 6% to 50% by weight, more preferably 7% to 40% by weight, and particularly preferably 8% to 35% by weight. If the composition contains less than 6% by weight of component (B), the formulation may not gel or its stability over time may deteriorate, while if the composition contains more than 50% by weight, the solubility in bath water may decrease, the feel of the gel formulation may decrease, and it may become difficult to maintain the gel strength within an appropriate range.

<Component (C)>
The gel bath composition of the present invention contains, as component (C), one or more types of polyhydric alcohols which function as a solvent.
The polyhydric alcohol of component (C) of the present invention is preferably a dihydric to tetrahydric alcohol, and among these, dihydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, isopentyl diol, and 1,3-butylene glycol, and trihydric alcohols such as glycerin are more preferred.

The gel bath composition of the present invention preferably contains component (C) in the range of 3% to 30% by weight, more preferably 5% to 25% by weight, and particularly preferably 8% to 20% by weight. If the composition contains less than 3% by weight of component (C), the preparation will not gel, and if it contains more than 30% by weight, not only will the solubility in bath water decrease, but it may also be difficult to maintain the gel strength within an appropriate range.

The combined use of component (B) and component (C) is essential for the gel bath composition of the present invention to obtain an appropriate gel strength, and it is preferable that the total content of component (B) and component (C) is in the range of 20% to 50% by weight in the composition.

<Component (D)>
The gel bath composition of the present invention contains, in order to impart a moisturizing effect, one or more components (D) selected from the group consisting of triglycerides (D-1) consisting of fatty acids having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, saturated hydrocarbons (D-2) having from 15 to 50 carbon atoms, fatty acids (D-3) having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and cationic cellulose (D-4).
The triglyceride (D-1) consisting of a fatty acid having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, which is one of the components (D) of the present invention, is a triester of a fatty acid having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and glycerin, as shown in the chemical structure below, and means a mixed acid glyceride in which various fatty acids having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms are mixed in various ratios. The number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid includes one carbon atom in the carboxylic acid group.
(In the formula, R ₁ to R ₃ represent a hydrocarbon group having 9 to 19 carbon atoms.)
The component (D-1) of the present invention may be used alone, or a natural oil containing the component (D-1) as a main component may be used. As the natural oil, vegetable oil and vegetable fat, which are vegetable oils, are preferred, and among these, those having an iodine value of 100 or less are more preferred.
Specific examples of suitable vegetable oils in component (D-1) of the present invention include vegetable oils such as babassu oil, Theobroma grandiflorum seed oil, mango seed oil, olive oil, castor oil, camellia oil, macadamia nut oil, almond oil, linseed oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, perilla oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, apricot kernel oil, cottonseed oil, rapeseed oil, etc., and vegetable oils such as shea butter, cacao butter, coconut oil, Japan wax, palm kernel oil, palm oil, etc. Among these, babassu oil, Theobroma grandiflorum seed oil, mango seed oil, olive oil, castor oil, camellia oil, macadamia nut oil, shea butter, cacao butter, coconut oil, Japan wax, palm kernel oil, palm oil, etc., each of which has an iodine value of 100 or less, are more suitable.

Examples of the saturated hydrocarbon (D-2) having 15 to 50 carbon atoms, which is one of the components (D) of the present invention, include petrolatum, mineral oil, squalane, etc. Petrolatum and mineral oil are petroleum-based saturated hydrocarbons, and squalane is a saturated hydrocarbon obtained by hydrogenating squalene obtained from deep-sea sharks, etc.
The fatty acid (D-3) having 10 to 20 carbon atoms, which is one of the components (D) of the present invention, may be either a saturated fatty acid or an unsaturated fatty acid. The number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid indicates the number including one carbon atom in the carboxylic acid group. Specifically, capric acid (number of carbon atoms: 10), lauric acid (number of carbon atoms: 12), myristic acid (number of carbon atoms: 14), pentadecylic acid (number of carbon atoms: 15), palmitic acid (number of carbon atoms: 16), palmitoleic acid (number of carbon atoms: 16), margaric acid (number of carbon atoms: 17), stearic acid (number of carbon atoms: 18), oleic acid (number of carbon atoms: 18), paccenic acid (number of carbon atoms: 18), linoleic acid (number of carbon atoms: 18), linolenic acid (number of carbon atoms: 18), eleostearic acid (number of carbon atoms: 18), arachidic acid (number of carbon atoms: 20), mead acid (number of carbon atoms: 20), arachidonic acid (number of carbon atoms: 20), etc. may be mentioned. Among these, fatty acids having 12 to 18 carbon atoms are preferred.
Examples of the cationized cellulose (D-4), which is one of the components (D) of the present invention, include O-[2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl]hydroxyethyl cellulose chloride, O-[2-hydroxy-3-(lauryldimethylammonio)propyl]hydroxyethyl cellulose chloride, and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride-hydroxyethyl cellulose copolymer.

In the gel bath composition of the present invention, it is preferable that the content of component (D) is in the range of 2% to 15% by weight in the composition. If the content of component (D) in the composition exceeds 15% by weight, the composition may have a poor feel when used, such as stickiness in the bath water, and it may be difficult to maintain the gel strength in an appropriate range, and problems such as water separation may occur in the gel bath composition. In particular, the upper limit of the content of component (D) is more preferably 10% by weight or less, and even more preferably 8% by weight or less. The lower limit of the content of component (D) is more preferably 3% by weight or more, and even more preferably 4% by weight or more. If the content of component (D) in the composition is less than 2% by weight, the moisturizing agent may not be sufficiently delivered to the skin, and the moisturizing effect may not be obtained.

<Component (E)>
The gel bath composition of the present invention contains water as component (E). Examples of water that can be used include purified water, tap water, ion-exchanged water, distilled water, filtered water, sterilized water, groundwater, well water, etc.
In the gel bath composition of the present invention, component (E) may be used in an amount that adjusts the total amount to match the amounts of components (A) to (D), and its content in the composition is preferably in the range of 40% to 70% by weight.

In addition to the above-mentioned components (A) to (E), the gel bath composition of the present invention may contain, as necessary, one or a combination of two or more of various components known in the art (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "optional components"). Examples of optional components that can be contained in the gel bath composition of the present invention are given below, but it goes without saying that they are not limited to the components described here.

<Fragrance ingredients/essential oil ingredients>
Mint, eucalyptus, lemon, verbena, citronella, cajaput, salvia, thyme, clove, rosemary, hyssop, jasmine, chamomile, neroli, mugwort, perilla, marjoram, laurel, juniper berry, nutmeg, ginger, onion, garlic, lavender, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Peppermint, Basil, Rose, Petitgrain, Cinnamon, Mace, Citral, Citronellal, Borneol, Linalool, Geraniol, Nerol, Rhodinol, Orange, Artemisia, Camphor, Menthol, Cineole, Eugenol, Hydroxycitronellal, Sandalwood, Costus, Labdanum, Amber, Musk, Alpha-Pinene, Limonene, Methoxy Salicylate Chill, Atractylodes Root, White Atractylodes Root, Valerian, Magnolia Root, Cnidium Root, Spruce, Angelica Root, Ginger, Peony, Phellodendron Bark, Scutellaria Root, Chinese Cabbage, Cinnamon Bark, Carrot, Poria Coccinellifera, Calamus, Scilla Root, Schisandra Root, Angelica Root, Angelica Root, Fennel, Chinseed Pepper , chamomile and other essential oils, amyl nitrite, trimethylcyclohexanol, allyl sulfide, nonyl alcohol, decyl alcohol, phenylethyl alcohol, methyl carbonate, ethyl carbonate, phenylacetic acid ester, guaiacol, indole, cresol, thiophenol, p-diphenol "Perfume" such as chlorobenzene, p-methylquinoline, isoquinoline, pyridine, absinth oil acetate, and acetate esters. "Fragrance Encyclopedia", edited by the Japan Fragrance Association, Asakura Shoten (1989); "Flower oils and floral compounds in perfumery", Danute Pajaujis Anonis , Allured Pub. Co. (1993), "Perfume and FlaVor Chemicals (aroma chemicals)", Vols. I and II, Steffen Arctander, Allured Pub. Co. (1994), "Fundamentals of Fragrances and Perfumery", edited by Mototaka Nakajima, Sangyo Tosho (1995), "Synthetic Fragrances: Chemistry and Product Knowledge", by Genichi Indo, Examples of the fragrance components and essential oil components include those described in The Chemical Daily (1996) and "Encyclopedia of Fragrances," edited by Mitsuyoshi Tanidagai, Maruzen (2005). These fragrance components and essential oil components may be used alone. Furthermore, it can be used as a fragrance composition by appropriately mixing it with a solvent, a fragrance stabilizer, etc.

<Herbal medicines>
Examples of such herbs include chamomile, Chinese laurel, camphor, fennel, Chinese laurel, cinnamon, ginger, tangerine, cnidium, calamus, angelica, spruce, dokudami, chili pepper, white birch, burdock, carrot, garlic, clove, rosemary, yuzu, and thyme. These may be contained in the form of an extract.
<Enzymes>
Examples of such enzymes include trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, bromelain, papain, protease, proctase, serratiopeptidase, lysozyme, and pepsin.
<Dyes>
Examples of legal pigments include Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Red No. 102, Red No. 106, Red No. 227, Red No. 230 (1), Yellow No. 4, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 202 (1), Green No. 3, Green No. 201, Green No. 204, Orange No. 205, etc., as well as natural pigments such as chlorophyll, riboflavin, annatto, and anthocyanin.
<Vitamins and their derivatives>
Examples of such ingredients include vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin F, vitamin H, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid or a derivative thereof, vitamin E nicotinate, tocopherol acetate, sodium ascorbate, etc. These may also be contained as moisturizing ingredients or antioxidants.

<Seaweed extracts>
Examples of extracts include those obtained from green algae such as Ulva pertusa, Millet, Usba-ao-nori, Hitsuji-gusa, Porphyra commune, Laverwort, Heliwazu, Hanemochi, and Nagamiru; brown algae such as Sea fan, Amigusa arborescens, Mozuku, Iroro, Matsumo, Iwahige, Habanori, Urushigusa, Ecklonia japonica, Laminaria japonica, Wakame, Tororo-kombu, Hijiki, Eisenia bicolor, Sargassum, and Umitorano; and red algae such as Maruba-amanori, Asakusa-nori, Susabinori, Umizomen, Hirakusa, Makusa, Triassic alga, Hanafunori, Fukurofunori, Tosakanori, Togekirinsai, Akabaginnansou, Kotojitsunomata, Tsunomata, Ayanishiki, Makuri, Egonori, Gracilaria gracilis, and Ibarano. These may also be contained as moisturizing ingredients.
<Plant extracts>
Examples of the extracts include aloe extract, green tea extract, loofah water, chamomile extract, licorice extract, comfrey extract, eucalyptus extract, royal jelly extract, lemon extract, rosehip extract, peach leaf extract, etc. There is no particular limitation on the extraction method. These can also be contained as moisturizing ingredients.
<Surfactant>
Examples of the surfactants include nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene copolymers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, and sorbitan fatty acid esters; anionic surfactants such as soap bases, sodium α-olefin sulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium coconut oil fatty acid methyl taurate; amphoteric surfactants such as alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, and 2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaines; and cationic surfactants such as alkyl amine salts and quaternary ammonium salts. There is no problem in adding a surfactant to the gel bath composition of the present invention as long as it does not impair the effects of the present invention. The gel bath composition of the present invention can basically stably retain the components (A) to (E) and obtain an appropriate gel strength without adding a surfactant, so in some cases it may be preferable not to add a surfactant.

<Anti-fading agent>
Examples include amino acids such as glycine, alanine, glutamic acid, and the like; salicylic acid and its salts.
<pH Adjuster>
Examples include disodium hydrogen phosphate, trisodium phosphate, disodium hydrogen citrate, and trisodium citrate.
<Preservatives>
Examples of the antibacterial agent include isopropylmethylphenol, triclosan, dichloroisocyanuric acid, silver zeolite, cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, chlorhexidine chloride, hinokitiol, phenol and its derivatives.
The contents of the above-mentioned optional components may be appropriately set within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

<Gel-like bath composition of the present invention>
The gel bath composition of the present invention preferably has a gel strength at 25° C. in the range of 0.001 to 0.2 kgf, more preferably in the range of 0.003 to 0.15 kgf, and particularly preferably in the range of 0.005 to 0.12 kgf.
In the present invention, the gel strength refers to the load required to press the center of the top surface of a test specimen prepared by filling a container (bottom diameter 63 mm/top diameter 72 mm x height 27 mm, made of polypropylene) with the gel bath composition of the present invention in an environment of 25°C with a plunger having a diameter of 8 mm at a speed of 40 mm/min and to push the test specimen down 4 mm.

<Method of producing the gel bath composition of the present invention>
The gel bath composition of the present invention is produced by the following steps (1) to (5).
Step (1): adding component (B) to component (E) with stirring and mixing; Step (2): dispersing component (A) in component (C); Step (3): adding the dispersion obtained in step (2) to the mixture obtained in step (1) and mixing; Step (4): heating the mixture obtained in step (3) to 75-90°C, and then cooling to 55-70°C; Step (5): adding component (D) to the mixture obtained in step (4) with stirring and mixing. Before the mixture obtained in step (5) gels, step (6) may be carried out to fill a container, and then step (7) may be carried out to form a lid such as a sealing film on the top of the container before or after cooling.

The present invention will be specifically described in the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

<Test sample manufacturing method>
Component (B) was added to component (E) with stirring to obtain mixed solution I, and component (A) was dispersed in component (C) to obtain dispersion solution II. Dispersion solution II was added to mixed solution I and heated to a temperature in the range of 75 to 90°C, and then allowed to cool to 55 to 70°C to obtain solution III, to which component (D) with a fragrance dispersed therein was added and stirred to obtain solution IV. Other components such as a preservative were added to this solution IV and stirred to obtain the final solution V.
Before 40 g of the final solution V gelled, it was filled into a container (bottom diameter 63 mm/top diameter 72 mm × height 27 mm, made of polypropylene), sealed with a film (PET/AL-deposited PET/CPP), and then allowed to stand at room temperature (25° C.) until it solidified, to obtain a test sample filled in a container.

Each "evaluation method" in the following examples will be explained.
<Evaluation 1: Evaluation of gelation possibility>
The test specimen filled in the container obtained in the above "Test specimen manufacturing method" was removed from the container, and the test specimen was visually inspected and evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria.
[Evaluation Criteria]
○: Completely gelled and retained as a solid ×: Not properly gelled (e.g., separation, syneresis/syneresis on the surface, precipitates, cannot be retained as a solid)

<Evaluation 2: Gel strength evaluation test method>
The test sample filled in the container obtained in the above "Manufacturing method of the test sample" was removed from the container, and the gel strength of the test sample was measured three times in accordance with the evaluation method of jelly strength (bloom value), and the average value was used.
Measuring equipment: Autograph AGS-5kNX (Shimadzu Corporation)
Test force measurement: load cell (1 kN)
Terminal: Cylindrical metal terminal with a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 100 mm Load speed: 40 mm/min Measurement point: Stress (kgf) measured at a penetration distance of 4 mm from the surface of the test specimen Test specimen temperature: 25°C
Test environment temperature: 25°C

<Evaluation 3: Evaluation of solubility>
The test specimen filled in the container obtained in the above "Test specimen manufacturing method" was removed from the container, and a 1 ^cm3 test specimen piece cut from the center of the top surface of the test specimen toward the bottom surface was placed in 200 mL of hot water at 40° C. and stirred (666 rpm), and the time until the test specimen piece was completely dissolved at 40° C. was measured. This evaluation test was performed twice, and the average measurement time was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria.
[Evaluation Criteria]
◎: Completely dissolved in 15 to less than 20 minutes. ◯: Completely dissolved in less than 15 minutes, or in 20 to less than 30 minutes. ×: 30 minutes or more are required for complete dissolution.

<Evaluation 4: Evaluation of stability over time>
The test specimens filled in the containers obtained in the above "Test specimen manufacturing method" were stored in a thermostatic chamber at 50°C for one month, and the test specimens after storage were visually evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. This evaluation test was performed twice, and it was confirmed that the evaluation results were the same both times.
[Evaluation Criteria]
〇: No change from before storage
×: The state has changed from before storage (e.g., separation, water separation or precipitate on the surface, cannot be retained as a solid)

<Evaluation Test of Component (A): Reference Examples 1 to 5>
Prior to examining the composition of the gel bath composition of the present invention, tests were carried out to confirm what components are suitable as gelling agents for gel bath compositions.
[Preparation of test samples]
Based on the compositions shown in Table 1 below and in accordance with the above-mentioned "Production method of test specimens", test specimens of Reference Examples 1 to 5 not containing the component (D) of the present invention were prepared, and the above-mentioned evaluations 1 to 4 were carried out.
The compositions and the evaluation results of each of the Reference Examples 1 to 5 are shown in Table 1 below. The numbers in Table 1 represent percent by weight.
In addition, in Table 1, as an overall evaluation, when the evaluation items of evaluations 1, 3, and 4 among the evaluation results of evaluations 1 to 4 were evaluated as "good" or "double circle" and the gel strength was within the range of 0.001 to 0.2 kgf, it is indicated as "good", and when they were otherwise, it is indicated as "x".

As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that polysaccharides derived from seaweed such as carrageenan, from plant seeds such as locust bean gum, and from microorganisms such as xanthan gum showed good results in the evaluation items 1 to 4 and were applicable as gelling agents for gel bath compositions. As a result of examining many compositions other than Reference Examples 1 to 4 (not shown), it was also confirmed that a combination of carrageenan and locust bean gum, and a combination of xanthan gum and locust bean gum were suitable as gelling agents for gel bath compositions.
On the other hand, it has become clear that gelatin, which is a gelling agent derived from animals, has poor stability over time and is therefore unsuitable as a gelling agent for gel bath compositions.

<Evaluation Test of Component (D): Examples 1 to 15, Comparative Examples 1 to 3>
When jojoba seed oil, a known moisturizer, was added to the test sample of Reference Example 1 to prepare a gel bath composition of the present invention (Comparative Example 2), it was found that liquid separation occurred and a gel bath composition could not be obtained. Therefore, test samples to which various known moisturizers were added were prepared, and the above evaluations 1 to 4 were carried out.
The compositions and the evaluation results of Examples 1 to 15 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 are summarized in Table 2 below. The numbers in Table 2 represent percent by weight.
The overall evaluation, similar to that described above, is shown in Table 2.

As shown in Table 2, it was revealed that the gel bath compositions of the present invention of Examples 1 to 15 containing specific amounts of specific moisturizing components showed good results in the evaluation items of Evaluation 1 to 4. In detail, it was revealed that the gel bath compositions of the present invention containing triglycerides consisting of fatty acids having 10 to 20 carbon atoms such as shea butter, babassu oil, Theobroma grandiflorum seed oil, cacao butter, mango seed oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, etc., saturated hydrocarbons having 15 to 50 carbon atoms such as squalane and mineral oil, fatty acids having 10 to 20 carbon atoms such as lauric acid and oleic acid, and cationic cellulose such as polyoctanium-10 are gel bath additives having appropriate gel strength and excellent stability over time and solubility in bath water.
On the other hand, it was confirmed that the gel bath compositions of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, which contain beeswax or jojoba seed oil, which are commonly used as moisturizers, and Comparative Example 3, which contains behenic acid, which has a different carbon number from the fatty acid of component (D) of the present invention, suffered from oil separation and liquid separation and did not gel properly.

<Evaluation Test of Component (B): Examples 16 to 23, Comparative Example 4>
Test specimens were prepared by varying the component (B) in various ways as the gel bath composition of the present invention, and the above evaluations 1 to 4 were carried out.
The compositions and the evaluation results of Examples 16 to 23 and Comparative Example 4 are shown in Table 3 below. The numbers in Table 3 represent percent by weight.
The same overall evaluation as above is shown in Table 3.

As shown in Table 3, the gel bath compositions of Examples 16 to 23, which contain one or more selected from sugars or sugar alcohols, which are component (B) of the present invention, showed good results in the evaluation items 1 to 4, demonstrating that they have appropriate gel strength, stability over time, and excellent solubility in bath water.
On the other hand, it was also confirmed that the gel bath composition of Comparative Example 4, which does not contain one or more selected from sugars or sugar alcohols, which is component (B) of the present invention, does not gel properly.

<Evaluation Test of Component (C): Examples 24 to 29, Comparative Example 5>
Test specimens were prepared by varying the component (C) in various ways as the gel bath composition of the present invention, and the above evaluations 1 to 4 were carried out.
The compositions and the evaluation results of Examples 24 to 29 and Comparative Example 5 are shown in Table 4 below. The numbers in Table 4 represent percent by weight.
The overall evaluation, similar to that described above, is shown in Table 4.

As shown in Table 4, the gel bath compositions of Examples 24 to 29, which contain the polyhydric alcohol, component (C) of the present invention, showed good results in the evaluation items 1 to 4, demonstrating that they have appropriate gel strength, excellent stability over time, and excellent solubility in bath water.
On the other hand, it was also confirmed that the gel bath composition of Comparative Example 5, which does not contain the polyhydric alcohol that is the component (C) of the present invention, did not gel properly.

The gel bath composition of the present invention, by selecting a specific oily moisturizer, has a moderate gel strength, is free from problems such as water separation, and has excellent stability over time, even though it contains a large amount of oily moisturizer, so that the gel does not break or break during storage or transportation, and exhibits excellent shape retention. Moreover, it also exhibits the effect of excellent solubility in bath water. In other words, the gel bath composition of the present invention is extremely useful because it achieves both stability over time and solubility in bath water.

Claims (2)

A gel bath composition comprising the following component (A) in a range of 0.01% by weight to 2% by weight in the composition, the following component (B) in a range of 6% by weight to 50% by weight in the composition, the following component (C) in a range of 3% by weight to 30% by weight in the composition, and the following component (D) in a range of 2% by weight to 15% by weight in the composition .
(A) one or more polysaccharides derived from seaweed, plant seeds, or microorganisms; (B) one or more sugars or sugar alcohols; (C) one or more polyhydric alcohols; (D) one or more triglycerides consisting of fatty acids having 10 to 20 carbon atoms, saturated hydrocarbons having 15 to 50 carbon atoms, fatty acids having 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and cationized cellulose; and (E) water. The gel bath composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the gel strength at 25°C is within the range of 0.001 to 0.2 kgf.