Water Washable Petrolatum Compositions

This invention relates to a petrolatum useful in pharmacological applications, lubricating greases, metal polishes, release agents and protective coatings. More particularly, it is an improved petrolatum composition which can be easily dispersed in water without the use of additional soaps or dispersing agents. Most particularly, it is directed to a cosmetic composition which is useful as a skin cleansing or conditioning agent.

Heretofore, petrolatum, either the white or yellow grade, while providing many beneficial effects to skin has been somewhat unpleasant to apply manually because of its difficultly removable properties. Hands used to apply the petroleum jelly usually remain greasy and require a substantial amount of soap and water for its removal. Furthermore, clothing with which it comes into contact remains greasy and difficult to clean. The composition of the present invention allows for all the beneficial effects previously derived from the use of petroleum while eliminating the unpleasantness associated with the removal of excess from the hands or clothing since it is easily water dispersable.

Petrolatum, otherwise known as mineral fat, petroleum jelly or mineral jelly, is a colorless or amber colored translucent semi-solid amorphous mass whose consistency varies with temperature. The material has a specific gravity ranging from 0.815-0.880 at 60.degree. C. and a melting point ranging from 38.degree.-60.degree. C. Its chief constituents are hydrocarbons and olefins having 16-32 carbon atoms.

This material is rendered easily water dispersable by blending together a petrolatum composition having by weight 1 to 5 percent cetyl alcohol; 1 to 4 percent lanolin, hydroxylated lanolin, or lanolin alcohols and 10 - 20 percent ethoxylated sorbitol oleic acid esters such as 40 dendro sorbitol septaoleate (a composition prepared by reacting sorbitol containing 15% water with 7 molar equivalents of oleic acid and thereafter 40 molar equivalents of ethylene oxide) or 40 dendro sorbitol hexaoleate (a composition prepared by reacting sorbitol containing 15% water with 6 mols oleic acid and thereafter with 40 mols of ethylene oxide).

While the above concentration ranges are preferred in making a blend having a viscosity similar to that of the unblended petrolatum more or less of the additives can be employed to render the blend more or less viscous. The addition of more cetyl alcohol renders the composition unstable in that the alcohol tends to separate. Addition of greater amounts of lanolin softens the product while lowering the viscosity. The use of greater amounts of sorbitol oleate emulsifiers do not substantially increase the water dispersability of the blend to justify the additional cost.

While the prior art discloses the use of each of the named dispersing agents, as for example on page 33 of a pamphlet entitled "Atlas Products For Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals" or on page 8 of a pamphlet entitled "Emulsification of Basic Cosmetic Ingredients" singly in combination with petrolatum to provide soap and water washable combinations, their combined use to provide an easily water-only washable combination is considered to be unexpected.

The unique blends of ingredients are made by measuring out the appropriate quantities, heating until a uniform blend is obtained and thereafter permitting the mix to cool to a viscous salve or cream. Blends having the following compositions exemplify the invention:

Included within the scope of the invention are compositions containing minor amounts of perfumes, dyes, coloring agents, anticeptics, preservatives and medically active ingredients.