Clear personal care compositions containing visible capsules

1. An antiperspirant or deodorant composition for topical application to the skin, said composition being in the form of a clear gel comprising a solubilized antiperspirant salt and having a plurality of visible capsules dispersed therein.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the clear gel is in the form of a cream, soft solid or solid stick.

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein the clear gel comprises an emulsion, a microemulsion or a vehicle thickened or solidified with a gelling agent.

4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the clear gel comprises a water-in-oil emulsion.

5. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the capsules have a hardness of from about 1 to 30 grams force.

6. The composition of claim 5 wherein the capsules are at least partially hydrated.

7. The composition of claim 6 wherein the capsules are substantially completely hydrated, and have a hardness of from about 1 to 15 grams force.

8. The composition of claim 7 wherein the capsules, prior to addition to the composition, have a hardness of from about 10 to 30 grams force.

9. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the capsules comprise cellulosic capsules.

10. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the capsules comprise polymeric/wax capsules.

11. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the capsules comprise a colorant.

12. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the capsules include an ingredient for application to the skin, and wherein the capsules are adapted to rupture when the composition is applied to the skin, thereby releasing the ingredient.

13. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the capsules have a particle size of about 0.1 to 5 mm.

14. The composition of claim 1 or 4 wherein the capsules have a particle size of about 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

15. A method of manufacturing a personal care composition containing visible capsules, comprising:

(a) providing hydratable capsules;

(b) thereafter pre-hydrating the hydratable capsules; and

(c) incorporating the pre-hydrated capsules into a personal care composition.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising, between step (a) and step (b), measuring the hardness of the capsules.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the capsules comprise cellulosic capsules.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the pre-hydrating step comprises contacting the capsules with an aqueous solution containing an antiperspirant salt.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the solution further comprises an alcohol and a glycol.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the pre-hydrating step comprises spraying liquid onto the capsules.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the capsules are incorporated by first mixing them with a portion of the composition to form a concentrate, and then adding the concentrate to the remainder of the composition in a desired final proportion.

22. An antiperspirant or deodorant composition for topical application to the skin, said composition being in the form of a clear gel comprising a solubilized antiperspirant salt and having a plurality of visible capsules dispersed therein,

wherein the plurality of visible capsules are included in the composition at a concentration level of from about 0.05% to about 3%, by weight based on the weight of the capsules.

23. An antiperspirant or deodorant composition for topical application to the skin, said composition being in the form of a clear gel comprising a solubilized antiperspirant salt and having a plurality of visible capsules dispersed therein,

wherein the capsules have a paticle size of 0.5 to 1.5 mm.