Exfoliating composition based on cream of tartar and bicarbonate

1. A solid exfoliating composition comprising a surfactant in an amount from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the total composition, sodium bicarbonate in an amount of from about 9% to about 18% by weight of the total composition, cream of tartar in an amount of from about 4.5% to about 9% by weight of the total composition, and a granular exfoliant in an amount of from about 50% to about 85% by weight of the total composition; wherein the solid exfoliating composition is capable of sustaining its physical shape when unsupported by an external support, wherein the sufactant selected from the group consisting of sodium laureth sulfate, cocamide diethanolamine, lauryl betaine and mixtures thereof.

2. A solid exfoliating composition according to claim 1 , comprising a surfactant in an amount of from about 2% to about 8% by weight of the total composition.

3. A solid exfoliating composition according to claim 1 , comprising a surfactant in an amount of from about 4.5% to about 7% by weight of the total composition.

4. A solid exfoliating composition according to claim 1 , wherein the granular exfoliant is selected from the group consisting of cosmetically acceptable sugar, salt, sand, clay, seeds, ground shell, pumice and mixtures thereof.

5. A solid exfoliating composition according to claim 4 , wherein the granular exfoliant is cosmetically acceptable sugar.

6. A solid exfoliating composition according to claim 5 , wherein the granular exfoliant is cosmetic grade caster sugar.

7. A solid exfoliating composition according to claim 1 , comprising a surfactant in an amount of about 6.5%, sodium bicarbonate in an amount of about 12%, cream of tartar in an amount of about 6%, and a granular exfoliant in an amount of about 75% by weight of the total composition.

8. A solid exfoliating composition according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more cosmetically acceptable additives selected from the group consisting of essential oils, vitamins, fragrances, colourings, decorative articles and mixtures thereof.

9. A solid exfoliating composition according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more cosmetically acceptable additives in an amount of from about 0.2% to about 3% by weight of the total composition.

10. A process for the production of a solid exfoliating composition as defined in claim 1 comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a mixture comprising a surfactant, sodium bicarbonate and cream of tartar;

ii) combining a granular exfoliant with the mixture of step i); and,

iii) allowing the mixture of step ii) to solidify.

11. A process according to claim 10 , wherein the mixture of step ii) is caused to solidify in a predetermined shape.

12. A process according to claim 10 , further comprising the step of combining with the mixture of step i) or step ii) one or more cosmetically acceptable additives as selected from the group consisting of essential oils, vitamins, fragrances, colourings, decorative articles and mixtures thereof.

13. A product obtained or obtainable by the process of claim 10 .

14. A cosmetic method of exfoliating the skin comprising exfoliating a skin of a user by massaging the moist skin of the user with the solid exfoliating composition as defined in claim 1 .

15. A solid exfoliating composition of claim 1 , wherein the granular exfoliant is selected from the group consisting of cosmetically acceptable salt, sand, clay, seeds, ground shell, pumice and mixtures thereof.