THICKENING ADDITIVE COMPOSITIONS

1 . A personal care composition comprising a thickening additive composition wherein the thickening additive composition comprises: (A) one or more substantially anhydrous, substantially non-alcoholic solvent systems; and (B) a thickening agent, wherein the thickening agent comprises a strongly swellable, lightly to moderately crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone.

2 . The personal care composition according to claim 1 , wherein said thickening agent has an aqueous gel volume of about 15 to 150 mL/gm of polymer and a Brookfield viscosity in 5% aqueous solution of at least 10,000 cP at 25° C.

3 . The personal care composition according to claim 1 , wherein said solvent system comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of esters, glycols, acids, oils, emulsions and hydrocarbons; used either alone or in combination.

4 . The personal care composition according to claim 3 , wherein said solvent system comprises an ester.

5 . The personal care composition according to claim 3 , wherein said glycols selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, butylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and glycerin.

6 . The personal care composition according to claim 3 , wherein said oils selected from the group consisting of castor bean oil, castor oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, palm kernel oil, babassu kernel oil, coconut oil, and mixtures.

7 . The personal care composition according to claim 3 , wherein said acids are selected from the group consisting of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, alpha hydroxyethanoic acid, alpha hydroxyoctanoic acid alpha hydroxycaprylic acid, ascorbic acid, adipic acid, citric acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, lauric acid, malic acid, mixed fruit acids, myristic acid, palmitic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, ricinoleic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, erucic acid and mixtures thereof.

8 . The personal care composition according to claim 3 , wherein said solvent system further comprises other chemicals selected from the group consisting of salts, electrolytes, acids, bases, surfactants, cations, di-hydroxyacetone and mixtures thereof.

9 . The personal care composition according to claim 1 , wherein said solvent system comprises 15% or less of water.

10 . The personal care composition according to claim 1 , wherein said personal care product is selected from the group consisting of skin care compositions, hair care compositions, sun care compositions, oral care compositions and toiletries.

11 . The personal care composition according to claim 12 , wherein said personal care composition is formulated in the form of liquid, gel, semi solid, or solid.

12 . A personal care composition comprising: (i) a personal care active; (ii) a cosmetically or dermatologically-acceptable carrier; and (iii) thickening additive composition comprising, (A) a substantially anhydrous solvent system; and (B) a thickening agent, wherein the thickening agent comprises a strongly swellable, lightly to moderately crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone.

13 . The personal care composition according to claim 12 , wherein said thickening agent has an aqueous gel volume of about 15 to 150 mL/gm of polymer and a Brookfield viscosity in 5% aqueous solution of at least 10,000 cP at 25° C.

14 . The personal care composition according to claim 12 , wherein said personal care composition is selected from the group consisting of shampoo, body wash products, shaving cream, hand soap, bubble bath, bath gel, after-shave lotions, creams, moisturizers, sunscreens, liquid soaps, color cosmetics, acid peels, perms, hair color, sunless tanning and conditioners.

15 . The personal care composition according to claim 12 , wherein said cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of a cream, a lotion, an emulsion, an oil, a spray, a gel, a aerosol, an aqueous or hydra-alcoholic solution, a suspension, a powder, a serums, an ointment, a shampoo, a gel, a paste and a mousse.

16 . The personal care composition according to claim 12 , wherein said thickening additive composition is effective in imparting improved viscosity and stability characteristics to the personal care composition.

17 . The personal care composition according to claim 12 , wherein said thickening additive composition is from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of said composition.

18 . The personal care composition according to claim 17 , wherein said thickening additive composition is from about 1% to about 6% by weight of said composition.

19 . The personal care composition according to claim 18 , wherein said composition has viscosity of at least 10,000 cP at 3% concentration of thickening additive composition.

20 . The personal care composition according to claim 18 , wherein said composition has viscosity of at least 30,000 cP at 5% concentration of thickening additive composition.

21 . The personal care composition according to claim 12 , wherein said composition further comprises acid selected from the group consisting of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, alpha hydroxyethanoic acid, alpha hydroxyoctanoic acid alpha hydroxycaprylic acid, ascorbic acid, adipic acid, citric acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, lauric acid, malic acid, mixed fruit acids, myristic acid, palmitic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, ricinoleic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, erucic acid and mixtures thereof.

22 . The personal care composition according to claim 12 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one adjuvant selected from the group consisting of co-solvents, a diluent, a lubricant, an associative thickener, a surfactant, a flowing agent, an emollient, humectants, an antioxidant, a preservative, an antimicrobial agent, an antibiotic and an emulsifier.

23 . The personal care composition according to claim 12 , wherein said composition is formulated in the form of liquid, gel, semi solid, and solid.