Alpha-gel forming composition and alpha-gel composition
The present invention provides an α-gel forming composition and an α-gel composition that uses an α-gel formation composition that is highly stable and that does not become colored or deposit crystals, etc. over time. An α-gel composition includes (A) 25-50 mass % of one or more higher aliphatic alcohol and/or higher fatty acid has 16 or more carbons, (B) 40-70 mass % of a specific polyoxyethylene sterol ether, and (C) 5-20 mass % of a specific polyoxyethylene dialkyl ester and/or ether. The α-gel composition is generated by adding water.
1. An α-gel forming composition, comprising
(A) 25 to 50% by mass of at least one component selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic alcohols having at least 16 carbon atoms and higher fatty acids;
(B) 40 to 70% by mass of a polyoxyethylene sterol ether of formula (I),
wherein R is a cholesterol residue or a phytosterol residue, and n is an integer from 5 to 20;
(C) 5 to 20% by mass of at least one component selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene dialkyl esters and ethers of formula (II):
wherein R1 and R2 are independently residue selected from the group consisting of straight-chain aliphatic acid residues having 16 to 24 carbon atoms and straight-chain aliphatic alcohol residues having 16 to 24 carbon atoms, and n is an integer from 4 to 15; and
wherein said α-gel forming composition forms an α-gel with water.
2. An α-gel composition formed by adding water to the α-gel forming composition according to claim 1 .
3. The α-gel composition, according to claim 2 , further comprising 0.1 to 10% by mass of a double-chain amphiphile based on the total amount of (A) to (C);
wherein said amphiphile has at least one nitrogen atom.
4. The α-gel composition, according to claim 3 , wherein:
said amphiphile is at least one molecule selected from the group consisting of phospholipid, lecithin, lysolecithin, ceramide, and a dialkyl quaternary ammonium salt.
5. An external skin care preparation for skin, comprising
said α-gel composition according to claim 2 .