Method of preparing a product composition comprising a discrete particle and an aqueous base composition

A method of preparing a product composition comprising steps of:

• Preparing a discrete particle of a mixture composition comprising a surfactant and a high melting point fatty compound and a benefit agent other than the surfactant and the high melting point fatty compound;
• Separately preparing an aqueous base composition comprising a surfactant, a high melting point fatty compound, and an aqueous carrier, wherein the aqueous base composition is substantially free of a detersive surfactant selected from anionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, and combinations thereof;
• Mixing the discrete particle and the aqueous base composition, to disperse the discrete particle in the aqueous base composition.

The method of of any of the preceding claims, wherein the mixture composition is prepared by steps of:

• preparing a melting mixture composition comprising the surfactant and the high melting point fatty compound, wherein the temperature of the melting mixture composition is higher than a melting point of the high melting point fatty compound contained in the mixture composition;
• cooling the melting mixture composition to the temperature which is lower than a melting point of the high melting point fatty compound contained in the mixture composition, to form the mixture composition;
• wherein the benefit agent is added to the mixture composition before cooling, during cooling and/or right after cooling.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete particle does not have maltese cross.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete particles are not coated or encapsulated.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete particle exists in the composition for 1 month or longer, preferably 3 months or longer, more preferably 6 months or longer, still more preferably 12 months or longer.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete particle is swollen in the product composition.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete particle is not an oil-in-water emulsion or water-in-oil-in-water emulsion.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete particle before swelling is solid.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete particle before swelling contains less than about 50% of water, more preferably less than about 25%, still more preferably less than about 15%, by weight of the discrete particle.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete particle before swelling comprises from about 10% to about 100%, more preferably from about 20% to about 100%, still more preferably from about 40% to about 100% of the surfactants and the high melting point fatty compounds, by weight of the discrete particle.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant contained in the aqueous base composition is hydrophobic.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant contained in the aqueous base composition is selected from the group consisting of:

• a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof, more preferably wherein the surfactant contained in the aqueous base composition is a cationic surfactant.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant contained in the discrete particle is hydrophobic.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant contained in the discrete particle is selected from the group consisting of:

• a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof, more preferably wherein the surfactant contained in the discrete particle is a cationic surfactant.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the product composition is selected from the group consisting of a hair care composition, a body care composition, a facial skin care composition, and mixtures thereof, preferably wherein the product composition is a hair care composition.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the benefit agent is selected from the group consisting of silicone compounds, perfumes, coloring agents to add a different color to the discrete particle from the color of the aqueous base composition, incompatible agents which are incompatible to at least one ingredient contained in the aqueous base composition, and mixtures thereof.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the benefit agent is different from aqueous carrier and water.