Aqueous carrier systems for lipophilic ingredients

A delivery system for lipophilic ingredients comprising:

• at least one phospholipid capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution;
• at least one amphoteric surfactant;
• at least one nonionic surfactant present in an amount by weight equal to or greater than the amount of said at least one phospholipid;
• at least one suspending agent present in an amount effective for maintaining a stable delivery system;
• at least one lipophilic ingredient;
• and
• an aqueous phase,
• wherein said at least one phospholipid, said at least one amphoteric surfactant, and said at least one nonionic surfactant are present in a combined amount sufficient to allow said at least one lipophilic ingredient to be incorporated into said system, and wherein said at least one phospholipid and said at least one amphoteric surfactant are present in a ratio of 1:0.8 and above.

A method for treating a keratinous substance, said method comprising:

• preparing a delivery system comprising
• at least one phospholipid capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution;
• at least one amphoteric surfactant;
• at least one nonionic surfactant present in an amount by weight equal to or greater than the amount of said at least one phospholipid;
• and
• at least one suspending agent present in an amount effective for maintaining a stable delivery system and at least one lipophilic ingredient,
• wherein said at least one phospholipid, said at least one amphoteric surfactant, and said at least one nonionic surfactant are present in a combined amount sufficient to allow said lipophilic ingredient to be incorporated into said delivery system, and wherein said at least one phospholipid and said at least one amphoteric surfactant are present in a ratio of 1:0.8 and above;
• and
• applying said delivery system to said keratinous substance.

A hair relaxing composition comprising:

• at least one phospholipid capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution;
• at least one amphoteric surfactant;
• at least one nonionic surfactant present in an amount by weight equal to or greater than the amount of said at least one phospholipid;
• at least one suspending agent present in an amount effective for maintaining a stable composition;
• at least one lipophilic ingredient, wherein said lipophilic ingredient is petrolatum;
• sodium hydroxide;
• and
• water,
• wherein said at least one phospholipid, said at least one amphoteric surfactant, and said at least one nonionic surfactant are present in a combined amount sufficient to allow said at least one lipophilic ingredient to be incorporated into said hair relaxing composition.

A hair conditioning composition comprising:

• at least one phospholipid capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution;
• at least one amphoteric surfactant;
• at least one nonionic surfactant present in an amount by weight equal to or greater than the amount of said at least one phospholipid;
• at least one suspending agent present in an amount effective for maintaining a stable composition;
• at least one lipophilic ingredient, wherein said lipophilic ingredient is selected from silicones;
• sodium hydroxide;
• and
• water,
• wherein said at least one phospholipid, said at least one amphoteric surfactant, and said at least one nonionic surfactant are present in a combined amount sufficient to allow said at least one lipophilic ingredient to be incorporated into said hair conditioning composition.