Surfactant preparations comprising α-hydroxy acids

#This application is a 371 of PCT/EP02/05587 filed May 22, 2002.

#This invention relates to surfactant preparations containing α-hydroxy acids which are distinguished by improved dermatological and mucous membrane compatibility and to the use of hydroxycarboxylic acids and/or salts and/or esters thereof with ethoxylated alcohols for reducing the irritation potential of surfactants.

#In the development of new surfactants, practical consumer protection is the primary consideration. Time and again, surfactants with very good performance properties have been found not to meet the criteria of local compatibility. Anionic surfactants in particular are known to have a high irritation potential [Kästner, W. and Frosch, J. P., Hautirritationen verschiedener anionaktiver Tenside im Duhring-Kammer-Test am Menschen im Vergleich zu in vitro und tierexperimentellen Methoden in Fette, Seifen, Anstrichmittel 83, 1981, pages 33-46]. Local compatibility is said to be dependent upon the C chain length and the degree of ethoxylation. Chain lengths of 10 to 14 carbon atoms and surfactants with a low degree of ethoxylation show poor dermatological compatibility. Although this knowledge can be embraced in product development, a loss of favorable performance properties often has to be accepted.

#The present invention relates to the use of hydroxycarboxylic acids and/or salts and/or esters thereof with ethoxylated alcohols for improving the compatibility of anionic surfactants with the skin, mucous membrane and textiles, characterized in that hydroxycarboxylic acids and/or salts and/or esters thereof with ethoxylated alcohols are added to the surfactants or surfactant solutions.

#The present invention also relates to preparations containing (a) anionic surfactants and (b1) 0.1 to 20% by weight α-hydroxycarboxylic acids and/or salts thereof and/or (b2) 25 to 50% by weight of esters of α-hydroxycarboxylic acids with ethoxylated alcohols, based on the quantity of anionic surfactants, characterized in that they have a surface activity of at least 20 mN/m (as measured at room temperature by the Wilhelmy plate method (platinum plate T11 to DIN 53914) and in that they have a Q value in the HET-CAM test of less than 75%, based on the surfactant solution without α-hydroxycarboxylic acid.

#It has surprisingly been found that the addition of hydroxycarboxylic acids and/or salts thereof and/or esters thereof with ethoxylated alcohols to anionic surfactants greatly reduces the irritation potential of the surfactants and hence considerably improves their compatibility with the skin, mucous membrane and textiles without any loss of detersive activity.