WO1992018100A1

WO1992018100A1 - Antibacterial mild liquid skin cleanser

Info

Publication number: WO1992018100A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/002847
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arthur Edwin Keegan, Jr.; Richard Marc Dahlgren; Diane Grob Schmidt
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 1991-04-15
Filing date: 1992-04-03
Publication date: 1992-10-29
Also published as: FI934541A; MX9201733A; NO933675D0; EP0580814A1; AU1881792A; FI934541A0; PT100360A; JPH06506938A; NO933675L; TW198688B; CA2107001A1; MA22506A1; BR9205895A; CN1066779A; IE921185A1

Abstract

A liquid skin cleanser composition with improved mildness and degerming characteristics, comprising: (A) 0.5-5.75 weight percent of a mild ethoxylated surfactant; (B) 1-40 weight percent of a cosurfactant selected from the group consisting of non-ethoxylated anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof; (C) 0.01-4 weight percent of antibacterial agent; (D) 0.05-5 weight percent of water-soluble cationic polymer; and (E) 35-97 weight percent water.

Description

ANTIBACTERIAL MILD LIQUID SKIN CLEANSER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to mild liquid skin cleansers. More particularly, this invention relates to antibacterial liquid skin cleansers.

The cleaning of skin with surface-active cleaning prepara¬ tions has become a focus of great interest. Many people wash and scrub their skin with various surface active preparations several times a day. Liquid cleansers are highly preferred, especially for handwashing because of convenience and non-messiness. Anti¬ bacterial personal cleansers are preferred because they kill germs. Mild personal cleansers are desired to minimize skin irri¬ tation, dryness, etc. A personal cleansing product having all three of these preferred characteristics would be very desirable. Skin cleansers should cleanse the skin gently, causing little or no irritation, without drying the skin after frequent routine use. Certain synthetic surfactants are particularly mild. However, a major drawback of mild liquid synthetic surfactant systems when formulated for skin cleansing is poor lather per- formance. Compared to the highest bar soap standards (bars which are rich in coconut soap and superfatted), these prior art liquid surfactant formulations have either poor lather or poor skin mildness performance. As may be expected, the lather performance is a function of the choice of surfactant and its concentration. The conceivable number of liquid surfactant compositions formu¬ lated with or without skin feel agents are numerous. Rheological and phase properties exhibited by prototypes vary widely (i.e., thin liquids, gels, thick pastes, solutions, emulsions). The phase stability of prototypes is for the most part acceptable over short time periods, but only a small fraction of them will maintain their original properties and acceptability over an extended period of time. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,338,211. Stiros, issued July 6, 1982; 4,310,433, Stiros, issued Jan. 12, 1982; and 4,842,850, Vu, issued June 27, 1989, all of said patents being incorporated herein by reference.

Optimization of lather as a single variable is a fairly straightforward process. The use of known high sudsing anionic surfactants with lather boosters yields acceptable lather volume. Unfortunately, highest sudsing anionic surfactants are, generally, also highest in skin irritation and are worst in clinical mild¬ ness. Surfactants that are among the mildest with minimal skin irritation, such as ammonium lauryl ether (12 EO) sulfate (NH4AE12S) are extremely poor in lather. These two facts alone make the surfactant selection and the lather boosting optimization process a delicate balancing act. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,211, supra, incorporated herein by reference. The introduction of an antibacterial into the equation results in additional problems for mildness, lather, and antibac¬ terial efficacy. It is reported in trade literature that certain mild ethoxylated nonionic surfactants, e.g., Tween^® 80 (ICI Americas, Inc.) and lecithin have deactivating effects on the degerming of a preferred antibacterial, Triclosan (Irgasan^® DP 300 is also referred to herein as "TCS"), Ciba-Geigy Irgasan^® DP 300 Trade Bulletin, 1988.

The use of antibacterials in liquid shampoo and other personal cleansing products, per se, is known and at least two are commercially available under the trade names of LIQUID DIAL^®

Antibacterial Soap, and S0FTS0AP^® Antibacterial Moisturizing Soap.

The antibacterial liquid cleansing products on the current market are relatively harsh. So a mildness improvement over such products would be highly desirable, especially without compro- mising degerming efficacy. Special antibacterial liquid cleansers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,847,072, Bissett and Bush, issued July 11, 1989; 4,939,284, Degenhardt, issued July 3, 1990; and 4,820,698, Degenhardt, issued April 11, 1989, said patents being incorporated herein by reference. in short, there are rather stringent requirements for skin cleansers which limit the choice of surface-active agents and antibacterials, and as a result the degerming final formulations represent some degree of compromise. Mildness is often obtained at the expense of effective degerming or effective cleansing and lathering which may be sacrificed for either mildness, product stability, or both. The present invention offers a valuable combination of desirable properties to liquid skin-cleaning formulations.

Therefore, one object of this invention is the development of liquid skin cleaning compositions which exhibit improved mildness, good cleaning and lathering, and good degerming properties. Another object of the present invention is the development of low cost liquid skin cleansers.

Other objects will become apparent from the detailed descrip¬ tion below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A liquid skin cleanser composition with improved mildness and degerming characteristics, comprising:

(A) 0.5-5.75 weight percent of mild ethoxylated surfactant;

(B) 1-40 weight percent of cosurfactant selected from the group consisting of non-ethoxylated anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof, said cosurfactant comprising harsh surfactant at a level to give a ratio of harsh cosurfactant to mild ethoxylated surfactant of from about 20:1 to 1:5.8;

(C) 0.01-4 weight percent of antibacterial agent, preferably selected from the group of halogenated aromatic anti¬ bacterial agents and octopirox, and mixtures thereof;

(D) 0.05-5 weight percent of water-soluble cationic polymer: and

(E) 35-97 weight percent water. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mild ethoxylated surfactant liquid skin cleaning compositions with optimum degerming and preferably optimum lather performance. Cosurfactant, preferably one with good suds boosting power, typically a harsh surfactant, is used with said mild ethoxylated surfactant to provide improved lather. Antibacterial agents are compatible with cosurfactant, e.g.. alkyl sulfates, but are not so compatible with mild ethoxylate surfactants. This invention, however, further enhances combi¬ nation of the two types of surfactants with antibacterial.

A liquid skin cleanser composition with improved mildness and degerming characteristics, comprising: (A) 0.5-5.75% of mild, ethoxylated surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic; nonionics, and mixtures thereof, preferably anionic alkyl ethoxy sulfate having from 1 to 20 ethoxy groups;

(B) 1-40% of an antibacterial compatible cosurfactant selected from the group consisting of non-ethoxylated anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof; preferably good cleaning anionics, especially the alkyl sulfates;

(C) 0.01-4% of antibacterial agent, preferably selected from the group of halogenated aromatic antibacterial agents and octopirox, and mixtures thereof, and more preferably Triclosan (TCS);

(D) 0.05-5% of water-soluble cationic polymer, preferably cationic guar gum; and (E) 35-97%, preferably 50-95%, more preferably 75-90%, water. The total level of (A) and (B) is at least about 4% and sufficient to keep the composition stable.

A more detailed description of the levels and ranges of the components of the present invention are provided in Tables 1 and 2 below.

The ranges and levels set out herein, especially in Tables 1 and 2, are approximations and should be given liberal interpreta¬ tions. The levels and ranges will vary depending on the selection of the particular ingredient.

^♦Shown elsewhere in the Table. **Mild ethoxylated surfactants.

Some preferred cosurfactant blends are:

^♦Shown elsewhere in the Table.

The Ethoxylated Surfactants

An essential ingredient is an ethoxylated (or propoxylated) surfactant which is mild to the skin. Propoxylated surfactants are essentially equivalents to ethoxylated surfactants as defined herein. The preferred mild, ethoxylated (propoxylated) sur- factants have Relative Barrier Destruction Index Values (mildness) of about 50 or less, as defined hereinbelow. The mild ethoxylated surfactant, ammonium laureth-3-carboxylate (AE3C-NH4OH at pH 6.5), has an "Index Value" of about 50. A "harsh" surfactant is any surfactant or cosurfactant with an Index Value of more than 50. The ethoxylated mild surfactant is used conveniently to improve mildness of the liquid composition. For this purpose the level can be from about 0.5% to about 5.8%, preferably from about 2% to about 5%. At the higher levels, however, the ethoxylated mild surfactant diminishes antibacterial effectiveness of the composition.

Some examples of the preferred surfactants are alkali metal and ammonium salts of the sulfuric acid esters of the reaction product of 1 mole of a C8-C22 alcohol (e.g., tallow or coconut oil alcohols) and about 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 13, more preferably 2 to 6, moles of ethylene oxide (ethoxy groups). Diethanol amines are not ethoxylated surfactants. The CTFA names of some preferred ethoxylated surfactants are: Anionics Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, CAS #32612-48-9 (generic)

Pareth-15-7 Carboxylic Acid

TEA-Oleamido PEG-n Sulfosuccinate, TEA = Triethanol Amine

PPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate, RD #977061-68-9 Nonionics Polysorbate 80

Pareth-15-5

PPG-8-Ceteth-10 CAS #9087-53-0 (generic)

PEG-5M

PEG-8 Stearate, CAS #9004-99-3 (generic) The in vitro skin barrier penetration test (mildness), performed similar to the procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,253, Small et al., issued Mar. 14, 1989, said patent being incorporated herein by reference, can be used to assess the relative irritancy of surfactants. The essential, mild ethoxy- lated surfactant is preferably selected to have a mildness Index Value at or below 50.

Frequently, a surfactant which tends to improve cleaning also tends to have negatives, particularly in terms of product mild¬ ness. Referring to the Relative Barrier Destruction Chart No. 1 the "Barrier Destruction Index Values" for: ALS = 100; water = 0. Relative Barrier Destruction Chart No. 1

Relative Barrier Surfactant Destruction Index Values

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) 100 Ammonium Laureth-3 Carboxylate (pH - 6.5) 50

Ammonium Laureth-3 Sulfate (AE3S) 30

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate 25 Disodium Cocoyl Monoethanol Amine

Sulfosuccinate 25 Sodium Nonoxynol-4 Sulfate¹ 10

Octyl Glycerol Ether Sulfate 10

Lauryl Polyglucose2 10

Water 0

1 Alipal HF-433

2 Henkel APG 550 (1.7)

Cosurfactant Another essential component of the liquid skin cleanser composition herein is one or more non-ethoxylated "cosurfactant" which is preferably selected for its cleaning, lathering, cost or antibacterial compatibility. So the selection of the cosurfactant and the term "cosurfactant" should be given a broad interpreta¬ tion. Preferred are the higher lathering surfactants which are known in the art, or can be tested. The rule, as far as lather or cleaning are concerned, is that the cosurfactant should add to the lather or cleaning power of the liquid cleanser. The cosurfactant can also be selected for its mildness, as well as its cleaning or lather boosting properties. However, such cosurfactants are typically harsh (e.g., Index Value >50). The compositions that provide the best balance of properties have a ratio of harsh cosurfactant to mild ethoxylated surfactant of from about 20:1 to about 1:5.8, preferably from about 5:1 to about 1:2, more prefer¬ ably from about 2:1 to about 1:1. Some preferred cosurfactant blends are set out after Table 1.

The term "cosurfactant" as used herein is intended to denote any non-ethoxylated surfactant used in the liquid compositions of the present invention. The cosurfactant includes all non-ethoxy¬ lated surface active agents, especially those which lather and clean well and which are compatible with the antibacterial, i.e., more compatible than the ethoxylated surfactant. The preferred cosurfactants of this invention are the alkali metal (e.g., sodium or potassium) and ammonium, alkyl sulfates derived by sulfation of ^c8"^c22 alcohols, either synthetically derived or produced by reduction of glycerides, or other esters, of tallow or coconut oil fatty acid combined with similarly derived alkyl betaines (zwit- terionics) and alkyl amides (nonionics).

The preferred cosurfactant referred to herein is alkyl sulfate (AS). The preferred ethoxylated surfactant is alkyl ether sulfate (AE_nS). The U.S. patents incorporated herein by reference contain an extensive and detailed list of both ethoxylated sur- factants and cosurfactants.

Antibacterial Aoent The antibacterial agent can be present at a level of from about 0.01% to about 4%, typically from about 0.1% to about 2%, and preferably from about 0.5% to about 1%. The level is selected to provide the desired level of antibacterial activity and can be modified as desired. The preferred antibacterial agent is 2-hydroxy-4,2',4'-trichlorodiphenylether (TCS). Other halogenated antibacterial agents are set out below. Many antibacterial agents, known to those skilled in the art and disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,835,057 and 4,714,563, both incorporated here¬ inbefore by reference, may be used.

Suitable antibacterial agents include: 2-hydroxy-4,2',4'-trichlorodiphenylether (TCS); 2,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxychlorobenzene (PCMX); 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide (TCC);

3-trif1uoromethyl-4,4'-dichlorocarbani1ide (TFC); 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3',5,5',6,6'-hexachlorodiphenylmethane; 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3',5,5'-tetrachlorodiphenylmethane; 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3',dibromo-5,5'-dichlorodiphenylmethane; 2-hydroxy-4,4'-dichlorodiphenylether;

2-hydroxy-3,5',4-tribromodiphenylether; and l-hydroxyl -4-methyl -6-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl )-2(lH)-pyridinone (Octopirox) .

The Water-Soluble Cationic Polymer The inclusion of an effective amount of a water-soluble cationic polymer to any liquid antibacterial composition should improve mildness, including systems which do not contain ethoxy¬ lated surfactant. The water-soluble cationic polymeric skin conditioning agent essential in the present invention is selected from the group consisting of: (I) cationic polysaccharides;

(II) cationic copolymers of saccharides and synthetic cationic monomers, and (III) synthetic polymers selected from the group consisting of: (A) cationic polyakylene imines,

(B) cationic ethoxy polyalkylene imines, and

(C) cationic poly(N-(-3-(dimethylammonio)propyl)-N'-[3- (ethyleneoxyethylene dimethylammonio)propyl)urea dichloride). The amount of hydrated cationic polymeric skin conditioners found useful in the composition of the present invention is from about 0.05% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 2%, by weight of active polymer. The liquid cleaning compositions containing these relatively small amounts of polymer deliver significantly improved clinical mildness relative to a composition without the polymer. The resultant mildness is unexpectedly and surprisingly superior to that of the synthetic surfactant-based liquid antibacterial skin cleansing products currently on the market. The cationic polymers can also provide a desirable silky, soft, smooth in-use feeling.

The cationic polymers can be employed to achieve the mildness benefit while maintaining the highly acceptable and desirable in-use liquid cleansing product characteristics of good lather character, lather volume, cleaning, rinsing, skin feel, odor, degerming, etc. This is unexpected since cationic polymers, particularly when used at the higher levels typically necessary for a mildness improvement and when used without the hydration specified by the present invention, have a significant negative impact on in-use characteristics. For example, they can suppress lather volume and alter its character, result in poor rinsing, and have a negative impact on odor.

(I) The cationic polysaccharide class encompasses those polymers based on 5 or 6 carbon sugars and derivatives which have been made cationic by engraphing of cationic moieties on the polysaccharide backbone. They may be composed of one type of sugar or of more than one type, i.e. copolymers of the above derivatives and cationic materials. The monomers may be in straight chain or branched chain geometric arrangements. Cationic polysaccharide polymers include the following: cationic celluloses and hydroxy- ethylcelluloses; cationic starches and hydroxyalkyi starches; cationic polymers based on arabinose monomers such as those which could be derived from arabinose vegetable gums; cationic polymers derived from xylose polymers found in materials such as wood, straw, cottonseed hulls, and corn cobs; cationic polymers derived from fucose polymers found as a component of cell walls in sea¬ weed; cationic polymers derived from fructose polymers such as Inulin found in certain plants; cationic polymers based on acid- containing sugars such as galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid; cationic polymers based on amine sugars such as galactosamine and glucosamine; cationic polymers based on 5 and 6 membered ring polyalcohols; cationic polymers based on galactose monomers which occur in plant gums and mucilages; cationic polymers based on mannose monomers such as those found in plants, yeasts, and red algae; cationic polymers based on the galactomannan copolymer known as guar gum obtained from the endosperm of the guar bean.

Specific examples of members of the cationic polysaccaride class include the cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose JR 400 made by Union Carbide Corporation; the cationic starches Stalok® 100, 200, 300 and 400 made by Staley, Inc.; the cationic galactomannans based on guar gum of the Galactasol 800 series by Henkel , Inc., the Jaguar Series by Rhδne-Poulenc (for example, Jaguar C-14-S and C162). (ID The cationic copolymers of saccharides and synthetic cationic monomers useful in the present invention encompass those contain¬ ing the following saccharides: glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, xylose, fucose, fructose, glucosamine, galactosamine, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, and 5 or 6 me bered ring polyalcohols. Also included are hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl derivatives of the above sugars. When saccharides are bonded to each other in the copolymers, they may be bonded via any of several arrangements, such as 1,4-αr; 1,4,-0; 1,3-α; 1,3-0 and 1,6 linkages. The synthetic cationic monomers for use in these copolymers can include dimethyldiall lammonium chloride, dimethylaminoethylmethyacrylate, diethyldiallylammonium chloride, N,N-diallyl,N-N-dialkyl ammonium halides, and the like. A pre-^' ferred cationic polymer is Merquat 550 prepared with di ethyldi- allylammonium chloride and acrylamide monomers.

Examples of members of the cl ss of copolymers of saccharides and synthetic cationic monomers include those composed of cellu¬ lose derivatives (e.g., hydroxyethyl cellulose) and N,N- diallyl,N-N-dialkyl ammonium chloride available from National Starch Corporation under the trade name Celquat.

(Ill) The cationic synthetic polymers useful in the present in¬ vention are cationic polyalkylene imines, ethoxypolyalklene imines, and poly[N-[-3-(dimethylammonio)propyl]-N'-[3-(ethylene- oxyethylene dimethylammonio)propyl]urea dichloride] the latter of which is available from Miranol Chemical Company, Inc. under the trademark of Miranol A-15, CAS Reg. No. 68555-36-2.

Preferred cationic polymeric skin conditioning agents of the present invention are those cationic polysaccharides of the cationic guar gum class with molecular weights of 1,000 to 3,000,000. More prefered molecular weights are from 2,500 to 350,000. These polymers have a polysaccharide backbone comprised of galactomannan units and a degree of cationic substitution ranging from about 0.04 per anhydroglucose unit to about 0.80 per anhydroglucose unit with the substituent cationic group being the adduct of 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride to the natural polysaccharide backbone. Examples are Jaguar C-376-FA, C-14-S, C-15, C-17, C162, and ADMQ guar sold by Rhδne-Poulenc. Some preferred cationic guar gums have 1-2% aqueous solution viscosity of from about 125 cps to about 3500 ± 500 cps at 25^*C, where said aqueous solution has a pH of about 9-11.

The cationic guar gum polymers useful in the present inven¬ tion have been found to be more effective skin conditioners than those cationic polymers based on hydroxyethyl cellulose (e.g., JR-400 commercially available from Union Carbide Corporation). Also useful in the present invention are cationic polymers re¬ ferred to in U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,418, to Parran, Jr., supra, in UK Patent Application GB 2094307A, and in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 07/374,315, Bartolo and Wong, filed June 30, 1989, said patent and said patent applications incorporated herein by reference.

Solutions of cationic polymers Jaguar C-14-S and JR-400 which contain an anionic surfactant (sodium laurate) are evaluated. Skin condition is measured via visual evaluations of dryness and redness and via instrumental assessment of skin condition (trans epidermal water loss, skin conductivity, and sonic transmission, as set out in "Effects of Bar Soap Constituents on Product Mild¬ ness," by Dahlgren, Lukacovic, Michaels, and Visscher, in Pro¬ ceedings of the Second World Conference on Detergents. Montreux, Switzerland, A.R. Baldwin, Ed. (American Oil Chemists Society, 1987), pp. 127-134). Results indicate the cationic guar gum is about twice as effective as JR-400. Thus, cationic guar gum is a more efficient skin conditioner than a hydroxyethylcellulose-based cationic polymer and is the most preferred type of cationic polymer for use in the present invention. Aqueous Carrier

The skin cleansers herein are preferably in the form of liquids or creams in which water is the principal diluent. The level of water in the compositions is typically from about 60% to about 93% by weight, preferably from about 75% to about 90%. Purified water is preferred. pH Adjustment Agent The in use pH of the liquid skin cleanser compositions herein should lie in the range of about 4 to about 10, preferably in the range of about 5 to about 8, more preferably in the range of about 6 to about 7. The pH is kept in the acidic range to maintain the stability of the antibacterial TCS and the cationic guar. Suit¬ able pH adjustment agents include HC1, citric acid, phosphoric acid, succinic acid and a sodium citrate/citric acid combination, among many others. Optional Components

The skin cleansers herein can contain a variety of non- essential, optional ingredients suitable for improving such compositions in a variety of ways. Such conventional, optional ingredients are well known to those skilled in the art, e.g., preservatives such as HMDM Hydantoin, benzyl alcohol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, 3-isothiazolines (Kathon CG sold by Rohm and Haas), imidazolidinyl urea, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and methylisothiazolinone can be used in amounts of from 1 to 5,000 ppm; thickeners and viscosity modifiers such as sodium sulfate, polyethylene glycols, sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, car- boxy ethylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol; suspending agents such as magnesium/aluminum silicate; perfumes, dyes; opacifiers such as ethylene glycol distearate, glycol monostearate, styrene acrylate copolymer, mica, behenic acid, and calcium stearate; sequestering agents such as disodium ethlyenediamine tetraacetate; emollients, moisturizers and various other skin treating ingredients such as glycerin; buffers and builders such as citrates and phosphates. If present, such agents individually generally comprise from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the composition.

Method of Manufacture The liquid skin cleanser compositions of the present inven¬ tion are made using mixing techniques disclosed herein. A method of making the present invention is shown in the examples which follow.

A method which can be used to make the exemplary compositions of the present invention is as follows: 1. The polymer is hydrated in the main mix tank by dispersing in purified water at ambient temperature, then lowering the solution pH to about 6 via addition of citric or other suitable acid, to aid hydration. Sodium sulfate may also be added to reduce the potential for polymer/surfactant coacer- vate formation when the surfactants are mixed with the polymer.

2. A separate premix of the purified water, sodium alkyl sul¬ fate, cocoamidopropyl betaine, lauramide diethanol amine, and ethyleneglycol distearate is mixed at a temperature of about 76'C, then chilled to about 26° to 38'C to crystallize the ethyleneglycol distearate. The crystallized ethyleneglycol distearate gives the final product a pearlized appearance.

3. The contents of the premix in step (2) are added to the hydrated polymer in the main mix.

4. The sodium laureth-3 sulfate is added to main mix.

5. The preservatives are added to the main mix.

6. Citric acid is added to adjust the pH of the finished product to about pH 6.0 to 6.5. 7. The TCS is predissolved in the perfume. This mix is then added to the main mix.

8. Colorants are added to the main mix.

9. Sodium sulfate is added to adjust the finished product viscosity to about 6,000 to 9,000 cps. Composition Use

In its method aspect, the present invention comprises a method of washing the skin by contacting the skin with an amount of the cleanser compositions herein which is effective to clean the skin and rinsing the excess cleanser from the skin. An effective amount for any individual will depend upon variable factors such as amount of soil on the skin, type of soil on the skin, level of surfactant in the cleanser composition, etc. Generally, an effective amount will be from about 0.5 to about 5 grams per use. The following examples will illustrate the invention, but are not intended to be in any way limiting thereof. All percentages and temperatures and data are approximations or estimations unless otherwise specified. Tables 3, 4, 6 and 7 cite degerming results obtained with the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Disk Test, which procedure is set out below.

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Disk Test The degerming performance of the products was evaluated using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Disk Test ("MIC Test") for antimicrobial liquid soap products. The MIC Test is a modifi¬ cation of a disk diffusion test method used by clinical labora¬ tories to determine the susceptibility of infectious organisms to antibiotics. In this method, 50 microliters of a 1% solution of the antimicrobial products is added to filter paper disks 13 mm in diameter. The disks are then applied to the surface of agar plates which have been inoculated with microorganisms. When a. disk is applied to an agar plate, the antimicrobial diffuses through the agar medium. The result is a gradual changing gra¬ dient of antimicrobial concentration in the agar surrounding each disk. The organisms that are not inhibited by the antimicrobial multiply on the agar plate forming a lawn of growth which can be visualized. No growth will occur in the area around the disk where the antimicrobial is present in inhibitory concentrations. The more susceptible the microorganism and soluble the antimi¬ crobial, the larger the zone of inhibition surrounding the disk.

The agar plates in the testing that follows were innoculated with Staohylococcus aureus and, in some cases, Escherichia coli. Products are typicallly tested in a random block design. The agar plates are incubated for 18 to 24 hours. The diameters of the circular zones of inhibition are then measured in two directions in millimeters and averaged to establish the zone of inhibition size reported. To account for the variability in zone size across MIC Tests for any given product, which can occur as a result of variations in the bacteria inoculated on the agar plates, products are only compared within the same test.

Tables 5 and 7 cite clinical mildness results obtained using the method below. Mildness Methodology A four-day forearm wash test among 40 panelists was conducted to evaluate mildness. The methodology was similar to that dis¬ cussed in "Forearm Wash Test to Evaluate the Clinical Mildness of Cleansing Products," by Lukacovic, Dunlop, Michaels, Visscher, and Watson, in J. Soc. Cosm. Chem.. 39, 355-366, Nov./Dec. 1988; and "Effects of Bar Soap Constituents on Product Mildness," by Dahlgren, Lukacovic, Michaels, and Visscher, in Proceedings of the Second World Conference on Detergents. Montreux, Switzerland, A.R. Baldwin, Ed. (American Oil Chemists Society, 1987), pp. 127-134. After four days of treatment, visual grades for skin dryness and redness (0 - perfect skin, 5 = degraded skin) are assigned. Also the conductance of the skin is measured by a Skicon instrument (higher conductance is indicative of higher levels of moisture in the skin). Finally, a Scopeman Fiber Optic Magnifying Video Camera was used to visually record the skin condition, and the video images are later graded using the same "dryness" scale referenced above.

A logical way to achieve a milder antibacterial liquid cleanser would be to increase the level of mild surfactant vs. harsher cosurfactants. However, as Comparative E2 shows, this approach results in a significant reduction in degerming vs.

Example 7, as set out in Table 6.

Further, as shown via the examples in Table 7, E4, with twice the level of antibacterial relative to E3, does resolve the degerming deficiency. In sharp contrast, Examples 1 and 2 of Table 3 show preferred levels of ethoxylated surfactant and cosurfactants. Example 1 shows comparable degerming to Compara¬ tive A, a leading commercially available antibacterial hand soap. Example 2 is superior to "A" in degerming. Example 2 has more TCS, 0.5% than Example I, 0.2%. This increase in degerming is unexpected and surprising in view of E4 of Table 7. Example 5 in Table 4 is the more preferred execution of the present invention. TABLE 3 Degerming Examples 1. 2. vs. Comparative Com^position A

Compara-

MIC Test Results: Note that in this test Comparative A's

Zone of Inhibition = 38.86

^♦This is the same composition as Example 1,

Mildness results reported below. TABLE 6 Effect of the Ratio of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate to Sodium Laureth Sulfate Experi-

10

15

20

25

30

35

Referring to the MIC test results in Table 6, E2 vs. Example 7, shows E2 has too much ethoxylated surfactant, sodium laureth sulfate. E2 is lower in degerming via a lower zone of inhibition.

TAglE 7

Table of Comparative Examples

Experi- Experi- mental mental

Ingredients Comp. E3 Comp. E4

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 4.00 4.00 Ammonium Laureth Sulfate 8.00 8.00 Cocamidopropyl Betaine 1.50 1.50 Lauramide DEA 1.50 1.50 Polyquaternium-10 0.50 0.50 Triclosan (TCS) 0.25 0.50 Ethylene Glycol Monostearate 1.50 1.50 Sodium Acetate 0.40 0.40 Tetrasodium EDTA 0.10 0.10 DMDM Hydantoin 0.20 0.20 Perfume 0.25 0.25 Dye 0.01 0.01

Citric Acid 0.08 0.08 Water 82.76 82.26

Totals 100.00 100.00

Referring to the Comparative MIC Performance below, E3 and E4 are formulae which would be expected to be milder than "A" based on higher levels of milder surfactants and lower levels of harsher surfactants. However, their degerming efficacies are compromised, that is to say, reduced. Comparative MIC Performance for Experimental Comparative E3 vs. Experimental Comparative E4

100% Product Concentrations tested on Staphylococcus aureus (N=4. Comp. E3 Comp. E4 Comp. A

Mean 49.75 48.50 62.75 p-value vs. E3 0.66 0.01 p-value vs. E4 0.00

1% Product Concentrations tested on Escherichia coli (N=4)

Comp. E3 Comp. E4 Comp. A

Mean 28.50 29.25 37.75 p-value vs. E3 0.79 0.04 p-value vs. E4 0.06

Conclusion: The point is that higher levels of antibacterial in these formulae (E3 and E4) do not fix reduced degerming which results from increased level of mild ethoxylated surfactant. See Referring to Table 6 and its MIC test results, Example 7 vs. E2, also demonstrate this point more clearly, for the only variables are the levels of the harsh and mild surfactants.

Paired Com^parison Forearm Clinical Mildness Test Paired Comparison #1: Comparative El vs. Example 6 Diff.

^♦Significant at 95% confidence.

Comparison #3: Example 6 vs. Comparative Composition A

Statistical Evaluation Across Pairs*^

^♦Significant at 95% confidence. ^♦♦Between pair estimate of (Example 6 vs. "A") obtained as the difference of the two within-pair estimates, (Example 6 vs. El) - ("A" vs. El). The means are adjusted to compensate for difference in the means of El from one pair to another.

Referring to the MIC test results in Table 3, Example 1 demonstrates equivalent degerming to Comparative "A". The liquid cleansing compositions of the present invention also demonstrate superior mildness to the skin as measured by a clinical mildness test, the results of which are set out in Paired Comparisons # 1 and #2, and Comparison #3. These significant improvements in degerming and mildness are unexpected and surprising in view of the higher ratio of harsher cosurfactant to mild ethoxylated surfactant. The preferred executions are Examples 1, 2, and 5, which contain cationic polymer. Specifically, Paired Compari- son #1 demonstrates that the addition of 0.25% Jaguar C-14-S in the formula of Example 1 improves mildness over El, which is formulated with the same surfactant base but without polymer and opacifier. Paired Comparison #2 demonstrates that El has equal mildness performance to "A". Finally, Comparison #3 is a sta- tistical evaluation across Paired Comparisons #1 and #2 demon¬ strating that Example 1 (also appears as Example 6 in Table 5) is milder to the skin than "A".

It is important to note that the cationic polymer also improves the antibacterial activity of the product. Referring to Table 4, it is shown with Example 3 and Example 4 that increasing the polymer level from 0.25% to 0.5% significantly increases the antibacterial activity at a constant 0.3% level of TCS.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

Claims

1. An antibacterial liquid personal cleansing composition comprising:

(A) from about 0.5% to about 5.8% of a mild ethoxylated surfactant;

(B) from about 1% to about 40% of an antibacterial compatible non-ethoxylated cosurfactant;

(C) from about 0.01% to about 4% of antibacterial agent;

(D) from about 0.05% to about 5% of water-soluble cationic polymer, and wherein said cationic polymeric has a molecular weight of from 1000 to 3,000,000; and

(E) from about 35% to about 97% water; and wherein said cosurfactant (B) contains harsh lathering surfactant at a level to provide a ratio of harsh lathering surfactant to said mild ethoxylated surfactant (A) of from about 20:1 to about 1:5.8; and wherein the total level of said (A) and said (B) is at least 4% by weight of said composition.

2. The antibacterial liquid personal cleansing composition of Claim 1 wherein:

(A) said mild ethoxylated surfactant is present at a level of from about 2% to about 5%; and wherein said mild ethoxylated surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium salts of the sulfuric acid esters of the reaction product of 1 mole of a C8-C22 alcohol (e.g., tallow or coconut oil alcohols) and about 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide (ethoxy groups);

(B) said non-ethoxylated cosurfactant is present at a level of from about 4% to about 20%;

(C) said antibacterial agent is present at a level of from about 0.5% to about 2%;

(D) said polymer is present at a level of from about 0.1% to about 2%; and

(E) said water is present at a level of from about 50% to about 95%; and wherein said ratio of said harsh lathering surfactant and said (A) is from about 5:1 to about 1:2.

3. The antibacterial liquid personal cleansing composition of Claim 1 wherein:

(A) said mild ethoxylated surfactant is present at a level of from about 3% to about 5%; and wherein said mild ethoxylated surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium salts of the sulfuric acid esters of the reaction product of 1 mole of a C8-C22 alcohol (e.g., tallow or coconut oil alcohols) and about 1 to 13 moles of ethylene oxide (ethoxy groups);

(B) said non-ethoxylated cosurfactant is present at a level of from about 5% to about 10%;

(C) said antibacterial agent is present at a level of from about 0.2% to about 1%;

(D) said polymer is present at a level of from about 0.2% to about 1%; and

(E) said water is present at a level of from about 75% to about 90%; and wherein said harsh surfactant and said (A) has a ratio of from about 2:1 to about 1:1.

4. The antibacterial liquid personal cleansing composition of Claim 1 wherein:

(A) said mild ethoxylated surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic and nonionic; and wherein said mild anionic ethoxylated surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium salts of the sulfuric acid esters of the reaction product of 1 mole of a C8-C22 alcohol (e.g., tallow or coconut oil alcohols) and about 2 to 6 moles of ethylene oxide (ethoxy groups);

(B) said non-ethoxylated cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof;

(C) said antibacterial agent is selected from the group consisting of 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide (TCC); 3-tri- fluoromethyl-4,4'-dichlorocarbanilide (TFC); 2-hydroxy- 4,2',4'-trichlorodiphenylether (TCS); and mixtures thereof; (D) said polymer is selected from the group consisting of: (I) cationic polysaccharides; (II) cationic copolymers of saccharides and synthetic cationic monomers; and (III) synthetic polymers selected from the group consisting of:

(A) cationic polyalkylene imines;

(B) cationic ethoxypolyalkylene imines; and

(C) cationic poly(N-(3-(dimethylammonio)propyl)-N'- (3-(ethyleneoxyethylene dimethylammonio)- propyl)urea dichloride).

5. The composition of Claim 1 wherein said antibacterial agent is selected from the group consisting of 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide (TCC); 3-trifluoromethyl-4,4'-dichlorocarbanilide (TFC); 2-hydroxy-4,2',4'-trichlorodiphenylether (TCS); and mixtures thereof.

6. The composition of Claim 1 wherein said antibacterial agent is 2-hydroxy-4,2',4'-trichlorodiphenylether (TCS).

7. The composition of Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein said cationic polymeric has a molecular weight of from 1000 to 3,000,000 and a typical aqueous viscosity at 1-2% of from about 125 cps to about 3200 cps and wherein said cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of:

(I) cationic polysaccharides; (II) cationic copolymers of saccharides and synthetic cationic monomers; and (III) synthetic polymers selected from the group consisting of:

(A) cationi c polyal kyl ene imines ;

(B) cationi c ethoxypolyal kyl ene imines ; and

(C) cationic poly(N-(3-(dimethyl ammonio)propyl ) -N' - (3- (ethyleneoxyethylene dimethyl ammonio) propyl ) urea di - chloride) .

& The composition of Cl aim 1 , 2, 3 , 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein said polymer comprises a cationic guar gum polymer; preferably wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of the cationic guar gum and cationic guar gum derivatives of a molecular weight from 2,500 to 350,000.

39ι. The composition of Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 wherein said composition contains from about 4% to about 20% of total surfactants selected from the group consisting of: alkyl sulfates, alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, anionic acyl sarcosinates, methyl acyl taurates, N-acyl glutamates, alkyl glucosides, acyl isethionates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl phosphate esters, ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters, methyl glucose esters, protein condensates, mixtures of ethoxylated alkyl sulfates and alkyl amine oxides, betaines, sultaines, the alkyl ether sulfates with 1 to 12 ethoxy groups, and mixtures thereof, wherein said surfactants contain C8-C22 alkyl chains; preferably wherein said cosurfactant has an alkyl chain length of C10-C18.