| abstract |
Disclosed is a glycol-containing base gel composition having reduced skin irritation potential, in which a cosmetically active agent (e.g., deodorant active agent, sunscreen, antiperspirant active agent, etc.) can be incorporated to provide a cosmetic gel (e.g., soft gel or stick) composition. The gelling agent for the gel composition can be a soap. The base gel composition includes at least one glycol having a structure of the formula H(OC3H6)nOH, where n represents the number of repeating propylene oxide groups and ranges from 1-80, with the provisos that: (1) more than zero, and up to 100% by weight, of the glycol component, has n=3 or 4; (2) less than 20% by weight of the glycol component has n=1; (3) not more than 90% by weight of the glycol component has n=2; and (4) not more than 90% by weight of the glycol component has n greater than or equal to 5. The composition can further include a nonionic or anionic surface active agent as a clarifying agent, to provide a translucent or clear gel composition. |