Personal cleansers and surfactant blend therefor

PERSONAL CLEANSERS AND SURFACTANT BLEND THEREFOR Abstract Personal cleansers and surfactant blends useful therein are disclosed. The cleansers comprise a primary anionic surfactant, a saturated C8-C14 alkyl N,N dialkylamide, and water. The cleansers have good foaming properties and improved viscosity build profiles compared with cleansers that rely on alkanolamides or betaines as the secondary surfactant. The saturated C8-C14 alkyl N,N-dialkylamides are water-white liquids that solubilize cleanser components well, including high levels of fragrances, and can be formulated easily without heating at any actives level up to 100%. Importantly, the surfactant blends build viscosity with less added salt compared with alkanolamide or betaine-based blends, even with more challenging anionic surfactants. Moisturizing cleansers disclosed herein have excellent flash foaming character, foam volume, and foam feel and provide a luxurious, lotion-like after-feel. The personal cleansers include, among others, shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, shower gels, liquid soaps, hand soaps, baby liquid cleansers, pet shampoos, and bubble baths. The fatty N,N-dialkylamides are also valuable for formulating oil-in-water emulsions with good stability.