A multiple emulsion of the type W.sub.1 /O/W.sub.2 is made by first preparing a primary emulsion W.sub.1 /O using a silicone fluid as the oil phase (O), and an elastomeric silicone polyether as an emulsifier, for dispersing water phase W.sub.1 into oil phase (O). The primary emulsion W.sub.1 /O is then added and dispersed into a final continuous water phase W.sub.2 to form a multiple emulsion W.sub.1 /O/W.sub.2. The multiple emulsions are useful for treating the hair, the skin, or the underarm areas of the human body. Vitamins or drugs can be included in the oil phase (O) or in either aqueous phase W.sub.1 or W.sub.2 to enhance the benefits of the multiple emulsions in personal care applications.
One composition is a non-aqueous polar solvent-in-oil emulsion containing a non-aqueous polar solvent phase dispersed in a silicone oil continuous phase by an emulsifier. A second composition is a non-aqueous polar solvent-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion of the type PS.sub.1 /O/w which contains a non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS.sub.1 dispersed in a silicone oil as a first continuous phase of a primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O by an emulsifier. The primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O is dispersed in a second continuous aqueous phase W to form multiple emulsion PS.sub.1 /O/W. A third composition is a non-aqueous polar solvent-in-oil-in-non-aqueous polar solvent multiple emulsion of the type PS.sub.1 /O/PS.sub.2 which contains a non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS.sub.1 dispersed in a silicone oil as a first continuous phase of a primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O by an emulsifier. The primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O is dispersed in a second continuous non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS.sub.2 to form multiple emulsion PS.sub.1 /O/PS.sub.2.
One composition is a non-aqueous polar solvent-in-oil emulsion containing a non-aqueous polar solvent phase dispersed in a silicone oil continuous phase by an emulsifier. A second composition is a non-aqueous polar solvent-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion of the type PS.sub.1 /O/W which contains a non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS.sub.1 dispersed in a silicone oil as a first continuous phase of a primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O by an emulsifier. The primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O is dispersed in a second continuous aqueous phase W to form multiple emulsion PS.sub.1 /O/W. A third composition is a non-aqueous polar solvent-in-oil-in-non-aqueous polar solvent multiple emulsion of the type PS.sub.1 /O/PS.sub.2 which contains a non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS.sub.1 dispersed in a silicone oil as a first continuous phase of a primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O by an emulsifier. The primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O is dispersed in a second continuous non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS.sub.2 to form multiple emulsion PS.sub.1 /O/PS.sub.2.
A new composition of matter is a blend of (i) a crosslinked elastomeric silicone polyether and (ii) a crosslinked elastomeric silicone containing alkyl groups having 3-40 carbon atoms. The new composition can be used in preparing water-in-oil emulsions, and clear solutions containing an oil(s) or an oil-soluble active ingredient(s).
Water-in-oil-in-non-aqueous polar solvent W/O/PS type multiple emulsion contains a water phase W dispersed in an oil O as the first continuous phase of a primary emulsions W/O by an emulsifier. Primary emulsion W/O is dispersed in a second continuous non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS to form multiple emulsion W/O/PS. The emulsifier is a silicone elastomer containing polyether groups which is a network of polymeric molecules crosslinked with an .alpha.,.omega.-unsaturated hydrocarbon.
One composition is a non-aqueous polar solvent-in-oil emulsion containing a non-aqueous polar solvent phase dispersed in a silicone oil continuous phase by an emulsifier. A second composition is a non-aqueous polar solvent-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion of the type PS.sub.1 /O/W which contains a non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS.sub.1 dispersed in a silicone oil as a first continuous phase of a primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O by an emulsifier. The primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O is dispersed in a second continuous aqueous phase W to form multiple emulsion PS.sub.1 /O/W. A third composition is a non-aqueous polar solvent-in-oil-in-non-aqueous polar solvent multiple emulsion of the type PS.sub.1 /O/PS.sub.2 which contains a non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS.sub.1 dispersed in a silicone oil as a first continuous phase of a primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O by an emulsifier. The primary emulsion PS.sub.1 /O is dispersed in a second continuous non-aqueous polar solvent phase PS.sub.2 to form multiple emulsion PS.sub.1 /O/PS.sub.2.
