| abstract |
Cleaning compositions comprising (A) N-long-chain acyl neutral amino acid or a salt thereof, (B) N-long-chain acyl neutral amino acid dipeptide or a salt thereof, and (C) N-long-chain acyl neutral amino acid tripeptide or a salt thereof provide abundant foam, are excellent in foam retaining properties, and furnish a cleaned and dried body or hair with both a smooth feeling and a moist feeling. Compositions which further comprise (D) a higher fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms or a salt thereof exhibit enhanced creamy properties in foam quality. N-long-chain acyl neutral amino acids or salts thereof may be conveniently prepared by mixing a neutral amino acid, a long-chain fatty acid, and at least one of an alkaline substance selected from sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and maintaining the mixture with heating, while removing the water produced during the reaction, with no catalyst being employed. |