Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-29
2001-01-09
Criares, Theodore J. (Department: 1617)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
C424S059000, C424S060000, C424S063000, C424S069000, C514S844000, C514S846000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171602
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to natural pigments. In particular, the invention relates to natural pigments which have been stabilized so as to be useful in cosmetic compositions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of colorants derived from plants or other pigmented natural resources goes back thousands of years in human history. Such pigments were widely used for dyes, and to some extent, for facial adornment. Since the preparation of any type of pigment-containing product was necessarily done on a short-term, small-scale basis in the ancient world, however, the inherent difficulties associated with the use of these materials, particularly with regard to stability, presented little concern.
What was acceptable in biblical times, however, is not acceptable today. Color cosmetics are now the basis for a huge industry, and preparation of these compositions is no longer relegated to the royal cosmetician or the local apothecary. The products sold today must meet high governmental regulatory standards, must have a reasonable compatibility with a wide variety of solvent systems and formulation variations, and particularly must be able to withstand the rigors of long-term storage and transportation. As most, if not all, natural pigments have a tendency to bleed, fade, or otherwise deteriorate in a very short period of time, the requirements of modern cosmetics cannot be met by their use. Therefore, the cosmetics industry has turned primarily to the use of inorganic pigments, such as metal oxides, or synthetic organic pigments, which can withstand assaults on stability, such as water, oxidation, light and temperature extremes. Even these pigments have their own share of stability problems; nonetheless, they are, overall, much more stable than the average natural pigment. Notwithstanding the superior stability and general flexibility of the oxides and synthetic pigments, however, consumers are now increasingly demanding a return to what are perceived as more “natural” products. To meet this demand, therefore, there is a continuing need to find ways to enhance the stability of naturally occurring pigments, to the extent that they can be used in cosmetics that can be stored for long periods, yet retain their color and not add significantly to the cost of the final product.
There have been many reports in the industry as to methods for stabilizing natural pigments. However, to date, none have found widespread commercial application in the cosmetics industry, perhaps because many are designed for use only with a specific kind of pigment, and the resulting pigment is useful only with one particular kind of solvent system. Therefore,
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for producing a stable natural pigment, the method comprising mixing (a) a liquid hydroalcoholic base containing a natural pigment, a UV absorber, and an antioxidant, with (b) an absorbent base comprising a porous bead; and drying the mixture to obtain the stable pigment. The invention also relates to the stable pigment obtained therefrom. Also provided are cosmetic compositions containing the natural pigments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The initial step in preparing the compositions of the invention is the preparation of a hydroalcoholic base, in which are solubilized the pigment, a UV absorber, and an antioxidant. The hydroalcoholic base allows the solubilization in a single solution of both hydrophilic and lipophilic components. Although suggested amounts of each material are provided in the discussion below, it will be understood that these amounts are provided primarily as guidelines, and it is within the ability of the skilled artisan to modify amounts when required due to the particular activity or potency of a chosen component. The alcohol employed is one which will permit solubilization of both types of components, and is preferably a short chain alcohol, i.e., C
2
-C
4
. Particularly preferred is ethanol. The alcohol is present in an amount of from about 20-40% of the base as a whole, and water generally comprises from about 20-55% of the base.
Most of the natural colors which are of interest for cosmetic use are water soluble. The natural water-soluble pigments are mixed directly into the water component, typically in an amount of from about 1-20%, the concentration being largely dependent upon the intensity of color desired. Obviously, any non-water-soluble pigments are mixed into the alcohol phase of the liquid base. Any natural pigment may be used in this process; however, it is preferred that the pigment be one which is cosmetically acceptable; by “cosmetically acceptable” is meant one which does not cause harm to human skin. Among the pigments that can be used in the present method are, for example, annatto extract, B-Apo-8-carotenal, azulene, beta-carotene, beet powder, canthaxanthin, caramel color, carrot oil, cochineal extract(carmine), cotton seed flour, ferrous gluconate, fruit juice, grape color extract, grape skin extract(ecociannina), paprika, riboflavin, saffron, titanium dioxide, turmeric, turmeric oleoresin, vegetable juice, chlorophyll, guaizulene, and red cabbage.
At least one UV-absorber is also added to the hydroalcoholic base. The UV absorbing compound can be any material which is cosmetically acceptable. Among those that can be used in the present pigment compositions are salicylates, para-amino benzoic acid(PABA) and derivatives thereof, amino benzoates, benzophenones, ferulic acid, digalloyl trioleate, cinoxate, cinnamates, and anthranilates. Particularly preferred are benzophenones. The UV absorber can be used in an amount of from about 0.5-10% by weight of the total composition, preferably in an amount of from about 1-3%.
Also incorporated into the hydroalcoholic base is at least one antioxidant. The antioxidant can be any cosmetically acceptable antioxidant; examples of useful antioxidants for this purpose include cysteine and derivatives thereof, ascorbic acid and derivatives thereof, BHA, BHT, ferulic acid and derivatives thereof, grapeseed extract, pine bark extract, horseradish extract, hydroquinones, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, tocopherol and derivatives thereof, green tea extract, octyl, propyl and dodecyl gallates, uric acid and thiodiproprionate derivatives. The preferred antioxidant is a natural antioxidant, for example, tocopherol or its derivatives. The antioxidant is normally present in the hydroalcoholic base in an amount of from about 0.5-10% by weight, preferably in an amount of from about 1-3%. With respect to both the UV absorbers and antioxidants, it will be recognized that the list is not exhaustive; numerous examples of both types of materials are well known to the skilled artisan, and other examples can also be found in, e.g., in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Third Edition, CTFA, Washington, D.C., 1995, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The hydroalcoholic base can contain other optional components. For example, it is usually desirable to include in the base one or more emulsifiers to enhance the mixing of the components. Any emulsifier which is compatible with the components to be mixed, and which are useful in a hydroalcoholic system, can be used. An example of useful emulsifiers are alkoxylated alcohols, particularly glyceryl ester derivatives. The emulsifier component, if used, is preferably present in an amount of from about 0.5-15%, more preferably in an amount of from about 1-5%. The hydroalcoholic base may also contain one or more moisturizers, and these may be any which are compatible with the hydroalcoholic solvent system.
To prepare the base, the water soluble components are added directly to the water component, and mixed well; similarly, the non-water soluble components are added to the alcohol component, and also mixed well. The two phases are then combined, and mixed vigorously until a uniform mixture is achieved.
The hydroalcoholic base is added to a dry absorbent base. The principle component of the absorbent base is a porous bead which is ca
Criares Theodore J.
E-L Management Corp.
Lowney, Esq. Karen A.
Price, Esq. Dorene M.
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