Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
2003-03-18
2004-06-22
Dodson, Shelley A. (Department: 1616)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
C424S063000, C424S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06753002
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to cosmetic compositions and methods. More specifically, the invention relates to compositions and methods that replenish the skin's natural fluorescence.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has long been recognized that normal skin exhibits a substantial level of fluorescence(Fellner, Arch. Dermatol. 112: 667-670, 1976). The fluorescence apparently exists throughout the different layers of the skin, with the epidermis showing the weakest levels, the stratum corneum being slightly stronger, and the most intense emissions being found in the dermis and subcutaneous fat(Zeng, et al., Photochem. Photobiol. 61: 639-645, 1995). The level of epidermal fluorescence varies depending upon the color of the individual's skin, with darker skins showing a higher level of fluorescence than lighter skins. However, the fluorescence in the dermis is apparently related to elements common to all skin types: elastin and collagen. The spectra of living human skin is measurable over a wide excitation wavelength, with green being the dominant autofluorescence color.
With particular respect to the dermis, it well-known that the elements responsible for fluorescence are susceptible to substantial alteration in quality and quantity due to advancing age as well as UV exposure. It is widely accepted that these changes in elastin and collagen are at least partially, and probably predominantly, responsible for many of the external changes characteristic of aged skin, whether chrono- or photoaged. The external changes that are immediately identifiable as being associated with loss or alteration of these fibers include the readily defined features, such as lines, wrinkles, and skin atrophy; however, another common age-associated feature that is perhaps more difficult to characterize is familiar loss of luster, color and tone of mature or photodamaged skin.
Interestingly, the change in structure of collagen and elastin observed at least with respect to photoaging has been shown to be correlated with a decline in the intensity of fluorescence in the photoaged skin. (Leffell, et al. Arch. Dermatol. 124: 1514-1518, 1988). This change is also reflected in chronoaged skin, which in middle age begins to lose its green fluorescence, and in later years, loses its blue fluorescence. It is very likely that the decline in the vigorous “glow” common to young, healthy skin is related at least in part to the this observed loss of fluorescence. Nonetheless, cosmetics and skin care products have traditionally focused on the camouflaging of the most easily characterized signs of aging, such as wrinkles; there has been little effort to develop products which address the seemingly more intangible problem of renewing the glow of youth in the more mature individual's skin. The present invention now provides a solution to this problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions comprising effective amounts of at least one fluorescent mineral powder, in combination with a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. The compositions, when applied to the skin, replenish the fluorescence that may have been lost due to chrono- or photoaging, while not necessarily providing a substantial amount of color on the skin. The invention also relates to a method of imparting a glow to the skin comprising applying to the skin a cosmetic composition comprising an effective amount of a fluorescent mineral powder. The compositions can also be used to reduce the appearance of dark circles and lines on the skin, as well as reduce the appearance of symptoms of chrono- and photoaging.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The use of fluorescent materials in cosmetics is not unknown. There are a number of reported uses of fluorescent pigments or dyes in cosmetics, particularly in color cosmetics, principally to impart an additional dimension to the color(see, e.g., EP 370470, JP 2060978, JP 3250075, and EP 542669). In each of these cases, a fluorescent dye or pigment, such as D&C Orange No. 5, or ultramarine blue, typically constitutes the sole or primary colorant component of the cosmetic, and the color of the dye is visually prominent in the product. Similarly, precious gemstone powders have also been suggested for use in color cosmetic products, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,306; however, no reference is made to fluorescence in the gemstones, and again, the gemstones constitute the sole or primary color of the composition.
In contrast to the prior art, the present invention utilizes fluorescent mineral powders in such a way as to confer a fluorescent glow to both the composition and to the skin when applied but does not necessarily confer any visually distinct color to the skin. Fluorescent minerals are naturally occurring materials, and have the advantage over chemical fluorescent dyes in this regard, as well as being substantially non-irritating. Also unlike many prior art uses of fluorescent dyes, the powder will not constitute a primary color component of the composition as it appears on the skin, and in certain embodiments, particularly in the case in which the mineral is used in a non-color cosmetic, it will not confer any color change to the skin that is appreciable to the naked eye. The fluorescent mineral powders can be used in a color-conferring cosmetic, and a strongly fluorescent mineral can contribute to the intensity of the primary color in such a composition; the fluorescent minerals can also be used in a non-color cosmetic, e.g., a skin care or transparent or translucent cosmetic which is intended to confer little or no color to the skin after application. The term “effective amount” as used in the specification and claims is that amount of any fluorescent mineral powder that will confer an observable fluorescence to the composition in which it is placed.
Any fluorescent mineral may be employed in the compositions of the invention. The minerals can be conveniently grouped according to the color of the dominant fluorescence produced by the minerals, although there is some gradation in the spectrum of fluorescence, and some minerals may fluoresce differently depending on their exact composition and/or impurities contained therein. In one embodiment, the mineral produces a green to bluish green fluorescence; minerals of this type include, but are not limited to, andalusite and chiastolite(aluminum silicate); amblygonite(basic lithium aluminum phosphorate); phenakite(beryllium silicate); variscite(hydrous aluminum phosphate); serpentine(basic magnesium silicate); amazonite(potassium aluminum silicate); amethyst(silicon dioxide); chrysoberyl(beryllium aluminum oxide); turquoise(copper-containing basic aluminum phosphate); colorless, yellow or pink tourmaline(borosilicate); amber(succinite/various resins); opal(hydrous silicon dioxide); cerussite (lead carbonate); fuchsite(potassium aluminum silicate); diopside(calcium magnesium silicate); ulexite(hydrous sodium calcium borate); aragonite (calcium carbonate); and willemite(zinc silicate). Particularly preferred among these are the silicates, particularly those with a strong fluorescence, such as fuchsite, diopside, ulexite, aragonite and willemite. In another embodiment, the mineral emits a blue fluorescence; examples of such minerals include dumortierite(aluminum borate silicate); scheelite(calcium tungstate); smithsonite(zinc carbonate); danburite(calcium boric silicate); benitoite(barium titanium silicate); fluorite(fluorospar); and halite. Other fluorescence categories include red or orange, as represented, for example in axinite(calcium aluminum borate silicate); scapolite(sodium calcium aluminum silicate); kyanite(aluminum silicate); sphalerite(zinc sulphite); calcite(calcium carbonate); petalite(lithium aluminum silicate); or yellow, as represented by apatite(basic fluoro- and chloro-calcium phosphate) or cerussite (lead carbonate). In one preferred embodiment, the mineral is selected from those emitting blue or green fluorescence, or combinations thereof, so as to directly mimic the skin's na
Bevacqua Andrew J.
Cioca Gheorghe
George Liliana
Gubernick Joseph
Color Access Inc.
Dodson Shelley A.
Lowney, Esq. Karen A.
LandOfFree
Cosmetic compositions containing fluorescent minerals does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cosmetic compositions containing fluorescent minerals, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cosmetic compositions containing fluorescent minerals will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3355145