Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-17
2003-01-28
Page, Thurman K. (Department: 1615)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
C424S063000, C424S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06511672
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to compositions containing various pigments which manipulate light. More specifically, the invention relates to compositions containing pigments which optimize the optical diffusion effect of light, and consequently cause the appearance of wrinkles, lines and discolorations to vanish and make the skin surface appear luminous, natural and flawless.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Makeup and foundation are used to create the appearance of an even skin tone. However, many users complain that these cosmetic products accentuate the appearance of their wrinkles and fine lines. This occurs because makeup builds up inside the crevice formed by the wrinkle. Traditional makeup products contain iron oxides as pigments to match the color of the skin. Iron oxides, inherently particulate, migrate into the crevice formed by a wrinkle or fine line in the skin. Therefore, when the makeup is initially applied, and after application, the makeup spreads on the skin, fills in the line, and in effect, highlights the wrinkle. As a result, the undesirable wrinkles, or flaws, are more noticeable. Because of this phenomenon, many users refrain from using makeup altogether, or do not apply makeup around, for example, their eye area because this region of the skin tends to have more fine lines and wrinkles, such as crows feet. Thus, using traditional pigments alone, the desired result of makeup, to provide an smooth and even looking skin tone, is defeated.
Even when makeup is not used on the skin, lines and wrinkles are visible on the skin and are considered, in a society that aims to achieve eternal youth, or at least the appearance of such, unattractive. The prominent appearance of lines and wrinkles on the skin is due to optical geometry. When light is directed in the direction of an object several events can occur depending on the nature of the object. One is the light can be directed as a reflection completely in one direction determined by the angle of incidence. This is similar to the well-known reflection phenomenon seen with a mirror. Another occurrence is the light can scatter in many different directions, or in a manner referred to as diffuse reflection. And also, the light can transmit through the object, if the object possesses sufficient transparency. This phenomenon also involves the refraction of light. As the light passes through the object its speed (or velocity) and wavelength changes according to the index of refraction, defined by the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the object. The light bends as it passes through the object.
When the surface of the skin is smooth, light is absorbed, reflected and scattered off the skin and is observed as a color according to how much light is absorbed and scattered. However, when light is directed toward a wrinkle it is unable to be reflected or even scattered in a way that is observable to the eye except as darkness or the absence of light. The light is non-reflected (in effect it is absorbed) because it becomes trapped inside of the crevice of the wrinkle, similar to the inorganic pigments. Therefore, light bounces inside the crevice but cannot reflect back out to the observing eye. As a result of this blockage, i.e., the inability of the light to be reflected, the eye observes a darkness (non-reflection) where the line or wrinkle is located on the skin.
To prevent the appearance of lines and wrinkles, makeup or foundation formulations have been modified to incorporate pigments which manipulate the light, and modify the appearance of the surface to which it is applied. Light manipulation, therefore, has become an important development in makeup products. Many products use optical diffusing powders or pearls to perfect the appearance of the skin. To prevent the appearance of wrinkles on the skin, the main goal of optically diffusing pigments is to prevent light from being trapped inside the crevice of a wrinkle. An optical light diffusing pigment can be for example, titanium dioxide, which physically fills the crevice but reflects light. As a result the line is masked and not highlighted because of the reflective nature of the titanium dioxide. However, this method has been found to be undesirable because it is too opaque and reflective. Therefore, it has been suggested that pigment not only diffuse light but also have a certain amount of transparency to overcome the mask-like appearance of titanium dioxide. Emmert, R., Dr., “Quantification of the Soft-Focus Effect”, Cosmetics & Toiletries, vol. 111, no. 7, p. 57 (1996). A number of conclusions were reached with respect to maximizing the efficiency of an optical light diffusing pigment. To begin, it is recommended that light absorption be minimized. The total transmissivity has to be high because transparent materials appear natural. However, the nature of the transmitted light has to be diffuse such that the light transmitted appears to be evenly distributed across the entire area of the observed skin (i.e., refraction). Specular reflection, i.e., light reflected as with a mirror, should be minimized. It is believed that luster increases the appearance of wrinkles.
In general, it has been accepted that glittery and pearly type pigments are not useful in traditional type makeup or foundations. These pigments, which exhibit high specular reflection, are used primarily in special cosmetic products that are considered alternative or “funky”. They are used for special occasions, or by a small group of “trendy” users. However, they are not used broadly in makeup products for daily use by the mainstream user. The present invention, however, contrary to the widespread belief that these types of pigments would increase the appearance of wrinkles, and therefore, be undesirable, has surprisingly found that, in combination with a number of different types of optical altering pigments, highly reflective pigments can be an essential part of an integrated pigment system designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a composition which comprises a first platelet of alumina treated with a metal oxide in combination with at least one second platelet treated with at least one spherical scattering component in a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The compositions of the present invention optically blur the appearance of lines, wrinkles, deformations, and discolorations on the skin surface. As a result of the blurring, observation of these skin flaws is prevented. The combined pigments also provide a natural skin color that closely matches the skin tone of the user. The spherical scattering component can be a spherical silica which also may be covered by a layer of titanium dioxide (TiO
2
). Because of their shimmering and glittery appearance, these pigments are not known to be formulated in a foundation for daily wear. Surprisingly, it has been found that this combination of platelets, without reliance on the traditional amount of metal oxides used in daily wear foundations, is suitable as a pigment for a foundation that closely matches the natural color of the skin. Therefore, the present invention includes compositions that are substantially free of metal oxides. It has been surprisingly found that topical application of these compositions to the skin causes the appearance of skin flaws to be minimized or prevented from being visible in an everyday makeup formulation.
The present invention also includes methods of preventing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin by blurring their ability to be observed. The alumina platelet treated with metal oxide and the platelet treated with the spherical scattering component are blended together based on their ability to manipulate light and provide a natural skin tone color. This combination of pigments when applied to the skin surprisingly produces a diffused reflection of light such that the observer views a smooth and flawless skin surface. The appearance of lines, wrinkles, minor def
Albers Marie
Cohen Isaac David
Oko Jennifer
Tan Manuel L.
Color Access Inc.
Howard S.
Lowney, Esq. Karen A.
Page Thurman K.
Price, Esq. Dorene M.
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