Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Topical sun or radiation screening – or tanning preparations
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2002-06-18
Dodson, Shelley A. (Department: 1616)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Topical sun or radiation screening, or tanning preparations
C424S060000, C424S400000, C424S401000, C514S714000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06406682
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel cosmetic/dermatological compositions comprising at least one extract of at least one plant from the genus Saxifraga, for the artificial tanning, browning and/or darkening of human skin, imparting thereto an artificial coloration closely resembling that of a natural tan, and to the use of such novel compositions for the cosmetic applications indicated above.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is today increasingly important to have a healthy appearance, and tanned skin is always a sign of good health. However, a natural tan is not always desirable since it necessitates prolonged exposure to UV radiation, in particular to UV-A radiation which is liable to induce an adverse change in the skin, in particular in the case of sensitive skin or of skin which is continually exposed to solar radiation. It is thus desirable to provide an alternative to a natural tan, which is compatible with the requirements of such skin types.
Most of the cosmetic products intended for artificially tanning the skin are based on carbonyl compounds which, by interacting with the amino acids in the skin, permit the formation of colored species.
Thus, it is known to this art that dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is a particularly advantageous substrate which is commonly employed in cosmetics as an artificial tanning agent for the skin; when applied to the skin, in particular to the face, it elicits a tanning or browning effect similar in appearance to that which may result from prolonged exposure to sunlight (natural tanning) or under a UV lamp.
Nonetheless, topical application of DHA may present certain drawbacks. Thus, DHA has an unfortunate tendency, which is more or less pronounced depending on the nature of the medium in which it is formulated, to degrade over time, this degradation generally being ultimately reflected by an undesirable yellowing of the compositions containing same. The effect of such a phenomenon is that the activity of DHA, and in particular its ability to color the skin, may be reduced at the point in time of application of these compositions onto the skin. Hence, the intensity of the coloration imparted to the skin may appear as still insufficient.
Another drawback of DHA is the slow speed at which the coloration develops: specifically, several hours are required (in general 3 to 5 hours) in order for the coloration to be revealed. Furthermore, the coloration produced on the skin by DHA is often considered as being too yellow by users.
There is thus an increasing demand for self-tanning products which act rapidly and provide a coloration which is closer to that of a natural tan.
With a view towards satisfying this need, it has been proposed to combine DHA with various products: thus, WO-95/15742 describes the combination of DHA with amino acids. However, the use of such combinations is highly impractical since it requires either a two-stage application or complex separate packagings. FR-2,726,761 describes the combination of DHA with lawsone and/or juglone: in this instance also, such combination is unsatisfactory, this time on account of the risks of sensitization provided thereby.
Thus, serious need continues to exist for novel products and novel compositions which can artificially impart to the skin a coloration closely approximating that of a natural tan in a simple, effective, rapid and risk-free manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has now unexpectedly and surprisingly been determined that certain specific compounds impart to the skin a long-lasting artificial coloration closely resembling that of a natural tan, and this immediately after topically applying such compounds onto the skin.
Briefly, the present invention features novel cosmetic/dermatological compositions well suited for artificially tanning the skin, comprising, formulated into a physiologically acceptable support (vehicle, diluent or carrier), an effective self-tanning amount of at least one extract of at least one plant from the genus Saxifraga.
The present invention thus also features the use of at least one extract as described above in, or for the production of, compositions suited for artificially coloring the skin.
This invention also features a cosmetic regime/regimen for the skin to impart coloration thereto, comprising topically applying onto the skin an effective amount of an extract or of a cosmetic composition as described above.
The compositions and the applications thereof in accordance with the invention make it possible to obtain an artificial coloration close to that of a natural tan within an exceptionally short time period. Thus, an immediate coloration is obtained, which permits a visualization of the application and consequently better homogeneity in the spreading of the composition on the skin and thus the coloration resulting therefrom. Furthermore, the artificial coloration provided on the skin according to the invention is extremely close to that of a natural tan and also very resistant to water and to the environment/weather (it can persist on the skin for several days).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODE AND SPECIFIC/PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
More particularly according to the present invention, the extracts employed are extracts of at least one plant from the genus Saxifraga, as described by G. Bonnier in
La Grande Flore
from Gaston Bonnier Editions Belin, Nov. 1990, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique & Delachaux & Nestlé S. A. The invention thus relates to plants of the genus Saxifraga as described by G. Bonnier.
The plants of the genus Saxifraga are known on the one hand as ornamental plants, but also for phytotherapy applications because of their aperitive, astringent, cholagogic and/or diuretic properties.
However, their use as skin-coloring agents as described above was hitherto unknown.
The plants of the genus Saxifraga belong to the family of Saxifragacea and the genus comprises about 630 species, among which are, for example and without limitation,
Saxifraga cuneifolia, Saxifraga glaucescens, Saxifraga rotundifolia, Saxifraga granulata, Saxifraga bulbifera, Saxifraga umbrosa
and
Saxifraga tridactylites.
The extract of at least one plant from the genus Saxifraga according to the invention is advantageously an extract of a plant from a species selected from among
Saxifraga cuneifolia, Saxifraga glaucescens, Saxifraga rotundifolia, Saxifraga granulata, Saxifraga bulbifera, Saxifraga umbrosa
and
Saxifraga tridactylites.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extract of at least one plant from the genus Saxifraga is an extract of a plant from a species selected from among
Saxifraga glaucescens, Saxifraga rotundifolia
and
Saxifraga granulata.
The extract of at least one plant from the genus Saxifraga according to the invention can be recovered from plant material derived from the whole plant or from a plant part such as the leaves, stems, flowers, petals or roots, or alternatively from undifferentiated cells thereof.
By the expression “undifferentiated plant cells” is intended any plant cell which exhibits none of the characteristics of a specific specialization and which is capable of living by itself and independently of other cells.
According to the invention, the whole or entire plant is preferably employed, particularly the stem and/or the leaves and most preferably the leaves.
The extract of at least one plant from the genus Saxifraga can be any extract prepared from any plant material derived from at least one plant from the genus Saxifraga cultivated in vivo or obtained from in vitro culturing.
By the expression “in vivo culturing” is intended any culturing of conventional type, i.e., in soil in the open air or in a greenhouse, or alternatively without soil.
By the expression “in vitro culturing” is intended the set of techniques known to this art which makes it possible to artificially obtain a plant or a part of a plant. The pressure of selection imposed by the physicochemical conditions during the growth of the plant cells in vitro
Belcour-Castro Beatrice
Galup Cédric
Martin Richard
Burns Doane Swecker & Mathis L.L.P.
Dodson Shelley A.
Societe L'Oreal
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