Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-17
2001-01-16
Page, Thurman K. (Department: 1615)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
C424S078030, C514S844000, C514S859000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174533
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of topical compositions for improving the appearance or other condition of skin. More particularly, the invention relates to topical compositions which provide good coverage of skin imperfections, e.g., pores and uneven skin tone, while retaining a natural skin appearance.
BACKGROUND
A variety of compounds have been described in the art as being useful for regulating fine lines, wrinkles and other forms of undesirable skin surface texture. In addition, Vitamin B
3
compounds, particularly niacinamide, have recently been found to provide measurable benefits in regulating skin condition, including regulating fine lines, wrinkles and other forms of uneven or rough surface texture associated with aged or photodamaged skin. However, many materials require multiple applications over an extended period to provide such appearance benefits. It would be advantageous to provide a topical composition which provides a more immediate improvement in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores and other forms of undesirable skin surface texture.
Particulate materials, including TiO
2
, have been included in skin care compositions. For example, emulsions may contain TiO
2
as an opacifying agent to provide a white appearance to the emulsion. Commercial sunscreening compositions may employ such particulates to impart a sunscreening effect. Several publications have also disclosed the use of TiO
2
in skin care compositions. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,559 and patent application Nos. DE 245815, WO 94/09756 and JP 08188723. In addition, R. Emmert has stated the desire to use optical means to formulate products that give the consumer an immediate, visual improvement (Dr. Ralf Emmert, Quantification of the Soft-Focus Effect, Cosmetics & Toiletries, Vol. 111, July 1996, pp. 57-61). Emmert discloses that one can mechanically fill in skin lines with a reflective substance such as TiO
2
. However, Emmert teaches that such reflective materials result in an undesirable mask-like appearance, and that one should therefore use a material that diffuses light yet is sufficiently transparent to avoid the mask-like appearance.
Previous topical compositions containing reflective materials such as TiO
2
, of which the present inventors are aware, either do not provide coverage sufficient to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections, or tend to result in unacceptable skin whitening or other unnatural appearance when applied to the skin. It has also now been found that materials which primarily diffuse light, rather than reflect light, do not provide good coverage of skin imperfections when used in amounts which are esthetically acceptable to consumers. More particularly, when used at relatively high concentrations to provide coverage, these materials suffer from unacceptable skin whitening.
The present inventors have now found that reflective materials such as TiO
2
can be formulated in topical compositions to provide good coverage of skin imperfections while retaining a generally natural appearance, e.g., without unacceptable skin whitening. The compositions are especially suitable for providing an immediate visual improvement in skin appearance.
It is an object of the present invention to provide topical compositions suitable for imparting an essentially immediate visual improvement in skin appearance. It is another object of the present invention to provide topical compositions containing a reflective particulate material, e.g., TiO
2
, which provide desirable coverage of skin imperfections such as pores and uneven skin tone, while maintaining a natural skin appearance (e.g., without unacceptable skin whitening). Another object of the present invention is to provide such topical compositions which are additionally useful for regulating skin appearance and/or condition, especially regulating textural or tonal discontinuities in skin (e.g., pores and uneven skin color).
The present invention also relates to methods of improving skin appearance and/or condition by topical application of the subject compositions.
These and other objects of this invention will become apparent in light of the following disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to topical compositions comprising a particulate material and a topical carrier, the particulate material having a refractive index of at least about 2 and a neat primary particle size of from about 100 nm to about 300 nm. The composition preferably contains from about 0.3% to about 2% of the particulate material. Preferred particulates are selected from TiO
2
, ZnO, and ZrO, with TiO
2
being more preferred. The compositions are useful for imparting an essentially immediate visual improvement in skin appearance, while maintaining a natural skin appearance.
Preferred compositions comprise an oil-in-water emulsion and further comprise a compound selected from the group consisting of emulsifiers, surfactants, structuring agents, thickening agents and combinations thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
All percentages and ratios used herein are by weight of the total composition and all measurements made are at 25° C., unless otherwise designated.
The compositions of the present invention can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, the essential as well as optional ingredients and components described herein. As used herein, “consisting essentially of” means that the composition or component may include additional ingredients, but only if the additional ingredients do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed compositions or methods.
All publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The term “topical application”, as used herein, means to apply or spread the compositions of the present invention onto the surface of the skin.
The term “dermatologically-acceptable,” as used herein, means that the compositions or components thereof so described are suitable for use in contact with human skin without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability, allergic response, and the like.
The term “safe and effective amount” as used herein means an amount of a compound, component, or composition sufficient to significantly induce a positive benefit, preferably a positive skin appearance or feel benefit, including independently the benefits disclosed herein, but low enough to avoid serious side effects, i.e., to provide a reasonable benefit to risk ratio, within the scope of sound medical judgment.
Active and other ingredients useful herein may be categorized or described herein by their cosmetic and/or therapeutic benefit or their postulated mode of action. However, it is to be understood that the active and other ingredients useful herein can in some instances provide more than one cosmetic and/or therapeutic benefit or operate via more than one mode of action. Therefore, classifications herein are made for the sake of convenience and are not intended to limit an ingredient to the particularly stated application or applications listed.
The compositions of the invention are useful for topical application and for providing an essentially immediate (i.e., acute) visual improvement in skin appearance following application of the composition to the skin. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that this acute skin appearance improvement results at least in part from therapeutic coverage or masking of skin imperfections by the particulate material. The compositions provide the visual benefits without imparting an unacceptable skin appearance such as skin whitening.
More particularly, the compositions of the present invention are useful for regulating skin condition, including regulating visible and/or tactile discontinuities in skin, including but not limited to visible and/or tactile discontinuities in skin texture and/or color, more especially discontinuities associated with skin aging. Such discontinuities may be induced or caused by internal and/or external factors. Extrinsic factors include ultraviolet ra
Dawes Nancy Coultrip
SaNogueira, Jr. James Pedrosa
Sine Mark Richard
Allen George W.
Howard S.
Matthews Armina E.
Page Thurman K.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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