Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Cosmetic – antiperspirant – dentifrice
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-01
2003-03-18
Krass, Frederick (Department: 1614)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Cosmetic, antiperspirant, dentifrice
C424S062000, C424S063000, C424S070100, C424S078030, C424S078050, C514S557000, C514S784000, C514S785000, C514S844000, C562S587000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06534073
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Cosmetic methods and compositions for conditioning human skin by topical application to the skin of cosmetic compositions containing carboxymethylates of branched alcohols, and/or ethoxylates thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sebum is skin oil which is produced by sebocytes (cells of the sebaceous glands in the skin) and is then secreted to the skin surface. A frequent and undesirable skin condition is “oily skin,” the condition which results from the excessive amount of sebum on the skin. Oily skin is associated with a shiny, undesirable appearance and a disagreeable tactile sensation and affects various age groups. Therefore, cosmetic products which provide both sebum control and anti-aging benefits are highly desirable.
The prior art discloses branched alcohols as compounds which provide skin benefits such as sebum suppression. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,109 issued to Burger et al. (hereinafter “Burger '109”) teaches the use of a noncylic polyunsaturated diterpene alcohol, geranyl geraniol, in combination with a retinol as a skin conditioning composition. Burger '109 discloses sebum suppression as one advantage of the branched alcohol in combination with retinol. U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,850 issued to Hata et al. discloses topical compositions containing C
18
saturated or unsaturated alcohol with four methyl branches for treating or preventing acne.
A problem exists in that branched alcohols alone inherently possess an unpleasant odor, characteristic of vinyl or a “new car smell,” making application in cosmetic skin conditioning compositions highly undesirable. Moreover, branched alcohols themselves are water-insoluble.
Derivatives of branched alcohols have also been disclosed in the prior art for a variety of uses, such as personal cleansing compositions. For example, WO 9918928 assigned to The Proctor & Gamble Company, discloses personal cleansing compositions comprising branched surfactant systems having a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group. The hydrophobic group comprises mid-chain branched and linear surfactant compounds. The hydrophilic group is selected from the group consisting of sulfate and/or ethoxylates thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,443 issued to Springmann (hereinafter “Springmann '443”) discloses a process for the carboxymethylation of alcohols or ether alcohols in a single stage. Springmann '443 teaches the use of both straight chain and branched alcohols as suitable starting alcohols.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 issued to Cripe et al. (hereinafter “Cripe '303”) discloses detergent surfactant compositions derived from mid-chain branched primary alkyl hydrophobic groups and hydrophilic groups. Specifically, Cripe '303 discloses alkyl sulfates for application in laundry and cleaning compositions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,112 issued to Birtwistle et al. discloses topical cleansing (detergent) compositions containing an alcohol and an alkyl or alkenyl phosphate salt.
The prior art cited above does not seem to suggest or disclose cosmetic compositions or methods for skin conditioning which avoid the negative characteristics of branched alcohols. Therefore, a need remains for cosmetic compositions that retain the beneficial effects of branched alcohols in relation to sebum suppression and skin conditioning while avoiding the unpleasant odor and water-insolubility associated with such alcohols.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a skin care cosmetic composition comprising:
(i) from about 0.001% to about 50% of a compound of the formula A:
R—O—M (A)
wherein:
R is a branched alkyl chain having at least 9 carbon atoms, generally from 9 to 15 atoms, and at least two branches;
O is an oxygen atom; and
M is (—CH
2
CO
2
X) or (—(CH
2
CH
2
O)
n
—CH
2
CO
2
X) and mixtures thereof, where n is an integer of at least 1 and X is hydrogen or a cation; and
(ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.
The present invention also includes a cosmetic method of controlling or preventing an oily skin condition, especially in the facial area, by applying to the skin the inventive composition.
The invention also includes a cosmetic method of reducing, preventing or controlling sebum secretion from sebocytes by applying the inventive composition.
The invention also includes a cosmetic method of stimulating collagen synthesis by fibroblasts in the skin, by applying to the skin the inventive composition. The inventive methods and compositions provide control of sebum secretion from sebocytes, improved oil control and improved skin feel, and prevent shine and stickiness, while also providing anti-aging benefits which results in reduced appearance of wrinkles and aged skin, improved skin color, treatment of photoaged skin, improvement in skin's radiance and clarity and finish, and an overall healthy and youthful appearance of the skin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about.” All amounts are by weight of the oil-in-water emulsion, unless otherwise specified.
The term “skin” as used herein includes the skin on the face, neck, chest, back, arms, hands, legs and scalp.
The inventive methods and compositions include a carboxymethylate of a branched alcohol, and/or ethoxylates thereof (hereinafter “compound A”), and are of the general formula A:
R—O—M (A)
wherein:
R is a branched alkyl chain having at least 9 carbon atoms, generally from 9 to 15 atoms, and at least two branches;
O is an oxygen atom; and
M is (—CH
2
CO
2
X) or (—(CH
2
CH
2
O)
n
—CH
2
CO
2
X) and mixtures thereof,
where n is an integer of at least 1 and X is hydrogen or a cation. The cation may be selected from the group consisting of sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese and amines including quartenary alkyl amines, but is not limited thereto.
The branched alkyl chain of the present invention is derived from a branched alcohol having at least 9 carbon atoms and at least two branches, as noted above. As seen in Example 1 discussed infra, alcohols with less than 9 carbons do not aid in collagen synthesis. The preferred alcohols from which the inventive compositions are derived contain a total of at least 10 carbon atoms in order to obtain maximum efficacy. The most preferred alcohols from which the inventive compositions are derived, contain from 2 to 5 branches, in order to maximize efficacy at minimum cost. Preferably, the branches are methyl branches, due to commercial availability. The alcohol may contain a mix of various chain lengths' alcohols. Such mixed alcohol is suitable in deriving the inventive compositions, as long as the predominant alcohol in the mix contains a total of at least 9 carbon atoms and at least two branches.
Carboxymethylation of the branched alcohol involves the addition of a carboxyl group to the branched alcohol. Compound A is derived from alcohols which are commercially available, e.g. from Exxon or Henkel. Ethoxylation involves first directly adding an ethylene oxide to the branched alcohol, followed by carboxymethylation.
The salt forms of compound A (where M is a cation in formula A) are preferred because they provide a neutral pH for the inventive compositions before application to the skin to avoid irritation. Moreover, the salts dissociate upon contact with the skin to release the beneficial characteristics of the anionic nature of the inventive compositions. Preferably, sodium salt is used because of commercial availability.
Compound A of the present invention retains the beneficial sebum suppression qualities of branched alcohols while eliminating the unpleasant odor. Moreover, compound A is an anionic surfactant, thus providing a negative charge that aids in binding the surfactant onto the skin's surface. The water soluble characteristic effectuates delivery into the skin. Moreover, as compar
Bajor John Steven
Boen Laurence
Harichian Bijan Steven
Krass Frederick
Ostrup Clinton
Plotkin Ellen
Unilever Home & Personal Care USA , division of Conopco, Inc.
LandOfFree
Skin care cosmetic compositions containing carboxymethylates... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Skin care cosmetic compositions containing carboxymethylates..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Skin care cosmetic compositions containing carboxymethylates... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3010342