Patent Picks—Natural Preservatives, Beta-Lactam for Hair Growth, Allyl Caproate for Sensory and More

Chosen biweekly for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to actives for skin and hair care applications as well as inventions to improve formulation stability, preservation and sensory attributes.

Method for production of reduced coenzyme Q10 using water-containing organic solvent
US Patent 8063254
Publication date: Nov. 22, 2011
Assignee: Kaneka Corp.

The present invention describes a production method for reduced coenzyme Q10 using ascorbic acid or its analogue(s) as a reducing agent in a water-containing organic solvent, and at a pH no higher than 5. Via this method, the reaction time can be drastically shortened and undesired side reactions can be minimized, therefore producing a reduced coenzyme Q10 of high quality.

Compositions and methods for regulating mammalian keratinous tissue
US Patent 8063097
Publication date: Nov. 22, 2011
Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.

This patent relates to topical compositions for treating skin conditions, including regulating fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, sagging and skin discoloration. These cosmetic methods are accomplished via the topical application, to the skin of a mammal needing such treatments, compositions containing: a) a dialkanoyl hydroxyproline compound and at least one additional skin care active selected from hexamidine compounds and sugar amine compounds; or b) neutralized dialkanoyl hydroxy proline salts incorporated into the aqueous phase of either an emulsion or a solution. Also disclosed are methods for such regulation of keratinous tissue. The majority of these products are directed to delaying, minimizing or even eliminating skin wrinkling and other histological changes typically associated with the aging of skin or environmental damage to human skin.

Therapeutic beta-lactams for hair, eyelash growth
US Patent 8063033
Publication date: Nov. 22, 2011
Assignee: Allergan, Inc.

The compounds disclosed in this patent can be used to stimulate hair growth either via the conversion of vellus hair to terminal hair, or by increasing the rate of growth of terminal hair. In particular, the hair may be associated with the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, beard and other areas of the skin of animals. The compounds used are prostaglandin analogues and therefore have similar activities and structures to bimatoprost. In one embodiment, an ophthalmically acceptable liquid is formulated such that it can be administered topically to the eye and is packaged either for single use or containing a preservative to prevent contamination over multiple uses.

Cosmetic material comprising octyl hydroxy stearate oligomer for improved dissolution stability
European Patent EP2172185
Publication date: Nov. 23, 2011
Assignee: Parahermosa Co., Ltd.

This invention describes a cosmetic material offering excellent sensory characteristics, compatibility with silicone oil, and dispersion stability of pigments and colorants—as well as a good safety profile. Further, the material improves the dissolution stability of poorly soluble components such as crystalline long-wavelength UV absorbents that crystallize and precipitate easily during preservation, diethyl amino hydroxy benzoyl hexyl benzoate, and 4-tert-buthyl-4'-methoxy dibenzoyl methane. As a dissolution stabilizer, the material combines an octyl hydroxy stearate oligomer selected from a dimer to heptamer of octyl hydroxy stearate.

Compounds, formulations and methods for treating or preventing rosacea
European Patent Application EP2388007
Publication date: Nov. 23, 2011
Assignee: Galderma Pharma S.A.

In this patent, topical formulations are provided for the treatment or prevention of rosacea. The compounds included are α2 adrenoceptor agonists that act on the peripheral vasculature to cause vasoconstriction and thereby ameliorate the symptoms of rosacea. Intended for application via sprays, mists, aerosols, solutions, lotions, gels, creams, ointments, pastes, unguents, emulsions and suspensions, the compounds are delivered effectively in the skin of the patient but do not penetrate the skin in sufficient amounts to induce serious systemic side effects.

Compositions comprising quaternary ammonium compounds and organic carbonates
European Patent Application EP2387986
Publication date: Nov. 23, 2011
Assignee: Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH

Surprisingly, it has been found that compositions comprising quaternary ammonium compounds and at least one organic carbonate have low setting and melting points, good solubility and dispersability in aqueous media, a high flashpoint, are flakeable or pelletizable, and have a low VOC content. These compositions can be free from polyhydric alcohols, fatty alcohols and linear or branched alcohols having 8 to 36 carbon atoms and are nevertheless sufficiently hard and brittle at room temperature. These compositions are thus highly suitable for hair treatment formulations and other cosmetic, household or industrial applications utilizing quaternary ammonium compounds.

Process for producing o/w microemulsion preparation for external application
European Patent Application EP2387985
Publication date: Nov. 23, 2011
Assignee: Shiseido Co., Ltd.

According to this invention, the development of an o/w emulsion external preparation that is economical and easily produced without the need for a conventional cooling apparatus, as well as has long-term stability and smaller particle sizes, has been sought. The present invention thus provides a production method for a fine o/w emulsion external preparation having the emulsion particle size of 50 to 500 nm, and comprising the steps of mixing, at 70°C to 80°C: a) a hydrophilic nonionic surfactant, b) a linear higher alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms, c) an oil component, d) an aqueous solvent, which can be soluble in water, wherein the critical micelle concentration of the hydrophilic nonionic surfactant in the aqueous solvent is higher than that in water; and e) water, in the amount of 5% to 25% of the total amount of a) to e), to prepare a w/o emulsion. Then, while mixing with stirring, adding f) water or an aqueous formulation at 10°C to 35°C into the w/o emulsion to invert it to a fine o/w emulsion. The production method needs no cooling apparatus, has excellent economical efficiency, can easily produce a fine o/w emulsion external preparation with excellent safety and stability.

Antimicrobial compositions comprising benzoic acid
European Patent Application EP2387883
Publication date: Nov. 23, 2011
Assignee: Lonza Inc.

Due to the continued need for broad-spectrum, low cost and safe preservative systems, the present invention provides an antimicrobial composition including an effective amount of preservative, bactericide, and/or fungicide in a mixture comprising at least: a) benzoic acid or a salt thereof; b) δ-gluconolactone; and, optionally, one or more of: c) lemon grass oil; d) cinnamaldehyde; e) sorbic acid or a salt thereof; f) erythorbic acid or a salt thereof; g) arabinogalactan (galactoarabinan); h) a hexahydro-iso-alpha-acid or tetrahydro-iso-alpha-acid obtained from hops extracts or a mixture thereof; and i) Achillea fragrantissima (Santolina fragrantissima Forssk., lavender cotton) oil.

Antimicrobial compositions comprising cinnamaldehyde
European Patent Application EP2387882
Publication date: Nov. 23, 2011
Assignee: Lonza Inc.

According to this invention, natural products, while often safe, are generally expensive and do not have biocidal efficacy against a broad spectrum of organisms such as Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi; most natural products are only effective against Gram-positive bacteria when used at relatively high concentrations. The present invention therefore provides an antimicrobial composition comprising an effective amount of preservative, bactericide and/or fungicide in a mixture comprising at least: a) cinnamaldehyde and b) sorbic acid or a salt thereof; and optionally, one or more of: c) lemon grass oil; d) erythorbic acid or a salt thereof; e) benzoic acid or a salt thereof; f) arabinogalactan (galactoarabinan); g) a hexahydro-iso-alpha-acid or tetrahydro-iso-alpha-acid obtained from hops extracts or a mixture thereof; h) Achillea fragrantissima (Santolina fragrantissima Forssk., lavender cotton) oil; and (i) δ-gluconolactone.

Allyl caproate to enhance sensory benefits with continued use and, thereby, consumer preference
European Patent EP2143782
Publication date: Nov. 23, 2011
Assignee: Shiseido Company, Ltd.

The present inventors have found that consumer preference for products can be influenced by incorporating a perfume composition that is enhanced with continuous use via plural perfume ingredients. In particular, allyl caproate may be used in combination with other fragrance ingredients. Moreover, the inventors have found that a hair cleanser offering excellent use texture that improves with continuous use can be obtained by further formulating a particular ingredient typified by allyl caproate into a hair cleanser blended with an amphoteric surfactant, a cationic polymer and an N-acyl-N-methyltaurine-based anionic surfactant.

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