Patent Picks—Antimicrobials, Cleansers, Fragrance/Malodor and Delivery
By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer
Posted: December 8, 2010
Chosen biweekly by Rachel Grabenhofer, editor of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine, for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to hygiene, cleansing and fragrance.
Antimicrobial compositions
US Patent 7847123
Publication date: Dec. 7, 2010
Assignee: Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH (Essen, Germany)
This invention relates to antimicrobial compositions and their use in cosmetic preparations. There is reportedly a need for compounds that permit selective control of undesired microorganisms, in particular those that are established on the skin. Additionally, there is a need for compounds that are stable in nonpolar and polar (in particular aqueous) systems, and that have good skin compatibility as well as the ability to be formulated into cosmetic formulations.
Compounds that can be used according to this invention are, for example, based on glycolic acid, hydroxybutyric acids, hydroxyvaleric acids, hydroxycaproic acids and, in particular, lactic acid. In particular, these compounds permit selective control of undesired microorganisms on the skin and skin appendages without greatly influencing the normal flora present. The compounds of the invention are also stable to hydrolysis over a large pH range and can be incorporated into various cosmetic standard formulations. Moreover, the effectiveness of the compounds of the invention has no noteworthy dependence on the pH.
Ceramide emulsions
US Patent 7846969
Publication date: Dec. 7, 2010
Assignee: Kao Corp. (Tokyo, Japan)