Patent Picks—Cassia Deposition, Warming Substrates, Sol-gel Particles and More

By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer, Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine

Posted: April 20, 2011

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 delivery and deposition in the cosmetic, dermatological, pharmaceutical and household industries.

Aqueous carrier systems for lipophilic ingredients
European Patent EP1183008
Publication date: April 13, 2011
Assignee: L'Oréal

According to the present patent, despite difficulties in solubilization, certain organic phospholipids, such as lecithin, can advantageously give hair and skin a soft, moisturized feel because they have a strong affinity for the hydrophobic surface of the hair and skin. In addition, lipophilic ingredients, including hydrocarbons such as petrolatum, offer moisturizing and protecting properties that are also desirable in many applications including hair care and skin care. However, in addition to the difficulties encountered in solubilizing phospholipids, the incorporation of high concentrations or "loads" of lipophilic ingredients into an aqueous environment has proven difficult. The water-insoluble nature of these ingredients has made their utilization in aqueous environments complicated.

It would, therefore, be desirable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications to provide delivery systems that include such organic phospholipids as carriers for high loads of other lipophilic ingredients, without the need for alcohols and other similar solvents. The present invention relates to novel carrier systems based on organic phospholipids capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and suspending agents, wherein these carrier systems allow lipophilic materials to be incorporated into aqueous solutions.

Cationic cassia derivatives and applications thereof
US Patent 7923422
Publication date: April 12, 2011
Assignee: Lubrizol Advanced Materials Inc.