Patent Picks—Pigments, Surface Treatments, Vibrating Applicators, Cooling Sebum Control and More

Chosen biweekly for their relevance to personal care by Rachel Grabenhofer, editor of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to color cosmetics and makeup technologies.

Fine hollow powder; thin, flaky titanium oxide powder obtained by pulverizing the powder; and processes for producing the same
US Patent 7943114
Publication date: May 17, 2011
Assignee: Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.

This invention describes fine, hollow powder with a titanium oxide shell obtained by spray-drying an exfoliated titania sol; a thin, flaky titanium oxide powder obtained by pulverizing the powder; and processes for producing the powder. These powders are said to have distinguished dispersibility and are useful for additives to cosmetics, pigments, paints, etc. In addition, the hollow powder is said to have distinguished flowability and is useful for seed particles for flow measurements.

Extended moisturization cosmetic compositions
US Patent Application 20110111063
Publication date: May 12, 2011
Inventors: A Yokozeki

According to the inventor of this patent, it is desirable to provide a cosmetic powder, such as in the form of a foundation, that continually conditions the skin. Thus, the current patent discloses a cosmetic composition providing skin moisturization for extended periods of time. It achieves these results by incorporating, into a powder composition, a sufficient amount of an extract of an epiphyte, sometimes called “air plant,” to speed moisturization to the skin in combination with a cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable carrier. Also described is a method for providing the extended skin moisturizing effect.

Surface-treated powder and cosmetic comprising the same
US Patent Application 20110110995
Publication date: May 12, 2011
Assignee: Miyoshi Kasei Inc. and Daikin Industries, Ltd.

This invention discloses a surface-treated powderhaving excellent usability and adhesion to skin for use in various cosmetics. The surface treatment includes a fluorine-containing monomer and an alkoxy group-containing monomer.

Personal care compositions having improved compatibility and providing improved sun protection
US Patent Application 20110110873
Publication date: May 12, 2011
Assignee: Dow Corning Corp.

Described in this invention are personal care compositions with improved compatibility that provide improved sun protection by including a liquid silicone resin having greater than 50 mole percent Me3SiO1/2 and PrSiC3/2 units, where Me is methyl and Pr is propyl in the composition. If desired, to enable additional compatibility of ingredients, the liquid silicone resin can also contain PhSiO3/2 or Ph2SiO2/2 units, where Ph is phenyl or a mixture thereof. The liquid silicone resin is used in any form but mainly as part of cosmetic compositions in the form of dispersions and emulsions, solid or liquid. These liquid silicone resins are useful in a number of different products, including hair care and skin care products as well as lipsticks, eye makeup, foundations, fingernail polish, sunscreens, color cosmetics, antiperspirant/deodorant products and others.

Method of controlling oil-absorbing properties of a silicone rubber powder
US Patent Application 20110105627
Publication date: May 5, 2011
Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.

One objective of the present invention is to provide a method for stabilizing the oil-absorbing properties of a silicone powder suitable for use in cosmetic materials, especially for powders mixed with oil.The method described involves keeping the rubber powder in hot storage at temperatures ranging from 40°C to 150°C, or in cold storage at temperatures ranging from 0°C to 10°C.

Cosmetic composition with good spreadability, low stickiness and good coverage 
US Patent Application 20110104222
Publication date: May 5, 2011
Assignee: Kao Corp.

This patent covers a cosmetic composition that has good spreadability and low stickiness; provides a comfortable, no-film feeling upon use; makes rough skin parts such as pores hardly visible; and makes fine wrinkles hardly form creases with time. The composition contains: a) from 0.1% w/w to 30% w/w of a vinyl-based polymer having a carbosiloxane dendrimer structure in a side chain thereof; b) from 0.1% w/w to 30% w/w of a nonvolatile cosmetic oil in a liquid form at 25°C and that has a solubility parameter of 16.5 or greater; and c) from 0.1% w/w to 30% w/w of a hydrophobic powder. Within the composition, the weight ratio of a/b is from 0.3 to 5.

Methods and cosmetic preparations for the sustained delivery of therapeutic agents to the eye US Patent Application 20110104083
Publication date: May 5, 2011
Assignee: Intratus Inc.

Disclosed in this invention are cosmetic compositions including therapeutic agents, for the treatment of various eye conditions, and methods of use. In particular, described are cosmetic compositions comprising ophthalmic therapeutic agents in combination with a muscle fasciculating agent for application to the outer surface of the upper eyelid and perimeter of the eyelid and/or eyelashes, which thereby transfer the therapeutic agents into the vascular network within the eyelid for delivery into all parts of the eye. One aspect of the invention includes these therapeutic agents in addition to cosmetic agents such as pigments, moisturizers and the like in cosmetic preparations including creams, lotions, eye shadows, mascaras, gels, makeup formulations, powders, liquids, sunscreens, self-tanning creams or lotions.

A method of applying makeup by means of a vibrating applicator
European Patent Application EP2316302
Publication date: May 4, 2011
Assignee: L'Oréal

The inventors of this patent have developed a vibrating applicator for applying a cosmetic composition that comprises an applicator element that is elastically compressible and/or porous, and a vibration source for the applicator. The applicator is fastened onto a receptacle containing the composition to be applied. The makeup composition may be applied to nails, skin, keratinous fibers such as the eyelashes or eyebrows, lips, the face, etc. According to the patent, the composition is different from toothpastes and body scrubs and in particular may contain inedible pigments. The invention may reportedly be useful when the product to apply has a high viscosity.

Cooling, sebum-controlling cosmetic skin preparation
US Patent 7935358
Publication date: May 3, 2011
Assignee: Kao Corp.

Disclosed in this invention is a cosmetic skin preparation comprising a porous powder that contains water absorbed therein, and whose surface is coated with a binder containing a cross-linked type organopolysiloxane. The skin preparation can reportedly continually suppress the stickiness caused by sebum while giving a cooling sensation, thus mitigating the discomforts of oily skin. In addition, it is suitable as a cosmetic preparation for the removal of sebum or as a cosmetic preparation for the concealment of unevenness such as pores, wrinkles and the like. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent storage stability.

Goniochromatic/light reflective cosmetic compositions
US Patent Application 20110097366
Publication date: April 28, 2011
Assignee: Societe L'Oréal

This patent covers goniochromatic/light reflecting cosmetic compositions that are well-suited for making up the skin, lips, hair or integuments. The compositions contain at least one goniochromatic coloring agent and an amount of light reflective particles different from the goniochromatic coloring agent selected from: particles of a natural or synthetic substrate at least partially coated with at least one layer of at least one metal; particles of a synthetic substrate at least partially coated with at least one layer of at least one metallic compound; particles which comprise a stack of at least two layers of materials having different refractive indices, at least one of such layers optionally comprising a polymer; and metal oxide particles. These components are formulated into a topically applicable, physiologically acceptable medium.

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