Patent Picks—Chia Seed Extract, Bayberry Extract; Retinoids, Adapalene, Coumarin and More for Skin Lightening

By: Katie Anderson (Schaefer), Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine

Posted: September 14, 2011

Skin whitening composition containing chia seed extract
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/109139
Publication Date: Sept. 9, 2011
Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC, J Rana, G Diwakar and J Scholten

The disclosed topical composition includes an alcohol-extracted Salvia hispanica seed extract in a glycol carrier in an amount effective for inhibiting melanin content in an individual. The extract may be extracted in a C1-C4 ethanol and resuspended in a glycol carrier with one or more permeation enhancers. The topical composition may further include a Punica granatum extract. Methods for making and using the composition for whitening skin in an individual are also described.

Skin-whitening agent, anti-aging agent and skin care cosmetic agent
United States Patent Application 20110212041
Publication Date: Sept. 1, 2011
Inventors: K Tohi and H Iwahashi

A skin-whitening agent or anti-aging agent is provided that contains at least one of the following extracts: bayberry extract, blue flag extract, Japanese pepper extract, cowslip extract, lemon verbena extract, hairy agrimony extract, blueberry extract, celery extract, salt cedar extract and passion fruit extract.

The skin-whitening agent has at least one activity selected from the group consisting of: tyrosinase inhibitory activity, activity to suppress melanin production, activity to suppress the expression of SCF mRNA, activity to suppress the expression of endothelin-1 mRNA, activity to suppress the expression of bFGF mRNA and activity to suppress the expression of POMC mRNA.