Patent Picks—Acacia, Hyaluronan, Porous Keratin and More in Skin Care

By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer

Posted: February 29, 2012

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Polymer particles dispersed in liquid fatty phases for skin care
US Patent 8124112
Publication date: Feb. 28, 2012
Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.

The present disclosure, in one embodiment, relates to a cosmetic composition for caring for or making up the skin and/or epidermal derivatives and/or lips that comprises a physiologically acceptable medium consisting of: a) at least one liquid fatty phase, b) a dispersion of at least one polymer particle in the liquid fatty phase, and c) at least one ester of at least one carboxylic acid comprising 1 to 7 carbons, and at least one polyol comprising at least 4 hydroxyl groups; the ester having a molecular mass of less than 5,000 g/mol. This composition forms a film on the skin, epidermal derivatives or lips that does not undergo transfer, has good staying power and goes on easily. Cosmetic, dermatological, hygienic or pharmaceutical actives that can be used in the composition may be moisturizers, vitamins, essential fatty acids, sphingolipids and sunscreens.

Random ethylene oxide copolymer and non-random alkylene oxide(s) polymer with bioactive agents
US Patent 8124687
Publication date: Feb. 28, 2012
Assignee: Syncera, Inc.

Described herein is a polymeric material, preferably a polymer alloy, consisting of: at least one random copolymer comprised of ethylene oxide and one or more other alkylene oxide(s), an at least one non-random polymer comprised of one or more poly(alkylene oxide)s. Alkylene oxide homopolymers or block copolymers may be the non-random polymer. In a related discovery, an adhesive material can be made by suspending particles in a matrix of at least one poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, or a combination thereof, of which the handling characteristics may be adjusted for different utilities, e.g., from runny oil to hard wax. Applications include use as adhesive, cohesive, filler, lubricant, surfactant or any combination thereof.

In particular, the hard materials may be used for cleaning or waxing. The compositions are also suitable as a matrix for particulate material, adhesive/cohesive, filler and/or lubricant; they may also be used as dispersing or suspending agents, emulsifiers, extenders, thickeners and/or bodying agents for compositions, in particular for cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. For example, the formulation can be used as a cleanser bar that can be further enhanced by including other cleansing agents, boosters, colorants, fragrances and moisturizers in the formulation.