Patent Picks—Electricity for Acne, Microvesicle Moisture, Anchoring Films and More

By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer

Posted: April 11, 2012

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Several approaches have been used to treat damaged skin caused by aging, environmental factors, chemicals or malnutrition but many cause significant irritation to the skin or skin toxicity. According to the inventors, however, the disclosed compounds overcome deficiencies in the art.  These compounds include an acid molecule attached to a glyceryl molecule via an ester linkage. The compounds may be incorporated into a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for topical application to skin or can be included in a cosmetic vehicle such as emulsions, creams, lotions, solutions, anhydrous bases, gels and ointments. In other embodiments, the compositions may be included in anti-aging, cleansing or moisturizing products. Further, the compounds of the present invention can have a wide variety of uses such as for moisturizing, film-forming, UV absorption and other skin treatments.

Moisturizing compositions
European Patent EP1670419
Publication date: April 11, 2012
Assignee: The Gillette Company

The present invention provides compositions containing multi-layered vesicles, e.g., microvesicles, which are used as the moisturizing component of compositions to provide a good balance of moisture and desirable aesthetic properties, such as good rub-in and skin after-feel. Preferred compositions are relatively low cost and can be produced using conventional mixing and homogenization techniques without the need for excessively high shear or the use of deleteriously high levels of skin-irritating surfactants or emulsifiers. The use of preferred vesicles allows a wide range of skin care actives, including water- and oil-soluble ingredients, to be delivered to the user without compromising moisturization or aesthetic properties.

Combination of acid protease enzymes and acidic buffers and uses thereof
European Patent EP1598057
Publication date: April 11, 2012
Assignee: Active Organics Inc.

This invention relates to novel compositions for treating or preventing abnormal skin conditions, diseases or disorders; for improving the texture or appearance of the skin; for enhancing epidermal exfoliation; and/or for enhancing epidermal cell renewal. The composition comprises at least one acid protease and an acidic buffer. For purposes of this invention, the acid protease is an enzyme which exhibits peptidyl hydrolase (proteolytic) activity below the average pH of the surface of the skin and is significantly inactive at a pH greater than or equal to the average pH of the surface of the skin, which is about pH 5.5 for humans. For men, the average pH of the surface of the skin is about pH 5.3 and for women, it is about pH 6.