Patent Picks—Oxygenation, Self-heating, Anti-stress and More in Cleansing
By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer
Posted: August 20, 2012
Chosen biweekly for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to cleansing.
Sulfonated fatty acids, esters or salts thereof, and betaines or sultaines for foaming, thickening
US Patent Application 20120208898
Publication date: Aug. 16, 2012
Inventors: XM Dong, B Sajic and LL Whitlock
Described in this patent are personal care compositions and concentrates containing salts of sulfonated fatty acid esters and/or salts of sulfonated fatty acids, and an alkyl betaine or sultaine. Compositions include liquid hand soaps, bath and shower washes, shampoos, 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 shampoos, antidandruff shampoos and facial cleaners, among others. According to the inventors, these surfactant thickeners can be effectively used in combination with electrolytes to increase the viscosity of cleansing compositions. They further improve foaming, cleansing and the perceptual skin feel properties of cleansing products.
Salicylic acid and hydrolyzed milk protein for anti-acne
US Patent Application 20120207812
Publication date: Aug. 16, 2012
Assignee: Reckitt and Colman (Overseas) Ltd.
This invention discloses a skin care composition to treat acne comprising salicylic acid or a salt thereof and hydrolyzed milk protein. According to the patent, salicylic acid is known for its efficacy against acne. It is a topical keratolytic agent that works by dissolving the intercellular cement that holds epithelial cells together. In order to improve the efficacy of topical acne treatments, it is desired to formulate salicylic acid with oil control agents such as sebum regulators, which regulate the number of active glands or oil-absorbing agents that remove excess oil from the skin. However, the ingredients necessary to suspend the oil control agents are less stable at the acidic pH of the salicylic acid compositions, and satisfactory suspensions may not be formed. Surprisingly, it has been found that skin care compositions comprising salicylic acid and hydrolyzed milk protein have improved therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of acne by establishing a normal hydro-lipid film on the skin.