Patent Picks—Delivering to Cells, Cold Processing, Stabilizing Retinol and More

By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer

Posted: October 30, 2012

Chosen biweekly for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to formulating aids and methods of delivery, stabilizing, processing and more.

Low energy, cold process formulation aid
US Patent 8299162
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Jeen International Corp.

An important characteristic of the cold process formulation aids disclosed in this patent is that, when combined with an aqueous medium at a temperature not exceeding ~ 30°C, a hydrogel is formed that can be combined with additional ingredients to form an o/w emulsion, or in certain embodiments, a w/o emulsion. The cold processing aids include a wax and a polymer having a backbone and a plurality of pendant groups thereon that are pendant ionic or ionizable groups, or pendant groups having at least one permanent dipole that includes an alcohol, thiol, ester, amide, imide, imine or nitrile moiety. The backbone can be an aliphatic backbone, a polysaccharide backbone, a siloxane backbone, or a polyamide backbone. Also provided is a method of making personal care products using the cold processing aid.

Peptide lipid-containing carrier and method for introducing compound into cells using same
US Patent 8299129
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Fukuoka Prefectural Government, Kyoto University and Dojindo Laboratories

The present invention describes a carrier that is capable of efficiently introducing a compound into cells. The carrier has low cytotoxicity and contains peptide lipids. Also disclosed is a method for introducing a compound into cells using the carrier. Any compound can be introduced, such as peptides, lipids, bioactive substances, diphenhydramine (antihistamine), diclofenac (anti-inflammatory drug) and moisturizers for cosmetics. Further, the carrier may comprise a molecule other than the aforementioned peptide lipid molecule. Examples include: an amphiphilic molecule, e.g., phospholipid; cationic lipid molecule; surfactant; polyethylene glycol; and peptide lipid or the like.

Method and composition for evenly applying water-soluble actives
US Patent 8299127
Publication date: Oct. 30, 2012
Assignee: Conopco Inc.

Disclosed in this patent are a method and composition for evenly applying water-soluble actives. The method involves applying a composition with a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) to skin and generating a film with a hydrophilic surface so that composition and active can be evenly applied. The end use composition utilized by this method has a contact angle against water that is greater than ~ 90 degrees before application, and less than ~ 70 degrees immediately after shear is applied.

There is no limitation with respect to the type of emulsifier that may be used other than the emulsifier should be suitable for use in a HIPE suitable for topical application. Such emulsifier often has an HLB of less than about 9, preferably less than about 7, and most preferably less than about 5. Illustrative examples of the type of emulsifier that may be used in this invention include those generally classified as polyether modified silicone surfactants like PEG/PPG-20/22 butyl ether dimethicone, PEG-3 dimethicone, PEG-9 methyl ether dimethicone, PEG-10 dimethicone, mixtures thereof or the like.