Patent Picks—Reactivating Sunscreens; Etched UV Protection; Jaboticaba/Cashew Skin Care; Water-soluble Sunscreens

Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources and cover recent patents issued or applied for in the cosmetic and personal care industries and relevant peripheral markets. This edition features sun protection and skin repair technologies.

Sunscreen composite particles for UVA and UVB protection
U.S. Patent 8524203
Publication date: Sept. 3, 2013
Assignee: Conopco Inc.

According to this patent, dibenzoylmethane derivatives are known sunscreens capable of absorbing UVA rays but they are relatively sensitive to UV rays. Moreover, dibenzoylmethane derivatives are essentially ineffective against UVB and often require formulation with other UVB sunscreens like p-methoxycinnamic acid; however, such UVB sunscreens also tend to accelerate the decomposition of dibenzoylmethane derivatives. Thus, compositions containing both dibenzoylmethane derivatives and p-methoxycinnamic acid must frequently be applied by consumers to ensure adequate protection.

The present invention describes particles comprising: a) a UVA sunscreen suitable to undergo keto-enol tautomerization; b) a resin; and c) a solvent in which the UVA sunscreen is soluble and has a dielectric constant from about 5.5 to about 9. Said particles are unexpectedly suitable to provide both improved UVA protection and UVB protection and are substantially free of supplied UVB sunscreen.

Azobenzene compounds for reactivating sunscreens
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/123658
Publication date: Aug. 29, 2013
Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC and J Wang

Disclosed in this patent are azobenzene compounds attached to a heterocycle group and/or a cholesterol group such as at least one of the following: a heterocycle group, a cholesterol group, or both a heterocycle group and a cholesterol group. Exposing the surface of these compounds to a source of UV light converts the trans azobenzene to a cis azobenzene, then allowing the cis azobenzene to return to the trans azobenzene forms reactivated trans azobenzene, which can be reactivated (or regenerated). Thus, a method of reactivating (or regenerating) a sunscreen is also provided.

Etching interferential UV screening agents for improved transparency, efficacy
European Patent EP1904187
Publication date: Aug. 21, 2013
Assignee: L'Oréal

According to this invention, current photoprotective compositions use sunscreens and/or inorganic pigments but combinations of sunscreens are often required for efficient broad-spectrum protection, and the screening effects of pigments are due to absorption as well as light diffusion, making them visible on the skin. Thus, a need exists to combine both screening with high spectral selectivity and satisfactory transparency in the visible region. This invention is based on the idea that certain interferential pigments may prove effective in achieving this objective, namely being sufficiently colorless and transparent in the visible region and relatively opaque in the UV region.

Described by this patent is a photoprotective composition comprising at least one interferential screening agent for UVA and/or UVB, wherein said agent is grated with a periodicity of 270 nm or less by etching into the bulk of the material or after depositing it onto an organic or mineral substrate of spherical or lamellar form. Etching may be carried out so that diffraction of the light in the visible region is minimum, in order to minimize colored effects. The etching periodicity and its thickness determine the efficiency of the system in attenuating UV radiation. The agent may also comprise two diffraction gratings that extend in non parallel directions, for example, two perpendicular directions. This can increase absorption in the UV of circularly polarized incident light and reduce the dependence of the screening performance on the angle of incidence.

Water-soluble polyaminoamides as sunscreen agents
European Patent EP1675886
Publication date: Aug. 21, 2013
Assignee: Nalco Company

According to this invention, commonly used UV absorbers such as benzotriazoles and benzophenone are highly effective in their UV absorber capacity. However, they can be costly and prove difficult to incorporate within different target media. Furthermore, UV absorbers of this type show no substantivity to hair and present handling difficulties in that they are generally produced and used in powder form, and have relatively low melting points. A liquid would be much easier to handle, not require melting, and provide more effective and thorough mixing throughout the target material. Thus, disclosed in this patent are water-soluble polyaminoamides comprising UV-absorbing end groups, wherein the UV-absorbing end groups contain aromatic acyl and/or sulfonyl derivative moieties. Thess polyaminoamides absorb UV radiation between 200 nm to 420 nm. 

Jasmonic acid for wound and skin care compositions
U.S. Patent 8524771
Publication date: Sept. 3, 2013
Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.

This patent discloses compositions and methods to stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts or keratinocytes and/or stimulate the production of collagen by fibroblasts using jasmonic acid compounds. These compositions are reportedly useful for treating wounds, stimulating gum tissue growth and for reversing the effects of aging on skin. Specifically described is a concentration of jasmonic acid ranging from about 10−6 M to about 10−4 M in a dermatologically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and the incorporation of a gibberellic acid compound or a zeatin compound.

Palm oil for skin moisture, maintenance
U.S. Patent 8524292
Publication date: Sept. 3, 2013
Assignee: Pacific Specialty Oils Inc.

The present inventors have reportedly overcome the need for a cosmeceutical formulation containing carotenoids, tocopherols and tocotrienols by preparing a cosmeceutical formulation made from votated palm oil, palm stearin and/or palm olein; and where appropriate, by using the procedures of structured lipid manufacture to tailor the melting point, consistency and texture of the formulation. This patent describes a cosmeceutical formulation including a mixture of refined, bleached, deodorized (RBD) palm oils and red palm olein. The resulting formulations are homogeneous blends with considerable shelf-life, useful for creams, lotions, sunscreens, or soaps wherein additional beneficial oils and EFAs are desired. 

The formulations described surprisingly avoid the problems associated with the pigmentation and crystallization of palm oil products while at the same time, providing and enhancing all the nutritional benefits of palm oil. Accordingly, the resulting formulation is a golden-colored cream that is rich in carotenoids, tocopherols and tocotrienols. The cosmeceutical formulation is reportedly unnoticeable upon application, is readily absorbed in the skin, and has a pleasing homogeneous consistency throughout its shelf-life.

Biomarker genes for evaluating the efficacy of protection from long UVA rays
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/121029
Publication Date: 08/22/2013
Assignee: L'Oréal

This invention relates to the use of biomarker genes for the exposure of the skin to long UVA rays for measuring the efficacy of protection from sunscreen products, and for screening for photoprotective compounds.

Topical jaboticaba and cashew fruit for anti-aging, anti-inflammation
US Patent Application 20130216636
Publication date: Aug. 22, 2013
Assignee: Mary Kay Inc.

Disclosed here are compositions and methods of use that include jaboticaba fruit pulp and/or cashew fruit pulp or extracts thereof. In one aspect, a topical skin care composition is described comprising the extracts to increase hyaluronic acid synthesis and inhibit COX-1 and TNF-α synthesis in skin during use. In addition, the specified dermatologically acceptable carriers in the formulations are unique in their excellent tactile properties, safe use on skin, and the environment they provide to allow the jaboticaba and/or cashew fruit extracts to remain stable and effective while also enabling their efficient distribution to the skin once topically applied. Therefore, minimal amounts of these extracts are needed in the composition to bring about the desired results.

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