January's Skin Care Patent Picks

By: Bud Brewster, Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine

Posted: January 6, 2009

page 2 of 4

7,439,396
Galderma Research & Development
Pharmaceutical/cosmetic compositions comprising novel ligands that activate RAR receptors
Novel ligand compounds that activate retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and have the structural formula given in the patent are suited for formulation into cosmetic compositions or pharmaceutical compositions useful in human or veterinary medicine. Cosmetic applications include body and hair hygiene, especially for treating acne-prone skin. Other suggested cosmetic uses are for promoting regrowth of the hair or for limiting hair loss, for combating the greasy appearance of the skin or the hair, for protection against the harmful aspects of sunlight or for the treatment of physiologically dry skin, and for preventing and/or combating photoinduced or chronological aging. 

7,431,949
E.T. Browne Drug Co., Inc.
Topical cosmetic compositions containing alpha arbutin
Disclosed is a topical tyrosinase-inhibiting combination using alpha arbutin and bearberry extract, in synergism, for the purpose of skin lightening. The active admixture is a dermatological serum comprised of alpha arbutin, octyl stearate and polyolprepolymer-2, introduced onto the human skin in liposome form for ultra-deep penetration. 

7,427,273 J
Japan Natural Laboratory Co., Ltd.
Skin beautification cosmetic system using iontophoresis device, ultrasonic facial stimulator, and cosmetic additive
The inventors describe a skin-beautification cosmetic system comprising an iontophoresis device, an infrared (including far infrared) generator, an ultrasonic vibrator, and a cosmetic composition. The system ensures effective action of moisturizing and whitening cosmetics without causing any problem in the skin. By specifying the type of cosmetic to be used, the system can ensure a more effective beautification action, can improve dry skin and aging skin that adversely affect the female skin, and can decompose and remove melanin. Moisturizing and/or whitening cosmetic components such as hydrophilic gel and ultrafine gel are applied to the face or skin or impregnated in a skin contact member section, following which iontophoresis high frequency vibration is applied to the face or skin for a prescribed period of time using an ultrasonic vibrator with a built-in high ionization iontophoresis device and infrared generator.

7,425,323
Mary Kay Inc.
Treatment and composition for achieving skin anti-aging benefits by corneum protease activation
Novel methods and compositions for treating aged and environmentally damaged skin are disclosed. They provide improvements in the skin's visual appearance, function and clinical/biophysical properties by activating at least one proteolytic enzyme in the skin's stratum corneum. The treatment methods involve topical application of a novel cosmetic composition containing a combination of a cationic surfactant such as N,N,-dimethyldodecyl amine oxide (DMDAO), an anionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), or monoalkyl phosphate (MAP) and a chelating agent such as ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) to stimulate a chronic increase in the replacement rate of the skin's stratum corneum by means of corneum protease activation. This chronic, low level stimulation is effective to induce repair and replacement of the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis of the skin; it also induces improvements in the appearance, function, and antiaging properties of the skin.

7,425,320
Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp.
Use of guaiol for treating the skin
Described are compositions comprising (–)-guaiol, further skin-lightening active substance(s) and, optionally, one or more UVA and/or UVB absorbers for skin lightening and melanogenesis inhibition.