Patent Picks—Soy, Vitamin D Stabilizer, Dispersion Technologies and More in Sun

Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources and review recent patents and patent applications in cosmetics, personal care and peripheral markets. This edition features technologies related to sun protection and after-sun repair.

Aqueous nanoparticle dispersions of titanium dioxide
US Patent 8431621
Publication date: April 30, 2013
Assignee: Colorobbia Italia SpA

This invention relates to a method for preparing aqueous dispersions of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the crystalline form anatase, as well as the dispersions obtained with said method. Such dispersions are useful for photocatalytic coatings on surfaces, for photocatalytic decontamination of gases and liquids, and for the preparation of formula for cosmetics that protect skin against UV radiation. Specifically, a titanium alkoxide is made to react under heat in water in the presence of mineral acid and a non-ionic surfactant, and where necessary, the solution is finally reduced to a small volume. This method is able to produce TiO2 in anatase form directly in water, and obtains a final dispersion of particles with a size between 30-50 nm.

According to the inventors, unlike dispersions prepared using nanometric powders in solvent mixtures or water, these dispersions show no signs of conglomeration or coagulation and solid precipitation, even after prolonged periods of storage. The titanium alkoxide used as the starting product can be chosen from: titanium methoxide, ethoxide, normal-propoxide, iso-propoxide, normal-butoxide and isobutoxide. Particularly preferable is titanium isopropoxide, since it is cheaper and reacts better under the conditions of the described method.

Topical soy to prevent UV-induced DNA damage
US Patent 8431550
Publication date: April 30, 2013
Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.

According to this patent, soybeans are a rich source of isoflavones, which possess weak estrogenic activity. Genistein, the main soybean isoflavone, is a specific inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases and of other enzymes involved in signal transduction. Genistein has been shown to suppress the growth of numerous cancer cells in vitro, and to protect animals in experimental carcinogenesis models from developing both hormone- and non-hormone related cancers. This invention relates to skin care compositions containing non-denatured soy products and, optionally, other anti-cancer or anti-aging agents to reduce the risk of UV-induced cutaneous tumors in skin cells not yet been damaged by UV radiation. The formula comprises a soy product, e.g., a non-denatured soy milk, soybean powder or soybean trypsin inhibitor, and a vehicle.

Photostabilizing cholecalciferol with alkoxycrylene compounds
US Patent 8431112
Publication date: April 30, 2013
Assignee: Hallstar Innovations Corp.

Cholecalciferol, also called calciol, is the mono-hydroxylated form of vitamin D, also called vitamin D3. In humans, the body can synthesize Vitamin D3 when sun exposure is adequate; unfortunately, skin protected from UV by sunscreens is partially or completely prevented from producing cholecalciferol. Thus, it is often added to sunscreens and other skin care products in order to supplement its concentration in the epidermis, where it normally is produced. Also unfortunate is the fact that when exposed to sunlight, cholecalciferol undergoes a destructive transformation of its double bonds to form a wide variety of photoisomers that have little if any biological activity on calcium metabolism.

Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to protect cholecalciferol from photodegradation. It has surprisingly been found that specific alkoxycrylene compounds significantly increase the photostability of cholecalciferol in a composition by 2 to 3-fold. It does so by quenching the excited state energy from cholecalciferol and transferring it.

Encapsulated UV actives
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/059167
Publication date: April 25, 2013
Assignee: Rohm and Haas Chemicals, LLC, and Dow Global Technologies, LLC

Described here are methods for encapsulating personal care active ingredients, comprising: a) preparing an aqueous phase consisting of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol and a cosmetically acceptable non-ionic surfactant; b) preparing an oil phase consisting of the active and isocyanate or polyisocyanate; c) homogenizing the aqueous phase and oil phase to form an emulsion with particles less than one micron in size; and d) forming a dispersion of polyurea core-shell particles containing the personal care active by contacting the emulsion with an aqueous amine solution.

In some embodiments of this invention, the core of the microcapsule contains at least two actives, such as one UV absorber in the UV-A range (290-325 nm) and one in the UV-B range (325-400 nm). Specifically, the UV-A absorber may be avobenzone and the UV-B absorber, homosalate (3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl salicylate). Note that when avobenzone is present, preferably octyl methoxycinnamate is not.

Aqueous dispersions of polyurethane and nanoparticles
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/059106
Publication date: April 25, 2013
Assignee: Bayer Materialscience LLC, S Unal, Y Berezkin, PD Schmitt, KW Haider and RN Hunt

This patent disclosure is directed to aqueous dispersions comprising polyurethane and nanoparticles, and processes for preparing them. The dispersions are prepared by reacting isocyanate groups present on the polyurethane chain ends with free amine groups on a hydroxy- or amino- functionalized nanoparticle to covalently attach the polyurethane and the nanoparticle through urethane or urea linkages, respectively. Said nanocomposite dispersions can be applied in skin care, cosmetics and deodorants for various benefits. In certain embodiments, for example, nanoparticulate zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide may be covalently incorporated for incorporation into a sunscreen formulation.

Folic acid-fermented soybean biopolymer for skin benefits
US Patent 8431364
Publication date: April 30, 2013
Assignee: Damy Chemical Co., Ltd.

Described by this invention is a folyl extract of fermented soybean (EFS) produced by fermenting a culture of folic acid and soybean extract, and a composition including the folyl EFS. This material has reportedly shown anti-histamine, anti-allergic, calcium-absorption-promotion, bone and cell growth-promotion, collagen biosynthesis, wrinkle improvement and UV-induced cell damage inhibition effects. Accordingly, the folyl EFS can be used in external skin, cosmetic, health supplement, food, feed and pharmaceutical compositions.

Skin-repairing glyceryl and glycol acid compounds
US Patent 8431731
Publication date: April 30, 2013
Assignee: Mary Kay Inc. 

This invention relates to a method for reducing the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles on skin, and other conditions, by topically applying a composition including glyceryl di-salicylate and glyceryl mono-salicylate compounds. Non-limiting examples of skin conditions include spider veins, melasma, blotches, sun damage, dermatitis, rosacea, acne, impetigo, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. In certain aspects, the condition may have been caused by exposure to UV light, age, irradiation, chronic sun exposure, environmental pollutants, heat, smoking, etc.

Caftaric acid to regulate skin pigmentation
US Patent Application 20130101556
Publication date: April 25, 2013
Assignee: L'Oréal and Nestec S.A.

Disclosed in this patent is an ingredient containing caftaric acid and/or derivatives for preventing and/or treating hyper-pigmentation of skin, skin color imperfections such as age-spots, and other skin disorders characterized by abnormal pigment. According to the inventors, various compounds intended for these effects, when applied topically, are capable of reducing tyrosinase activity and limiting melanin production but are not entirely satisfactory, in terms of irritant side effects. Alternative preparations are therefore desired that do not have these drawbacks; in particular, nutritional cosmetic compositions administered via an oral route that have improved stability and efficacy.

The present inventors reportedly achieve this objective by providing a food supplement composition that includes at least one ingredient containing caftaric acid and/or derivatives. In addition, combinations of treatment with, optionally, oral or topical forms may be envisaged in order to supplement or reinforce the activity of the ingredients as defined by the invention.

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