Patent Picks are compiled by the editors from publicly available sources. This edition features recent inventions related to color cosmetics, actives, immune response, foams, skin-tightening, delivery and more for skin care.
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Patent Picks are compiled by the editors from publicly available sources. This edition features recent inventions related to color cosmetics, actives, immune response, foams, skin-tightening, delivery and more for skin care.
Multi-layer cosmetic film for soft focus effects
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/149719
Publication date: Sept. 25, 2014
Assignee: Avon Products, Inc.
According to this patent, there currently is a technology gap for color compositions that efficiently blur fine lines and wrinkles, and hide discolorations, age spots and blemishes to match skin tone while also imparting a natural look. This is difficult to achieve because ingredients that provide the desired color and coverage are generally opaque and obscure the natural translucence of skin. In response, the disclosed invention is capable of forming an immiscible multi-layered composition that enable various optical effects to provide "enhance coverage, color trueness and enhanced naturalness." Specifically, the invention includes: first, a pH-dependent film-forming polymer with a pH higher than that of the final target pH; and a second composition having a pH less than or equal to the target pH.
Novel resveratrol compound for safety, efficacy
U.S. Patent Application 20140288334
Publication date: Sept. 25, 2014
Assignee: Uha Mikakuto Co., Ltd.
In the present work, the inventors searched for a resveratrol derivative having stronger bioactivity, and for a method to manufacture it. As a result, they have identified how a novel resveratrol polymerization compound having more bioactivity than resveratrol or its derivatives can be created by a simple and safe method of heat-treating the resveratrol under alkaline conditions. The resulting compound may act as an anticancer agent, antioxidant, antibacterial agent, a lipase inhibitor, anti-obesity agent, a therapeutic agent for skin diseases, a cosmetic, and more.
CD1d and hypoallergenic skin care
U.S. Patent Application 20140286949
Publication date: Sept. 25, 2014
Assignee: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
CD1d is a human gene that encodes the protein CD1d, a member of the cluster of differentiation 1 (CD1). In the present research, the inventors have discovered that one can attenuate and block CD1d activation for a reduced immune response by administering compositions containing a moiety that blocks CD1d activation and attenuates CD1d-restricted NK T cell responses. Such compositions are useful to treat skin disorders due to hyperactive immune responses (e.g., contact hypersensitivity); for systemic administration to attenuate ongoing immune responses; and to provide hypoallergenic pharmaceutical, cosmetic and skin care compositions.
Intimate body care foams
U.S. Patent 8840869
Publication date: Sept. 23, 2014
Assignee: Foamix Ltd.
Despite the commonly held understanding that hydrophobic organic carriers, polar solvents and emollients are difficult to formulate into foam-producing products, and that addition of such solvents interferes with the foam-forming ability of a surfactant, the present invention has identified a series of foam compositions that challenge this notion. Disclosed here are foams that, when admixed with a liquefied gas propellant in an aerosol container, remain stable. They are suitable for topical and mucosal administration to body cavities, such as the vagina, rectum, penile, urethra, and nasal and ear cavities. Specifically, the composition is an alcohol-free cosmetic or therapeutic foam carrier comprising water, a hydrophobic organic carrier, a foam adjuvant agent, a surface-active agent and a gelling agent. The resulting carrier does not contain aliphatic alcohols, making it non-irritating and non-drying, and is suitable for both water-soluble and oil-soluble therapeutic and cosmetic agents.
Devices and systems for accurate, customized skin care
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/144275
Publication date: Sept. 18, 2014
Assignee: Skin Republic, Inc.
Clearly, it is not commercially feasible to manufacture and stock formulations with the granularity that is optimum for every given need of every individual. So, according to this patent, what is instead needed are ways to determine an individual's specific needs using advanced analysis techniques, and formulations optimized for those needs. Devices that use advanced analysis techniques are reflection spectrophotometers and colorimeters but what is further needed are systems and methods that allow a user to capture accurate, repeatable color samples using a mobile device. Disclosed in this patent are methods for doing just that.
In one method, a user is guided to capture an image of a skin region with known lighting and color characteristics, and the image is processed to provide calibrated skin color information. A customized cosmetic formulation is then determined for the user based on the calibrated skin color information. In another method, a user is interactively guided to capture one or more skin region images using a device having an image sensor. The images are processed to provide calibrated skin color information, which is compared to a "ground truth data set" to identify a set of closest known values. From this, a customized cosmetic formulation is determined for the user based on the comparison.
Skin-tightening cosmetic compositions
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/143376
Publication date: Sept. 18, 2014
Assignee: Avon Products, Inc.
Disclosed in this patent are certain film-forming, pH-dependent polymers that may be employed within cosmetic compositions to provide tightening effects upon human integuments for a prolonged period of time. The tightening and/or curling effects of these compositions are reportedly substantially resistant to environmental factors such as heat and humidity. Specifically, the cosmetic compositions include a cosmetically acceptable vehicle and a pH-dependent film-forming polymer of either a poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) or a poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethyl acrylate).
Combined approach to enhance skin penetration
U.S. Patent Application 20140275184
Publication date: Sept. 18, 2014
Inventors: SD Jones, KV Gujraty, N Yoshimi, M Paul and JT Wescott
According to these inventors, while the effects of certain individual ingredients on skin penetration has been studied to some extent, the role of combinations of ingredients, including varied concentrations and ratios, in enhancing the penetration of cosmetic agents is less well-studied. Compositions described herein were found to enhanced the penetration of skin care actives; for example, a composition including glycerin, hexyldecanol, a vitamin B compound, and one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: 1,2-pentanediol; 1,4-pentanediol; 2,4-pentanediol; 1,5-pentanediol; 1,2-butanediol; 1,3-butanediol; 1,4-butanediol; 2,3-butanediol; 1,2-hexanediol; 1,5-hexanediol; 1,6-hexanediol; 2,5-hexanediol; hexylene glycol; and combinations thereof.
Delivery of peptides for anti-aging benefits
U.S. Patent Application 20140271743
Publication date: Sept. 18, 2014
Assignee: Transdermal Biotechnology, Inc.
According to this patent, topical delivery systems for the treatment of skin are needed, and this invention relates to methods for delivering actives to skin to improve its appearance. In one example, the disclosed composition includes nitric oxide and/or peptides such as thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and/or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The nitric oxide and/or peptide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles or other structures containing nitric oxide, peptides, or both. The composition can take the form of a gel, cream, lotion, ointment, solution, solid “stick,” etc., for rubbing or spraying onto the skin.
