Patent Picks—Electricity for Acne, Microvesicle Moisture, Anchoring Films and More

Chosen biweekly for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition highlights patents for skin care applications.

Magnolia and grape for tired eyes
US Patent Application 20120058209
Publication date: March 8, 2012
Assignee: Mary Kay Inc.

Disclosed in this patent is a composition and method for its use that includes magnolia bark extract, Vitis vinifera extract, tocopherol or tocopherol acetate, and hydrogenated lecithin, lecithin, or dextrin. In non-limiting aspects, the compositions can be used to treat skin conditions such as telangiectasia, eye circles and puffy eyes.

Treating acne and rosacea with galvanic-generated electricity
European Patent Application EP2438958
Publication date: April 11, 2012
Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Inc.

The present application features a method of administering an active agent to a human barrier membrane to treat acne, rosacea and/or wounds, and/or to reduce the appearance of pigmentation by applying electricity to a barrier membrane in need of such treatment. The device includes a barrier membrane-contacting surface, a first conductive electrode, a second conductive electrode and a carrier containing the active agent, wherein the first and second conductive electrodes are in ionic communication with the carrier, and wherein the carrier is in communication with the barrier membrane. The difference of the standard potentials of the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode is at least 0.2 V and the electrons that pass between the first and second conductive electrode are generated as a result of such a difference in the standard potentials.

Collagen production enhancer
European Patent Application EP2438922
Publication date: April 11, 2012
Assignee: SofSera Corp.

This invention describes a collagen production-enhancer containing calcium phosphate fine particles that act on fibroblasts and ameliorate aging phenomena such as wrinkles and sagging; the particles also reconstruct damaged collagen fibers in tissues to convert them to normal tissues. According to the inventors, the average particle diameter of the calcium phosphate fine particles is very small, therefore they also ameliorate skin texture by coating the skin surface. Further, when a sintered body is used, significantly increased collagen production is exhibited. According to the invention, an effect of promoting rapid penetration into the dermis and astringent, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory effects are also exhibited by the materials.

Anchoring compositions for topical film-forming and sustained release
European Patent Application EP2438908
Publication date: April 11, 2012
Assignee: Vectum Pharma S.L.

Disclosed herein is an amphiphilic copolymer that can be used in film-forming compositions for dermal applications. The copolymer is characterized by a defined structure with a hydrophilic polymer backbone and pendant hydrophobic groups. It rearranges when it comes into contact with the lipid-rich domains of the outermost layer of skin, resulting in stable film formation. When containing active ingredients that are covalently attached, such as sunscreens, humectants or colorants, the copolymer immobilizes the active ingredient on skin. It may also contain agents such as fragrances, cosmeceuticals or dermatologically active drugs covalently attached that can be degraded under the physiological conditions found on skin, resulting in sustained release of the immobilized active ingredient.

Compositions comprising glyceryl salicylate compounds
European Patent EP2026753
Publication date: April 11, 2012
Assignee: Mary Kay Inc.

Several approaches have been used to treat damaged skin caused by aging, environmental factors, chemicals or malnutrition but many cause significant irritation to the skin or skin toxicity. According to the inventors, however, the disclosed compounds overcome deficiencies in the art.  These compounds include an acid molecule attached to a glyceryl molecule via an ester linkage. The compounds may be incorporated into a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for topical application to skin or can be included in a cosmetic vehicle such as emulsions, creams, lotions, solutions, anhydrous bases, gels and ointments. In other embodiments, the compositions may be included in anti-aging, cleansing or moisturizing products. Further, the compounds of the present invention can have a wide variety of uses such as for moisturizing, film-forming, UV absorption and other skin treatments.

Moisturizing compositions
European Patent EP1670419
Publication date: April 11, 2012
Assignee: The Gillette Company

The present invention provides compositions containing multi-layered vesicles, e.g., microvesicles, which are used as the moisturizing component of compositions to provide a good balance of moisture and desirable aesthetic properties, such as good rub-in and skin after-feel. Preferred compositions are relatively low cost and can be produced using conventional mixing and homogenization techniques without the need for excessively high shear or the use of deleteriously high levels of skin-irritating surfactants or emulsifiers. The use of preferred vesicles allows a wide range of skin care actives, including water- and oil-soluble ingredients, to be delivered to the user without compromising moisturization or aesthetic properties.

Combination of acid protease enzymes and acidic buffers and uses thereof
European Patent EP1598057
Publication date: April 11, 2012
Assignee: Active Organics Inc.

This invention relates to novel compositions for treating or preventing abnormal skin conditions, diseases or disorders; for improving the texture or appearance of the skin; for enhancing epidermal exfoliation; and/or for enhancing epidermal cell renewal. The composition comprises at least one acid protease and an acidic buffer. For purposes of this invention, the acid protease is an enzyme which exhibits peptidyl hydrolase (proteolytic) activity below the average pH of the surface of the skin and is significantly inactive at a pH greater than or equal to the average pH of the surface of the skin, which is about pH 5.5 for humans. For men, the average pH of the surface of the skin is about pH 5.3 and for women, it is about pH 6.

Preferably, at a pH greater than or equal to the average pH of the surface of the skin, the acid proteases useful in this invention exhibit less than about 10% of the enzymatic activity they exhibit at their respective optimal pHs. They may be in the apoenzyme, holoenzyme, isoenzyme or zymogen form, in amounts ranging from 0.001% to 75% w.w of the final composition; preferably about 0.1% to about 50%; more preferably, about 1% to about 5%. The time required to neutralize the acidic buffer, and thus, inactivate of the protease, will depend on the formulation of the acidic buffer. It is through this control of proteolytic activity that the present invention overcomes the drawbacks and complications found in the prior art, such as itching, burning, blistering, etc., caused by broad pH spectrum proteolytic enzymes.

Oral preparation for preventing or improving skin dryness
US Patent 8153692
Publication date: April 10, 2012
Assignee: Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd.

An oral preparation is described in this patent for the prophylaxis or improvement of dry skin accompanied by atopic dermatitis, xeroderma, chapped hands, chapped skin and the like. The present invention comprises citrulline or a salt thereof as an active ingredient. Citrulline is known to be a constituent of the skin's natural moisturizing factor. It has been reported that a topical administration of citrulline in combination with arginine, ornithine, etc., can prevent or treat nerve sensory symptoms such as atopic skin and the like. However, it was not known whether oral ingestion of citrulline or a salt thereof could prevent or improve dry skin. The present invention provides safe and effective oral preparations for the prophylaxis or improvement of dry skin.

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