Abstract:
The present invention provides a decorative cosmetic composition that is visually distinct comprising a translucent or transparent particle and a cosmetic base. In addition, the present invention provides a decorative cosmetic composition that has both a functional effect, such as for cleansing or massage, and a distinct visual effect.

Description:
This application claims benefit of provisional application No. 60/065,193 Nov. 11, 1997. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to compositions useful as perfumes, creams, moisturizers, lotions, oils, massage creams and other cosmetic uses. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the cosmetic industry, there is a large emphasis on aesthetic attractiveness of products as well as on adaptation of the use of different physical, chemical, and biological effects to increase the efficacy of cosmetic treatment by given products. Some are so called built-in features of those products, for example, the use of liposomes to incorporate nourishing factors for the skin cells. This invention is related to both aspects of the aforementioned attractiveness: aesthetic and functional. The addition of particles to different cosmetic bases creates a distinctive visual effect, as well as adds to their function through the massaging, cleansing effects of the particles. Currently available cleansers with sand or other inorganic particles have an abrasive effect, which can be irritating. A certain number of people, therefore, cannot tolerate such products. At this point, to the best of our knowledge, there are no cosmetic products, which contain massaging, biofriendly, and non-abrasive particles in cosmetic bases. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides compositions comprising particles and a base. Simple and efficient methods for producing such compositions are also described herein. With the addition of particles, which may be opaque, but preferably transparent or translucent, of different sizes and/or colors to cosmetic bases, a variety of applications can be produced. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise transparent or translucent beads and perfume or other transparent or translucent cosmetic material which produce a distinctive look. The use of colored particles and their different mixtures will further define these products. In a further embodiment, a transparent container and a transparent or translucent base material having suitable viscosity relative to the density of particles are used wherein the beads float or are suspended within the base material. The flotation of the particles provides additional visual effect. Alternatively, the particles&#39; density relative to the base is such that with minimal agitation, the particles are easily dispersed throughout the base. In another preferred embodiment, the compositions comprise particles in a cosmetic base where the particles create a particular texture for the cosmetic material. Finally, the presence of the beads in cosmetics lend a massaging and cleansing effect to the product when applied directly to the skin. As used herein, it will be understood that the article “a”, unless otherwise indicated, means singular or plural. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention provides novel compositions, which provide cosmetic products with a distinct, novel look, as well as texture and feel. The invention comprises transparent or translucent colored beads of different sizes and a base, such as a perfume, cologne, or any type of cosmetic base, contained in, for example, creams, moisturizers, lotions, etc., such as oils, waxes, powder phases, filling phases, proteins, proteoglycans, other constituents of mineral and animal origin, and the like (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,443,855; 5,234,682; 4,973,473; 4,488,564; 4,636,524; 4,482,537; 3,766,267 and 4,416,873, incorporated herein by reference). For perfume and cologne compositions, virtually any kind of synthetically made and naturally occurring bead particles may be used, such as agarose, ceramic, silica, polymeric, cellulose, dextran, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the beads comprise agarose, preferably ClariBeads (available from Clarigen, Inc., 5922 Farnsworth Conn., Carlsbad, Calif. 92008). 
     For creams, moisturizers, lotions, and the like, where a cleansing and massaging effect is desired through direct contact with the skin, it is preferred that a biofriendly, biodegradable, non-abrasive particle is used, such as agarose, preferably ClariBeads. 
     The use of ClariBeads represents the best means of providing all the features described below: ClariBeads are biofriendly, made of agarose with a special cross-linking technology (described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,377, incorporated herein in its entirety), which lends them the necessary stability and elasticity. They are biodegradable by bacteria commonly found in our ecosystems. The low dry material content and low density of particles is a key element in order to achieve the floating or suspending effect in clear solutions, perfumes, etc. Particles of various sizes, as well as various colors, may be used for different applications. Although colored particles of virtually any size can be used to achieve the visual effect, colored particles ranging from about 300 to about 1500 μm is preferred and colored particles ranging from about 800 to about 1100 μm is more preferred. For a functional effect, such as cleansing, it is preferred that beads are used ranging from about 300 to about 1500 μm but more preferably in the range from about 300 to about 800 μm; or for massaging, beads of about 1500 μm and larger are preferred. 
     COLORING THE BEADS 
     Materials to be used include base beads (ClariBeads from Clarigen, Inc.), and a large variety of coloring materials such as Remazole Black B, Reactive Blue 2, Reactive Blue-Sepharose CL6B, Reactive Blue 4, 5, 15, Reactive Blue 72-agarose, Reactive Blue 114, 160, Reactive Brown 10, Reactive Brown 10-agarose, Reactive Green 5, Reactive Green 5-agarose, Reactive Green 19, Reactive Green 19-agarose, Reactive Orange 14, Reactive Red 2, 4, 120, Reactive Violet 5, Reactive Yellow 2, 3, 13, 81, 66, and any other dye having reactive groups suitable to interact with the particles. 
     Method: 100 g of 4% cross-linked agarose were suspended in 890 ml of water containing 10 g NaCl and 500 mg Cibacron blue dye. After 30 minutes of stirring, a solution of 200 mg NaOH in 20 ml water was added and mixing continued overnight. The resin was washed with copious amounts of water to remove excess dye and stored in water containing 0.02% sodium azide. 
     ADDING THE PARTICLES 
     It is a simple addition of the selected type of particles to the selected cosmetic base. The addition of beads result in a new texture, and a new look for traditional products. Technically, it creates a new product every time the beads are added. The addition and mixing procedure of the particles to the base product can be performed under a large variety of conditions in terms of temperature, pH, speed, etc., depending upon the base material selected.