Stable salicylic acid and peroxide containing skin and hair cleanser composition

The present invention relates to the use of phosphate esters for the improvement of water solubility of salicylic acid and stability of peroxide compounds in an aqueous cleanser.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an aqueous skin and hair cleanser 
composition comprising peroxides, salicylic acid, and phosphate esters. 
The aqueous skin cleanser composition is unique in that it allows the 
incorporation of salicylic acid and also provides a stable environment for 
the peroxides. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The use of peroxides, for example, hydrogen peroxide and salicylic acid for 
their benefits to human health is a familiar concept to those concerned 
with human hygiene and to consumers alike. Specifically, The Merck Index, 
Eleventh Edition, 1989 lists the therapeutic uses of hydrogen peroxide as 
an antiinfective/topical antiseptic. Salicylic acid is described as a 
keratolytic. Recent oral care compositions containing hydrogen peroxide 
have been developed for general consumer use. Additionally, salicylic acid 
based skin creams are available for general consumer use. However, aqueous 
based skin and hair care compositions containing both peroxide compounds 
and salicylic acid are not available. Such a skin and hair care 
composition would be welcomed by the consumer because it would combine the 
utility of an antiseptic and a keratolytic agent, leaving the skin and 
hair both disinfected and refreshed. 
However, formulating aqueous skin and hair care compositions with peroxides 
and salicylic acid presents several problems because of the properties of 
the peroxides and salicylic acid. Specifically, peroxides are such strong 
oxidizers that they can be used topically only after dilution. Moreover, 
dilution with water will accelerate their decomposition, especially if the 
water contains even the smallest concentration of impurities such as 
metals, metal ions, and metal salts. Peroxides are therefore difficult to 
process without compromising their activity. Further, due to their 
reactivity, costly passivated equipment (equipment cleaned and treated 
with acid solutions so that the metal ions are stripped away) and 
ultrapure water (considerably more costly than deionized) must be used in 
producing peroxide containing compositions. This ultimately adds to the 
cost of the products. 
Regarding salicylic acid, it is not very soluble in water, even at low use 
concentrations. It is somewhat more soluble in hot water but hot water 
seriously compromises the peroxide compound stability. Clearly, there is 
an unfulfilled need in the art for stable skin care compositions 
comprising peroxides and salicylic acid. 
Applicants studied the problem of formulating peroxides and salicylic acid 
containing compositions and theorized that phosphate esters might be 
useful in stabilizing peroxides and salicylic acid containing 
compositions. Phosphate esters are known to those skilled in the art as 
being useful in skin and hair cleansing compositions. Specifically, U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,124,077, U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,743, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,405, 
disclose the use of phosphate ester surfactants to impart mildness and to 
cleanse the skin and hair. Japanese Abstracts, 05009497A (JP), 05001081A 
(JP), 04108724A (JP), 05009495A (JP), 04249596A (JP), 2242686A (JP) also 
disclose the use of specific phosphate ester surfactants to impart 
mildness and cleansing of skin and hair. The focus of these disclosures is 
also on good foaming of the finished formulation. Some of these 
disclosures center around the synthesis of glucose or other sugar-based 
phosphate esters to take maximum advantage of skin mildness. Others show 
the advantage of the synthesis of trialkylammonium phosphate esters for 
skin and hair conditioning. However, none of these references describe the 
use of phosphate esters for improving the solubility and stability of 
peroxide compounds/salicylic acid containing skin care compositions. 
Finally, DE 3583936 (EP 0191214B1) discloses a blemish treatment 
composition comprising: 0.1-6.10 g boric acid, 0.01-1.6 ml ammonium 
hydroxide, 0.02-1.2 g camphora, and 0.07-1.1 ml hydrogen peroxide. 
Applicants have surprisingly discovered that use of phosphate esters 
facilitates the formulating of an aqueous based skin cleanser that is 
compatible with and stabilizes peroxides and salicylic acid. Further, the 
compositions of the present invention be prepared in unpassivated 
equipment and with standard deionized water which reduces the production 
costs as compared to preparation in passivated equipment and ultra pure 
water. 
Finally, the skin care composition of the present invention is 
aesthetically pleasing to the user and is easily dispensed from a 
mechanical pump, aerosol or a tube. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An aqueous skin care composition comprising: 
a. 0.5 to 5% peroxides; 
b. 0.5 to 5% salicylic acid; 
c. 0.1 to 50% adjunct surfactant; 
d. 0.1 to 5% phosphate ester, selected from one of the following 4 
structures or mixtures thereof: 
Formula I 
##STR1## 
wherein l=0-2.9, m=0.1-1, n=1, o=1-3, p=0-0.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=0-30, b=0-30,c=0-30, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures thereof; 
Y is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched ,cyclic or acyclic, 
substituted or unsubstituted alcohol having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms; 
or 
Formula II 
##STR2## 
wherein l=0-5.9, m=0.1-2, n=2, o=0.1-6, p=0-1.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-100, b =10-250, c=0-100, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a diol having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, linear or branched, 
including but not limited to ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene 
glycol, and 1,10-decane diol or Y is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl primary 
amine including but not limited to tallow amine or aniline; 
or 
Formula III 
##STR3## 
wherein l=0-8.9, m=0.1-3, n=3, o=0.1-9, p=0-2.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-120. b=10-350, c=100, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is the residue of an organic compound having three reactive 
hydrogens which are attached to oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms and 
mixtures thereof; 
or 
Formula IV 
##STR4## 
wherein l=0-11.9, m=0.1-4, n=4, o=0.1-12, p=0-3.9, A, B and G are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-150, b=20-500, c=0-150, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a tetrafunctional initiator containing reactive hydrogens 
attached to oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms and mixtures thereof. 
Each phosphate ester is a mixture of mono-, di- and tri-esters. The mixture 
is predominately mono-ester.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
An aqueous skin care composition comprising: 
a. 0.5 to 5% peroxides; 
b. 0.5 to 5% salicylic acid; 
c. 0.1 to 50% adjunct surfactant; 
d. 0.1 to 5% phosphate ester, selected from one of the following 4 
structures or mixtures thereof: 
Formula I 
##STR5## 
wherein l=0-2.9, m=0.1-1, n=1, o=0.1-3, p=0-0.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=0-30, b=0-30,c=0-30, M is H, alkali, metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched ,cyclic or 
acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted alcohol having from 1 to 30 carbon 
atoms; 
or 
Formula II 
##STR6## 
wherein l=0-5.9, m=0.1-2, n=2, o=0.1-6, p=0-1.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-100, b=10-250, c=0-100, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a diol having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, linear or branched, 
including but not limited to ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene 
glycol, and 1,10-decane diol or Y is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl primary 
amine including but not limited to tallow amine or aniline; 
or 
Formula III 
##STR7## 
wherein l=0-8.9, m=0.1-3, n=3, o=0.1-9, p=0-2.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-120. b=10-350, c=100, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is the residue of an organic compound having three reactive 
hydrogens which are attached to oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms and 
mixtures thereof; 
or 
Formula IV 
##STR8## 
wherein l=0-11.9, m=0.1-4, n=4, o=0.1-12, p=0-3.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-150, b=20-500, c=0-150, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a tetrafunctional initiator containing reactive hydrogens 
attached to oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms and mixtures thereof. 
Each phosphate ester is a mixture of mono-, di- and tri- esters. The 
mixture is predominately mono-ester. 
Further, the present invention relates to a method for enhancing the water 
solubility and stability of a salicylic acid and peroxide compound based 
aqueous skin cleanser comprising adding to said cleanser an effective 
amount of a phosphate ester, wherein said phosphate ester has one of the 
following structures: 
Formula I 
##STR9## 
wherein l=0-2.9, m=0.1-1, n=1, o=0.1-3, p=0-0.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=0-30, b=0-30,c=0-30, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures thereof; 
Y is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic, 
substituted or unsubstituted alcohol having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms; 
or 
Formula II 
##STR10## 
wherein l=0-5.9, m=0.1-2, n=2, o=0.1-6, p=0-1.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-100, b=10-250, c=0-100, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a diol having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, linear or branched, 
including but not limited to ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene 
glycol, and 1,10-decane diol or Y is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl primary 
amine including but not limited to tallow amine or aniline; 
or 
Formula III 
##STR11## 
wherein l=0-8.9, m=0.1-3, n=3, o=0.1-9, p=0-2.9, A, B and G are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-120. b=10-350, c=100, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is the residue of an organic compound having three reactive 
hydrogens which are attached to oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms and 
mixtures thereof; 
or 
Formula IV 
##STR12## 
wherein l=0-11.9, m=0.1-4, n=4, o=0.1-12, p=0-3.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-150, b=20-500, c=0-150, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a tetrafunctional initiator containing reactive hydrogens 
attached to oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms and mixtures thereof. 
Each phosphate ester is a mixture of mono-, di- and tri- esters. The 
mixture is predominately mono-ester. 
Preparation of the Skin Care Compositions of the Present Invention 
The aqueous skin care compositions of the present invention are prepared 
according to methods known to those skilled in the art by blending 
peroxide compounds, salicylic acid, adjunct surfactants and phosphate 
esters in water. 
Peroxides 
Peroxides useful in the practice of the present invention include, but are 
not limited to, hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, urea (carbamide) 
peroxide, zinc peroxide, sodium peroxide and any peroxide formed from 
organic peracids. These are obtainable from many sources. The preferred 
peroxides, useful for the present invention, include hydrogen peroxide, 
benzoyl peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Particularly preferred peroxides 
are hydrogen peroxide and benzoyl peroxide. Hydrogen Peroxide and benzoyl 
peroxide are obtainable from a variety of sources at varying 
concentrations. Hydrogen peroxide is typically available at a 
concentration of 30%. The peroxides are used at a preferred level of 0.5 
to 5% by weight, a more preferred level of 0.5 to 3% by weight and a most 
preferred level of 1 to 2% by weight. Finally, blends of peroxides may be 
used in the compositions of the present invention. 
Salicylic Acid 
Salicylic acid is obtainable from a variety of sources. It is used at a 
preferred level of 0.5 to 5% by weight, a more preferred level of 0.5 to 
3% by weight and a most preferred level of 1 to 2% by weight. 
Adjunct Surfactants 
Adjunct surfactants suitable for use in the skin care composition of the 
present invention, include, nonionic, anionic, and amphoteric. 
Nonionic surfactants 
Illustrative, but not limiting, examples of the various chemical types of 
suitable nonionic surfactants include: 
(a) polyoxyalkylene (polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene) condensates of 
aliphatic carboxylic acids, whether linear or branched-chain and 
unsaturated or saturated, containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms 
in the aliphatic chain and incorporating from 5 to about 50 ethylene oxide 
or propylene oxide units. Suitable carboxylic acids include "coconut" 
fatty acids (derived from coconut oil) which contain an average of about 
12 carbon atoms, palmitic acid, myristic acid, stearic acid and lauric 
acid. 
(b) polyoxyalkylene (polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene) condensates of 
aliphatic alcohols, whether linear- or branched- chain and unsaturated or 
saturated, containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms and 
incorporating from about 3 to about 60 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide 
units. PLURAFAC.RTM. D 25 and A 39 surfactants are preferred 
polyoxyalkylene condensates of an aliphatic alcohol type surfactant which 
is available from BASF Corporation, Mt. Olive, N.J. 
(c) polyoxyalkylene (polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene) condensates of 
alkyl phenols, whether linear- or branched- chain and unsaturated or 
saturated, containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms and 
incorporating from about 5 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide or 
propylene oxide. 
(d) Particularly preferred nonionic surfactants are selected polyalkylene 
oxide block copolymers. This class can include 
polyethoxylated-polypropoxylated propylene glycol sold under the tradename 
"PLURONIC.RTM." made by the BASF Corporation or 
polypropoxylated-polyethoxylated ethylene glycol sold under the tradename 
"PLURONIC-R.RTM." made by the BASF Corporation, Mt. Olive, N.J. The first 
group of compounds are formed by condensing ethylene oxide with a 
hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with 
propylene glycol (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,619). The hydrophobic portion of 
the molecule which, of course, exhibits water insolubility, has a 
molecular weight up to 3600. A preferred surfactant of the PLURONIC series 
is PLURONIC F 127. The latter series of compounds called "PLURONIC-R.RTM." 
are formed by condensing propylene oxide with the polyethoxylated ethylene 
glycol condensate. This series of compounds is characterized by having an 
average molecular weight of about between 2000 and 9000 consisting of, by 
weight, from about 10 to 80 percent polyoxyethylene, and a 
polyoxypropylene portion having a molecular weight between about 1000 and 
3100. 
(e) sucrose and glucose ester non-ionic surfactants, sucrose and glucose 
amide non-ionic surfactants are also useful in the practice of the present 
invention for their reputed mildness to skin and hair. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,366,326; 4,624,803; 4,280,919; 4,340,766; 3,956,401; 
5,200,236; 5,425,894; 5,294,365; incorporated by reference herein, 
describe in detail nonionic surfactants useful in the practice of this 
invention. Surfactant Science Series, edited by Martin J. Schick, Nonionic 
Surfactants, Vols. 19 and 23 provide detailed description of nonionic 
surfactants and are incorporated by reference herein. Finally, surfactant 
blends prepared from the surfactants described herein can be used in the 
practice of the present invention. 
Anionic Surfactants 
Useful anionic surfactants include the water-soluble salts, preferably the 
alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts, of organic sulfuric 
acid reaction products having in their molecular structure of alkyl group 
containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid or 
sulfuric acid ester group. (Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl 
portion of acyl groups.) Examples of this group of synthetic surfactants 
are the sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by 
sulfating the higher alcohols (C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 carbon atoms) such as 
those produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; and 
the sodium and potassium alkylbenzenesulfonates in which the alkyl group 
contains from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms in straight chain or 
branched chain configuration, e.g., those of the type described in U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383 both of which are incorporated herein by 
reference. Especially valuable are linear straight chain alkylbenzene 
sulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group 
is from 11 to 13, abbreviated as C.sub.11-13 LAS. 
Other anionic surfactants suitable for use herein are the sodium alkyl 
glyceryl ether sulfonates, especially those ethers of higher alcohols 
derived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium coconut oil fatty acid 
monoglyceride sulfonates and sulfates; sodium or potassium salts of alkyl 
phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing from about 1 to about 10 
units of ethylene oxide per molecule and from about 8 to about 12 carbon 
atoms in the alkyl group; and sodium or potassium salts of alkyl ethylene 
oxide ether sulfates containing from about 1 to about 25 units of ethylene 
oxide per molecule and from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl 
group. 
Other useful anionic surfactants include the water-soluble salts of esters 
of alpha-sulfonated fatty acids containing from about 6 to 20 carbon atoms 
in the fatty acid group and from about 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the ester 
group; water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxy-alkane-1 -sulfonic acids 
containing from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and 
from about 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the moiety. 
Particularly preferred surfactants herein are anionic surfactants selected 
from the group consisting of the alkali metal salts of C.sub.11-13 
alkylbenzene sulfonates, C.sub.12-18 alkyl sulfates, C.sub.12-18 alkyl 
linear polyethoxy sulfates containing from about 1 to about 10 moles of 
ethylene oxide, and mixtures thereof and nonionic surfactants that are the 
condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from 
about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms with from about 4 to about 12 moles of 
ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. 
Amphoteric Surfactants 
Amphoteric surfactants, useful in the practice of the present invention, 
include derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which 
the aliphatic moiety can be straight chain or branched, and wherein one of 
the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and at 
least one aliphatic substituent contains an anionic water-solubilizing 
group. 
The adjunct surfactants, nonionic, anionic and amphoteric, described 
hereinabove are used at a preferred level of 0.1 to 50% by weight; at a 
more preferred level of 5 to 30% by weight and at a most preferred level 
of 10 to 20% by weight. 
Phosphate Esters 
The phosphate esters useful in the skin and hair care compositions of the 
present invention are represented by Formula I, Formula II and Formula III 
and IV. Said skin and hair care compositions of the present invention may 
be comprised of Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, or Formula IV or 
mixtures of all four formulas. 
Formula I 
##STR13## 
wherein l=0-2.9, m=0.1-1, n=1, o=0.1-3, p=0-0.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=0-30, b=0-30, c=0-30, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, cyclic or 
acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted alcohol having from 1 to 30 carbon 
atoms. 
Preferably, l=0-2.9, m=0.1-1, n=1, o=0.1-3, p=0-0.9. 
More preferably, l=1-2.5, m=0.3-0.9, n=1, o=0.5-2.0, p=0.1-0.7. 
Most Preferably, l=1.5-2.2, m=0.5-0.8 n=1, o=0.8-1.5, p=0.2-0.5 
Preferably, a=0-30, b=0-30, c=0-30, Y=1-30 
More preferably, a=5-20, b=0-15, c=0-15, Y=8-18 
Most preferably, a=10-18, b=0-10, c=0-10, Y=10-14 
The most preferred Formula I is KLEARFAC.TM. AA 270 wherein Y=a C10-12 
alcohol with 2 moles PO and 13 moles EO added concurrently to yield a 
heteric oxide block reacted with polyphosphoric acid; b=0, c=0. 
KLEARFAC.TM. AA270 is available from the BASF Corporation, Mr. Olive, N.J. 
or 
Formula II 
##STR14## 
wherein l=0-5.9, m=0.1-2, n=2, o=0.1-6, p=0-1.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-100, b =10-250, c=0-100, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a diol having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, linear or branched, 
including but not limited to ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene 
glycol, and 1,10-decane diol or Y is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl primary 
amine including but not limited to tallow amine or aniline. 
Preferably, 1=0-5.9, m=0.1-2, n=2, 0=0.1-6, p=0-1.9 
More Preferably, l=2-5.5, m=0.6-1.8, n=2, 0=0.5-4.0, p=0.2-1.4 
Most preferably, l=3.5 to 5.1, m=1.0-1.6, n=2, 0=0.9-2.5, p=0.4-1.0 
Preferably, a=15-100, b=10-250, c=0-100 
More preferably, a=20-70, b=25-150, c=0-50 
Most preferably, a=30-50, b=50-75, c=0-30 
The most preferred Formula II is KLEARFAC.TM. 870, wherein Y=propylene 
glycol, b=62 and a=39, c=o, which is reacted with polyphosphoric acid. 
KLEARFAC.TM. 870 is available from the BASF Corporation, Mt. Olive, N.J. 
or 
Formula III 
##STR15## 
wherein l=0-8.9, m=0.1-3, n=3, o=0.1-9, p=0-2.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-120. b=10-350, c=100, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is the residue of an organic compound having three reactive 
hydrogens which are attached to oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms and 
mixtures thereof. 
Preferably, l=0-8.9, m=0.1-3, n=3, o=0.1-9, p=0-2.9 
More preferably, l=5.0-8.5, m=0.6-2.1, n=3, o=0.5-4.0, p=0.9-2.4 
Most preferably, l=6.5-8.1, m=1.0-1.6, n=3, o=0.9-2.5 p=1.4-2.0 
Preferably, a=15-120, b=10-350, c=0-100 
More preferably, a=20-90, b=25-250, c=0-50 
Most preferably, a=30-70, b=50-100, c=0-30 
or 
Formula IV 
##STR16## 
wherein l=0-11.9, m=0.1-4, n=4, o=0.1=12, p=0-3.9, A, B and C are ethylene 
oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide and mixtures 
thereof; a=15-150, b=20-500, c=0-150, M is H, alkali metal, or mixtures 
thereof; Y is a tetrafunctional initiator containing reactive hydrogens 
attached to oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms and mixtures thereof. 
Preferably, l=0-11.9, m=0.1-4,n=4, o=0.1-12, p=0-3.9 
More preferably, l=6.0-11.5, m=0.5-2.5, n=4, o=0.4-6.0, p=1.5-3.5 
Most preferably, l=8.5-11.1, m=1.0-2.0, n=4, o=0.9-3.5, p=2.0-3.0 
Preferably, a=15-150, b=20-500, c=0-150 
More Preferably, a=40-120, b=50-400, c=0-100 
Most Preferably, a=60-100, b=100-350, c=0-60 
Examples of Formula IV include, ethylene diamine, pentaerythritol, 
triethylene diamine, erythritol, hexamethylene diamine, phenylene diamine. 
Each phosphate ester is a mixture of mono-, di- and tri- esters. The 
mixture is predominately mono-ester. 
Other phosphate esters useful in the practice of the present invention 
include, but are not limited to, RHODAFAC.TM. PC100, PO3, and RA600 
(available from Rhone-Pouloenc), and CRODAFOS.TM. N-3, N-10, N2A, N3A, 
N5A, and N10A (available from Croda). 
Finally, the phosphate esters useful in the practice of the present 
invention are used at levels of 0.1-5% by weight, preferably 1-3% by 
weight. 
Representative Skin Care Compositions of the Present Invention 
The following non limiting Examples (I, II, III) represent the skin care 
compositions of the present invention (Table 1). 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
I II III 
______________________________________ 
Deionized water 65% w/w 55% w/w 69% w/w 
PLURONIC .TM. F127 (adjunct 
25 25 25 
surfactant) 
KLEARFAC .TM. 870 (phos. Ester) 
1 1 -- 
KLEARFAC .TM. AA270 (phos. Ester) 
-- -- 2 
Alkyl glucoside (adjunct surfactant) 
5 10 -- 
Salicylic Acid 2 2 2 
Hydrogen Peroxide 2 2 2 
______________________________________