# Patent

## Title
Method to improve the appearance of a corpse and new thanatocosmetic compositions

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a method to improve the appearance of a corpse by means of the application of specific thanatocosmetic compositions. The invention also relates to the new compositions and to their use in thanato-aesthetics.

## Background
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect thereof, the invention relates to a method to improve the appearance of a corpse which comprises the steps of:

    
    
        a. applying to the skin of the corpse a deodorizing composition comprising at least one compound selected from thymus vulgaris oil, ahnfeltia concinna extract, melissa officinalis oil, myrrh extract, fenugreek extract, lemon oil and honeysuckle oil; and subsequently
        b. applying to the skin of the corpse at least one composition selected from:
        
            b′. a composition with relaxing effect which comprises hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin; and
            b′′ one or more compositions with draining effect and capable of camouflaging abnormal pigmentation of the skin of the corpse, said compositions comprising:
            
                at least one compound selected from caffeine, escin, helianthus annulus seed oil, hedera helix extract, arctostaphylos uva ursi extract, tilia tomentosa extract; and
                a colouring compound selected from CI 14700, CI 42090 or a mixture of CI 42090 and CI 19140.
            
            
        
        
    
    


According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the moisturizing and deodorizing composition of step (a) comprises at least two of the compounds indicated and even more preferably comprises the compounds thymus vulgaris oil, ahnfeltia concinna extract and melissa officinalis oil.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition with deodorizing effect of step (a) also comprises moisturizing agents.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition with relaxing effect of step (b′′) comprises at least two or three of the compounds indicated and even more preferably comprises all the compounds caffeine, escin, helianthus annulus seed oil, hedera helix extract, arctostaphylos uva ursi extract, tilia tomentosa extract. The colorants indicated above are added to these compositions to obtain also a camouflaging effect when used in the presence of abnormal colouring of the skin of the corpse.
Advantageously, the compositions used in the method of the invention are in the form of emulsions suitable to be applied to the skin and also comprise other components selected from the cosmetic agents conventionally used in the cosmetic art, for example selected from water, glycerin, emollients such as ethylhexyl palmitate, emulsifiers such as cetearyl alcohol, surfactants such as ceteareth-25, preservatives, etc.
The compositions used in steps (a) and (b) of the invention are new and constitute a further aspect of the invention, as does their use in thanato-aesthetics.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the moisturizing and deodorizing composition of step (a) comprises thymus vulgaris oil in an amount of 0.1-2%, advantageously around 0.5%, ahnfeltia concinna extract in the amount of 0.5-5%, advantageously around 2%, and melissa officinalis oil in the amount of 0.05-0.5%, advantageously around 0.1%.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition with relaxing effect of step (b′) comprises a 60% aqueous solution of hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, in the amount of 0.5-5%, advantageously around 1%.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition with relaxing effect of step (b′′) comprises caffeine in the amount of 1-5%, advantageously around 3%, escin in the amount of 0.1-3%, advantageously around 1%, helianthus annulus seed oil in the amount of 0.1-1%, advantageously around 0.5%, hedera helix extract in the amount of 0.5-5%, advantageously around 2%, arctostaphylos uva ursi extract in the amount of 0.5-5%, advantageously around 2%, tilia tomentosa extract in the amount of 0.5-5%, advantageously around 2%.
Unless otherwise indicated, the percentages indicated herein are intended by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.
According to a preferred embodiment, the colouring compounds CI 14700 and CI 42090 or the mixture of CI 42090 and CI 19140 are added to the composition of step (b′′) in the form of solution, for example solution in water with the optional addition of ethylhexylglycerin and/or phenoxyethanol, and are present in the composition in an amount sufficient to provide the composition with the desired colouring effect.
In particular, the colouring compound CI 14700 provides the composition with a red colouring, the colouring compound CI 42090 with a blue colouring and the mixture of CI 42090 and CI 19140 with a green colouring.
Preferred compositions representative of the invention are set forth in the experimental section of the present description.
The method of the invention is carried out as follows.
The composition of step (a) is applied to the face, hands and, if necessary, also to the rest of the body of the corpse and the composition is massaged delicately.
Subsequently, one or more compositions of step (b) can be applied to the face or to the body of the corpse. In particular, the composition of step (b′) shall be applied to the parts of the body that are to appear to be relaxed, for example in the case of muscle contraction or hollowing or excessive relaxation of tissue due to excessive weight loss, etc.
In addition or alternatively to the composition of step (b′), one or more of the compositions of step (b′′) can be applied.
In the case of wishing to camouflage the pathological presence of the colour red, the composition of step (b′′) containing the mixture of CI 42090 and CI 19140 can be applied, as this has a green colouring that covers abnormal red pigmentation.
In the case of wishing to camouflage the pathological presence of the colour yellow or green, the composition of step (b′′) containing the CI 42090 can be applied, as this has a blue colouring that covers abnormal yellow/green pigmentation.
Finally, in the case of wishing to camouflage the pathological presence of the colour blue, the composition of step (b′′) containing CI 14700 can be applied, as this has a red colouring that covers abnormal blue pigmentation.
It is evident that several compositions can be applied to different parts of the body of the corpse according to need and to the effect wished to be produced.


EXPERIMENTAL SECTION
Example 1










Deodorizing moisturizing composition









TRADE NAME
% by weight
INCI NAME












Ceteareth 25
3
CETEARETH-25


Laurex cs
8
CETEARYL ALCOHOL


Saboderm
10
ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE


Water
q.s. to 100
AQUA (WATER)


Glycerin
5
GLYCERIN


Sequamin 2
0.1
DISODIUM EDTA


Antiphlogistic
1
AQUA (WATER) PROPYLENE




GLYCOL PHANTENOL




ALLANTOIN GLYCYRRHETINIC




ACID


arginine
0.1
ARGININE


Isocide BAS
1
BENZYL ALCOHOL




DEHYDROACETIC ACID




AQUA(WATER)


Phytodermina c
1
PROPYLENE GLYCOL (% B)




AQUA (WATER) (% B)




HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN




(% E)


Plantadesamido
2
AQUA (WATER) SODIUM




LACTATE AHNFELTIA




CONCINNA EXTRACT




HYDROXYPROLINE


Melissa essential oil
0.1
MELISSA OFFICINALIS (LEMON




BALM OIL)


Thyme essential oil
0.5
THYMUS VULGARIS (THYME




OIL)









Example 2










Relaxing composition with myorelaxant-like effect










% by



TRADE NAME
weight
INCI NAME












CETEARETH 25
2
CETEARETH-25


LAUREX CS
8
CETEARYL ALCOHOL


SABODERM OP
10
ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE


DISTILLED WATER
q.s. to 100
AQUA (WATER)


Sequamin 2
0.1
DISODIUM EDTA


60% aqueous solution
1
AQUA (WATER)


of hydroxypropyl

HYDROXYPROPYL


cyclodextrin

CYCLODEXTRIN


Isocide BAS
1
BENZYL ALCOHOL




DEHYDROACETIC ACID




AQUA(WATER)


VIT. E ACETATE
0.1
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE


Glycerin
5
GLYCERIN









Example 3










Red draining composition









TRADE
% by



NAME
weight
INCI NAME












Ceteareth 25
3
CETEARETH-25


Laurex cs
8
CETEARYL ALCOHOL


Saboderm
10
ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE


Water
q.s. to 100
AQUA (WATER)


Glycerin
5
GLYCERIN


Sequamin 2
0.1
DISODIUM EDTA


Caffeine
3
CAFFEINE


Escin
1
ESCIN


Vitamin A
0.5
RETINYL ACETATE HELIANTHUS




ANNULUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL


Isocide BAS
1
BENZYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROACETIC




ACID AQUA(WATER)


Ivy extract
2
PROPYLENE GLYCOL AQUA (WATER)




HEDERA HELIX (IVY) EXTRACT


Uva ursi
2
PROPYLENE GLYCOL AQUA (WATER)


extract

ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA URSI




EXTRACT (ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA




URSI LEAF EXTRACT)


Tilia tomentosa
2
PROPYLENE GLYCOL AQUA (WATER)


extract

TILIA TOMENTOSA EXTRACT


Clay
1
KAOLIN


Red pigments
1
TITANIUM DIOXIDE




MIXTURE OF PIGMENTS




MICA




SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE


Pink solution
q.s.
AQUA (WATER) CI 14700 (FOOD RED




1-FD&C RED N.4) PHENOXYETHANOL




(89-90%) ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN




(9-11%)









Example 4










Blue draining composition









TRADE
% by



NAME
weight
INCI NAME












Ceteareth 25
3
CETEARETH-25


Laurex cs
8
CETEARYL ALCOHOL


Saboderm
10
ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE


Water
q.s. to 100
AQUA (WATER)


Glycerin
5
GLYCERIN


Sequamin 2
0.1
DISODIUM EDTA


Caffeine
3
CAFFEINE


Escin
1
ESCIN


Vitamin A
0.5
RETINYL ACETATE HELIANTHUS




ANNULUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL


Isocide BAS
1
BENZYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROACETIC




ACID AQUA(WATER)


Ivy extract
2
PROPYLENE GLYCOL AQUA (WATER)




HEDERA HELIX (IVY) EXTRACT


Uva ursi
2
PROPYLENE GLYCOL AQUA (WATER)


extract

ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA URSI




EXTRACT (ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA




URSI LEAF EXTRACT)


Tilia tomentosa
2
PROPYLENE GLYCOL AQUA (WATER)


extract

TILIA TOMENTOSA EXTRACT


Clay
1
KAOLIN


Blue pigments
1
TITANIUM DIOXIDE




MIXTURE OF PIGMENTS




MICA




SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE


Blue solution
q.s.
AQUA (WATER)




CI 42090 (BLUE-FD&C BLUE N.1




W092)




PHENOXYETHANOL (89-90%)




ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN (9-11%)









Example 5










Green draining composition









TRADE
% by



NAME
weight
INCI NAME












Ceteareth 25
3
CETEARETH-25


Laurex cs
8
CETEARYL ALCOHOL


Saboderm
10
ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE


Water
q.s. to 100
AQUA (WATER)


Glycerin
5
GLYCERIN


Sequamin 2
0.1
DISODIUM EDTA


Caffeine
3
CAFFEINE


Escin
1
ESCIN


Vitamin A
0.5
RETINYL ACETATE HELIANTHUS




ANNULUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL


Isocide BAS
1
BENZYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROACETIC




ACID AQUA(WATER)


Ivy extract
2
PROPYLENE GLYCOL AQUA (WATER)




HEDERA HELIX (IVY) EXTRACT


Uva ursi
2
PROPYLENE GLYCOL AQUA (WATER)


extract

ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA URSI




EXTRACT (ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA




URSI LEAF EXTRACT)


Tilia tomentosa
2
PROPYLENE GLYCOL AQUA (WATER)


extract

TILIA TOMENTOSA EXTRACT


Clay
1
KAOLIN


Green pigments
1
TITANIUM DIOXIDE




MIXTURE OF PIGMENTS




MICA




SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE


Green solution
q.s.
AQUA (WATER)




CI 42090 (BLUE-FD&C BLUE N.1




W092)




CI 19140 (ACID YELLOW 23-FD&C




YELLOW NO 5)




PHENOXYETHANOL (89-90%)




ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN (9-11%)

## Claims

1. A method to improve the appearance of a corpse which comprises in sequence the steps of:
a. applying to the skin of the corpse a deodorizing composition comprising at least one compound selected from thymus vulgaris oil, ahnfeltia concinna extract, melissa officinalis oil, myrrh extract, fenugreek extract, lemon oil and honeysuckle oil; and subsequently
b. applying to the skin of the corpse at least one composition selected from
b′. a composition with relaxing effect which comprises hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin; and
b′′. one or more compositions with draining effect and capable of camouflaging abnormal pigmentation of the skin of the corpse, said compositions comprising
at least one compound selected from caffeine, escin, helianthus annulus seed oil, hedera helix extract, arctostaphylos uva ursi extract, tilia tomentosa extract; and
a colouring compound selected from CI 14700, CI 42090 or a mixture of CI 42090 and CI 19140.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the moisturizing and deodorizing composition of step (a) comprises thymus vulgaris oil, ahnfeltia concinna extract and melissa officinalis oil.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing composition of step (a) also comprises moisturizing agents.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition with relaxing effect of step (b′′) comprises caffeine, escin, helianthus annulus seed oil, hedera helix extract, arctostaphylos uva ursi extract, tilia tomentosa extract.

5. A thanato-aesthetic composition which comprises caffeine, escin, helianthus annulus seed oil, hedera helix extract, arctostaphylos uva ursi extract, tilia tomentosa extract, and a colouring compound selected from CI 14700; CI 42090; and a mixture of CI 42090 and CI 19140.

6. A method for obtaining a draining effect and camouflage abnormal pigmentations of the skin of a corpse which comprises applying the composition of claim 5.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the deodorizing composition of step (a) also comprises moisturizing agents.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the composition with relaxing effect of step (b′′) comprises caffeine, escin, helianthus annulus seed oil, hedera helix extract, arctostaphylos uva ursi extract, tilia tomentosa extract.

9. The method according to claim 3, wherein the composition with relaxing effect of step (b′′) comprises caffeine, escin, helianthus annulus seed oil, hedera helix extract, arctostaphylos uva ursi extract, tilia tomentosa extract.