SKIN TREATMENT COMPOSITIONS

Abstract: Skin treatment compositions which lessen brown pigmentation marks on the body containing in low concentrations (0.5-2.0% weight) the active ingredients hydroquinone or its monobenzyl ether and salicylic acid together with a cosmetically acceptable carrier.

Description: SKIN TREATMENT COMPOSITIONS The invention relates to skin treatment compositions and in particular to compositions which lessen brown pigmentation marks on the hands, face, arms and body. A flawless skin is a woman's chief beauty and is a characteristic of normal skin. With age and exposure to ultra-violet radiation * excess pigmentation in the skin gives rise to areas of brown or darkened marks. These commonly occur on the hands, arms, neck and face. Whilst cosmetics can mask the brown spots they in no way act to alleviate the condition. It is apparent that there exists a need for an effective treatment for such skin blemishes which will restore the condition of the skin to normal. It was discovered that a combination, in low concentration 0.5% - 2.0% weight/weight, of hydroquinone or its monobenzyl ether, and salicyclic acid as active ingredients in a cosmetically acceptable carrier acted synergistically. Accordingly, the invention provides a composition for topical application comprising, in low concentration, active ingredients hydroquinone or its monobenzyl ether, and salicyclic acid together with a cosmetically acceptable carrier. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a process for preparing a topical application, which comprises mixing together the ingredients in the cosmetically acceptable carrier and then gradually adding thereto the active ingredients and mixing until dispersed. The composition according to the invention can contain ingredients other than those below mentioned, depending upon the form of the intended product. It is, for example possible, to include moisturisers, sunscreen agents, preservatives, anti-oxidants, emulsifiers, perfumes and colouring agents. Such other ingredients are well known in the trade and, as they do not form part of the present invention, will not be further discussed. The invention is illustrated by the following examples of a composition for topical application to human skin. Example 1 This example illustrates the preferred composition prepared from the following ingredients: Active Ingredient %weight/weight monobenzyl ether 1.5 salicyclic acid 1.5 Cosmetically Acceptable Carrier %weight/weight Vitamin E oil - 2,000 I, .U./100G Panthenol 0.5 Escalol 3 Cetomacrogol Wax 3.2 Cetostearyl Alcohol 9.7 Soft White Paraffin 8.6 Liquid Paraffin 6.7 Chlorocresol 0.1 Arlacel 165 2.5 Propylene Glycol 4.55 Glyce ine 9 Water 47.15 The vitamin E oil, cetomacrogol 1,000 wax, cetostearyl alcohol, soft white paraffin, liquid paraffin, chlorocresol escalol 507 and arlacel 165 were mixed together at a f temperature between 70 - 80°C. - Mixture (1) . 5 In a second container propylene glycol, glycerine, D-panthenol and water were mixed together at a temperature between 70 - 80°C. - Mixture (2). Add (2) to (1) while mixing with silverson. Continue mixing and gradually add the active 10 ingredients, salicylic acid and mono-benzone. Continue mixing until completely dispersed. Cool the final mixture and re-mix the following day. Tests have been carried out in vivo and have proved most encouraging. 15 Example 2 This example illustrates the another composition prepared from the following ingredients: Active Ingredient %weight/weight hydroquinone 1.0 20 salicyclic acid 1.5 Cosmetically Acceptable Carrier %weight/weight Vitamin E oil - 2,000 I.U./100G Panthenol 0.5 Escalol 3 25 Cetomacrogol Wax 3.2 Cetostearyl Alcohol 9.7 * Soft White Paraffin 8.6 Liquid Paraffin 6.7 Chlorocresol 0.1 30 Arlacel 165 2.5 Propylene Glycol 4.55 Glycerine 9 Water remainder This composition was prepared in a similar manner as set out in Example 1. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the composition of the cosmetically acceptable carrier may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims: Claims : 1. A composition for topical application comprising, in low concentration, active ingredients hydroquinone or its monobenzyl ether, and salicyclic acid together with a cosmetically acceptable carrier. 2. A composition according to claim 1, in which each of the active ingredients are present in a concentration of 0.5% - 2.0% weight/weight. 3. A composition according to claim 1, as herein described in Example 1 or 2. 4. A method of preparing a composition according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises mixing together the ingredients in the cosmetically acceptable carrier and then gradually adding thereto the active ingredients and mixing until dispersed. 5. - A method of preparing a composition according to claim 4, wherein each of the active ingredients are present in a concentraton of 0.5 - 2.0% weight/weight. 6. A method of preparing a composition according to claim 1, as herein described in Example 1.

Inventors: PLUNKETT JOHN FRANCIS, PLUNKETT, JOHN, FRANCIS
Applicants: PLUNKETT JOHN FRANCIS, PLUNKETT, JOHN, FRANCIS
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A61K31
IPC codes: A61K8, A61Q19