COMPOSITION FOR EXTERNAL USE CONTAINING AN ETHOXYLATED COMPOUND

Abstract: A composition for external use contains at least one active ingredient and a capped ethoxylated alcohol of the formula RO(EO) x R¹ where R and R¹ are both hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon and x is at least two. R is preferably a higher alkyl group and R¹ is a lower alkyl group. x is preferably at least 4. The ethoxylated alcohol is typically used in an amount to provide a soothing effect. The ethoxylated alcohol may be incorporated into cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions such as shaving cream, pre-­ and after-shave lotions, sunburn lotions, lotions and creams for chapped lips etc., insect bite lotions etc., mouth wash, and anti-perspirant.

Description: The present invention relates to compositions for external use and particularly to such compositions which have at least a transitory soothing effect. Mono- and di- lower alkyl esters of alkylene glycols have found many uses in industry. Thus, BE 644,231 proposes the use of such compounds as skin hygiene agents; FR 2,209,544 proposes their use to provide stable compositions containing prontaglandins; UK 2,141,025 proposes their use in pharmaceutical compositions for accelerating the percutaneous adsorption of physiologically active compounds and US 3,215,603 proposes their use in shampoos. However, none of these disclosures envisage that certain dialkyl ethers of alkylene glycols possess any soothing or anaesthetic properties when applied externally to the skin. Compositions for external use include both cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions. The term "external use" is used herein to exclude compositions which are taken internally. However, compositions such as a mouth rinse are regarded herein as being for external use. Compositions of this type can be used in the form of a liquid, an emulsion or a stick composition and typically such compositions are applied topically to the skin. The composition can be, inter alia, a shaving aid such as a shaving cream or pre-shave lotion, an after-shave lotion, a burn lotion or cream such as a sunburn or windburn cream, a composition for chapped skin, for example chapped lips, an insect bite or insect repellant composition, a shampoo, a mouth rinse, an anti-perspirant or a pet care composition such as a pet shampoo. Compositions of the foregoing types may be used when there is a possibility of an irritation or after some irritation has occurred. In such cases it is desirable that the composition provides at least a transitory soothing effect to ease any irritation which may occur. We have now found a class of materials which are particularly effective in providing a soothing effect and which cause little, usually no, skin irritation. According to the present invention there is provided a composition useful for providing a soothing effect on application to the skin comprising an active ingredient and a compound of the general formula: RO(AO) x R¹ wherein A is a C₁₋₄ alkylene; R is phenyl, tolyl, benzyl or alkyl having at least 9 carbon atoms optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, cyano or a group -OR², -SR² or NR²R³; R¹ is phenyl, tolyl, benzyl or C₁₋₅ alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, cyano or a group -OR², -SR² or -NR²R³; x is 2 to 30; and R² and R³ are independently C₁₋₃₀ alkyl. The group R is preferably an alkyl group and the group R¹ is preferably an alkyl group, especially a methyl group. The value of x is preferably at least 4 and does not exceed 10. It will be appreciated that compounds of this type are usually a mixture of compounds in which the value of x is different. The value of x is a mean value for a mixture of compounds and x is not necessarily an integer. The group A is typically an ethylene, propylene or butylene group and especially an ethylene group. A compound of the foregoing type which has a useful combination of properties is one in which R is a mixture of alkyl groups containing 12 or 13 carbon atoms, x has a value of about 6, R¹ is a methyl group and A is an ethylene group. The amount of the compound RO(AO) x R¹ (hereafter the "capped ethoxylate") which is present in the composition of the present invention will be dependent on the particular capped ethoxylate which is present and also the effect required in the particular composition. In general the capped ethoxylate is present in the composition at a level intended to produce a soothing effect, particularly a transitory soothing effect. However, it should be appreciated that the effect of the composition will be dependent on the amount of the composition which is used and a greater or lesser soothing effect will be obtained in dependence on the amount of the composition which is used. The capped ethoxylates used in the compositions of the present invention are effective as topical anesthetics and typically are present in the composition in an amount sufficient to give a soothing effect under the proposed conditions of use of the particular composition. The amount of the capped ethoxylate which is present in the composition is typically from 10 ppm by weight up to 10% by weight, for example from 0.005 up to 5% by weight. The composition can be in any suitable form for external use and may be formulated with suitable active ingredients as either a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition, particularly one for application to treat skin complaints. Thus, the composition can be a liquid formulation, an emulsion or a stick composition. If the composition is a stick composition it is preferably one which is capable of softening and spreading on the application of heat or pressure. The composition which contains the capped ethoxylate may be a shaving stick or shaving cream, a pre-shave lotion, an after shave lotion, a bath additive, a shampoo including a pet shampoo, a sunburn cream or lotion, a cream or stick for chapped lips, hand cream, an insect repellant cream or an insect bite cream, a mouth rinse, an anti-perspirant or a pharmaceutical composition suitable for the treatment of skin complaints such as neurodermatitis and psoriasis. The other components of the composition, including the active ingredients, and the proportions of such other components, can be selected in accordance with the knowledge of the man skilled in the art of cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations. The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting Examples in which all parts are by weight except where stated to the contrary. Example 1 Deodorant sticks had the following composition: Example 2 After-shave lotions had the following composition: A B Ethyl alcohol 93.9 93.7 Perfume 6.0 6.0 HMB Nil 0.2 Capped ethoxylate 0.1 0.1 Example 3 Sunburn creams had the following composition: A B Mineral Oil 5.0 5.0 Stearyl alcohol 0.5 0.5 SEO-21 2.0 2.0 SEO-2 2.0 2.0 Water 90.3 88.5 Capped ethoxylate 0.2 2.0 Example 4 Anti-chap sticks had the following composition: A B Petrolatum 49.9 48.0 Paraffin wax 35.0 35.0 Lanolin 15.0 15.0 Capped ethoxylate 0.1 2.0 Example 5 A mouth rinse had the following composition: A B Ethyl alcohol 79.1 78.7 Sodium saccharhin 0.2 0.2 Flavour 0.6 0.6 Water 20.0 20.0 Capped ethoxylate 0.1 0.5 Example 6 Anti-perspirant sticks had the following composition: A B Cyclomethicone (pentamer) 53.5 51.7 Stearyl alcohol 20.0 20.0 SEO-100 0.2 0.2 Bentone 34 0.5 0.5 Aluminium chlorohydrate 25.0 25.0 Fragrance 0.6 0.6 Capped ethoxylate 0.2 0.2 Example 7 Soluble bath oils had the following composition: A B Perfume 5.0 5.0 SML 20.0 25.0 MHB 0.1 0.1 Water 73.9 59.9 Capped ethoxylate 1.0 10.0

Claims: A composition useful for providing a soothing effect on application to the skin comprising an active ingredient and a compound of general formula RO(AO) x R¹ wherein A is a C₁₋₄ alkylene; R is phenyl, tolyl, benzyl or alkyl having at least 9 carbon atoms optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, cyano or a group -OR², -SR² or NR²R³; R¹ is phenyl, tolyl, benzyl or C₁₋₅ alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, cyano or a group -OR², -SR² or -NR²R³; x is 2 to 30; and R² and R³ are independently C₁₋₃₀ alkyl. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein x does not exceed 10. A composition as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein R¹ is an alkyl group containing not more than 5 carbon atoms. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein x is at least 4 and not greater than 30. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein A is an ethylene group. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is a mixture of alkyl groups containing 12 or 13 carbon atoms, x has a value of 6, R¹ is a methyl group and A is an ethylene group. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 which contains from 10 ppm by weight up to 10% by weight of the compound RO(AO) x R¹. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 which is in the form of a liquid, an emulsion or a stick composition. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 which is a shaving stick, a shaving cream, a pre-shave lotion, an after-shave lotion, a bath additive, a shampoo including a pet shampoo, a sunburn cream or a lotion, or cream or stick for chapped lips, a hand cream, an insect repellent lotion, cream or stick, an insect bite lotion, cream or stick, a mouth rinse or an anti-perspirant. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 which is a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of skin complaints.

Inventors: GREENSHIELDS, JAMES NAIRN, WALTERS, PETER PAUL
Applicants: ICI AMERICAS INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61Q19, A01N25, A61Q15, A61Q17, A61K8, A61K47, A61Q11, C11D3