METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR SKIN LIGHTENING

Abstract: A method and composition is provided for treating skin to achieve lightening by employing an active of structure (I), wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and C1-C30 alkyl or aryl groups radicals; and R<1> is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-C30 alkyl or aryl radicals.

Description: METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR SKIN LIGHTENING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention concerns a method and compositions for lightening the color of skin. The Related Art Ever since the first freckle or hyperpigmented spot appeared on the human face, there has been demand for treatment. Historically treatments have involved preparations of mercury, plant extracts and even lemon juice. Bleaching of skin with ammoniated mercury and other salts of this metal are reported to be quite effective. Of course there are significant safety issues involved with mercurials Zinc peroxide has been utilized in anhydrous ointments as a bleaching agent. Monobenzyl ether of hydroqumone was marketed for its skin lightening effect but questions of safety were here also raised. Ascorbic acid preparations, either pure or made from some natural material, such as lemon juice, were suggested as useful. While seemingly entirely safe, they do not seem to be very effective U.S. Patent 4,096,240 (Mathur) refers to niacin as effective in skin lightening. This material is postulated to operate by retarding melanin dispersion or distribution into the epidermis . Since unpleasant skin flushing occurs with niacin, the patent suggests use of niacinamide as a substitute. Compositions based upon niacinamide are effective, but only to a limited extent. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a skin lightening composition and actives to accomplish this function which are more efficient than materials heretofore known and are safe to use. Another object of the present invention s to provide a skm lightening composition and actives to accomplish this function which are particularly effective against agespots, freckles and hyperpig entation. These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from consideration of the following summary and detailed description. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method for lightening the color of skin is provided which includes applying to the skin a compound of the structure (I) • 3 - wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and Ci-Cj o alkyl or aryl groups radicals; and R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C J -C JO alkyl or aryl radicals. A composition for skin lightening is also provided which includes : d) an effective amount to achieve skin lightening of an active having structure (I); (n) from 0.1 to 30% by weight of a sunscreen agent; and (m) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to deliver structure (I) and the sunscreen agent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Now it has been discovered that vanillin, vanillic acid and its derivatives are active agents in lightening skin. These actives are effective against hyperpigmentation, agespots and freckles They can also be used to generally lighten the skin. They have the general structure (I) : wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and C J -C 3 Q alkyl or aryl groups radicals; and R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and Ci-Cj o alkyl or aryl radicals. Preferred actives for use in the present method and composition are vanillin and vanillic acid. Amounts of the active (I) may range from 0.1 to 20%, preferably from 0.5 to 10%, optimally from 1 to 5% by weight . Use of (I) may be according to a regime that applies compositions containing the active repeatedly to the same area of the skin For instance, application can be done daily for periods from several days to several weeks, before skin lightening becomes evident. In a preferred embodiment the present method and composition are employed to remove or reduce age spots and/or freckles. A further preferred application of the method and composition is to eliminate or reduce hyperpigmentation. In a further aspect of the invention, the action of the skin lightening active (I) is ensured against reversal of melanisation through the presence of an ultraviolet absorbing sunscreen By the term "sunscreen" is meant any material whether organic or inorganic which can shield the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Preferably it is effective within the range of 290 to 400 nm. When the sunscreen is an organic material, it will usually contain at least one chromophonc agent absorbing within the ultraviolet range somewhere from 290 to 400 nm. Chromophonc organic sunscreen agents may be divided into the following categories (w th specific examples) including: p-Aminobenzoic acid, its salts and its derivatives (ethyl, isobutyl, glyceryl esters; p- dimethylaminobenzoic acid) ; Anthranilates (o- aminobenzoates; methyl, methyl, phenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, linalyl, terpmyl, and cyclohexenyl esters) ; Salicylates (octyl, amyl, phenyl, benzyl, menthyl, glyceryl, and dipropyleneglycol esters); Cmnamic acid derivatives (menthyl and benzyl esters, α-phenyl cmnamomtrile; butyl cinnamoyl pyruvate) ; Dihydroxycmnamic acid derivatives (umbelliferone, methylu belliferone, methylaceto-umbelliferone) ; Trihydroxycmnamic acid derivatives (esculetin, methylesculetm, daphnetm, and the glucosides, esculm and daphnm) ; Hydrocarbons (d phenylbutadiene, stilbene) ; Dibenzalacetone and benzalacetophenone; Naptholsulfonates (sodium salts of 2-naphthol-3 , 6-dιsulfonic and of 2- naphthol-6 , 8-dιsulfonic acids); Dihydroxy-napthoic acid and its salts; o- and p-Hydroxybiphenyldisulfonates; Coumarm derivatives (7-hydroxy, 7-methyl, 3-phenyl) ; Diazoles (2- acetyl-3-bromoιndazole, phenyl benzoxazole, methyl naphthoxazole, various aryl benzothiazoles) ; Quinine salts (bisulfate, sulfate, chloride oleate and tannate) ; Qumol e derivatves (8-hydroxyqumolιne salts, 2- phenylqumolme) ; Hydroxy-or methoxy-substituted benzophenones; Uric and vilouπc acids; Tannic acid and its derivatives (e.g. hexaethylether) ; (Butyl carb tyl) (6- propyl piperonyl) ether; Hydroqumone; Benzophenones (Oxybenzone, Sulisobenzone, Dioxybenzone, Benzoresorcinol, 2 , 2 ' , 4, 4 ' -Tetrahydroxybenzophenone, 2,2' -Dιhydroxy-4, 4 ' - dimethoxybenzophenone, Octabenzone; 4- isopropyldibenzoylmethane, Butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane; Etocrylene; and 4-ιsopropyl-dιbenzoylmethane) . Particularly useful are: 2-ethylhexyl p- methoxycinnamate, 4 , ' - -butyl methoxydibenzoyl ethane, 2- hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, octyldimethyl p-ammobenzoic acid, digalloyltrioleate, 2 , 2-dιhydroxy-4- methoxybenzophenone, ethyl-4- [bis (hydroxypropyl) ] ammobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano- 3 , 3-dιphenylacrylate, 2-ethylhexylsalιcylate, glyceryl p- ammobenzoate, 3,3, 5-trιmethylcyclohexylsalιcylate, methylanthramlate, p-dimethylammobenzoic acid or ammobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl p-dimethylammobenzoate, 2- phenylbenzιmιdazole-5-sulfonic acid, 2- (p- dimethylaminophenyl ) -5-sulfomobenzoxazoic acid and mixtures thereof. Suitable commercially available organic sunscreen agents are those identified under the following table. - 7 TABLE I CTFA NAME TRADE NAME SUPPLIER Benzophenone-3 UVINUL M-40 BASF Chemical Co. Benzophenone-4 UVINUL MS-40 BASF Chemical Co. Benzophenone-8 SPECTRA-SORB American UV-24 Cyanamid DEA-Methoxyc namate BERNEL HYDRO Bernel Chemical Ethyl AMERSCREEN P Amerchol Corp. dihydroxypropy1-PABA Glyceryl PABA NIPA G.M. P.A. Nipa Labs . Homosalate KENESTER HMS Hu ko Chemical Menthyl anthramlate SUNAROME UVA Felton Worldwide Octocrylene UVINUL N-539 BASF Chemical Co. Oc yl dimethyl PABA AMERSCOL Amerchol Corp. Octyl PARSOL MCX Bernel Chemical methoxyc namate Octyl salicylate SUNAROME WMO Felton Worldwide PABA PABA National Starch 2- EUSOLEX 6300 EM industries Pheny1benzimidazole- 5-sulphonιc acid TEA salicylate SYBARINE W Felton Worldwide 2- (4- EUSOLEX 6300 EM Industries Methylbenzlidene) - camphor Benzophenone-1 UVINUL 400 BASF Chemical Co. Benzophenone-2 UVINUL D-50 BASF Chemical Co. Benzophenone-6 UVINUL D-49 BASF Chemical Co . Benzophenone-12 UVINUL 408 BASF Chemical Co. 4-Isopropyl dibenzoyl EUSOLEX 8020 EM Industries methane Butyl Methoxy PARSOL 1789 Givaudan Corp. dibenzoyl methane Etocrylene UVINUL N-35 BASF Chemical Co. Inorganic sunscreen actives may also be employed such as microfme titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, polyethylene, polyamides (e.g. nylon) and various other polymers. Amounts of the sunscreen agents (whether organic or inorganic) will generally range from 0.1 to 30%, preferably from 2 to 20%, optimally from 4 to 10% by weight. Compositions of the present invention will utilize a pharmaceutically acceptacle carrier. The carrier may either be aqueous, anhydrous or an emulsion. Preferably the compositions are aqueous, especially water and oil emulsions of the W/O or O/W variety. Water when present will be in amounts which may range from 5 to 95%, preferably from 20 to 70%, optimally between 35 and 60% by weight . Besides water, relatively volatile solvents may also serve as carriers within compositions of the present invention. Most preferred are onohydric C^^ alkanolε. These include ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. The amount of monohydric alkanol may range from 1 to 70%, preferably from 10 to 50%, optimally between 15 to 40% by weigh . Emollient materials may also serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers These may be m the form of silicone oils and synthetic esters. Amounts of the emollients may range anywhere from 0.1 to 30%, preferably between 1 and 20% by weight . Silicone oils may be divided into the volatile and non-volatile variety. The term "volatile" as used herein refers to those materials which have a measurable vapor pressure at ambient temperature. Volatile silicone oils are preferably chosen from cyclic or linear polydimethylsiloxanes containing from 3 to 9 , preferably from 4 to 5, silicon atoms. Linear volatile silicone materials generally have viscosities less than about 5 centistokes at 25°C while cyclic materials typically have viscosities of less than about 10 centistokes Nonvolatile silicone o ls useful as an emollient material include polyalkyl siloxanes, polyalkylaryl siloxanes and polyether siloxane copolymers. The essentially non-volatile polyalkyl siloxanes useful herein include, for example, polydimethyl siloxanes with viscosities of from about 5 to about 100,000 centistokes at 25°C. Among the preferred non-volatile emollients useful m the present compositions are the polydimethyl siloxanes having viscosities from about 10 to about 400 centistokes at 25°C. Among the ester emollients are: (1) Alkenyl or alkyl esters of fatty acids having 10 to 20 carbon atoms Examples thereof include isoarachidyl neopentanoate, isononyl lsonanonoate, oleyl myristate, oleyl stearate, and oleyl oleate. (2) Ether-esters such as fatty acid esters of ethoxylated fatty alcohols. (3) Polyhydric alcohol esters. Ethylene glycol mono and di- fatty acid esters, diethylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol (200-6000) mono- and di-fatty acid esters, propylene glycol ono- and di-fatty acid esters, polypropylene glycol 2000 monooleate, polypropylene glycol 2000 monostearate, ethoxylated propylene glycol monostearate, glyceryl mono- and di- fatty acid esters, polyglycerol poly-fatty esters, ethoxylated glyceryl monostearate, 1,3-butylene glycol monostearate, 1,3-butylene glycol distearate, polyoxyethylene polyol fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid esters, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters are satisfactory polyhydric alcohol esters. (4) Wax esters such as beeswax, spermaceti, myristyl myristate, stearyl stearate and arachidyl behenate. (5) Sterols esters, of which cholesterol fatty acid esters are examples thereof. Fatty acids having from 10 to 30 carbon atoms may also be included as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for compositions of this invention. Illustrative of this category are pelargonic, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, isostearic, hydroxystearic, oleic, Imoleic, ricmoleic, arachidic, behemc and erucic acids. Humectants of the polyhydric alcohol-type may also be employed as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers m compositions of this invention. The humectant aids in increasing the effectiveness of the emollient, reduces scaling, stimulates removal of built-up scale and improves skm feel. Typical polyhydric alcohols include glycerol , polyalkylene glycois and more preferably alkylene polyols and their derivatives, including propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof, sorbitol, hydroxypropyl sorbitol, hexylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, 1, 2, 6-hexanetrιol, ethoxylated glycerol, propoxylated glycerol and mixtures thereof. For best results the hu ectant is preferably propylene glycol. The amount of humectant may range anywhere from 0.5 to 30%, preferably between 1 and 15% by weight of the composition. Thickeners may also be utilized as part of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier of compositions according to the present invention. Typical thickeners include crosslmked acrylates (e.g. Carbopol 982®) , hydrophobically- odifled acrylates (e.g. Carbopol 1382®), cellulosic derivatives and natural gums. Among useful cellulosic derivatives are sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and hydroxymethyl cellulose. Natural gums suitable for the present invention include guar, xanthan, sclerotium, carrageenan, pectm and combinations of these gums. Amounts of the thickener may range from 0.0001 to 5%, usually from 0.001 to 1%, optimally from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight. Collectively the water, solvents, silicones, esters, fatty acids, humectants and/or thickeners will constitute the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in amounts from 1 to 99.9%, preferably from 80 to 99% by weight. Cosmetic compositions of the present invention may be in any form. These forms may include emulsified systems such as lotions and creams, microemulsions, roll-on formulations, mousses, ointments (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) , aerosol and non-aerosol sprays and pad- applied formulations. Surfactants may also be present in compositions of the present invention. Total concentration of the surfactant will range from 0.1 to 40%, preferably from 1 to 20%, optimally from 1 to 5% by weight of the composition. The surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of amonic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric actives. Particularly preferred nonionic surfactants are those with a C 10 -C 2ϋ fatty alcohol or acid hydrophobe condensed with from 2 to 100 moles of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide per mole of hydrophobe; C : -C 10 alkyl phenols condensed with from 2 to 20 moles of alkylene oxide; mono- and di- fatty acid esters of ethylene glycol; fatty acid monoglyceride; sorbitan, mono- and di- C o -C 0 fatty acids; block copolymers (ethylene ox de/propylene oxide) , and polyoxyethylene sorbitan as well as combinations thereof. Alkyl polyglycosides and saccharide fatty amides (e.g. methyl gluconamides) are also suitable nonionic surfactants. Preferred amonic surfactants include soap, alkyl ether sulfate and sulfonates, alkyl sulfates and sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl and dialkyl sulfosuccinates, C fc -C o acyl isethionates, acyl glutamates, C 9 -C c alkyl ether phosphates and combinations thereof Preservatives can desirably be incorporated into the compositions of this invention to protect against the growth of potentially harmful microorganisms. Suitable traditional preservatives for compositions of this invention are alkyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid. Other preservatives which have more recently come into use include hydanto derivatives, propionate salts, and a variety of quaternary ammonium compounds. Cosmetic chemists are familiar with appropriate preservatives and routinely choose them to satisfy the preservative challenge test and to provide product stability. Particularly preferred preserva ives are phenoxyethanol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, imidazolidmyl urea, sodium dehydroacetate and benzyl alcohol The preservatives should be selected having regard for the use of the composition and possible incompatibilities between the preservatives and other ingredients in the emulsion. Preservatives are preferably employed m amounts ranging from 0.01% to 2% by weight of the composition Keratolytic agents such as C : -C 30 , preferably C 2 -C 25 , α- hydroxy carboxylic and β-hydroxycarboxylie acids and salts therefo may also be incorporated into compositions of this invention and may be used in the present method. Illustrative materials are glycolic, lactic, salicylic, α- hydroxyoctanoic acids and salts thereof. The salts may be selected from alkalimetal, ammonium and C ι -C 10 alkyl or alkanolammonium counterions. Levels of these keratolytic agents may suitably range from 0.001 to 10%, preferably between 0.2 and 8%, optimally between 1 and 4% by weight. Minor adjunct ingredients may also be present in the compositions. Among these may be the water-insoluble vitamins such as Vitamm A Palmitate, Vitamin E Acetate and DL-panthenol . Colorants, fragrances, opacifiers and abrasives may also be included m compositions of the present invention. Each of these substances may e.g. range from about 0.05 to about 5%, preferably between 0.1 and 3% by weight. The following Examples will more fully illustrate embodiments of this invention. All parts, percentages and proportions referred to herein and n the appended claims are by weight unless otherwise indicated. EXAMPLE 1 A clinical test was performed to evaluate the efficacy of vanillin m lightening skm. More specifically, the evaluation focused upon reduction of color intensity of hyperpigmented lesions Ten women panelists were involved in the clinical study. These panelists were pre-screened from a group of 120 women. Ages were between 45 and 65 years old. The forearms and hands of the selected panelists were required to exhibit a light to moderate level of sun damage, i.e. hyperpigmentation, freckling, mottled appearance, wrinkling and uneven color Each panelist received two products for twice daily (morning and evening) application after washing One product was applied to the left lower arm and hand. The second product was applied to the right lower arm and hand. Each panelist demarcated treated from untreated skm by measuring down from the elbow joint using four fingers of the hand held flat at the joint. No product was applied above the lowest fmger Skm color for each panelist was then assessed at baseline and every two weeks over the six week treatment course. Each panelist was required to avoid exposing arms and hands to sunlight over the course of the study. Incidental exposure (i.e. 5-10 minutes) was however acceptable When any panelist thought that her hands and arms would be exposed to sunlight for extended periods, she was encouraged to wear a long sleeve garment and use a sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 A Scopeman Fiber Optic microscope was used to capture still analog video images of specific hyperpigmented lesions on the dorsal surface of the hands and forearms of each panelist The images were processed into a CP Vision Logic, Digital Image Processor. Utilizing this equipment it was possible to measure variants of the hyperpigmented lesions and the surrounding "normal" skm, densitometric reading of each spot, and a size determination of each lesion The base composition utilized as a control had the formulation as listed Table II. TABLE II BASE COMPOSITION INGREDIENT WEIGHT % Lactic Acid 8.0 Butylene Glycol 3.0 Stearic Acid 3.0 Potassium Hydroxide 2.7 Isostearyl Palmitate 2.0 Glycerin 2.0 PEG-100 Stearate 2.0 Glyceryl Hydroxystearate Acid 1.5 Stearyl Alcohol 1.5 Triethanolamine 1.2 Ci Alkyl Octanoate 1.0 D methicone 1.0 Sorbitan Stearate 1.0 Methylparaben 0.15 Magnesium Aluminum Silicate 0.6 Cholesterol 0.5 Hydroxyethylcellulose 0.5 Xanthan Gum 0.2 Propyl araben 0.1 Disodium EDTA 0.05 BHT 0.05 Simethicone 0.01 Water balance to 100 Color intensity diminished in the skm of nine of the ten panelists when 2% vanillin was included the base composition. Overall, there was a 19% color intensity reduction of hyperpigmented lesions over a six week period. Reduction of color with the base composition is believed to result from the presence of lactic acid. Addition of vanillin still further reduced the color intensity of hyperpigmented lesions by 37.6% over the six week period. Statistically, "p" was less than 0.002. Table III outlines individual panelist responses. TABLE III COLOR INTENSITY REDUCTION PANELIST NO. BASE (CONTROL) 2% VANILLIN IN BASE 1 7.8 33.5 2 12.1 48.2 3 30.2 33.5 4 2.8 47.6 5 17.1 35.3 6 11.3 38.1 7 0.0 22.3 8 34.6 36.9 9 37.3 26.0 10 37.4 54.9 EXAMPLE 2 A microemulsion formulation accordmg to the present invention is outlined under Table IV. TABLE IV INGREDIENT WEIGHT {%) PPG-5-Ceteth-20 4.00 PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil 1.75 Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate 10.50 PEG-8 Caprylic/capric Glycerides 10.50 SD Alcohol 40 12.00 Isodecyl Neopentanoate 16.00 Glyceryl Tπoctanoate 8.00 DC Silicone Fluid 344® 8.50 Propylparaben 0.15 Isostearic Acid 2.50 Vanillin 3.75 Hydroxycaprilic Acid 0.10 Tocopheryl Acetate 0.25 Phenoxyethanol 0.30 Deionized Water Q.S EXAMPLE 3 A skin lotion (water m oil type) formulation according to the present invention is outlined under Table V. TABLE V INGREDIENT WEIGHT {%) Cetyl Dimethicone 2.50 DC Silicone Fluid 344® 4.00 DC Silicone Fluid 200®(20 CST) 1.25 Squalane 1.75 Octyl Octanoate 2.00 Zinc Myristate 1.25 Dimethicone Copolyol 2.50 Butylene Glycol 4.50 Glycerin 1.50 Sodium Hyaiuronate 1.00 Vanillic Acid 6.00 Salacos HS® 2.50 Isostearic Acid 2.50 Isononyl Isononanoate 3.75 Hydroxycaprilic Acid 0.10 Methylparaben 0.20 Propylparaben 0.10 Tocopheryl Acetate 0.55 Phenoxyethanol 0.20 Deionized Water Q.S EXAMPLE 4 A skm cream (oil n water type) with sunscreen formulation accordmg to the present invention is outlined under Table VI . TABLE VI INGREDIENT WEIGHT {%) Hydroxyethylcellulose 0.50 Magnesium Aluminum Silicate 0.75 Cocoa Butter 1.25 Squalene 1.05 Isostearyl Isononanoate 2.25 DC Silicone Fluid 200® (50 CST) 1.25 DC Silicone Fluid 200® (100 0.50 CST) Butylene Glycol 3.00 Parsol MCX® 3.00 Parsol 1789® 3.00 Glycerin 2.50 Sodium Hyaluronate 0.50 Vanillin 5.00 Glycereth-7 Hydroxystearate 1.50 Stearic Acid 3.50 Cetyl/Stearyl Alcohol 2.55 Sodium PCA 2.10 Glyceryl Hydroxystearate 1.25 Tocopherol 0.35 Methylparaben 0.20 Propylparaben 0.10 Glydant® 0.30 Steareth-20 1.20 Disodium EDTA 0.05 Triethanolamine 1.50 Deionized Water Q . S EXAMPLE 5 An anhydrous serum with inorganic (titanium dioxide) sunscreen formulation according to the present invention is outlined under Table VII. TABLE VII INGREDIENT WEIGHT {%) Zinc Oxide 8.00 Sepigel 305© 1.50 SD Alcohol 40 (200 ) 20.00 Squalene 1.05 Octyl Isononanoate 2.25 DC Silicone Fluid 200® (10 CST) 5.25 Isononyl Isononanoate 30.00 Butylene Glycol 1.00 Tocopheryl Lmoleate 0.50 Propylparaben 0.10 Tocopheryl Acetate 0.10 Vanillin 2.75 Dimethiconol 2.50 DC Silicone Fluid 344® QS EXAMPLE 6 A skm lotion (oil water type) formulation according to the present invention is outlined under Table VIII TABLE VIII INGREDIENT WEIGHT (%) Xanthan Gum 0.20 Magnesium Aluminum Silicate 0.75 Shea Butter Glycerides 1.25 Squalene 2.25 Coco Caprylate/Caprate 3.25 DC Silicone Fluid 200® (50 CST) 0.75 DC Silicone Fluid 200© (50 CST) 0.50 Butylene Glycol 3.00 Glycerin 2.00 Sodium Hyaluronate 0.35 Vanillic Acid 3.50 Cetyl Alcohol 1.00 DEA-Cetyl Phosphate 2.15 Saccharide Isomerate 1.00 Sodium PCA 2.10 Sucrose Laurate 0.50 Ceteth-2 0.50 Methylparaben 0.20 Propylparaben 0.10 Germall II© 0.30 Steareth-20 1.20 Tocopheryl Acetate 0.20 Disodium EDTA 0.05 Lactic Acid 0.10 Deionized Water Q.S EXAMPLE 7 A protective skin lotion with sunscreen formulation accordmg to the present invention is outlined under Table IX. TABLE IX INGREDIENT WEIGHT (%) Xanthan Gum 0.15 Sepigel 501® 1.50 Shea Butter 1.50 Squalene 2.00 Coco Caprylate/Caprate 2.25 Propylene Glycol 3.55 Dicaprylate/Dicaprate DC Silicone Fluid 200© (20 CST) 0.50 DC Silicone Fluid 200® (350 1.00 CST) Butylene Glycol 3.00 Glycerin 1.00 Sodium Hyaluronate 0.35 Vanillin 3.00 Cetyl Alcohol 1.00 DEA-Cetyl Phosphate 1.25 Parsol MCX® 6.00 Benzophenone-3 3.00 Ceteth-2 0.50 Ceteareth-20 1.20 Me hylp raben 0.30 Propylparaben 0.15 Glydant® 0.20 Aloe Vera Gel 2.00 Tocopheryl Acetate 0.30 Disodium EDTA 0.05 Deionized Water Q . S

Claims: CLAIMS A cosmetic method for lightening the color of skm comprising applying to the skin a compound of the structure (I) : wherein R s selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and C l -C 30 alkyl or aryl group radicals; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C j -C^ alkyl or aryl radicals . The method accordmg to claim 1 wherein the active is selected from the group consisting of vanillin and vanillic acid. The method accordmg to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein skm lightening removes or reduces agespots and/or freckles . 4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein skin lightening eliminates or reduces hyperpigmentation. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4 further comprising a sunscreen present in an effective amount to shield skin from ultra-violet radiation in the range from 290 to 400 nm. The method according to any one of claims 1-5 further comprising applying to the skin a C 2 -C 30 α- hydroxycarboxylic acid or β-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a salt thereof, or a combination of 2 or more thereof. A skin lightening cosmetic composition comprising: (i) an effective amount to achieve skin lightening of an active having structure (I) wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and C j -C^ alkyl or aryl group radicals; and R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C j -C J0 alkyl or aryl radicals; (ii) from 0.1 to 30% by weight of a sunscreen agent, and (in) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to deliver structure (I) and the sunscreen agent 8. A composition accordmg to claim 7 wherein the active is selected from the group consisting of vanillin and vanillic acid. 9. A composition according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein skm lightening removes or reduces agespots and/or freckles. 10 A composition according to any one of claims 7-9 wherein skm lightening eliminates or reduces hyperpigmentation. 11. A composition according to any one of claims 7-10 further comprising a sunscreen agent present in an effective amount to shield skin from ultra-violet radiation in the range from 290 to 400 nm. 12. A composition accordmg to any one of claims 7-11 further comprising from 0.001 to 10% of a C 2 -C 30 0- hydroxycarboxylic acid or β-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a salt thereof, or a combination of 2 or more thereof.

Inventors: CROTTY BRIAN ANDREW, JOHNSON ANTHONY WILLIAM, ZNAIDEN ALEXANDER PAUL, CROTTY, BRIAN, ANDREW, JOHNSON, ANTHONY, WILLIAM, ZNAIDEN, ALEXANDER, PAUL
Applicants: UNILEVER NV, UNILEVER PLC, UNILEVER N.V.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61K7
IPC codes: A61K8, A61Q17, A61Q19