Patent Description:
Consumers desire skin care compositions for a variety of purposes, including, for example, to provide moisturization and/or cleansing of the skin. Skin care compositions must be capable of being applied to the skin of the user, and often require the presence of an aqueous component, such as water, to allow the user to apply the product to the skin easily and effectively; and an oily phase providing the moisturizing benefit.

However certain skin care compositions may leave a white film of thin foam on the consumer skin providing an unpleasant and unaesthetic soapy effect. Avoiding this effect is challenging and requires a reformulation the oily phase of the emulsion without modifying the rheological properties or the stability of the composition.

In the recent years, consumers demand has evolved toward more natural products. These changes may be driven, for example, by ecological concerns regarding the sourcing of raw material, or by health concerns regarding potential side effects of ingredients such as preservatives.

Manufacturers are constantly trying to improve the formulation of their products to match consumer expectations. Consequently, it is highly desirable to develop moisturizing composition with more sustainable raw material.

There is a need to identify new way to formulate skin care emulsions with sustainable ingredients without this soapy effect while still providing the expected rheology and stability.

One aspect of the invention pertains to a composition comprising :.

This aspect may be combined with a variety of embodiments, in any combination. Thus, in some embodiments, the one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols is selected from the group consisting of behenyl alcohol, arachinyl alcohol, heneicosanol, lignoceryl alcohol and combinations thereof. In one or more embodiments, the one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols is present in an amount of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. % of by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the one or more anionic surfactants is selected from the group consisting of potassium cetyl phosphate, glyceryl stearate citrate, fatty acids in the anionic form, and combinations thereof. In one or more embodiments, the one or more one or more anionic surfactants is present in an amount of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. % of by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the one or more thickening polysaccharides further comprises xanthan gum, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, alkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose, guar gum, carrageenan, alignates, pectin, and combinations thereof. In one or more embodiments, the one or more thickening polysaccharide is present in an amount of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. % of by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, at least one natural butter having a natural butter which is solid at <NUM> and has a melting point below <NUM> is present in an amount ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. In one or more embodiments, the at least one natural butter having a natural butter which is solid at <NUM> and has a melting point below <NUM> comprises shea butter. In some embodiments, the emollient is selected from the group consisting of shea butter, cocoglyceride, candelilla cera and hydrogenated vegetable oil, olus oil; caprylyl glyceryl ether, and combinations thereof. In one or more embodiments, the one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols comprise behenyl alcohol, the one or more emollients comprises shea butter, and the behenyl alcohol and shea butter are present in a ratio of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a non-ionic surfactant.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to a composition comprising.

In one or more embodiments, the composition comprises:.

about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. % of water by weight of the total composition.

Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method of treating skin, the method comprising: applying the composition of any of the embodiments described above.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.

As used herein, a skin care product or skin care composition is a product that can be applied to the skin or hair of a user, providing a benefit to that user. The benefit can be, for example, hydration of the skin or hair or delivery of one or more therapeutic or benefit agents to the skin or hair, as described in more detail below. The skin care product can be, for example, a moisturizer or other skin beneficial product.

One aspect of the invention pertains to a composition comprising:.

wherein the composition is in the form of an emulsion, and wherein the one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols and at least one natural butter are present in a ratio of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Such composition is suitable for use on the skin. Surprisingly this combination of C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols, natural butter and succinoglycan was found to have no whitening or soapy effect on the skin.

This combination provided a stable emulsion with a viscosity appropriate for a skin care moisturizer. Finally, this combination can be made of sustainably sourced ingredients.

As used herein, the term "emulsion" means a mixture of two phases, including a first phase and second phase, where the first phase is dispersed into the second phase. One of the phases is in the form of a liquid aqueous material, such as water. The second liquid phase may be a liquid, a solid, or a flowable solid, and includes one or more skin care components described herein, including, for example, emulsifying agents, thickeners, and humectants. The emulsion may be an oil-in-water emulsion.

Lotions and creams can be formulated as emulsions. Typically such lotions contain from <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of an emulsifier(s), while such creams would typically contain from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% (e.g., from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%) of an emollient(s); from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% (e.g., from <NUM>% to about <NUM>%) of water; and from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% (e.g., from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%) of an emulsifier(s).

The compositions described herein contain water as a cosmetically-acceptable carrier. As used herein, the term "cosmetically-acceptable carrier" means a carrier that is suitable for use in contact with the skin without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability, irritation, allergic response, and the like. Water may be present in an amount ranging from about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> % to about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, water is present in an amount ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM> to about <NUM> % by weight of the total composition.

The composition comprises one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols. The one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols may be selected from the group consisting of arachinyl alcohol (C20), heneicosyl alcohol (C21), behenyl alcohol (C22), lignoceryl alcohol (C24), and combinations thereof. The one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols may be present in an amount of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or <NUM>% to <NUM>%, or even from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of by weight of the total composition.

In one or more embodiments, the composition is substantially free of C16 fatty alcohols, C18 fatty alcohols, or mixtures of C16/C18 alcohols. For example, cetearyl alcohol which is a mixture of cetyl (C16) alcohol and stearyl (C18) alcohol is preferably not present in the composition according to the invention.

What is meant by a surfactant is a surface-active agent intended to cleanse or emulsify. Examples of suitable surfactants include those found in <NPL>) and include, but are not limited to anionic, amphoteric, nonionic, and cationic surfactants. As used herein, the term "anionic surfactant" refers to a surfactant having a negatively charged hydrophilic polar group. Anionic surfactants include citrates, phosphates, and sulfates, preferably citrates and phosphates. Examples of anionic surfactants include potassium cetyl phosphate, glyceryl stearate citrate, fatty acids in the anionic form, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium myreth sulfate, sodium pareth sulfate, sodium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, α olefin sulfonate, and ammonium laureth sulfate. In further embodiments, the anionic surfactant is selected from potassium cetyl phosphate, glyceryl stearate citrate, and combinations thereof.

The anionic surfactant may be present in an amount ranging from about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, to about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> wt. In some embodiments, the anionic surfactant may be present in an amount ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. % or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt.

The compositions described herein comprise one or more thickening polysaccharides, wherein at least one of the thickening polysaccharides is succinoglycan. These thickening polysaccharides act as rheology modifiers. Examples of suitable polysaccharide thickeners aside from succinoglycan include various thickeners having molecular weights of greater than about <NUM>,<NUM> grams per mole, including chemistries such as: hydroxyalkyl cellulose; alkyl cellulose; hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose; xanthan and guar gums, carrageenan, alignates, pectin and mixtures thereof.

The one or more thickening polysaccharides comprising succinoglycan may be present in a total amount ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. The amount of succinoglycan in particular may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM>. to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> wt. Other preferred thickening polysaccharides include xanthan gum. When present, the xanthan gum may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM>. to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> wt. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises <NUM>% succinoglycan + <NUM>% xanthan gum, by weight % of the total composition.

The compositions described herein comprise one or more emollients comprising at least one natural butter having a natural butter which is solid at <NUM> and has a melting point below <NUM> which comprises shea butter, cacao butter, or combinations thereof. What is meant by an "emollient" is a compound that helps to maintain the soft, smooth, and pliable appearance of the skin (e.g., by remaining on the skin surface or in the stratum corneum to act as a lubricant). Examples of suitable emollients include those found in <NPL>).

The at least one natural butter having a natural butter which is solid at <NUM> and has a melting point below <NUM> comprises shea butter, cacao butter, and combinations thereof. Other emollients include, but are not limited to, hexyldecyl stearate and plant, nut, and vegetable oils such as macadamia nut oil, rice bran oil, grape seed oil, palm oil, prim rose oil, hydrogenates peanut oil, and avocado oil. Other examples of suitable emollients include Candelilla Cera; Hydrogenated Vegetable oil; Olus Oil is sold under tradename Cegesoft VP by BASF.

The at least one natural butter may be present in amounts ranging from about <NUM> or <NUM> to about <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> wt. The at least one natural butter may be present in amounts ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt.

The composition preferably contains more of the one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols than the at least one natural butter. They are present in a ratio of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or more preferably <NUM> of C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols to the at least one natural butter. In some embodiments, the C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols comprise behenyl alcohol and the emollient comprises shea butter. They may be present in a ratio of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or more preferably <NUM> of behenyl alcohol to shea butter. In one or more embodiments, the shea butter and behenyl alcohol are present in a total amount of about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> wt.

The total amount of emollients may range from about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> to about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> wt. The total amount of emollients may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt. %, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt.

The compositions of the present invention may comprise any of a variety of additional other auxiliary ingredients used conventionally in healthcare/personal care compositions (referred to generally as "personal care components"). These other personal care components nonexclusively include one or more, pearlescent or opacifying agents, conditioners, humectants, chelating agents, actives, exfoliants, and additives which enhance the appearance, feel and fragrance of the compositions, such as colorants, fragrances, preservatives, pH adjusting agents, rheology modifiers, and the like. Such auxiliary ingredients, when present, will be cosmetically / dermatologically acceptable and present in safe and effective amounts.

In addition to the anionic surfactants discussed above, the compositions described herein may contain additional surfactants, including other anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants. Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to the fatty alcohol acid or amide ethoxylates, monoglyceride ethoxylates, sorbitan ester ethoxylates alkyl polyglycosides, and mixtures thereof. One suitable nonionic surfactant is the polyoxyethylene derivatives of polyol esters, wherein the polyoxyethylene derivative of polyol ester (<NUM>) is derived from (a) a fatty acid containing from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and preferably from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms, and (b) a polyol selected from sorbitol, sorbitan, glucose, α-methyl glucoside, polyglucose having an average of about <NUM> to about <NUM> glucose residues per molecule, glycerin, pentaerythritol and mixtures thereof, (<NUM>) contains an average of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM> oxyethylene units; and (<NUM>) has an average of about <NUM> to about <NUM> fatty acid residues per mole of polyoxyethylene derivative of polyol ester.

Examples of polyoxyethylene derivatives of polyol esters include, but are not limited to PEG-<NUM>, sorbitan laurate, and polysorbate <NUM>. PEG-<NUM> sorbitan laurate, which is a sorbitan monoester of lauric acid ethoxylated with an average of about <NUM> moles of ethylene oxide, is available commercially from ICI Surfactants of Wilmington, Del. under the tradename, "Atlas G-<NUM>. " Polysorbate <NUM>, which is the laurate monoester of a mixture of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides condensed with approximately <NUM> moles of ethylene oxide, is available commercially from ICI Surfactants of Wilmington, Del. under the tradename "Tween <NUM>. " Another class of suitable nonionic surfactants includes long chain alkyl glucosides or polyglucosides, which are the condensation products of (a) a long chain alcohol containing from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and preferably from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms, with (b) glucose or a glucose-containing polymer. The alkyl gluocosides have about <NUM> to about <NUM> glucose residues per molecule of alkyl glucoside. A preferred glucoside is decyl glucoside, which is the condensation product of decyl alcohol with a glucose polymer and is available commercially from Henkel Corporation of Hoboken, N. under the tradename, "Plantaren <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl glucosides (e.g., decyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, coco-glucoside) PEG-<NUM>, sorbitan Laurate and combinations thereof.

The compositions of the present invention may also contain an amphoteric surfactant. As used herein, the term "amphoteric" shall mean: <NUM>) molecules that contain both acidic and basic sites such as, for example, an amino acid containing both amino (basic) and acid (e.g., carboxylic acid, acidic) functional groups; or <NUM>) zwitterionic molecules which possess both positive and negative charges within the same molecule. The charges of the latter may be either dependent on or independent of the pH of the composition. The amphoteric surfactants are disclosed herein without a counter ion. One skilled in the art would readily recognize that under the pH conditions of the compositions of the present invention, the amphoteric surfactants are either electrically neutral by virtue of having balanced positive and negative charges, or they have counter ions such as alkali metal, alkaline earth, or ammonium counter ions. Examples of amphoteric surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, amphocarboxylates such as alkylamphoacetates (mono or di); alkyl betaines; alkylamidoalkyl betaines; alkylamidoalkyl sultaines; alkylamphophosphates; phosphorylated imidazolines such as phosphobetaines and pyrophosphobetaines; carboxyalkyl alkyl polyamines; alkylimino-dipropionates; alkylamphoglycinates (mono or di); alkylamphoproprionates (mono or di),); N-alkyl β-aminoproprionic acids; alkylpolyamino carboxylates; and mixtures thereof.

Classes of cationic surfactants that are suitable for use in this invention include alkyl quaternaries (mono, di, or tri), benzyl quaternaries, ester quaternaries, ethoxylated quaternaries, alkyl amines, and mixtures thereof, wherein the alkyl group has from about <NUM> carbon atoms to about <NUM> carbon atoms, with about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms being preferred. These cationic surfactants can be employed in composition of the present invention in an amount, based upon the total weight of the composition, from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%.

Any of a variety of commercially available pearlescent or opacifying agents which are capable of suspending water insoluble additives such as silicones and/or which tend to indicate to consumers that the resultant product is a conditioning shampoo are suitable for use in this invention. If used, the pearlescent or opacifying agent may be present in an amount, based upon the total weight of the composition, of from about <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent, e.g. from about <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent or from about <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent. Examples of suitable pearlescent or opacifying agents include, but are not limited to mono or diesters of (a) fatty acids having from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms and (b) either ethylene or propylene glycol; mono or diesters of (a) fatty acids having from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms (b) a polyalkylene glycol of the formula: HO-(JO)a-H, wherein J is an alkylene group having from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms; and a is <NUM> or <NUM>; fatty alcohols containing from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms; fatty esters of the formula: KCOOCH2L, wherein K and L independently contain from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms; inorganic solids insoluble in the composition, and mixtures thereof.

Any of a variety of commercially available conditioners, such as volatile silicones, which impart additional attributes, such as gloss to the hair are suitable for use in this invention. The volatile silicone conditioning agent has an atmospheric pressure boiling point less than about <NUM> C. The volatile silicone conditioner may be present in the invention, in ranges of from about <NUM> percent (if unused) to about <NUM> percent, e.g. from about <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent or from about <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent, based on the overall weight of the composition. Examples of suitable volatile silicones nonexclusively include polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylcyclosiloxane, hexamethyldisiloxane, cyclomethicone fluids such as polydimethylcyclosiloxane available commercially from Dow Corning Corporation of Midland, Mich. under the tradename, "DC-<NUM>" and mixtures thereof, such as cyclomethicone fluids. Other suitable secondary conditioners include cationic polymers, including polyquarterniums, cationic guar, and the like. The present inventive compositions may be free of added silicones.

Any of a variety of commercially available humectants, which are capable of providing moisturization and conditioning properties to the composition, are suitable for use in the present invention. What is meant by a humectant is a compound intended to increase the water content of the top layers of skin (e.g., hygroscopic compounds). Examples of suitable humectants include those found in <NPL>) and include, but are not limited to, glycerin, sorbitol or trehalose (e.g., α,α- trehalose, β,β-trehalose, α,β-trehalose) or a salt or ester thereof (e.g., trehalose <NUM>-phosphate).

When present, the humectant may be present in an amount of from <NUM>% to <NUM> %, preferably <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably about <NUM>%, by weight % of the total composition.

Examples of suitable humectants nonexclusively include: <NUM>) water soluble liquid polyols selected from the group comprising glycerine, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyglycerols, and mixtures thereof; <NUM>) polyalkylene glycol of the formula: HO-(R"O)b-H, wherein R" is an alkylene group having from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms and b is an integer of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; <NUM>) polyethylene glycol ether of methyl glucose of formula CH3-C6H10O5-(OCH2CH2)c-OH, wherein c is an integer from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; <NUM>) urea; and <NUM>) mixtures thereof. The humectant is preferably chosen from glycerin.

Examples of suitable chelating agents include those which are capable of protecting and preserving the compositions of this invention. The chelating agent may include ethylenediamine tetracetic acid ("EDTA"), such as tetrasodium EDTA, available commercially from Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Mich. under the tradename, "Versene 100XL" and is present in an amount, based upon the total weight of the composition, from about <NUM> (if unused) to about <NUM> percent or from about <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent.

Suitable preservatives include, for example, parabens, quaternary ammonium species, phenoxyethanol, benzoates, sorbates, DMDM hydantoin, and are present in the composition in an amount, based upon the total weight of the composition, from about <NUM> (if unused) to about <NUM> percent or from about <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent. The preservatives are preferably selected from the group consisting of potassium benzoate, potassium sorbate and combinations thereof. The preservatives may also be combined with other ingredients which provide a booster effect. One example of such a booster is caprylyl glyceryl ether, which is an emollient which can provide a boosting effect to potassium benzoate and/or potassium sorbate. The ratio of preservative to caprylyl glyceryl ether may be from about <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM>.

The composition may further optionally contain one or more benefit agents or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. As used herein, the term "benefit agent" includes any active ingredient that is to be delivered into and/or onto the skin, hair or nail at a desired location, such as a cosmetic agent or a pharmaceutical agent. By "cosmetic agent," it is meant any ingredient that is appropriate for cosmetically treating, providing nutrients to, and/or conditioning the hair, nail, and/or skin via topical application. By "pharmaceutical agent," it is mean any drug that is either hydrophobic or hydrophilic in nature and appropriate for topical use. As used herein "medicament agents" include those agents capable of promoting recovery from injury and illness. The benefit agent(s), if used, may be included in any of the first oil phase, the second oil phase, or the water phase, if compatible with the other components in the selected phase.

The benefit agents useful herein may be categorized by their therapeutic benefit or their postulated mode of action. However, it is to be understood that the benefit agents useful herein may, in some circumstances, provide more than one therapeutic benefit or operate via greater than one mode of action. Therefore, the particular classifications provided herein are made for the sake of convenience and are not intended to limit the benefit agents to the particular application(s) listed. In addition, the compounds, which are identified below as being suitable for use as benefit agents, may be used in an amount over and above the amount that they may be used for other purposes in the composition or personal care system.

Examples of suitable benefit agents include, but are not limited to, depigmentation agents; reflectants; film forming polymers; humectants; amino acids and their derivatives; antimicrobial agents; allergy inhibitors; anti-acne agents; anti-aging agents; anti-wrinkling agents, antiseptics; analgesics; antitussives; antipruritics; local anesthetics; anti-hair loss agents; hair growth promoting agents; hair growth inhibitor agents, antihistamines such as Mandragora Vernalis, Tanacetum Parthenium and the like; antiinfectives such as Acacia Catechu, Aloe Barbadensis, Convallaria Majalis, Echinacea, Eucalyptus, Mentha Piperita, Rosa Canina, Sassafras Albidum, and the like; inflammation inhibitors; anti-emetics; anticholinergics; vasoconstrictors; vasodilators; wound healing promoters; peptides, polypeptides and proteins; deodorants and anti-perspirants; medicament agents; skin emollients and skin moisturizers; skin firming agents, vitamins; tanning agents; skin lightening agents; antifungals such as Centaurea Cyanus, Kalmia Latifolia and antifungals for foot preparations; depilating agents; shaving preparations; external analgesics; perfumes; counterirritants; hemorrhoidals; insecticides; poison ivy products; poison oak products; burn products; anti-diaper rash agents; prickly heat agents; vitamins; amino acids and their derivatives; herbal extracts; retinoids; flavenoids; sensates; anti-oxidants; skin conditioners; hair lighteners, chelating agents; cell turnover enhancers; coloring agents; sunscreens, those active ingredients disclosed in <CIT>, anti-edema agents, collagen enhancers, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of suitable anti-edema agents nonexclusively include bisabolol natural, synthetic bisabolol, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of suitable vasoconstrictors nonexclusively include horse chestnut extract, prickly ash, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of suitable anti-inflammatory agents nonexclusively include benoxaprofen, centella asiatica, bisabolol, feverfew (whole), feverfew (parthenolide free), green tea extract, green tea concentrate, hydrogen peroxide, lycopene including "Lyc-o-Pen" available from LycoRed Natural Products Industries, Ltd. , oat oil, chamomile, and mixtures thereof. Examples of collagen enhancers nonexclusively include vitamin A, vitamin C, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of suitable skin firming agent nonexclusively include dimethylaminoethanol ("DMAE").

Examples of suitable antipruritics and skin protectants nonexclusively include oatmeal, betaglucan, feverfew, soy and derivatives thereof, bicarbonate of soda, colloidal oatmeal, surfactant based colloidal oatmeal cleanser, Anagallis Arvensis, Oenothera Biennis, Verbena Officinalis, and the like. These antipruritics may be used in an amount, based upon the total weight of the composition, from about <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent, and preferably from about <NUM> percent to about <NUM> percent.

As used herein, colloidal oatmeal means the powder resulting from the grinding and further processing of whole oat grain meeting United States Standards for Number <NUM> or Number <NUM> oats. The colloidal oatmeal has a particle size distribution as follows: not more than <NUM> percent of the total particles exceed <NUM> micrometers in size and not more than <NUM> percent of the total particles exceed <NUM> micrometers in size. Examples of suitable colloidal oatmeals include, but are not limited to, "Tech-O" available from the Beacon Corporation and colloidal oatmeals available from Quaker.

Examples of suitable reflectants nonexclusively include mica, alumina, calcium silicate, glycol dioleate, glycol distearate, silica, sodium magnesium fluorosilicate, and mixtures thereof. Suitable film forming polymers include acetyl tyrosinamide, zinc pyrithione, coal tar, benzoyl peroxide, selenium sulfide, hydrocortisone, sulfur, menthol, pramoxine hydrochloride, tricetylmonium chloride, polyquaternium <NUM>, panthenol, panthenol triacetate, vitamin A and derivatives thereof, vitamin B and derivatives thereof, vitamin C and derivatives thereof, vitamin D and derivatives thereof, vitamin E and derivatives thereof, vitamin K and derivatives thereof, keratin, lysine, arginine, hydrolyzed wheat proteins, hydrolyzed silk proteins, octyl methoxycinnamate, oxybenzone, minoxidil, titanium dioxide, zinc dioxide, retinol, erthromycin, tretinoin, and mixtures thereof.

One type of benefit agent includes those therapeutic components that are effective in the treatment of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis as well as the symptoms associated therewith. Examples of such suitable benefits agents nonexclusively include zinc pyrithione, anthralin, shale oil and derivatives thereof such as sulfonated shale oil, selenium sulfide, sulfur; salicylic acid; coal tar; povidone-iodine, imidazoles such as ketoconazole, dichlorophenyl imidazolodioxalan, which is commercially available from Janssen Pharmaceutica, N. , under the tradename, "Elubiol", clotrimazole, itraconazole, miconazole, climbazole, tioconazole, sulconazole, butoconazole, fluconazole, miconazole nitrate and any possible stereo isomers and derivatives thereof; piroctone olamine (Octopirox); selenium sulfide; ciclopirox olamine; anti-psoriasis agents such as vitamin D analogs, e.g. calcipotriol, calcitriol, and tacaleitrol; vitamin A analogs such as esters of vitamin A, e.g. vitamin A palmitate, retinoids, retinols, and retinoic acid; corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone, clobetasone, butyrate, clobetasol propionate and mixtures thereof.

The composition may be applied topically. Such topical application may be to any skin in need of treatment on the body, for example skin of the face, lips, neck, chest, back, buttocks, arms, axilla, and/or legs. The composition may also be administered to a mucous membrane (i.e., in the oral cavity).

The composition of the present invention may be used in a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises the composition of the present invention. Any suitable substrate may be used. Examples of suitable substrates and substrate materials are disclosed, for example, in <CIT> and <CIT>.

Any suitable method of applying the composition to the skin in need may be used. For example, the composition may be applied directly from a package to the skin in need, by hand to the skin in need, or may be transferred from a substrate such as a wipe or mask, or a combination of two or more thereof. In other embodiments, the composition may be applied via a dropper, tube, roller, spray, and patch or added to a bath or otherwise to water to be applied to the skin, and the like. The composition may be applied in a variety of manners or forms, including, without limitation, as a leave-on cream, mask, and /or serum.

While the foregoing description represent exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description. It will be appreciated that in the claims, the term "comprises/comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terms "a", "an", "first", "second", etc., do not preclude a plurality.

All percentages, parts and ratios are based upon the total weight of the composition of the present invention, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to the listed ingredients are based on the level of the particular ingredient described and, therefore, do not include carriers or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials, unless otherwise specified.

The above embodiments may be combined in any suitable fashion. Thus, for example, in one aspect, the invention pertains to a composition comprising:.

In further embodiments, the composition comprises:.

As used herein, "essentially free" or "substantially free" of an ingredient means containing less than <NUM> weight percent, or less than <NUM> weight percent, or none of an ingredient.

To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative expressions given herein are not qualified with the term "about". It is understood that whether the term "about" is used explicitly or not, every quantity given herein is meant to refer to the actual given value, and it is also meant to refer to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and/or measurement conditions for such given value.

To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative expressions herein are recited as a range from about amount X to about amount Y. It is understood that wherein a range is recited, the range is not limited to the recited upper and lower bounds, but rather includes the full range from about amount X through about amount Y, or any amount or range therein.

Standard formulation protocol for the inventive examples <NUM> to <NUM>:.

All formulations were evaluated for whitening effect, stability and viscosity. "Whitening effect" refers to the propensity of a formulation to leave a white film on the skin after application. Whitening effect was evaluated by visual observation. Stability of the formulations were done through visual evaluation after <NUM> months at <NUM>.

Viscosities were measured with a rheometer (Physica) at <NUM>, with a shear rate at <NUM>-<NUM>. Viscosity is an important feature to skin care formulas, as they must have the right consistency to be pleasing to the consumer, while also being able to be dispensed correctly (e.g., being able to be pumped). Generally speaking, a viscosity range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> mPa. s-<NUM> is considered acceptable for a skin care composition, or an upper limit of <NUM>,<NUM> mPa. s-<NUM> for a pumpable skin care composition.

Claim 1:
A composition comprising:
a. one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols;
b. one or more anionic surfactants;
c. one or more thickening polysaccharides comprising succinoglycan;
d. one or more emollients comprising at least one natural butter having a natural butter which is solid at <NUM> and has a melting point below <NUM> which comprises shea butter, cacao butter, or combinations thereof; and
e. <NUM> to <NUM> wt.% of water by weight of the total composition,
wherein the composition is in the form of an emulsion, and
wherein the one or more C<NUM>-<NUM> fatty alcohols and at least one natural butter are present in a ratio of <NUM> to <NUM>.