Patent ID: 8802116

Claim:
A topical or mucosal microemulsion composition suitable for pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, comprising: (a) an aqueous component; (b) a non-ionic block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; (c) a tea tree oil present in an amount of about 3% to 15% by weight of the microemulsion; and (d) a hydrophilic fatty acid emulsifier with a polyethoxylated side chain; wherein: (i) the copolymer is a flowing liquid at ambient temperatures, (ii) the tea tree oil is present in an effective amount to impart a pharmaceutical or cosmetic effect of the composition, (iii) the microemulsion is thermoreversible and gelatinises or viscosifies upon contact with dermal, ophthalmic or mucosal tissue to develop bioadhesive or mucoadhesive properties, iv) the microemulsion composition comprises an amount by weight of said non-ionic block copolymer of 10% to 50% by weight, and (v) the non-ionic block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide is poloxamer 407.