Patent ID: 8003134

Claim:
A topical composition comprising: about 5% to about 25% (w/v) ascorbic acid; a non-toxic zinc salt; and water, wherein, the composition has a pH of about 3.5 to about 4.1; the composition does not comprise tyrosine; and the composition is prepared by a process comprising: (a) dissolving about 10% to about 50% of the ascorbic acid in water at a temperature of between about 60° C. to about 90° C. to provide an aqueous ascorbic acid solution of at least 20% (w/v); (b) cooling the aqueous ascorbic acid solution to below about 40° C.; (c) combining the aqueous ascorbic acid solution with water, a non-toxic zinc salt, and ascorbic acid to provide a mixture comprising water, a non-toxic zinc salt, and about 5% to about 25% (w/v) ascorbic acid; and (d) adjusting the pH of the mixture to about 3.5 to about 4.1.