Patent ID: 8318818

Claim:
A method for using a topical composition, the method comprising: (a) applying the topical composition containing an active ingredient to skin tissue so that the topical composition adheres to the skin tissue and holds the active ingredient in proximity to the skin tissue for a length of time sufficient to allow delivery of the active ingredient to the skin tissue, the topical composition comprising: (i) at least 70 wt. % water; (ii) the active ingredient comprising an antimicrobial agent, an antifungal agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, or an anti-viral agent; (iii) a complex formed by melt processing a hydrophobic polymer composition and a hydrophilic polymer composition at a temperature of at least 50° C. and at a water concentration of less than 1 wt. %, wherein: (A) the hydrophobic polymer composition comprising repeating pyrrolidone/alkylene groups, wherein the alkylene groups contain at least 10 carbon atoms; and (B) the hydrophilic polymer composition selected from the group consisting of starch, cellulose, and mixtures thereof.