Methods for regulating skin appearance

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for preventing or treating skin disorders using flavonoid compounds. The present invention also relates to methods for regulating skin condition.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of regulating the visible and/or tactile discontinuities in the texture of mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin texture regulating agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the skin texture regulating agent.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to    claim 1   , wherein the flavonoid is flavanone.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to    claim 2   , wherein the flavanone is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanone, mono-hydroxy flavanone, mono-methoxy flavanone, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to    claim 3   , wherein the flavanone is unsubstituted flavanone.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to    claim 1   , wherein the flavanoid is chalcone.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to    claim 5   , wherein the chalcone is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcone, mono-hydroxy chalcones, di-hydroxy chalcones, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to    claim 6   , wherein the chalcone is unsubstituted chalcone.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to    claim 1   , wherein the composition further comprises an additional skin active selected from the group consisting of hydroxy acids, desquamatory agents, sunscreens, anti-oxidants, retinoids, moisturizing agents, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to    claim 8   , wherein the hydroxy acid is salicylic acid; the desquamatory agent is selected from the group consisting of zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof; the sun-block is selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof; the sunscreen is selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate, 4,4′-t-butyl methoxydibenzoyl-methane, phenyl benzimidazole sulfonic acid, octocrylene and mixtures thereof; the anti-oxidant is selected from the group consisting of tocopherol, esters thereof and mixtures thereof; the moisturizing agent is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, urea, guanidine, petrolatum, panthenol, fatty acids esters of polyols and sugars, and mixtures thereof; and the retinoid is selected from the group consisting of retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A method for reducing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation reducing agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the skin post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation reducing agent.    
     
     
         11 . A method for reducing the non-melanin discoloration of mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin non-melanin discoloration reducing agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the non-melanin discoloration regulating agent.    
     
     
         12 . A method for regulating the moisturization and barrier properties of mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin moisturizing agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the skin moisturizing agent.    
     
     
         13 . A method for regulating the epidermal differentiation of mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of epidermal differentiation regulating agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the epidermal differentiation regulating agent.    
     
     
         14 . A method for regulating exfoliation of mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin exfoliation regulating agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the exfoliation regulating agent.    
     
     
         15 . A method for thickening of skin to reduce skin atrophy, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin thickening agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the skin thickening agent.    
     
     
         16 . A method for regulating the elasticity of mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin elasticity regulating agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the skin elasticity regulating agent.    
     
     
         17 . A method for reducing oily skin, comprising applying to mammalian skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin oil reducing agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof,  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof,  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof,  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the skin oil reducing agent.    
     
     
         18 . A method for regulating cellulite in mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin cellulite reducing agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the skin cellulite reducing agent.    
     
     
         19 . A method for reducing pruritus in mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a pruritus reducing agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the pruritus reducing agent.    
     
     
         20 . A method for promoting wound healing in mammalian skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: 
 (a) a safe and effective amount of a skin wound healing promoting agent consisting essentially of flavonoids selected from the group consisting of: 
 (i) flavanones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavanones, mono-substituted flavanones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (ii) chalcones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chalcones, mono-substituted chalcones, di-substituted chalcones, tri-substituted chalcones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iii) flavones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted flavones, mono-substituted flavones, di-substituted flavones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (iv) one or more isoflavones;  
 (v) coumarins selected form the group consisting of unsubstituted coumarins, mono-substituted coumarins, di-substituted coumarins, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vi) chromones selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted chromones, mono-substituted chromones, di-substituted chromones, and mixtures thereof;  
 (vii) one or more dicoumarols;  
 (viii) one or more chromanones;  
 (ix) one or more chromanols; and  
 (x) mixtures thereof;  
   and    (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the skin wound healing promoting agent.