Use of polymers as film-forming barrier materials

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a method of forming a substantially non odorous barrier film, on human or animal skin on which a fragrance is to be applied, said method comprises applying a dermatologically inactive film-forming polymer to human or animal skin in a cosmetically acceptable carrier to form a substantially non odorous barrier film, on human or animal skin, onto which a fragrance is to be applied. A composition for use with the method of the invention is also disclosed.

1 . The use of a barrier composition comprising a dermatologically inactive film-forming polymer in a cosmetically acceptable carrier therefore to form a substantially non odorous barrier film, on human or animal skin, onto which a fragrance is to be applied.  
     
     
         2 . The use of a barrier composition as claimed in    claim 1    in which the dermacologically inactive film-forming polymer is selected from the group consisting vinyl ether copolymers, polyacrylates and methacrylates, polyesters, polyfluorocarbons and polysaccharides.  
     
     
         3 . The use of a barrier composition as claimed in    claim 2    in which the dermatologically inactive film-forming polymer is selected from the group consisting poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-monobutyl maleate), acrylated/t-octyl propenamide copolymer and quaternary hydroxypropyl chitosan.  
     
     
         4 . The use of a barrier composition as claimed in any of claims  1 ,  2  or  3  in which the polymer is present in an amount of from 3 to 35% by weight of the total composition.  
     
     
         5 . The use of a barrier composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the cosmetically acceptable carrier is: an alcohol where the polymer is a vinyl ether copolymer; ethylacetate where the polymer is a methacrylate polymer; an alcohol or ketone where the polymer is a polyacrylate polymer; acetone or ethylacetate where the polymer is a polyester; acetone where the polymer is a polyluorocarbon, and an alcohol where the polymer is a quaternary hydroxypropyl chitosan.  
     
     
         6 . The use of a composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims which further comprises one or more of the group consisting a surfactant, plasticiser and a pH controlling agent.  
     
     
         7 . A fragrance applicator kit comprising a fragrance and a barrier composition comprising a dermatologically inactive film-forming polymer and a cosmetically acceptable carrier therefore.  
     
     
         8 . A fragrance applicator kit as claimed in    claim 7    in which the applicator has means enabling the composition to be applied by either spraying, dabbing, dropping and spreading or by a wipe action.  
     
     
         9 . A method of improving the likelihood of a given fragrance lasting a given time and emitting a given smell, the method comprising the steps of: 
 applying a barrier composition comprising a dermatologically inactive film-forming polymer in a cosmetically acceptable carrier therefore to human or animal skin to form a substantially non-odorous fragrance resistive barrier film thereon, and    applying a fragrance onto said substantially non-odorous fragrance resistive barrier film.