Long-acting, chemical-resistant skin emollients, moisturizers, and strengtheners

Abstract

The present invention relates to compounds that are two-part molecules, and compositions containing such compounds, in which one part is designed to become covalently bonded to the skin (bonding agent) and the other part (a characteristic use agent) is designed to impart some characteristic use, such as emolliency, moisturizing effect, anti-acne, anti-wrinkle, anti-pain, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-irritation, skin tanning and skin lightening effects, extended protection of the skin (e.g., from ultraviolet light, by incorporation of a sunscreen component; from toxic and/or irritating substances; from insects and skin parasites, by incorporation of insecticides and/or insect repellants; from free radicals or other agents, as in aging, by incorporation of antioxidants), or dyeing of hair, skin nails, wool or fur. The covalently bonded part may also be useful to impart skin strengthening effect (e.g., from shear forces) or as wound healing agents.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A skin care compound comprising at least one bonding agent and at least one characteristic use agent, wherein said bonding agent is selected from the group consisting of crotonyl thiol esters, sorbyl thiol esters, and mixtures thereof, and wherein said characteristic use agent is a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of emollients and skin soothing agents, moisturizers, sunscreens, insecticides, antibacterials, fungicides, skin lightening agents, artificial tanning agents, free-radical scavengers, antivirals, anti-acne agents, artificial tanning agents, anti wrinkle and anti-skin atrophy agents, antioxidants, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         2 . A skin care compound according to  claim 1  wherein said bonding agent is selected from the group consisting of crotonyl thiol esters, sorbyl thiol esters, and mixtures thereof; and wherein said characteristic use agent is selected from the group consisting of emollients and skin soothing agents, moisturizers, sunscreens, insecticides, antibacterials, fungicides, skin lightening agents, artificial tanning agents, free-radical scavengers, antivirals, anti-acne agents, artificial tanning agents, anti wrinkle and anti-skin atrophy agents, antioxidants, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A skin care compound according to  claim 1  wherein said skin care compound is characterized by the formula  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 y is 1 or 2; and  
 X is the characteristic use agent.  
 
     
     
         4 . A skin care compound according to  claim 1  wherein said skin care compound is characterized by the formula  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 each y is independently 1 or 2; and  
 X is the characteristic use agent.  
 
     
     
         5 . A skin care composition comprising: a cosmetically acceptable carrier; and a skin care compound comprising at least one bonding agent and at least one characteristic use agent, wherein said bonding agent is selected from the group consisting of crotonyl thiol esters, sorbyl thiol esters, and mixtures thereof, and wherein said characteristic use agent is a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of emollients and skin soothing agents, moisturizers, sunscreens, insecticides, antibacterials, fungicides, skin lightening agents, artificial tanning agents, free-radical scavengers, antivirals, anti-acne agents, artificial tanning agents, anti wrinkle and anti-skin atrophy agents, antioxidants, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A skin care composition according to  claim 5  wherein said bonding agent is selected from the group consisting of crotonyl thiol esters, sorbyl thiol esters, and mixtures thereof; and wherein said characteristic use agent is selected from the group consisting of emollients and skin soothing agents, moisturizers, sunscreens, insecticides, antibacterials, fungicides, skin lightening agents, artificial tanning agents, free-radical scavengers, antivirals, anti-acne agents, artificial tanning agents, anti wrinkle and anti-skin atrophy agents, antioxidants, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A skin care composition according to  claim 5  wherein said skin care compound is characterized by the formula  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 y is 1 or 2; and  
 X is the characteristic use agent.  
 
     
     
         8 . A skin care composition according to  claim 5  wherein said skin care compound is characterized by the formula  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 each y is independently 1 or 2; and  
 X is the characteristic use agent.  
 
     
     
         9 . A skin care composition according to  claim 5  further comprising a catalytic amount of base.  
     
     
         10 . A skin care composition according to  claim 9 , wherein said base is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, heterocyclic and aromatic amines, imines, salts of organic and inorganic acids, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A skin care composition according to  claim 10  wherein said base is selected from the group consisting of 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene, bicarbonate, carbonate, triethanolamine, phosphate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A method of conferring a skin care benefit by applying to mammalian skin a skin care compound comprising at least one bonding agent and at least one characteristic use agent, wherein said bonding agent is selected from the group consisting of crotonyl thiol esters, sorbyl thiol esters, and mixtures thereof, and wherein said characteristic use agent is selected from the group consisting of emollients and skin soothing agents, moisturizers, sunscreens, insecticides, antibacterials, fungicides, skin soothing agents, skin lightening agents, artificial tanning agents, free-radical scavengers, antivirals, anti-acne agents, artificial tanning agents, anti wrinkle and anti-skin atrophy agents, antioxidants, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein said skin care compound is selected from the group consisting of  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       and mixtures thereof;  
       wherein 
 each y is independently 1 or 2; and  
 X is the characteristic use agent.