Formulations and methods for reducing skin irritation

Abstract

Compositions and methods are provided for inhibiting skin irritations attributable to chemical irritants or environmental conditions by the application of anti-irritant amounts of aqueous-soluble divalent strontium cation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition for topical application to an animal subject comprising 
 a topical vehicle;    an irritant ingredient contained in an amount capable of inducing skin irritation in said subject; and    an anti-irritant amount of aqueous-soluble divalent strontium cation.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising strontium cation in a concentration of from about 10 mM to about 3000 mM.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising strontium cation in a concentration of from about 50 mM to about 2000 mM.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising strontium cation in a concentration of from about 100 mM to about 1000 mM.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising strontium cation in a concentration of from about 250 mM to about 500 mM.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising an amount of strontium cation capable of inhibiting mean cumulative skin irritation attributable to said irritant ingredient in a susceptible human population by at least about 20%  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein said inhibition of skin irritation represents an average reduction in one or more of sting, burn and itch in a susceptible human population upon topical application of said composition, as compared to the level of irritation induced in said population upon topical application of a control formulation containing said irritant ingredient in a vehicle without said strontium cation.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  comprising an amount of strontium cation capable of inhibiting by at least about 40% the cumulative skin irritation attributable to said irritant ingredient in at least 10% of the susceptible human population.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8  wherein said inhibition of skin irritation represents an average reduction in one or more of sting, burn and itch in at least 10% of the susceptible human population upon topical application of said composition, as compared to the level of irritation induced in said at least 10% of the population upon topical application of a control formulation containing said irritant ingredient in a vehicle without said strontium cation.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition is a cosmetic product.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said composition comprises a skin exfolient, skin peel or skin cell renewal agent.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said irritant ingredient is selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, keto acids, α-hydroxy acids, β-hydroxy acids, retinoids, peroxides, and organic alcohols.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises lactic acid or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises glycolic acid or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises salicylic acid or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises a combination of lactic acid and salicylic acid, or salts thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises capryloyl salicylic acid or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises citric acid or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient is a retinoid selected from tretinoin, retinol, retinal and derivatives thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises benzoyl peroxide.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises acetic acid or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises one or more of the group consisting of 1-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, capryloyl salicyclic acid, α-hydroxy decanoic acid, α-hydroxy octanoic acid, gluconolactone, methoxypropyl gluconamide, oxalic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, mandelic acid, benzylic acid, gluconic acid, pyruvic acid and phenol.  
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said irritant ingredient comprises trichloroacetic acid of a salt thereof.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the pH of the composition is in the range of 1 to 6.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the pH of the composition is in the range of 3 to 5.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 12  having a concentration of said irritant ingredient of from about 0.1% to about 50%  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 12  having a concentration of said irritant ingredient of from about 0.5% to about 20%  
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition is an antiperspirant or deodorant product.  
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition is a sunscreen, tanning or sunburn treatment product.  
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition is an insect repellant product.  
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said composition is a shaving or hair removal product selected from the group consisting of depilatory, bracer, cream, foam, gel and aftershave products.  
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said composition is a hair care or hair treatment product.  
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 32  wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of shampoo, conditioner, colorant, dye, bleach, permanent wave and hair straightener products.  
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of cleansers, astringents, toners, rinses, serums and masks.  
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said composition is a facial cosmetic product.  
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of creams, lotions and moisturizers.  
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of soaps and detergents.  
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition is a topical drug product.  
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 38  wherein said irritant ingredient is capsaicin.  
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 38  wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of antibiotic, analgesic, contraceptive, anti-acne and anti-dandruff products.  
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 40  wherein said irritant ingredient is benzoyl peroxide.  
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition is formulated as a rectal or vaginal suppository, foam, cream, gel or ointment.  
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition is formulated for administration to the mouth, throat or lip.  
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 43  formulated as a lozenge, mouthwash or gargle.  
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 1  formulated as a liquid, gel, cream, emulsion, suspension or stick.  
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 1  formulated with a physical applicator.  
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46  wherein said physical applicator is selected from the group consisting of cloths, tissues, swabs, bandages and wet wipes.  
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising, as counteranions to said strontium cation, one or more topically acceptable anion species.  
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 48  further comprising, as counteranions to said strontium cation, one or more anion species selected from the group consisting of nitrate, sulfate, halogen, carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide, oxide, peroxide, nitrite, sulfide, bisulfate, persulfate, glycerophosphate, hypophosphate, borate and titanate inorganic anions, and carboxylic acid, alkoxylate, amino acid, peptide, saturated and unsaturated organic acid, and saturated and unsaturated fatty acid organic anions.  
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 48  wherein said one or more of said counteranions is an organic anion selected from the group consisting of citrate, oxalate, acetate, gluconate, lactate, tartrate, maleate, benzoate, propionate, salicylate, ascorbate, formate, succinate, folinate, aspartate, phthalate, oleate, palmitate, stearate, lauryl sulfate, lanolate, myristate, behenate, caseinate, cyclamate, pantothenate, polyaminopolycarboxylates, saccharin, thioglycolate, laurate, methylparaben, propylparaben, ricinoleate and sorbate organic anions.  
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 48  wherein said anion species includes nitrate.  
     
     
         52 . The composition of  claim 48  wherein said anion species includes sulfate.  
     
     
         53 . The composition of  claim 48  wherein said anion species includes a halogen selected from chloride and fluoride anions.  
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising at least one second anti-irritant agent.  
     
     
         55 . The composition of  claim 54  wherein the total amount of said strontium cation and said second agent is capable of inhibiting mean cumulative skin irritation attributable to said irritant ingredient in a susceptible human population by at least about 20%  
     
     
         56 . The composition of  claim 54  wherein the total amount of said strontium cation and said second agent is capable of inhibiting by at least about 40% the cumulative skin irritation attributable to said irritant ingredient in at least 10% of the susceptible human population.  
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 54  wherein said second agent is selected from the group consisting of potassium channel mediating, regulating or blocking agents, calcium channel blocking or regulatory agents, sodium channel blocking agents, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, aloe vera, chamomile, α-bisabolol, cola nitada extract, green tea extract, tea tree oil, licorice extract, allantoin, urea, caffeine and other xanthenes, and glycyrrhizic acid and its derivatives.  
     
     
         58 . An composition for inhibiting skin irritation in an animal subject comprising an anti-irritant amount of aqueous-soluble divalent strontium cation and a topical vehicle.  
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 58  comprising strontium cation in a concentration of from about 10 mM to about 3000 mM.  
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 58  comprising strontium cation in a concentration of from about 50 mM to about 2000 mM.  
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 58  comprising strontium cation in a concentration of from about 100 mM to about 1000 mM.  
     
     
         62 . The composition of  claim 58  comprising strontium cation in a concentration of from about 250 mM to about 500 mM.  
     
     
         63 . The composition of  claim 58  wherein said inhibition of skin irritation represents a reduction in skin irritation attributable to a pre-existing human skin disease or skin irritation condition.  
     
     
         64 . The composition of  claim 63  wherein said skin irritation is attributable to atopic or allergic contact dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis or infectious disease.  
     
     
         65 . The composition of  claim 63  wherein said skin irritation is attributable to environmental exposure to one or more of sunlight, low humidity, wind, cold temperature, or hot and humid conditions.  
     
     
         66 . The composition of  claim 63  wherein said skin irritation is attributable to exposure to an irritating chemical agent.  
     
     
         67 . The composition of  claim 66  wherein said irritating chemical agent exposure is attributable to application of a topical product.  
     
     
         68 . The composition of  claim 67  wherein said product is selected from the group consisting of antiperspirant, deodorant, sunscreen, tanning, sunburn treatment, insect repellant, exfolient, skin peel, skin cell renewal, fragrance, shaving or hair removal, hair care or hair treatment, cleanser, astringent, toner, rinse, serum, masks, facial cosmetic, cream, lotion, moisturizer, soap, detergent, and topical drug products.  
     
     
         69 . The composition of  claim 67  wherein said composition is packaged with instructions directing administration of said composition before, with or following administration of said topical product.  
     
     
         70 . The composition of  claim 66  wherein said irritating chemical agent exposure is attributable to insect sting or bite, or to plant exposure.  
     
     
         71 . The composition of  claim 63  wherein said skin irritation is attributable to one or more of shaving, skin cleansing or bathing, sweating, and physical skin trauma.  
     
     
         72 . The composition of  claim 58  wherein said skin irritation is attributable to dry skin.  
     
     
         73 . The composition of  claim 58  comprising an amount of strontium cation capable of inhibiting said skin irritation in subjects experiencing the same by an average of at least about 20%  
     
     
         74 . The composition of  claim 58  comprising an amount of strontium cation capable of inhibiting said skin irritation by at least about 40% in at least 10% of the subjects experiencing the same.  
     
     
         75 . The composition of  claim 58  wherein said composition is formulated as a rectal or vaginal suppository, cream, foam, gel, ointment, douche or enema.  
     
     
         76 . The composition of  claim 58  wherein said composition is formulated for administration to the mouth, throat or lip.  
     
     
         77 . The composition of  claim 76  formulated as a lozenge, mouthwash or gargle.  
     
     
         78 . The composition of  claim 58  formulated as a liquid, gel, cream, emulsion, suspension or stick.  
     
     
         79 . The composition of  claim 58  formulated with a physical applicator.  
     
     
         80 . The composition of  claim 58  further comprising, as counteranions to said strontium cation, one or more topically acceptable anion species.  
     
     
         81 . The composition of  claim 80  further comprising, as counteranions to said strontium cation, one or more anion species selected from the group consisting of nitrate, sulfate, halogen, carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide, oxide, peroxide, nitrite, sulfide, bisulfate, persulfate, glycerophosphate, hypophosphate, borate and titanate inorganic anions, and carboxylic acid, alkoxylate, amino acid, peptide, saturated and unsaturated organic acid, and saturated and unsaturated fatty acid organic anions.  
     
     
         82 . The composition of  claim 80  wherein said one or more of said counteranions is an organic anion selected from the group consisting of citrate, oxalate, acetate, gluconate, lactate, tartrate, maleate, benzoate, propionate, salicylate, ascorbate, formate, succinate, folinate, aspartate, phthalate, oleate, palmitate, stearate, lauryl sulfate, lanolate, myristate, behenate, caseinate, cyclamate, pantothenate, polyaminopolycarboxylates, saccharin, thioglycolate, laurate, methylparaben, propylparaben, ricinoleate and sorbate organic anions.  
     
     
         83 . The composition of  claim 58  further comprising at least one second anti-irritant agent.  
     
     
         84 . The composition of  claim 83  wherein said second agent is selected from the group consisting of potassium channel mediating, regulating or blocking agents, calcium channel blocking or regulatory agents, sodium channel blocking agents, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, aloe vera, chamomile, α-bisabolol, cola nitada extract, green tea extract, tea tree oil, licorice extract, allantoin, urea, caffeine and other xanthenes, and glycyrrhizic acid and its derivatives.  
     
     
         85 . A method for inhibiting skin irritation associated with an irritant ingredient contained in an applied topical formulation, comprising topically administering to an human subject the composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         86 . A method for inhibiting skin irritation in a human subject comprising topically administering to the subject the composition of  claim 58 .  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 86  wherein said composition is administered within about three hours prior to application to the subject of a second topical formulation containing an irritant ingredient.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 86  wherein said composition is administered substantially simultaneously with application to the subject of a second topical formulation containing an irritant ingredient.  
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 86  wherein said composition is administered to inhibit skin irritation attributable to a pre-existing human skin disease or skin irritation condition.  
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89  wherein said skin irritation is attributable to environmental exposure to one or more of sunlight, low humidity, wind, cold temperature, or hot and humid conditions.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 89  wherein said skin irritation is attributable to exposure to an irritating chemical agent.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 89  wherein said skin irritation is attributable to one or more of shaving, skin cleansing or bathing, and physical skin trauma.