Method for reducing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the treatment of the skin around the eyes of a mammal, in particular a method for reducing the puffiness of and the appearance of dark circles on the skin under the eyes. The method comprises topically applying to the affected skin area a composition comprising an effective amount of at least one alkanolamine having the following general formula: wherein X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 3 alkyl group, C 2 -C 4 alkanol group, wherein at least one of X, Y or Z is a C 2 -C 4 alkanol group bearing at least one hydroxyl group and optionally at least one carboxyl group.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating the skin around the eyes of a mammal, said method comprising topically applying to said skin a composition comprising an effective amount of at least one alkanolamine of the following general formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 3  alkyl group, C 2 -C 4  alkanol group, wherein at least one of X, Y or Z is a C 2 -C 4  alkanol group bearing at least one hydroxyl group and optionally at least one carboxyl group.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said alkanolamine is selected from the group consisting of ethylaminoethanol, methylaminoethanol, dimethylaminoethanol amine, isopropanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanoldimethylamine, ethylethanolamine, 2-butanolamine, choline and serine.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said alkanolamine is dimethylaminoethanol.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said alkanolamine is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said composition comprises from about 1 to about 5% by weight of alkanolamine.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises tyrosine.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said tyrosine is present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said tyrosine is present in an amount of from about 0.04 to about 3% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said tyrosine is present in an amount of form about 0.04 to about 0.5% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         10 . A method for reducing the appearance of dark circles around the eyes of a mammal, said method comprising topically applying to the affected skin area a composition comprising an effective amount of at least one alkanolamine having the following general formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 3  alkyl group, C 2 -C 4  alkanol group, wherein at least one of X, Y or Z is a C 2 -C 4  alkanol group bearing at least one hydroxyl group and optionally at least one carboxyl group.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said alkanolamine is selected from the group consisting of ethylaminoethanol methylaminoethanol, dimethylaminoethanolamine isopropanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanoldimethylamine, ethylethanolamine, 2-butanolamine, choline and serine.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said alkanolamine is dimethylaminoethanol.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said alkanolamine is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said composition comprises from about 1 to about 5% by weight of alkanolamine.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said composition further comprises tyrosine.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said tyrosine is present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein said tyrosine is present in an amount of from about 0.04 to about 3% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein said tyrosine is present in an amount of form about 0.04 to about 0. 5 % by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         19 . A method for reducing the puffiness around the eyes of a mammal, said method comprising topically applying to the affected skin area a composition comprising an effective amount of at least one alkanolamine having the following general formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 3  alkyl group, C 2 -C 4  alkanol group, wherein at least one of X, Y or Z is a C 2 -C 4  alkanol group bearing at least one hydroxyl group and optionally at least one carboxyl group.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein said alkanolamine is selected from the group consisting of ethylaminoethanol, methylaminoethanol, dimethylaminoethanolamine, isopropanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanoldimethylamine, ethylethanolamine, 2-butanolamine, choline and serine.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein said alkanolamine is dimethylaminoethanol.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein said alkanolamine is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein said composition comprises from about 1 to about 5% by weight of alkanolamine.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein said composition further comprises tyrosine.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein said tyrosine is present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said tyrosine is present in an amount of from about 0.04 to about 3% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein said tyrosine is present in an amount of form about 0.04 to about 0.5% by weight of the composition.