Compositions for prevention of chemically induced irritation or discoloration

Abstract

A new and improved cosmetic composition and method of using the same to prevent and treat chemically induced skin irritation and discoloration and protect from the adverse effects of tyrosinase containing a small but effective amount of ethyl p-methoxycinnamate derived from Kaempferia Galanga roots.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of protecting mammalian skin from the harmful effects of tyrosinase and chemically induced radiation comprising applying to skin in need thereof a preparation containing, in weight percent, up to about 5 percent of ethyl p-methoxycinnamate dispersed in a nontoxic, nonirritating cosmetically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         2 . A method of protecting mammalian skin according to  claim 1  in which said carrier is an emulsion.  
     
     
         3 . A method of protecting mammalian skin according to  claim 1  in which said carrier is an anhydrous solvent.  
     
     
         4 . A method of protecting mammalian skin according to  claim 1  in which said carrier is a single phase system.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  containing from about 0.1% up to about 5.0% of ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (wt/wt).  
     
     
         6 . A method of protecting mammalian skin according to  claim 5  in which said carrier is an emulsion.  
     
     
         7 . A method of protecting mammalian skin according to  claim 5  in which said carrier is an anhydrous solvent.  
     
     
         8 . A method of protecting mammalian skin according to  claim 5  in which said carrier is a single phase system.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  in which said ethyl p-methoxycinnamate is extracted from  Kaempferia Galanga  root.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 5  in which said ethyl p-methoxycinnamate is extracted from  Kaempferia Galanga  root.  
     
     
         11 . A composition consisting of up to 5% by weight of the root extract of  Kaempferia Galanga.    
     
     
         12 . A composition according to  claim 11  containing from about 0.1 to about 5.0 weight percent of the root extract of  Kaempferia Galanga.    
     
     
         13 . A composition according to  claim 12  containing from about 0.2 to about 1.0 weight percent of the root extract of  Kaempferia Galanga.