Skin lightening composition

Abstract

A skin lightening composition for lightening the natural skin color of a user, and for treating disorders of hyperpigmentation. The active ingredient is methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), a naturally occurring sulfur compound which may be safely administered topically or orally and which is highly effective for decreasing the ratio of dark melanin to light melanin, and thereby lightening the skin color of a user. The skin lightening composition additionally comprises a liquid solution or a cosmetic carrier such as a cream, a lotion, or a gel, for ease of topical application. Additionally, the skin lightening composition is provided in liquid or solid form for oral ingestion. Topical preparations of the skin lightening composition contain MSM in an amount equal to approximately 1 to 20 weight percent MSM relative to the weight of the entire composition. Orally ingestible preparations of the skin lightening composition contain approximately 200 mg to 5000 mg MSM per serving.

1 . A topical preparation of a skin lightening composition, suitable for direct application to the face and body of a user, for lightening the natural skin color of the user and for treating disorders of hyperpigmentation, comprising: 
 methyl sulfonyl methane, a naturally occurring sulfur compound which lightens the skin; and    a vehicle; and    wherein the methyl sulfonyl methane is dissolved within the vehicle at an amount equal to approximately 1 to 20 weight percent methyl sulfonyl methane relative to the weight of the entire skin lightening composition.    
   
   
       2 . The topical preparation of a skin lightening composition as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a liquid solution.  
   
   
       3 . The topical preparation of a skin lightening composition as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a perfume.  
   
   
       4 . The topical preparation of a skin lightening composition as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a nutrient chosen from a class of nutrients consisting of vitamins and minerals.  
   
   
       5 . The topical preparation of a skin lightening composition as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a cosmetic carrier chosen from a class of cosmetic carriers consisting of creams, lotions, and gels, wherein the methyl sulfonyl methane is blended within said cosmetic carrier at an amount equal to approximately 1 to 20 weight percent methyl sulfonyl methane relative to the weight of the entire skin lightening composition.  
   
   
       6 . The topical preparation of a skin lightening composition as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a perfume.  
   
   
       7 . The topical preparation of a skin lightening composition as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a nutrient chosen from a class of nutrients consisting of vitamins and minerals.  
   
   
       8 . An orally ingestible preparation of a skin lightening composition, comprising: 
 approximately 200 mg to 5000 mg methyl sulfonyl methane per serving; and    an edible form chosen from a class of edible forms consisting of tablets, pills, capsules, and powders; and    wherein the methyl sulfonyl methane is contained within the edible form.    
   
   
       9 . The orally ingestible preparation of a skin whitening formula as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising at least one nutrient chosen from a class of nutrients consisting of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, and amino acids, and wherein said at least one nutrient is contained within the edible form.  
   
   
       10 . A method for lightening the natural skin color of a user and for treating disorders of hyperpigmentation, utilizing a topical preparation of a skin lightening composition comprising methyl sulfonyl methane and a vehicle, wherein the methyl sulfonyl methane is dissolved within the vehicle at an amount equal to approximately 1 to 20 weight percent methyl sulfonyl methane relative to the weight of the entire skin lightening composition, said method comprising the step of directly applying the skin lightening composition to the face and body of a user, and thereby lightening the skin of the face and the body.