Skin protectant spray compositions

Abstract

A liquid, water-repellent, substantially anhydrous, spray-pumpable skin protectant composition is disclosed. The composition is designed for spraying directly onto skin, has suitable adherence to the skin, and resists running. The composition contains one or more actives for whichever indication the composition has been formulated, one or more rheology modifiers, and a carrier. The rheology modifiers help give the composition rheological properties such that it can be sprayed using a spray pump dispenser (i.e., a propellant-free, non-pressurized dispenser) but still resist running after it has been applied to the skin. The rheological modifiers can be waxes and/or associative thickeners such as some forms of silica. The carrier can be mineral oil or a mineral oil replacement (e.g., isohexadecane, cyclomethicone). Film-forming components also help the composition resist running. One indication for which the composition may be formulated is diaper rash. The diaper rash composition is designed for spraying onto the skin of a baby or other human (e.g., incontinent adult) for treating diaper rash. The active ingredient for diaper rash may be dimethicone and preferably also zinc oxide.

1 . A skin-protectant composition comprising: (a) at least about 0.001% w of at least one active ingredient for protecting skin; (b) at least about 0.001% w of at least one rheology modifier; and (c) carrier; wherein the composition is liquid, is water-repellent, is substantially anhydrous, is spray-pumpable, is designed for spraying onto the skin of a baby or other human for protecting the skin, has suitable adherence to the skin, and resists running.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, dimethicone, zinc oxide, allantoin, calamine, kaolin, petrolatum, white petrolatum, cod liver oil, lanolin, talc, topical starch, aluminum hydroxide gel, cocoa butter, glycerine, shark liver oil, zinc acetate, and zinc carbonate.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one rheology modifier comprises wax.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein the wax comprises mineral wax.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein the mineral wax has a melting range of from about 65 degrees Centigrade to about 71 degrees Centigrade.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one rheology modifier comprises an associative thickener.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein the associative thickener comprises silica.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein the silica comprises colloidal silicon dioxide.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one rheology modifier comprises wax and an associative thickener.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 9  wherein the wax comprises mineral wax and the associative thickener comprises silica.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the mineral wax has a melting range of from about 65 degrees Centigrade to about 71 degrees Centigrade and the silica comprises colloidal silicon dioxide.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the carrier comprises mineral oil or a mineral oil replacement.  
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the carrier comprises a mineral oil replacement selected from the group consisting of alkanes having at least 10 carbon atoms, benzoate esters, aliphatic esters, noncomodogenic esters, volatile silicone compounds, and volatile silicone substitutes.  
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising at least one film-forming agent.  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the polymer comprises a silicon-containing polymer.  
   
   
       17 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the polymer comprises synthetic wax.  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, dimethicone, zinc oxide, allantoin, calamine, kaolin, petrolatum, white petrolatum, cod liver oil, lanolin, talc, and topical starch.  
   
   
       20 . A skin-protectant composition comprising: (a) at least about 0.001% w of at least one active ingredient for protecting skin; (b) at least about 0.001% w of a rheology modifier that is an associative thickener and optionally at least about 0.001% w of at least one additional rheology modifier; and (c) carrier; wherein the composition is liquid, is water-repellent, is substantially anhydrous, is spray-pumpable, is designed for spraying onto the skin of a baby or other human for protecting the skin, has suitable adherence to the skin, and resists running.  
   
   
       21 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . The composition of  claim 20  wherein the at least one additional rheology modifier is present in the composition and comprises wax.  
   
   
       25 - 33 . (canceled)  
   
   
       34 . A skin-protectant composition comprising: (a) at least about 0.001% w of at least one active ingredient for protecting skin; (b) at least about 0.001% w of a rheology modifier that is an associative thickener and optionally at least about 0.001% w of at least one additional rheology modifier; (c) at least about 0.001% w of at least one film-forming agent; and (d) carrier; wherein the composition is liquid, is water-repellent, is substantially anhydrous, is spray-pumpable, is designed for spraying onto the skin of a baby or other human for protecting the skin, has suitable adherence to the skin, and resists running.  
   
   
       35 - 78 . (canceled)