Use of active extracts to improve the appearance of skin, lips, hair and/or nails

Abstract

There is provided a composition having at least one of the following active extracts Butea frondosa, Naringi crenulata, Stenoloma chusana , or any combinations thereof. There is also provided a composition having at least one of the following additional extracts Azadirachta indica, Glycyrrhiza glabra linn., Morinda citrifolia , tomato glycolipid or any combinations thereof in combination with one or more of the active extracts. The compositions and methods of the invention are effective to improve the aesthetic appearance of skin, lips, hair and/or nails, especially by lightening the skin, lips, hair and/or nails.

1 . A composition for improving the aesthetic appearance of hair, skin, lips and/or nails, comprising: 
 an effective amount of at least one active extract selected from the group consisting of  Butea frondosa, Naringi crenulata, Stenoloma chusana , and any combinations thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active extract is present in an amount about 0.001 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active extract is present in an amount about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active extract is present in an amount about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active extract is present in an amount about 1 wt % or less based the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a topical composition suitable for application to hair, skin, lips, and/or nails.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 6 , further comprising a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the skin or lips has reduced irritation and/or irritation is prevented when the composition is applied to skin or lips.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is an oral composition.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an effective amount of at least one additional extract selected from the group consisting of  Azadirachta indica, Glycyrrhiza glabra linn., Morinda citrifolia , tomato glycolipid, and any combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one additional extract is present in an amount about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one additional extract is present in an amount about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one active extract is topically applied to skin or lips to effect a reduction in or to prevent irritation or inflammation.  
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active extract is topically applied to skin or lips to effect a reduction in or to prevent irritation or inflammation.  
   
   
       15 . A method of lightening hair, skin, lips and/or nails, comprising topically applying to the skin, hair, lips and/or nails an effective amount of the composition of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one active extract is present in an amount about 0.001 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one active extract is present in an amount about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one active extract is present in an amount about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       19 . A method of lightening hair, skin, lips and/or nails, comprising orally ingesting an effective amount of the composition of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       20 . A method of lightening hair, skin, lips and/or nails, comprising topically applying to the skin, hair and/or nails an effective amount of the composition of  claim 10 .  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one additional extract is present in an amount about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one additional extract is present in an amount about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition.  
   
   
       23 . A method of lightening hair, skin, lips and/or nails, comprising orally ingesting an effective amount of the composition of  claim 10 .  
   
   
       24 . A method for improving the aesthetic appearance of skin, lips, hair and/or nails comprising: 
 topically applying to the skin, lips, hair and/or nails an effective amount of at least one active extract selected from the group consisting of  Butea frondosa, Naringi crenulata, Stenoloma chusana , and any combinations thereof.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said effective amount is effective to provide an anti-aging benefit to the skin, lips, hair and/or nails.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the effective amount is from about 0.001 wt % to about 20 wt % by weight of the composition, and is effective in the treatment of one or more of the following: 
 a) decreasing/preventing lines and wrinkles;    b) enhancing skin thickness; and    c) reducing skin discoloration.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the effective amount is from about 0.001 wt % to about 20 wt % by weight of the composition, and is effective in the treatment of one or more of the following: 
 a) reducing or preventing loss of collagen;    b) improving skin firmness/plumpness;    c) improving skin texture;    d) decreasing/preventing lines and wrinkles;    e) improving skin tone;    f) enhancing skin thickness;    g) decreasing pore size;    h) reducing skin discoloration;    i) reducing acne;    j) reducing psoriasis;    k) reducing skin sensitivity; and    l) reducing warts.