Collagen Formulations for Improved Skin Care

Abstract

Compositions and methods for administering collagen to a human subject have been developed. The collagen-containing lipid vesicles of the invention provide a delivery system for human collagen which eliminates problems associated with chemical and physical instability of the collagen as well as immune responses to non-human collagen.

1 . A liposome comprising a collagen protein of less than 10 Kd. 
     
     
         2 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , further comprising hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , wherein the collagen protein is derived from human collagen. 
     
     
         4 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , wherein the collagen protein is produced recombinantly. 
     
     
         5 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , wherein the collagen protein is produced synthetically. 
     
     
         6 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , wherein said collagen protein is approximately 8.5 kd. 
     
     
         7 . The liposome, according to  claim 6 , wherein said collagen protein has an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         8 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the group consisting of desquamation agents, anti-acne agents, anti-wrinkle agents, vitamin B 3  compounds, retinoids, hydroxyl acids, anti-oxidants, radical scavengers, chelators, flavonoids, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-cellulite agents, topical anesthetics, tanning agents, skin lightening agents, skin soothing and skin healing agents, antimicrobial and antifungal agents, sunscreen agents, conditioning agents, structuring agents, thickening agent, and preservatives. 
     
     
         9 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , which is paucilamellar. 
     
     
         10 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , wherein the collagen protein is a ligand for α 2 β 1  integrin. 
     
     
         11 . A cosmetic composition comprising a liposome that comprises a collagen protein of less than 10 kd. 
     
     
         12 . A composition for delivering an agent into the skin of a subject wherein said composition comprises a cyclodextrin having associated therewith a collagen protein of less than 10 kd. 
     
     
         13 . A method for administering an agent into the skin of a subject, the method comprising the step of contacting the skin of the subject with a composition comprising a carrier comprising a cavity having encapsulated therein a collagen protein of less than 10 kd, wherein said carrier is a liposome or a cyclodextrin. 
     
     
         14 . The method, according to  claim 13 , wherein said carrier is a liposome. 
     
     
         15 . The method, according to  claim 14 , wherein the liposome further comprises hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         16 . The method, according to  claim 14 , wherein the liposome further comprises at least one of the group consisting of desquamation agents, anti-acne agents, anti-wrinkle agents, vitamin B 3  compounds, retinoids, hydroxyl acids, anti-oxidants, radical scavengers, chelators, flavonoids, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-cellulite agents, topical anesthetics, tanning agents, skin lightening agents, skin soothing and skin healing agents, antimicrobial and antifungal agents, sunscreen agents, conditioning agents, structuring agents, thickening agent, and preservatives. 
     
     
         17 . A method for administering collagen to the skin of a subject, wherein the method comprises contacting the skin of the subject with a composition comprising a collagen fragment of less than 10 kd. 
     
     
         18 . The method, according to  claim 17 , wherein the skin is on the face of the subject. 
     
     
         19 . The method, according to  claim 17 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more emulsifying agents and/or penetration enhancers. 
     
     
         20 . The method, according to  claim 17 , wherein the collagen is delivered to the dermis layer of the skin.