Compositions and Methods 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 at least one component selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid and collagen. 
   
   
       2 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , comprising hyaluronic acid. 
   
   
       3 . The liposome, according to  claim 2 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is cross-linked. 
   
   
       4 . The liposome, according to  claim 2 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is not cross-linked. 
   
   
       5 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is linear hyaluronic acid of less than 500 kDa. 
   
   
       6 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , comprising collagen. 
   
   
       7 . The liposome, according to  claim 6 , wherein the collagen is human collagen. 
   
   
       8 . The liposome, according to  claim 6 , wherein the collagen is a recombinant collagen. 
   
   
       9 . The liposome, according to  claim 6 , wherein said collagen is a Type I or Type III collagen. 
   
   
       10 . The liposome, according to  claim 6 , wherein said collagen is in a particle size of less than 800 nm. 
   
   
       11 . The liposome, according to  claim 6 , wherein said collagen is in the fibril form. 
   
   
       12 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , which comprises collagen and hyaluronic acid. 
   
   
       13 . 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. 
   
   
       14 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , which is paucilamellar. 
   
   
       15 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , which comprises non-phospholipid surfactants. 
   
   
       16 . A composition for delivering an agent into the skin of a subject wherein said composition comprises a cyclodextrin having associated therewith the agent, wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of collagen and hyaluronic acid. 
   
   
       17 . 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 an agent selected from the group consisting of collagen and hyaluronic acid, wherein said carrier is a liposome or a cyclodextrin. 
   
   
       18 . The method, according to  claim 17 , wherein said carrier is a liposome. 
   
   
       19 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the liposome comprises hyaluronic acid. 
   
   
       20 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the liposome is paucilamellar.