Cosmetic Compositions and Methods for Using Same to Improve the Aesthetic Appearance of Skin

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions useful in treating hyperpigmentation and the various signs of dermatological aging in human skin. The present invention also relates to cosmetic compositions and methods of using such compositions that improve the aesthetic appearance of skin. Further, the present invention relates to methods of applying the compositions to the skin to effect treatment and to improve the aesthetic appearance of skin, particularly, by providing anti-aging benefits to the skin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic composition comprising:
 a compound according to Formula (I):   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           wherein R 1  and R 2  are independently selected from the group of substituents consisting of hydrogen; alkyls, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or linear; alkenyls, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or linear, and having up to 5 double bonds; alkynyls, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or linear and having up to 5 triple bonds; aryls, substituted or unsubstituted; cycloalkyls, substituted and unsubstituted; and cycloalkenyls, substituted and unsubstituted, and wherein the Formula I compound is present in an amount effective to improve the aesthetic appearance of skin. 
         
       
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Formula I compound is present from about 0.0001 wt % to about 98 wt % based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Formula I compound is present from about 0.001 wt % to about 30 wt % based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Formula I compound is 3,3′-thiodipropionic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an ingredient selected from the group consisting of hydroquinone, ascorbic acid, licorice extract, retinoid, bisabolol, salicylic acid, an oxa acid, oxa diacid, an alpha hydroxy acid, a beta hydroxy acid, a keto acid, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic composition of  claim 5 , wherein the ingredient is selected from the group consisting of: lactic acid, glycolic acid, 3,6,9-trioxaundecanedioic acid, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an ingredient selected from the group consisting of palmatoyl tetrapeptide-3,  Gymnostemma pentaphyllum  and/or an extract therefrom,  Stenolama chusana  and/or an extract therefrom,  Morinda citrifolia  and/or an extract therefrom,  Butea frondosa  and/or an extract therefrom, Luteoline 7-beta-glucoside, chlorosalicylic Acid,  Naringi crenulata  and/or an extract therefrom, methylthioadenosine,  ferutinin, Ilex purpurea  and/or an extract therefrom,  Asmunda japonica  and/or an extract therefrom,  rhapontin, Uncaria gambir  and/or an extract therefrom, iopanic acid, ellagic acid, 2,4,6,3,4-pentahydroxychalcone,  Ligusticum chianxiong  or an extract therefrom,  Azadirachta indica  (Neem) and/or an extract therefrom,  Aframomum melegueata  and/or an extract therefrom, 2′amino 4,5-methyl thiazole, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A method for improving the aesthetic appearance of skin comprising topically applying to the skin a cosmetically effective amount of the composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the Formula I compound is 3,3′-thiodipropionic acid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the improvements are one or more improvements selected from the group consisting of: reduction in dermotological signs of chronological aging, hormonal aging and/or photoaging; reduction in skin fragility; reduction in pore size; prevention and/or reversal of loss of collagen and/or elastin; ameliorating the effects of estrogen imbalance on skin; prevention of skin atrophy; prevention and/or reduction in appearance and/or depth of lines and/or wrinkles; prevention, reduction and/or treatment of hyperpigmentation; improvement in skin tone, radiance, clarity and/or tautness; prevention, reduction, and/or amelioration of skin sagging; promotion of anti-oxidant activity; improvement in skin firmness, plumpness, suppleness and/or softness; improvement in procollagen and/or collagen production; improvement in skin texture and/or promotion of retexturization; improvement in skin barrier repair and/or function; improvement in appearance of skin contours; restoration of skin luster and/or brightness; minimization of dermatological signs of fatigue and/or stress; resistance to environmental stress; replenishment of essential nutrient and/or constituents of in the skin decreased by aging and/or menopause; improvement in communication among skin cells; increase in cell proliferation and/or multiplication; increase in skin cell metabolism decreased by aging and/or menopause; retardation of cellular aging; inhibition of enzymes in the skin that accelerate aging of skin cells; minimization of skin dryness and/or improvement in skin moisturization; minimization of skin discoloration; promotion and/or acceleration of cell turnover; enhancement of skin thickness; increase in skin elasticity and/or resiliency; and enhancement of exfoliation. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the improvements are one or more improvements selected from the group consisting of; reduction in dermatological signs of chronological aging, hormonal aging and photo aging; prevention and/or reduction in appearance and/or depth of lines and/or wrinkles; improvement in skin tone, radiance, clarity and/or tautness; improvement in skin firmness, plumpness, suppleness, and/or softness; and improvement in skin texture and/or promotion of retexturization. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the improvements are one or more improvements selected from the group consisting of minimization of dermatological signs of fatigue and/or stress; resistance to environmental stress; improvement in procollagen and/or collagen production; prevention and/or reversal of loss of collagen and/or elastin; minimization of skin dryness and/or improvement in skin moisturization; enhancement of skin thickness; increase in skin elasticity and/or resiliency; ameliorating the effects of estrogen imbalance in the skin; and enhancement of exfoliation. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating skin comprising topically applying to the skin the composition of  claim 1  in an amount effective to prevent, ameliorate, inhibit and/or reduce signs of dermatological aging. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the Formula I compound is 3,3′-thiodipropionic acid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the signs of aging are skin fragility; loss of collagen and/or elastin; estrogen imbalance in skin; skin atrophy; appearance and/or depth of lines and wrinkles; skin discoloration; skin sagging; skin fatigue and/or stress; skin dryness; skin flakiness; cellular aging; loss of skin tone, clarity and/or luster; loss of skin firmness; poor skin texture; loss of skin elasticity and/or resiliency; and thin skin. 
     
     
         16 . A topical composition, comprising:
 a) a first compound according to Formula I:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         and: 
         (b) a second compound selected from the group consisting of:
 (ii) 
 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein n is an integer from 1 to 4;
 (iii) 
 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           (iv) perilla oil; 
           (v) clofibrate or an analog/derivative thereof; and 
           (vi) any combination thereof; and 
         
         c) a vehicle, 
         wherein the de-pigmenting agent is present in an amount effective to prevent, ameliorate or treat the hyperpigmentation of the skin. 
       
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16 , further comprising an ingredient selected from the group consisting of hydroquinone, ascorbic acid, licorice extract, retinoid, bisabolol, salicylic acid, an oxa acid, oxa diacid, an alpha hydroxy acid, a beta hydroxy acid, a keto acid, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the ingredient is selected from the group consisting of: lactic acid, glycolic acid, 3,6,9-trioxaundecanedioic acid, and any combination thereof.