Methods of treating skin

Abstract

A topical composition comprising a lipoic acid, a carnitine, and a carnosine in a suitable vehicle for topical application and a method for treating skin is provided. The present compositions are useful in improving the appearance of aged skin characterized by wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Preferred components include R-lipoic acid or R-dihydrolipoic acid, acetyl-l-carnitine, and l-carnosine.

1 . A method of treating skin, said method comprising administering a topical composition comprising:
 (i) a lipoic acid or a dermatologically acceptable salt thereof;   (ii) a carnitine or a dermatologically acceptable salt thereof;   (iii) a carnosine or a dermatologically acceptable salt thereof; and   (iv) a dermatologically acceptable carrier;   the lipoic acid, carnitine, and carnosine components being incorporated in amounts effective in the treatment of skin.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lipoic acid is R-lipoic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lipoic acid is R-dihydrolipoic acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carnitine is acetyl-l-carnitine. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carnosine is L-carnosine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , which comprises component (i) in an amount of from about 0.01 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising an antioxidant. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising an AGE inhibitor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a mitochondrial resuscitant. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the mitochondrial resuscitant is NTBHA, Mn-SOD, COQ10, creatine, D-ribose, pyruvate or stabilized ATP. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the mitochondrial resuscitant is NTBHA. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a collagen enhancing agent, a sunscreen agent, an anti-edemic agent, a glutathione or an inducers thereof, a collagenase-inhibitor, an anti-inflammatory agent, a phenylpropanoid glycoside, a depigmenting agent or agent addressing hyperpigmentation, a skin-protective lipids, hyaluronic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, an agent useful for treating hormonal decline, an anti-acne agent, an agent altering lipolytic activity, an anticellulitic agent, an agent altering anti-capillary-fragility, an anti-elastase agent, an anti-erythema agent, or an agent that raises cyclic AMP. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is encapsulated. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the composition is encapsulated in a liposome. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered in a makeup. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the makeup is a foundation, a cover cream, or an eyeshadow. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying electricity to the skin. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying light to the skin. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A topical formulation comprising:
 (i) a lipoic acid or a dermatologically acceptable salt thereof;   (ii) a carnitine or a dermatologically acceptable salt thereof;   (iii) a carnosine or a dermatologically acceptable salt thereof; and   (iv) a dermatologically acceptable carrier;   the lipoic acid, carnitine, and carnosine components being incorporated in amounts effective in the treatment of skin.   
     
     
         23 - 47 . (canceled)