Skin lightening compositions

Abstract

Compositions and methods for lightening and/or depigmenting skin are provided, the compositions comprising compounds having the structure: or having the structure: as defined herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A topically applicable composition for lightening or depigmenting skin, comprising:
 from about 0.00005% to about 0.5% of a compound which is an inhibitor of a Type I, K+/H+ ATPase;   a sunscreen compound; and   a topically applicable, cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable vehicle therefor.   
     
     
         2 . The topically applicable composition for lightening or depigmenting skin according to  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor of a Type I, K+/H+ ATPase is selected from the group consisting of omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, leminoprazole, timoprazole, tenatoprazole, a sulfide thereof, and a sodium salt thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The topically composition for lightening or depigmenting skin according to  claim 2 , wherein the inhibitor of a Type I, K+/H+ ATPase is a sulfide. 
     
     
         4 . The topically composition for lightening or depigmenting skin according to  claim 2 , wherein the sulfide is omeprazole sulfide. 
     
     
         5 . The topically composition for lightening or depigmenting skin according to  claim 1 , which further comprises an additional skin lightening agent. 
     
     
         6 . The topically composition for lightening or depigmenting skin according to  claim 1 , which is in form of an anhydrous composition, an aqueous-based solution, a suspension, a dispersion, a lotion, a serum, an essence, an emulsion, a milk, a cream, a gel, a paste, an ointment, a spray, a stick, a mousse, an aerosol or microcapsules. 
     
     
         7 . A method of lightening or depigmenting the skin, comprising applying to skin in need of such treatment a topically applicable composition comprising from about 0.00005% to about 0.5% of a compound which is an inhibitor of a Type I, K+/H+ ATPase and a cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable vehicle therefor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of lightening or depigmenting the skin according to  claim 6 , wherein compound is selected from the group consisting of omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, leminoprazole, timoprazole, tenatoprazole, a sulfide thereof and a sodium salt thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of lightening or depigmenting the skin according to  claim 8 , wherein the inhibitor of a Type I, K+/H+ ATPase is a sulfide. 
     
     
         10 . The method of lightening or depigmenting the skin according to  claim 7 , wherein the sulfide is omeprazole sulfide. 
     
     
         11 . The method of lightening or depigmenting the skin according to  claim 7 , further comprising a sunscreen compound, an additional skin lightening agent, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of lightening or depigmenting the skin, according to  claim 7 , wherein the topically applicable composition is in the form of an anhydrous composition, an aqueous-based solution, a suspension, a dispersion, a lotion, a serum, an essence, an emulsion, a milk, a cream, a gel, a paste, an ointment, a spray, a stick, a mousse, an aerosol or microcapsules.