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.

I claim: 
     
         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 collagen derivative. 
     
     
         10 . The liposome, according to  claim 6 , wherein said collagen is a Type I or Type III collagen. 
     
     
         11 . The liposome, according to  claim 6 , wherein said collagen is in a particle size of less than 800 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The liposome, according to  claim 6 , wherein said collagen is in the fibril form. 
     
     
         13 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , which comprises collagen and hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         14 . 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. 
     
     
         15 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , which is paucilamellar. 
     
     
         16 . The liposome, according to  claim 1 , which comprises non-phospholipid surfactants. 
     
     
         17 . 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. 
     
     
         18 . 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.