Topical skin care formulations comprising plant extracts

Abstract

A method for treating skin of a person is disclosed. The method can include topically applying to the skin of the person a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous, alcoholic, or aqueous-alcoholic extract from Serissa serissoides, wherein the composition reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) activity in the skin, reduces oxidation in the skin, or reduces tyrosinase activity in the skin.

1 . A method for treating skin of a person in need thereof, the method comprising topically applying to the skin of the person a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous, alcoholic, or aqueous-alcoholic extract from  Serissa serissoides , wherein the composition reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) activity in the skin, reduces oxidation in the skin, or reduces tyrosinase activity in the skin. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to hyperpigmented skin. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the hyperpigmented skin is melasmic skin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition reduces tyrosinase activity in the skin. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to inflamed skin. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the inflamed skin is erythemic skin. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the composition reduces TNF-α activity in skin. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to a fine line or wrinkle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the composition reduces oxidation in the skin. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is an emulsion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition is an oil-in-water emulsion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a cream or a lotion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 0.001% to 5%, by weight, of the extract. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , where the composition further comprises:
 (a) water;   (b) a chelating agent;   (c) a moisturizing agent;   (d) a preservative; and   (e) a thickening agent.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is in liquid form and comprises the extracting solvent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is a lyophilized extract in powdered form. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is from the whole plant of  Serissa serissoides.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is an alcoholic extract. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the alcoholic extract is an ethanolic extract.