Compositions and Methods For the Delivery of Agents

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the delivery of cosmetics and medicants. In some embodiments, the invention relates to compositions comprising both hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers. In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the delivery of peptides, small molecules and other bioactive compounds using the compositions and methods disclosed herein.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A skin care kit, comprising:
 an active agent;   a skin patch comprising a matrix of hydrophilic fibers; and   instructions for applying the active agent to skin, thereafter applying the skin patch over the active agent and wetting the skin patch either after application to the skin or before application to the skin, wherein upon being applied and wetted, the skin patch dissolves and the active agent is delivered to the skin.   
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the active agent is provided in a solution, and wetting the skin patch comprises contacting the skin patch with the solution. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the matrix lacks hydrophobic fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the matrix is made of electrospun PVP fibers. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more active ingredients comprises one or more of a cosmetic, peptide, vitamin, organic acid, and medicament. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are present in the skin patch in a dry state and adapted to activate upon wetting of the matrix of polymeric fibers so as to form a solution of the one or more active ingredients in the matrix of fibers. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the matrix of polymeric fibers has adhesive properties upon wetting. 
     
     
         16 . A skin patch comprising a matrix of polymeric fibers, wherein said fibers are hydrophilic fibers capable of becoming an invisible film upon wetting that further dissolves completely in less than one minute. 
     
     
         17 . The skin patch of  claim 16 , wherein the matrix lacks hydrophobic fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The skin patch of  claim 16 , wherein the matrix is made of electrospun PVP fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The skin patch of  claim 16 , wherein the matrix of polymeric fibers has adhesive properties upon wetting. 
     
     
         20 . The skin patch of  claim 16 , further comprising an active ingredient. 
     
     
         21 . The skin patch of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are incorporated into the structural backbone of the polymer of the polymeric fiber and/or incorporated into voids within the matrix. 
     
     
         22 . The skin patch of  claim 20 , wherein the patch is for topical or transdermal administration of the one or more active ingredients. 
     
     
         23 . A skin patch comprising a matrix of hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers, and one or more active ingredients, wherein the hydrophilic fibers are capable of becoming an invisible film upon wetting and dissolving completely upon further wetting, and wherein a dosage amount of the one or more active ingredients per unit time is controlled by a ratio of an amount of the hydrophilic fibers to an amount of the hydrophobic fibers. 
     
     
         24 . A skin care composition comprising a first layer under a second layer, said first layer comprising material selected from the group consisting of collagen, cellulose, and alginate, said second layer comprising polymeric fibers, said fibers selected from the group consisting of micro fibers and nano fibers. 
     
     
         25 . A method of administering one or more active ingredients to skin, comprising:
 applying an active agent to the skin   applying a skin patch comprising a matrix of polymeric fibers, the polymeric fibers being hydrophilic fibers; and   wetting the skin patch by one or more of wetting the skin prior to application of the patch, wetting the skin patch before application to the skin, and wetting the skin patch after application to the skin, wherein upon being wetted, the hydrophilic fibers form a transparent film and dissolve upon further wetting to thereby deliver the one or more active ingredients to the skin.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the hydrophilic fibers dissolve completely in less than one minute. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are present in the skin patch in dry form and are activated so as to form a solution of the one or more active ingredients upon wetting of the skin patch. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the active agent is present in a solution, and wetting the skin patch comprises applying the skin patch to the active agent solution either after the active agent solution is applied to the skin or by applying the active agent solution to the patch and then applying to the skin, thereby simultaneously applying the active agent and the skin patch to the skin.