Skin Care Composition

Abstract

Methods and compositions for improving the appearance of skin are provided. The methods and compositions are especially suited for improving sallow-looking skin by enhancing bilirubin degradation in skin. The methods and compositions herein utilize one or more sucrose esters, which demonstrate a surprising ability to reduce bilirubin levels. The method involves applying a skin care composition containing an effective amount of a sucrose ester to a target portion of skin where a reduction in bilirubin level is desired.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A skin care composition, comprising:
 a. an effective amount of sucrose ester comprising sucrose laurate and sucrose dilaurate; wherein the effective amount of sucrose ester reduces yellowness levels according to a b* assay by at least 10% relative to a vehicle control containing the dermatologically acceptable carrier without sucrose ester; and   b. a dermatologically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The skin care composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sucrose ester is present at about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         3 . The skin care composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from vitamins, minerals, peptides, sugar amines, sunscreen agents, oil control agents, flavonoid compounds, anti-oxidants, preservatives, protease inhibitors, tyrosinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, moisturizing agents, exfoliating agents, skin lightening agents, lubricants, anti-acne actives, chelating agents, anti-wrinkle actives, anti-atrophy actives, phytosterols, N-acyl amino acid compounds, antimicrobials, and antifungals, conditioning agents, emulsifiers, rheology modifiers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The skin care composition of  claim 3 , wherein the additional ingredient is selected from vitamin B3 compounds, vitamin E compounds, peptides, retinoids, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The skin care composition of  claim 3 , wherein the additional ingredient includes a rheology modifier selected from sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers, starch grafted sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The skin care composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least about 10% of a silicone fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The skin care composition of  claim 1 , wherein the skin care composition is an oil-in-water emulsion. 
     
     
         8 . The skin care composition of  claim 7 , further comprising a non-ionic emulsifier. 
     
     
         9 . The skin care composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the sucrose laurate to the sucrose dilaurate is from about 1:10 to about 1:1 or wherein the ratio of sucrose dilaurate to the sucrose laurate is from about 1:10 to about 1:1. 
     
     
         10 . A method of degrading bilirubin in skin, comprising:
 a. identifying a target portion of skin where treatment is desired; and   b. applying the skin care composition of  claim 1  to the target portion of skin, wherein the effective amount of sucrose ester reduces yellowness levels over the course of a treatment period.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition comprises about 0.001% to about 10% sucrose ester, by weight. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the target portion of skin exhibits a sign of bilirubin accumulation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the effective amount of sucrose ester reduces b* value by at least 10% relative to the vehicle control, according to the b* assay. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the effective amount of sucrose ester reduces yellowness levels by at least 10% relative to a positive control of 80% (v/v) bilirubin in dimethyl sulfoxide, according to the b* assay. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the treatment period is at least 2 weeks. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition includes at least about 10% of a silicone fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from vitamins, minerals, peptides, sugar amines, sunscreen agents, oil control agents, flavonoid compounds, anti-oxidants, preservatives, protease inhibitors, tyrosinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, moisturizing agents, exfoliating agents, skin lightening agents, lubricants, anti-acne actives, chelating agents, anti-wrinkle actives, anti-atrophy actives, phytosterols, N-acyl amino acid compounds, antimicrobials, and antifungals, conditioning agents, emulsifiers, rheology modifiers, and combinations of these. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the additional ingredient is selected from vitamin B3 compounds, vitamin E compounds, peptides, retinoids, and combinations thereof.