An emulsion for topical application to the skin containing a high molecular weight emulsifier and substantially no emulsifiers of a molecular weight less than 100 kD. The emulsion may be used to prevent or treat dermatoses and may additionally contain pharmaceutically active ingredients.
1. An emulsion for topical application to the skin comprising one or more acrylates/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer primary emulsifiers having a molecular weight of at least 100 kD, one or both of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, optionally a silicone oil at a concentration up to 0.5%, optionally cholesterol at a concentration up to 10%, and optionally stearic acid, wherein the emulsion contains an aqueous phase and an oil phase, wherein the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion and is free of materials other than silicones and triglycerides that are liquid at room temperature, and wherein the emulsion lacks any additional primary emulsifier having a molecular weight of less than 100 kD and is free of surface active film formers.
2. The emulsion of claim 1 wherein the oil phase constitutes 20% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion.
3. The emulsion of claim 2 wherein the oil phase constitutes 15% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion.
4. The emulsion of claim 1 which further comprises one or more of cholesterol at a concentration higher than 0.0%, a triglyceride containing one or more essential fatty acids, glycerin, and sorbitol.
5. The emulsion of claim 1 which comprises either or both of glycerin and sorbitol.
6. The emulsion of claim 1 which comprises cholesterol at a concentration higher than 0.0%.
7. The emulsion of claim 1 which comprises a triglyceride containing one or more essential fatty acids.
8. The emulsion of claim 1 which comprises cholesterol at a concentration higher than 0.0%, a triglyceride containing one or more essential fatty acids, and sorbitol.
9. The emulsion of claim 1 which is free of propylene glycol.
10. The emulsion of claim 1 which further comprises silicone oil at a concentration higher than 0.0%.
11. The emulsion of claim 1 which further comprises a pharmaceutically active ingredient.
12. The emulsion of claim 11 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is a corticosteroid.
13. The emulsion of claim 11 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl myristate, retinoic acid, benzoyl peroxide, a sunscreen, clindamycin, urea, metronidazole, miconazole, calcipotriol, hydrocortisone, and betamethasone.
14. The emulsion of claim 11 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is metronidazole.
15. An emulsion for topical application to the skin comprising one or more acrylates/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer primary emulsifiers having a molecular weight of at least 100 kD, one or both of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, optionally a silicone oil at a concentration up to 0.5%, optionally cholesterol at a concentration up to 10%, and optionally stearic acid, wherein the emulsion contains an aqueous phase and an oil phase wherein the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion, wherein the emulsion lacks any additional primary emulsifier having a molecular weight of less than 100 kD and is free of surface active film formers, and wherein the emulsion does not break instantaneously upon contact with skin.
16. The emulsion of claim 15 wherein the emulsion does not break within the first 10 seconds of contact with skin.
17. The emulsion of claim 16 wherein the emulsion, when rubbed into the skin during the 10 seconds, does not break.
18. The emulsion of claim 15 wherein the emulsion does not break upon contact with the skin for one minute.
19. The emulsion of claim 15 wherein the oil phase of the emulsion is free of materials other than silicones and triglycerides that are liquid at room temperature.
20. The emulsion of claim 15 which is free of propylene glycol.
21. The emulsion of claim 15 which further comprises silicone oil at a concentration higher than 0.0%.
22. The emulsion of claim 15 which further comprises a pharmaceutically active ingredient.
23. The emulsion of claim 22 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is a corticosteroid.
24. The emulsion of claim 22 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl myristate, retinoic acid, benzoyl peroxide, a sunscreen, clindamycin, urea, metronidazole, miconazole, calcipotriol, hydrocortisone, and betamethasone.
25. The emulsion of claim 22 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is metronidazole.
26. A method for treating skin or a mucous membrane comprising topically applying to the skin or to the mucous membrane an emulsion comprising one or more acrylates/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer primary emulsifiers having a molecular weight of at least 100 kD, one or both of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, optionally a silicone oil at a concentration up to 0.5%, optionally cholesterol at a concentration up to 10%, and optionally stearic acid, wherein the emulsion contains an aqueous phase and an oil phase, wherein the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion and is free of materials other than silicones and triglycerides that are liquid at room temperature, and wherein the emulsion lacks any additional primary emulsifier having a molecular weight of less than 100 kD and is free of surface active film formers.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the emulsion does not break instantaneously upon contact with skin.
28. The method of claim 26 wherein the emulsion further comprises silicone oil at a concentration higher than 0.0%.
29. The emulsion of claim 26 wherein the emulsion further comprises a pharmaceutically active ingredient.
30. A method for treating skin or a mucous membrane comprising topically applying to the skin or to the mucous membrane an emulsion comprising one or more acrylates/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer primary emulsifiers having a molecular weight of at least 100 kD, one or both of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, optionally a silicone oil at a concentration up to 0.5%, optionally cholesterol at a concentration up to 10%, and optionally stearic acid, wherein the emulsion contains an aqueous phase and an oil phase wherein the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion, wherein the emulsion lacks any additional primary emulsifier having a molecular weight of less than 100 kD and is free of surface active film formers, and wherein the emulsion does not break instantaneously upon contact with skin.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein the emulsion does not break within the first 10 seconds of contact with skin.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein the emulsion, when rubbed into the skin during the 10 seconds, does not break.
33. The method of claim 30 wherein the emulsion does not break upon contact with the skin for one minute.
34. The method of claim 30 wherein the emulsion further comprises silicone oil at a concentration higher than 0.0%.
35. The method of claim 30 wherein the emulsion further comprises a pharmaceutically active ingredient.
36. The method of claim 30 wherein the emulsion is free of materials other than silicones and triglycerides that are liquid at room temperature.
37. The emulsion of claim 1 wherein the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion.
38. The emulsion of claim 15 wherein the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion.
39. The method of claim 26 wherein the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion.
40. The method of claim 30 wherein the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion.
41. The method of claim 26 wherein the skin or mucous membrane is irritated or afflicted with a disorder.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of hand dermatitis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, pruritus, and xerosis.
43. The method of claim 30 wherein the skin or mucous membrane is irritated or afflicted with a disorder.
44. The method of claim 43 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of hand dermatitis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, pruritus, and xerosis.
45. The emulsion of claim 1 wherein the concentration of the acrylates/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer emulsifier is less than 0.5%.
46. The emulsion of claim 15 wherein the concentration of the acrylates/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer emulsifier is less than 0.5%.
47. A method for treating dermatitis comprising topically applying to skin afflicted with dermatitis an emulsion comprising one or more acrylates/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer primary emulsifiers having a molecular weight of at least 100 kD, one or both of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, optionally a silicone oil at a concentration up to 0.5%, optionally cholesterol at a concentration up to 10%, and optionally stearic acid, the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion and is free of materials other than silicones and triglycerides that are liquid at room temperature, and wherein the emulsion lacks any additional primary emulsifier having a molecular weight of less than 100 kD and is free of surface active film formers.
48. The method of claim 47 wherein the dermatitis is hand dermatitis.
49. A method for treating dermatitis comprising topically applying to skin afflicted with dermatitis an emulsion comprising one or more acrylates/C10-C30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer primary emulsifiers having a molecular weight of at least 100 kD, one or both of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, optionally a silicone oil at a concentration up to 0.5%, optionally cholesterol at a concentration up to 10%, and optionally stearic acid, wherein the emulsion contains an aqueous phase and an oil phase wherein the oil phase constitutes 30% or less of the total formula weight of the emulsion, wherein the emulsion lacks any additional primary emulsifier having a molecular weight of less than 100 kD and is free of surface active film formers, and wherein the emulsion does not break instantaneously upon contact with skin.
50. The method of claim 49 wherein the dermatitis is hand dermatitis.