Method of treating human skin and a skin care composition for use in such a method
The invention relates to cosmetic methods of treating human skin. The method includes applying to the skin a composition containing an estrogenic component and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. Other aspects of the invention relate to therapeutic methods of treating or preventing vaginal dryness or acne and a therapeutic method of promoting wound healing. Another aspect relates to a skin care composition comprising the aforementioned estrogenic component and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.
1. A method of treating or reducing a risk of developing vaginal dryness, wherein the method comprises applying to the vaginal epithelium a composition containing:
(i) at least 5 μg/g of an estrogenic component selected from the group consisting of: estetrol,
precursors capable of liberating estetrol when used in the present method, wherein the precursors are derivatives of estetrol;
wherein the hydrogen atom of at least one of the hydroxyl groups has been substituted by —CO—R; wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl radical comprising 1-20 carbon atoms; and
mixtures of estetrol and the precursors; and
(ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the composition contains at least 10 μg/g of the estrogenic component.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied at least once a day during a period of at least 3 days.
4. The method according to claim 1 , which composition is a lotion, salve or a cream.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is for treating vaginal dryness.