Soothing Agents

1 . A composition comprising from about 0.05% to less than about 5% of at least one soothing agent selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyls having a carbon backbone and having no more than carbons and wherein the alkyl has at least two hydroxyl groups such that a first hydroxyl group is attached to a first carbon of the carbon backbone and a second hydroxyl group is attached to a second carbon of the carbon backbone adjacent to the first carbon and (ii) optionally, an alcoholic, aqueous, or hydroalcoholic topical carrier, wherein the composition is essentially free of compounds which enhance skin penetration of active agents.

2 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the soothing agent is selected from the group consisting of alkanediols, alkanetriols and mixtures thereof

3 . The composition of claim 2 wherein the alkanediol is selected from the group consisting of 1,2 butanediol; 2,3 butanediol; and mixtures thereof.

4 . The composition of claim 3 wherein the alkanediol is 1,2 butanediol.

5 . The composition of claim 2 wherein the alkanetriol is selected from the group consisting of, 1,2,3 butanetriol; 1,2,4 butanetriol, and mixtures thereof.

6 . The composition of claim 5 wherein the alkanetriol is 1,2,3 butanetriol.

7 . A topical composition for providing a soothing or a calming sensation comprising(i) at least one soothing agent selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyls having a carbon backbone and having no more than carbons and wherein the alkyl has at least two hydroxyl groups such that a first hydroxyl group is attached to a first carbon of the carbon backbone and a second hydroxyl group is attached to a second carbon of the carbon backbone adjacent to the first carbon; optionally, an alcoholic, aqueous, or hydroalcoholic topical carrier; and (iii) at least one sensory compound, wherein the composition is essentially free of compounds which enhance skin penetration of active agents.

8 . The topical composition of claim 7 , wherein the sensory compound is selected from the group consisting of terpenes, phenolic compounds and mixtures thereof.

9 . The topical composition of claim 8 , wherein the terpene is selected from the group consisting of neral, nerol, citral, phytol,alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, camphor, limonene, menthol, geranial, geraniol, farnesol and mixtures thereof

10 . The topical composition of claim 8 , wherein the phenolic compound is selected from the group consisting of thymol, methyl salicylate, eucalyptol and mixtures.

11 . The topical composition of claim 8 , wherein the sensory compound is selected from the group consisting menthol, camphor, borneol, geraniol and mixtures thereof.

12 . The topical composition of claim 8 , wherein the sensory compound is selected from the group consisting menthol, camphor, borneol, geraniol and mixtures thereof menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate, eucalyptol and mixtures thereof.

13 . The topical composition of claim 7 , wherein the topical composition is selected from the group consisting of skin compositions, analgesic compositions, ophthalmic compositions, otic compositions, nasal compositions and vaginal compositions.

14 . A method of reducing harsh or unpleasant sensations associated with the topical application of sensory compounds to an host's skin or mucosal membranes of the eye, otic cavity, nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat or vaginal area, comprising the step of:

a. applying at least one soothing agent selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyls having a carbon backbone and having no more than carbons and wherein the alkyl has at least two hydroxyl groups such that a first hydroxyl group is attached to a first carbon of the carbon backbone and a second hydroxyl group is attached to a second carbon of the carbon backbone adjacent to the first carbon, optionally, in an alcoholic, aqueous, or hydroalcoholic topical carrier; and

b. applying at least one sensory compound, optionally, in an alcoholic, aqueous, or hydroalcoholic topical carrier, wherein the host's skin or mucosal membranes are essentially free of compounds which enhance skin penetration of active agents.

15 . A method of reducing harsh or unpleasant sensations associated with the topical application of sensory compounds to a host's skin or mucosal membranes of the eye, otic cavity, nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat or vaginal area , comprising the step of:

a. providing a topical composition comprising:

i. optionally, an alcoholic, aqueous, or hydroalcoholic topical carrier,

ii. at least one soothing agent selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyls having a carbon backbone and having no more than carbons and wherein the alkyl has at least two hydroxyl groups such that a first hydroxyl group is attached to a first carbon of the carbon backbone and a second hydroxyl group is attached to a second carbon of the carbon backbone adjacent to the first carbon; and

iii. at least one sensory compound

wherein the composition is essentially free of compounds which enhance skin penetration of active agents; and

b. applying the topical composition to the host's skin or mucosal membranes of the eye, oral cavity, nose, throat or vaginal area.

16 . A method of reducing harsh or unpleasant sensations associated with inadvertent application of topical skin care compositions to a host's mucosal membranes of the eye, otic cavity, nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat or vaginal area comprising the step of applying a topical skin care composition comprising i.) at least one soothing agent selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight -or branched chain alkyls having a carbon backbone and having no more than carbons and wherein the alkyl has at least two hydroxyl groups such that a first hydroxyl group is attached to a first carbon of the carbon backbone and a second hydroxyl group is attached to a second carbon of the carbon backbone adjacent to the first carbon; and ii.) optionally, an alcoholic, aqueous, or hydroalcoholic topical carrier, wherein the composition is essentially free of compounds which enhance skin penetration of active agents.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the topical skin care composition is selected from the group consisting of include bodywashes, soaps, skin or hair lotions, skin or hair sprays, sunscreens, shampoos and conditioners.

18 . An article comprising i.) at least one soothing agent selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyls having a carbon backbone and having no more than carbons and wherein the alkyl has at least two hydroxyl groups such that a first hydroxyl group is attached to a first carbon of the carbon backbone and a second hydroxyl group is attached to a second carbon of the carbon backbone adjacent to the first carbon; ii.) optionally, at least one sensory compound; and optionally, an alcoholic, aqueous, or hydroalcoholic topical carrier, wherein the article is essentially free of compounds which enhance skin penetration of active agents.

19 . The article of claim 18 , wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of cleaning wipes, tissues, pads, disposable absorbent articles, adhesive articles, wraps and light shielding covers.

20 . A method of reducing harsh or unpleasant sensations associated with the topical application of sensory compounds to an host's skin or mucosal membranes of the eye, otic cavity, nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat or vaginal area , comprising the step of:

a. providing a article comprising:

i. at least one soothing agent selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyls having a carbon backbone and having no more than carbons and wherein the alkyl has at least two hydroxyl groups such that a first hydroxyl group is attached to a first carbon of the carbon backbone and a second hydroxyl group is attached to a second carbon of the carbon backbone adjacent to the first carbon; and

ii. at least one sensory compound; and

iii. optionally, an alcoholic, aqueous, or hydroalcoholic topical carrier, wherein the article is essentially free of compounds which enhance skin penetration of active agents;

and

b. applying the article to the host's skin or mucosal membranes of the eye, oral cavity, nose, throat or vaginal area.