SYNERGISTIC COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MITIGATING SKIN IRRITATION AND ENHANCING SKIN BARRIER FUNCTION
Methods and compositions are provided for mitigating the irritation of mammalian skin cells, protecting cell viability and/or enhancing cell-cell junction, thus improving skin barrier function. The compositions contain combinations of acetyl hexapeptides and a cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Carriers that lend a liquid crystalline aspect to the compositions are beneficial.
1 . A composition comprising two or more oligopeptides in a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the composition includes a liquid crystal network.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the oligopeptides is independently selected from the group consisting of acetyl hexapeptides.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the least two oligopeptides are independently selected from the group consisting of acetyl hexapeptide-1, acetyl hexapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl hexapeptide-19, acetyl hexapeptide-20, acetyl hexapeptide-22, acetyl hexapeptide-24, acetyl hexapeptide-30, acetyl hexapeptide-31, acetyl hexapeptide-37, acetyl hexapeptide-38, acetyl hexapeptide-39, and acetyl hexapeptide-46, acetyl hexapeptide-49.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the amount of each oligopeptide is selected to be from about 0.06 to about 100 ppm, based upon the total weight of the composition.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises a vegetal wax, olive oil, and at least one derivative or extract of olives.
6 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the carrier comprises from about 0.5 to about 3 wt. % of a vegetal wax, based upon the total weight of the composition.
7 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the derivative of olives includes a cetearylic ester derivative, a sorbitan ester derivative, or a combination thereof.
8 . The composition of claim 7 , wherein the cetearylic ester comprises cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate.
9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of an emulsifier, based upon the total weight of the composition.
10 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the carrier comprises:
a vegetal wax comprising cetyl palmitate, sorbitan palmitate and sorbitan olivate;
at least one derivative or extract of olives, selected from the group consisting of cetearylic ester derivatives, a sorbitan ester derivatives, and blends thereof; olive oil; and at least one emulsifier selected from the group consisting of glycerol esters.
11 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition exhibits a first viscosity under static conditions, a second, reduced viscosity when shear force is applied, and then, when the shear force is removed, the viscosity of the composition returns to the first viscosity, or to a viscosity that is substantially the same as the first viscosity.
12 . The composition of claim 11 , wherein the second viscosity is at least 25% of the first viscosity, when a stress of up to about 100 Pa is applied as described above.
13 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is characterized by a yield stress point of less than about 1000 Pa, at 1 s −1 at about 20° C.
14 . A method for the treatment of the skin comprising the step of contacting the skin with an effective amount of a composition comprising two or more oligopeptides in a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the composition includes a liquid crystal network.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the carrier comprises:
a vegetal wax comprising cetyl palmitate, sorbitan palmitate and sorbitan olivate;
at least one derivative or extract of olives, selected from the group consisting of cetearylic ester derivatives, a sorbitan ester derivatives, and blends thereof; and olive oil.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the oligopeptides is independently selected from the group consisting of acetyl hexapeptides.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the least two oligopeptides are independently selected from the group consisting of acetyl hexapeptide-1, acetyl hexapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl hexapeptide-19, acetyl hexapeptide-20, acetyl hexapeptide-22, acetyl hexapeptide-24, acetyl hexapeptide-30, acetyl hexapeptide-31, acetyl hexapeptide-37, acetyl hexapeptide-38, acetyl hexapeptide-39, and acetyl hexapeptide-46, acetyl hexapeptide-49.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the composition further comprises from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of an emulsifier, based upon the total weight of the composition.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the composition exhibits a first viscosity under static conditions, a second, reduced viscosity when shear force is applied, and then, when the shear force is removed, the viscosity of the composition returns to the first viscosity, or to a viscosity that is substantially the same as the first viscosity.
20 . A method for improving the barrier function of skin, the method comprising the step of contacting the skin with an effective amount of a composition comprising two or more oligopeptides in a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the composition includes a liquid crystal network.