Skin lightening compositions and methods

1. A method of lightening skin and/or providing a more even tone to skin coloration said method comprising applying a skin lightening/even toning composition to those areas of the skin of an individual for which skin lightening/even toning is desired at least once a day until the skin coloration of the areas to which the composition was applied is more even and/or lighter than it was prior to application of the composition and/or has darkened less than those areas where the composition was not applied, said composition comprising (i) a skin lightening effective amount of aryl alkanone having the structure 1

wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 and R 5 which may be the same or different, are independently H, OH, alkyl or alloy wherein the alkyl or alkoxy groups are linear or branched and have from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R 6 is COCH 3 or CO 2 R 7 wherein R 7 is a linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and (ii) a dermatologically acceptable carrier.

2. The method of claim 1 where n the aryl alkanone is of the Structure 2

wherein R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 , which may be the same or different, are independently OH or a linear alkoxy having, from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R 6 is COCH 3 or CO 2 R 7 , wherein R 7 is a linear alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the aryl alkanone is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 20 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the aryl alkanone is present in an amount of from about 0.05 to about 10 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the aryl alkanone is acetyl zingerone.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin lightening/even toning composition further comprises a second skin lightening agent in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 20 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the weight ratio of the aryl alkanone to the second skin lightening agent is from 20:1 to about 1:20.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the aryl alkanone is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition, a second skin lightening agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition, and the weight ratio of the aryl alkanone to the second skin lightening agent is from about 10:1 to about 1:10.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the second skin lightening agent is purified hexylresorcinol.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin lightening/even toning composition further comprises one or more skin protective or treatment ingredients in an effective amount.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the skin protective or treatment ingredients are selected from the group consisting of sunscreen actives, antioxidants, vitamins, anti-inflammatory agents, moisturizers, emollients, humectants, and mixtures thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin lightening/even toning composition is applied to all or essentially all areas of the skin to effect an overall skin lightening of the individual.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin lightening/even toning composition is applied to those areas of the skin which have tanned due to exposure to sunlight and/or natural aging.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin lightening/even toning composition is applied to those areas of the skin manifesting hyperpigmentation from other than sunlight or natural, aging.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin lightening/even toning composition is applied to those areas of the skin manifesting post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin lightening/even toning composition is applied to those areas of the skin manifesting an uneven or blotched skin coloring.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the skin lightening/even toning composition is applied to those areas of the skin manifesting skin darkening and/or uneven or blotched skin coloring resulting from diet, pregnancy, genetics, or drug therapy.

18. A method of mitigating the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and/or color unevenness or blotchiness in the skin of an individual, said method comprising applying a skin lightening/even toning composition comprising (i) an effective amount of an aryl alkanone having the Structure 1

wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 and R 5 , which may be the same or different, are independently H, OH, alkyl or alkoxy wherein the alkyl or alkoxy groups are linear or branched and have from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R 6 =COCH 3 or CO 2 R 7 , wherein R 7 is a linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and (ii) a dermatologically acceptable carrier at least once a day to those areas of the skin which have suffered an inflammatory event, other than sunlight exposure, that leads to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and/or color unevenness or blotchiness, said event selected from a chemical exposure or drug/pharmaceutical treatment, laser and other light based therapy, acne, eczema, skin trauma or scarring, or insect bite or sting.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the skin lightening/even toning composition is applied to areas of the skin that have suffered from acne, eczema, or an insect sting or bite or that have undergone laser therapy or chemical peel.