Skin care composition
Methods and compositions for improving the appearance of skin are provided. The methods and compositions are especially suited for improving sallow-looking skin by enhancing bilirubin degradation in skin. The methods and compositions herein utilize one or more sucrose esters, which demonstrate a surprising ability to reduce bilirubin levels. The method involves applying a skin care composition containing an effective amount of a sucrose ester to a target portion of skin where a reduction in bilirubin level is desired.
1. A skin care composition, comprising:
a) an effective amount of sucrose ester comprising sucrose laurate and sucrose dilaurate at a ratio of sucrose laurate to sucrose dilaurate ranging from about 3:1 to about 3:2 wherein the effective amount of sucrose ester reduces yellowness levels according to a b* assay by at least 10% relative to a vehicle control containing the dermatologically acceptable carrier without sucrose ester; and
b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier.
2. The skin care composition of claim 1 , wherein the sucrose ester is present at about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the composition.
3. The skin care composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from vitamins, minerals, peptides, sugar amines, sunscreen agents, oil control agents, flavonoid compounds, anti-oxidants, preservatives, protease inhibitors, tyrosinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, moisturizing agents, exfoliating agents, skin lightening agents, lubricants, anti-acne actives, chelating agents, anti-wrinkle actives, anti-atrophy actives, phytosterols, N-acyl amino acid compounds, antimicrobials, and antifungals, conditioning agents, emulsifiers, rheology modifiers, and combinations thereof.
4. The skin care composition of claim 3 , wherein the additional ingredient is selected from vitamin B3 compounds, vitamin E compounds, peptides, retinoids, and combinations thereof.
5. The skin care composition of claim 3 , wherein the additional ingredient includes a rheology modifier selected from sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers, starch grafted sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers, and combinations thereof.
6. The skin care composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least about 10% of a silicone fluid.
7. The skin care composition of claim 1 , wherein the skin care composition is an oil-in-water emulsion.
8. The skin care composition of claim 7 , further comprising a non-ionic emulsifier.
9. A method of degrading bilirubin in skin, comprising:
a) identifying a target portion of skin where treatment is desired; and
b) applying the skin care composition of claim 1 to the target portion of skin, wherein the effective amount of sucrose ester reduces yellowness levels over the course of a treatment period.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises about 0.001% to about 10% sucrose ester, by weight.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the target portion of skin exhibits a sign of bilirubin accumulation.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the effective amount of sucrose ester reduces b* value by at least 10% relative to the vehicle control, according to the b* assay.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the effective amount of sucrose ester reduces yellowness levels by at least 10% relative to a positive control of 80% (v/v) bilirubin in dimethyl sulfoxide, according to the b* assay.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the treatment period is at least 2 weeks.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the composition includes at least about 10% of a silicone fluid.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from vitamins, minerals, peptides, sugar amines, sunscreen agents, oil control agents, flavonoid compounds, anti-oxidants, preservatives, protease inhibitors, tyrosinase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, moisturizing agents, exfoliating agents, skin lightening agents, lubricants, anti-acne actives, chelating agents, anti-wrinkle actives, anti-atrophy actives, phytosterols, N-acyl amino acid compounds, antimicrobials, and antifungals, conditioning agents, emulsifiers, rheology modifiers, and combinations of these.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the additional ingredient is selected from vitamin B3 compounds, vitamin E compounds, peptides, retinoids, and combinations thereof.