Topical skin protectant compositions

1 . A delivery system for topical application to skin of a mammal comprising:

a therapeutically effective amount of a skin protectant composition comprising:

a) a ceramide,

b) a squalane,

c) a phytosterol-containing liposome,

d) a phospholipid-containing ingredient,

e) at least one triglyceride, and

f) at least one dermatologically acceptable excipient; and

a carrier for said skin protectant composition, wherein said skin protectant composition is free of cholesterol.

2 . The delivery system of claim 1 , wherein said carrier is selected from the group consisting of a transdermal patch, a band-aid, a gauze bandage, and a mask.

3 . The delivery system of claim 1 , wherein said carrier is an applicator selected from the group consisting of a pledget, a pad, a sponge, a delivery tube, a delivery spout, and combinations thereof.

4 . The delivery system of claim 1 , wherein said skin protectant composition is in a lotion, cream, ointment, shampoo, gel, paste, skin cleanser, aerosol, or other dermatologically acceptable topical dosage form.

5 . The delivery system of claim 1 , wherein said skin protectant composition comprises from about 0.001 to about 1.5% by weight of said ceramide, from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of said squalane, from about 0.2 to about 5% by weight of said phytosterol-containing liposome, from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of said phospholipid-containing ingredient, and from about 8 to about 30% by weight of said at least one triglyceride.

6 . The delivery system of claim 1 , further comprising a local anesthetic.

7 . A method for restoring or repairing a skin lipid barrier of a mammal comprising:

topically applying to skin of a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising:

a) a ceramide;

b) a squalane;

c) a phytosterol-containing liposome;

d) a phospholipid-containing ingredient;

e) at least one triglyceride; and

f) at least one dermatologically acceptable excipient,

wherein said composition increases intercellular adhesion in said skin to restore or repair said skin lipid barrier and enhance moisturization of said skin, and wherein said composition is free of cholesterol.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said increased intercellular adhesion results from said skin's metabolizing said phytosterol-containing liposome.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said composition provides an extended release of an ingredient selected from the group consisting of said ceramide, squalane, phytosterol-containing liposome, phospholipid-containing ingredient, triglyceride, and combinations thereof.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said extended release provides an extended or delayed moisturization of said skin.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said extended release allows said composition to further treat a skin condition in a mammal having sensitive skin.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said skin condition is selected from the group consisting of atopic dermatitis, pruritis, itching, eczema, ichthyosis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczematous dermatitis, ulcers and erosions due to cutaneous trauma, epidermolysis bullosa, cutaneous changes of intrinsic or extrinsic aging, dry skin, and a combination thereof.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said method additionally reduces the incidence of further occurrences of said skin condition.

14 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said repair of said skin lipid barrier improves integrity of the skin's interstitial lipid layer.

15 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said method additionally reduces the occurrence of further skin barrier malfunctions.

16 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said phytosterol-containing liposome is shea butter, said ceramide is ceramide-3, said triglyceride is caprylic/capric triglyceride, said squalane is olive oil or a derivative thereof, and said phospholipid-containing ingredient is hydrogenated lecithin.

17 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said dermatologically acceptable excipient is selected from the group consisting of an emollient, a moisturizer, a preservative, a gelling agent, a colorant or pigment, and mixtures thereof.

18 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one essential fatty acid.

19 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said composition is administered in combination with a pharmacologically active agent.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said pharmacologically active agent is a local anesthetic.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said pharmacologically active agent is administered either concomitantly or sequentially with said composition.

22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said composition enhances the effectiveness of the pharmacologically active agent.

23 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said composition normalizes the pH of the skin resulting in an improved skin barrier function.

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said composition does not contain a buffer.

25 . A process for manufacturing a composition suitable for topical administration comprising an oil-in-water emulsion, said process comprising:

1) providing a change in flow of an aqueous phase and an oil phase comprising a squalane, a phytosterol-containing liposome, and at least one triglyceride to provide an oil-in-water emulsion;

2) adding a ceramide and a phospholipid-containing ingredient to said emulsion; and

3) recovering a topical composition.

26 . The process of claim 25 , wherein said aqueous phase comprises about 5 to about 20% of the overall weight of the composition of at least one moisturizer, a first gelling agent, and about 10 to about 60% of the overall weight of the composition of water,

and wherein said oil phase comprises about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of the overall weight of the composition of the squalane, about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of the overall weight of the composition of the phytosterol-containing liposome, about 5 to about 25% of the overall weight of the composition of the at least one triglyceride, and a second gelling agent.

27 . The process of claim 25 , wherein said change in flow is caused by a change in pressure.

28 . The process of claim 27 , wherein said change in pressure is a change from atmospheric pressure to a pressure of about 5,000-25,000 psig.

29 . The process of claim 25 , wherein said process further comprises:

1) preparing said aqueous phase;

2) cooling said aqueous phase to a temperature of about 40 to about 50° C.;

3) preparing said oil phase;

4) adding said water phase to said aqueous phase while stirring at a temperature of about 40 to about 50° C. to obtain an emulsion;

5) cooling said emulsion to a temperature of about 25 to about 35° C.;

6) adding a ceramide and a phospholipid-containing ingredient to said emulsion; and

7) recovering a topical composition.

30 . The process of claim 29 , wherein said process reduces dependence on emulsifiers in forming said emulsion.