SKINCARE COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a multi-phase fluid skincare composition comprising (a) at least one cream phase; and (b) at least one gel phase; wherein the cream phase and the gel phase are visually distinct phases that are packaged in physical contact: wherein the viscosity ratio of the cream phase to the gel plastic is 1.25 or greater: 1 or 1:1.25 or greater, preferably 1.25 or greater 1; wherein the viscosity of the cream phase is at least 15 Pa-s; wherein the viscosity of the gel phase is at least 10 Pa-s; wherein the cream plastic and the gel phase are present in the composition at a level such that the weight ratio of cream phase to the gel phase is within the range of from 65:35 to 35:65; and wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. The present invention also provides a collapsible tube having an outlet bore and containing the composition as defined above, wherein the tube is filled such that, when the composition is extended from the outlet bore, the extruded composition comprises the cream plastic and the gel plastic that are visually distinct from one another and within a weight ratio of the cream phase to the gel phase of between 65:35 and 35:65 across the cross-section of the extrusion. The present invention also provides a use of the composition defined above for the purpose of one or more of moisturising the skin, including hydrating the skin, improving the radiance of the skin, improving skin suppleness, reducing skin tightness, nourishing skin and/or reducing dryness. The present invention also provides a use of the composition defined above for the purpose of topical application to any one or more of the face, the neck skin and/or the decollete, preferably the face.

Claims

1. A multi-phase, fluid skincare composition comprising: (a) at least one cream phase; and (b) at least one gel phase; wherein the cream phase and the gel phase are visually distinct phases that are packaged in physical contact; wherein the viscosity ratio of the cream phase to the gel phase is 1.25 or greater:1 or 1:1.25 or greater; wherein the viscosity of the cream phase is at least 15 Pa.Math.s; wherein the viscosity of the gel phase is at least 10 Pa.Math.s; wherein the cream phase and the gel phase are present in the composition at a level such that the weight ratio of cream phase to the gel phase is within the range of from 65:35 to 35:65; and wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity ratio of the cream phase to the gel phase is 1.3 or greater:1 or 1:1.3 or greater, wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity ratio of the cream phase to the gel phase is 1.3 or greater:1, wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity ratio of the cream phase to the gel phase is from 1:3 to 3:1, wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the cream phase is at least 18 Pa.Math.s, wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the gel phase is at least 12 Pa.Math.s, wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the cream phase and the gel phase are present in the composition at a level such that the weight ratio of the cream phase to the gel phase is within the range of from 60:40 to 40:60.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the cream phase is in the form of a water-in-oil and/or silicone emulsion.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a bitter substance.

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the bitter substance is chosen from denatonium compounds, aromatic oils, eucalyptus oil, bitter almond oil, menthol, or fruit aroma substances.

11. A collapsible tube having an outlet bore and containing the composition of claim 1. wherein the tube is filled such that, when the composition is extruded from the outlet bore, the extruded composition comprises the cream phase and the gel phase that are visually distinct from one another and within a weight ratio of the cream phase to the gel phase of between 65:35 and 35:65 across the cross-section of the extrusion.

12. The collapsible tube of claim 11, wherein the tube is filled such that, when the composition is extruded from the outlet bore, the extruded composition comprises the cream phase and the gel phase that are visually distinct from one another and within a weight ratio of the cream phase to the gel phase of between 60:40 and 40:60 across the cross-section of the extrusion.

13. The collapsible tube of claim 11, wherein the tube is filled such that, when the composition is extruded from the outlet, the composition forms a visually distinct pattern selected from the following list: striped, marbled, check, mottled, veined, speckled, ribbons, helical, grooved, ridged, waved, sinusoidal, spiral, contoured, weave or woven, and combinations thereof.

14. A method of moisturising skin, comprising topically applying the composition of claim 1 to the skin.

15. The method of claim 1 comprising topical application to any one or more of the face, the neck skin and/or the decolleté.

16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity ratio of the cream phase to the gel phase is 1.25 or greater: 1, wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the cream phase is at least 40 Pa.Math.s, wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

18. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the gel phase is at least 20 Pa.Math.s, wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

19. The composition of claim 1, wherein the cream phase is in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion.

20. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the cream phase is at least 40 Pa.Math.s and the viscosity of the gel phase is at least 20 Pa.Math.s, wherein the viscosity is measured at 23° C. using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer with a heliopath, a speed of 10 revolutions per minute (rpm) for a time of 30 seconds using a T Bar spindle.

Description

[0173] There now follows by way of example only a description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0174] FIG. 1 shows portions of a composition consisting of 80% cream phase as presented in Table 1 and 20% gel phase as presented in Table 2 (Product A) after it is dispensed from a collapsible tube. Fourteen portions of the composition were dispensed from ten tubes at a rate of one portion per day.

[0175] FIG. 2 shows portions of a composition consisting of 50% cream phase as presented in Table 1 and 50% gel phase as presented in Table 2 (Product B) after it is dispensed from a collapsible tube. Fourteen portions of the composition were dispensed from ten tubes at a rate of one portion per day.

[0176] FIG. 3 shows portions of a composition consisting of 20% cream phase as presented in Table 1 and 80% gel phase as presented in Table 2 (Product C) after it is dispensed from a collapsible tube. Fourteen portions of the composition were dispensed from ten tubes at a rate of one portion per day.

[0177] FIG. 4 shows portions of the composition consisting of 80% cream phase as presented in Table 1 and 20% gel phase as presented in Table 2 (Product A), consisting of 50% cream phase as presented in Table 1 and 50% gel phase as presented in Table 2 (Product B) and consisting of 20% cream phase as presented in Table 1 and 80% gel phase as presented in Table 2 (Product C) after the compositions were subject to transit testing for a period of half an hour, two hours or eight hours within a collapsible tube and then dispensed therefrom.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Manufacture of Two Phases of the Paste

[0178] A cream phase and a gel phase were created comprising constituents as presented in Tables 1 and 2 below:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Cream Phase Material Name Concentration (% w/w) White soft paraffin BP 3.00 C.sub.12-C.sub.15 alcohols benzoate 5.75 Abil WE09 (by Evonik, containing 3.00 34% polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, 33% cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone and 33% hexyl laurate) Abil EM90 (by Evonik, cetyl PEG/PPG- 1.00 10/1 dimethicone) Sequestrene tetrasodium 0.05 Isononyl isononanoate 2.75 Humectant 5.00 Magnesium sulphate BP super pearl 0.90 Preservative 0.80 Bitrex Solution MACFS (Denatonium 0.10 benzoate) Purified water BP q.s. 100

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Gel Phase Material Name Concentration (% w/w) Humectant 10.00 Carbopol Ultrez 30 polymer (by Lubrizol, 1.00 carbomer) Blue No1 FD&C 0.0003 Keltrol RD (by CP Kelco, xanthan gum) 0.80 Hyaluronic acid (35%) and sodium 1.00 hyaluronate (65%) Sequestrene Na.sub.4 0.05 Preservative 0.40 pH adjuster 0.90 Bitrex Solution MACFS (Denatonium 0.10 benzoate) Purified water BP q.s. 100

[0179] The cream phase was manufactured using the following method: In a main vessel the oil phase ingredients (C.sub.12-C.sub.15 alcohols benzoate, white soft paraffin BP, Abil WE09, Abil EM90 and isononyl isononanoate) were combined through stirring at 55° C. to 60° C. In a support vessel the aqueous phase ingredients (water, sequestrene tetrasodium, magnesium sulphate BP super pearl, preservative, bitrex solution MACFS and humectant) were combined through stirring for one to two minutes between additions at 55° C. to 60° C. The contents of the support vessel was then slowly combined with the main vessel contents with high-speed stirring, ensuring that no water-pooling takes place. The main vessel contents is then cooled to 25° C. before homogenization at 3500 rpm for 1 minute. Finally, 5 minutes of stirring was carried out.

[0180] The gel phase was manufactured using the following method: 1% of the water was added to the blue Nol FD&C colourant in a support vessel. The rest of the water was added to the main vessel. Sequestrene tetrasodium and humectant were added whilst stirring. Hyaluronic acid was then added whilst stirring at a high speed, followed by homogenization for 1 to 2 minutes at 3500 rpm. The Carbopol Ultrez polymer was then added whilst stirring at a high speed, followed by homogenization for 1 to 2 minutes at 3500 rpm. The Keltrol RD was then added through homogenization for 3 to 5 minutes at 3500 rpm. Preservative was then added whilst stirring. Bitrex solution MACFS was then added whilst stirring. The blue Nol FD&C colourant solution was then added whilst stirring. The pH adjuster was then added whilst stirring.

Example 2

Viscosity Determination

[0181] The viscosity of the gel and cream phases was determined. Viscosity as described in the present application is measured using a Brookfield RVDV-I Prime viscometer plus Model G Laboratory Stand, equipped with a heliopath and either the TBar Spindle C (otherwise known as spindle 93) for the cream phase or the TBar Spindle B (otherwise known as spindle 92) for the gel phase. Viscosity measurements were obtained as follows: (1) Ensure the sample product has a temperature of 23° C. and that it is not aerated. Sample is presented in a 120 ml capacity plastic container; (2) Before measurement, auto-zero the viscometer after switching on the unit by following the on-screen instructions with no spindle attached to the viscometer; (3) Select either TBar Spindle C (with respect to the cream phase) or TBar Spindle B (with respect to the gel phase); (4) Select the revolution speed “10”. This will rotate the spindle at 10 revolutions per minute (rpm); (5) Carefully attach the spindle to the lower shaft of the viscometer; (6) Press the “Timed Option” buttons; (7) Use the Up and Down arrows to select the “Timed Stop” option then press “Enter” to confirm; (8) Use the Up and Down arrows to select zero minutes, then press “Enter” to confirm; (9) Use the Up and Down arrows to select 30 seconds, then press “Enter” to confirm; (10) Press the “Motor On/Off” button to begin the measurement; (11) The viscometer will display a countdown from 30 seconds, after which it will display the final viscosity measured; and (12) Record the viscosity.

[0182] The gel phase had a viscosity of between 23 Pa.Math.s and 31 Pa.Math.s. The cream phase had a viscosity of between 45 Pa.Math.s and 55 Pa.Math.s. It is also noted that, for both the gel phase and the cream phase, a similar initial torque reading was measured, confirming that the TBar Spindle C used for the cream phase is comparable to the TBar Spindle B used for the gel phase.

Example 3

Filling of the Cream and Gel Phases into a Tube

[0183] The cream and gel phases were placed into a divided nozzle which keeps the cream phase and gel phase separate. An even and consistent pressure was then applied to the nozzle in order to dispense the nozzle content into a tube in the form of a stripe (one stripe of the cream phase and one stripe of the gel phase). The tubes were filled so that the contained one of (i) 80% cream and 20% gel (Product A); (ii) 50% cream and 50% gel (Product B); and 20% cream and 80% gel (Product C).

Example 4

Dispense Testing

[0184] This study was carried out in order to determine whether an even distribution of the gel and cream phases is obtained when a portion of the combined product is dispensed from the tube each day. The size of the portion dispensed was designed to mimic the amount that a consumer would dispense in order to achieve the desired application requirements (in this particular instance for application on the entire face).

[0185] Each day, at approximately the same time of the day, for fourteen days approximately 4 ml of the combined product was dispensed by hand so as to form a stripe on a solid, flat surface and a picture was taken. This was carried out with respect to ten tubes for each product.

[0186] FIGS. 1 to 3 show the images of the dispensed stripes for products A to C respectively. The dark grey sections represent the gel phase, whilst the light grey sections represent the cream phase. By the thirteenth and fourteenth days, the dispensed stripes are not uniform due to the increased difficulty in dispensing the last portions on the product from the tubes.

[0187] As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, products B and C maintain uniform stripes from the first through to the fourteenth dispense. Generally the correct proportions of the cream and gel (50:50 for product B, 20:80 for product C) are present in each dispensed stripe. By contrast, dispensing of product A generally starts with just gel followed by a uniform stripe. This can be seen in the images of FIG. 1 as a dark grey section at the left-hand end of the dispensed stripe. This is thought to be caused by the gel phase flowing more freely than the cream phase in the product A (80% cream, 20% gel) configuration. FIG. 1 also shows that, as a result of this gel end forming, there are occasions upon dispensing that no or very little gel can be seen, suggesting a large level of variation in the proportion of gel obtained with each dispense.

[0188] In summary, products B and C maintain uniform stripes from the first through to the fourteenth dispense, with the proportion of the gel and cream with each dispense being largely consistent. By contrast, product A dispensing often leads to a gel-only end, or very little gel at all, resulting in a wide variation in the proportion of gel and cream with each dispense.

Example 5

Transit Testing

[0189] In order to assess whether the stripes are maintained after transit from a manufacturing site to a consumer's place of use, sample tubes of Products A, B and C were placed on a shaker for periods of half an hour, two hours or eight hours before dispensing. These simulated conditions are deliberately very severe in order to mimic transit over uneven road surfaces.

[0190] FIG. 4 shows images of the dispensed stripes after transit simulation. Products A and B show minimal disruption of the stripes between the cream and gel phases, as distinct stripes are still visible. By contrast, disruption of the stripe of product C took place after just half an hour, with blurring between the phases is evident.

[0191] In summary, products A and B produce acceptable stripes after transit and dispensing, whilst product C shows substantial stripe disruption after transit and dispensing.