Composition For Improving Skin Lipid Barrier Function

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition for topical application to the skin comprising effective amounts of a protease inhibitor and a cell differentiation enhancer. The composition is useful in promoting skin lipid barrier repair and maintaining the integrity of the lipid barrier. In this regard, the compositions can be used in the treatment and prevention of dry skin, and associated chrono / proto-aging conditions, in the treatment and prevention of irritation on the skin, in the treatment and prevention of UV-related damage to the skin, and in the enhancement of the retention of self-tanning.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims benefit from U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 554984, filed Apr. 4, 2000, which is the filing date of International application US00 / 08871.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]The invention relates to cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to topical compositions that are useful in enhancing the function of the skin's natural lipid barrier.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Skin is typically characterized as consisting of three distinct layers, namely the stratum corneum, the epidermis and the dermis. The stratum corneum, the outermost layer, is made up of keratinized, cells, surrounded by intercellular space filled with lipids. The stratum corneum provides a substantial physical barrier to penetration of most substances to the lower layers of the skin. In addition to preventing transport of substances to the other skin layers, however, this harrier also aids in prevention of water loss from the skin. Both fun...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The invention relates to cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions comprising lipid barrier-enhancing effective amounts of at least one protease inhibitor and at least one cellular differentiation enhancer. The composition can also comprise, in a preferred embodiment, effective amounts of a sterol sulfate, an at least one naturally occurring skin, lipid component. The composition of the invention can be used in a method for strengthening the natural lipid barrier of the skin, as well as other methods of skin treatment that are made possible by the strengthening of the barrier.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, the lipid barrier is easily diminished by exposure to harsh detergents or soaps, it is apparent, then, that the quality of the skin lipid barrier can vary widely, depending on a number of different factors, and therefore, may not always be adequate to perform its protective function optimally.

Although many of these products provide an effective means of steaming water loss from the skin, they do have to be reapplied frequently to maintain the effect, and do not generally constitute a natural-occurring component of the stratum corneum, potentially giving rise to an unnatural, greasy feel to the skin.

In addition, various pharmaceutical or cosmetic active agents are also frequently used to treat the symptoms of dry skin-associated conditions; however, in many cases, particularly with pharmaceutical agents, the treatments themselves may cause undesirable side effects in the individual being treated, while ultimately resulting in no actual repair of the lipid barrier.