Topical compositions comprising fermented extracts of traditional chinese medicinal (TCM) ingredients, and methods of making and using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to topical compositions containing fermented extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) ingredients for improving the appearance and skin condition of the user. The topical compositions of the present invention are tailored for different users of different skin compositions according to TCM principles. The fermented TCM extracts are characterized by reduced odor and / or color in comparison with unfermented TCM extracts and are therefore more suitable for use in cosmetic products.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 159,272 filed Mar. 11, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 228,999 filed Jul. 28, 2009.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to topical compositions for improving the appearance and skin condition of a user, while such topical compositions contain fermented extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) ingredients with reduced color and odor. The present invention also relates to computer-based system and method for determining the skin composition of a specific user and selecting a suitable topical composition for such user based on his or her skin composition according to TCM principles.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]There is great interest in the cosmetic industry to develop products containing natural plant-derived materials that may be applied topically to the skin to provide anti-acne, anti-oil, and anti-cellulite benefits. Pla...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention provides topical compositions, each of which contains a unique blend of TCM ingredients specifically designed to improve the appearance and skin conditions of a particular sub-population of users characterized by a specific skin composition, according to the TCM principles. Specifically, one aspect of the present invention relates to a topical composition containing fermented extracts of Cordyceps sinensis mycelia, Ginkgo biloba leaf, Polygonum cuspidatum rhizome, and Citrus reticulata peel, which can be applied to the skin of a user with a balanced skin composition to improve the appearance and skin conditions of said user. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a topical composition containing fermented extracts of Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body, Selaginella tamariscina plant, Ginkgo biloba leaf, and Calendula officinalis flower, which can be applied to the skin of a user with a Yang-dominant or balanced-to-Yang skin composition to nourish Yin and store the Yin-Yang balance in the skin. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a topical composition containing fermented extracts of Rhodiola rosea rhizome, Perilla frutescens fruit, Phellodendron amurense bark, and Foeniculum vulgare seed, which can be applied to the skin of a user with a Yin-dominant or balanced-to-Yin skin composition to nourish Yin and store the Yin-Yang balance in the skin.

[0009]The present invention also provides a method for preparing a topical composition by first fermenting a blend of extracts from one or more TCM ingredients known to have undesirable odor and / or color in the presence of an aerobically metabolizing microorganism under suitable aerobic conditions for a period of time sufficient to reduce or eliminate the undesirable odor and / or color while preserving desirable biological activities of said TCM ingredients, and then formulating the fermented blend of TCM extracts into a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to form said topical composition.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the currently available skin care products containing naturally occurring TCM ingredients are mass-marketed to all consumers and fail to implement the individualized treatment approach of TCM.

Further, a problem commonly encountered when formulating TCM ingredients into cosmetic or skin care products is the distinctive color and undesirable odor associated with many TCM ingredients, which makes it difficult to form aesthically and olfactorily acceptable cosmetic or skin care compositions containing such TCM ingredients.