GB2357970A

GB2357970A - Creatine and/or creatine derivatives used as cosmetic preparations containing moisturizers

Info

Publication number: GB2357970A
Application number: GB0108722A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christian Gloxhuber; Bernd Mertschenk
Original assignee: SKW Trostberg AG
Current assignee: Evonik Operations GmbH
Priority date: 1998-09-10
Filing date: 1999-09-09
Publication date: 2001-07-11
Also published as: DE19841385A1; GB0108722D0; JP2002524486A; WO2000015187A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cosmetic preparation containing creatine and/or creatine derivatives as moisturizers.

Description

cosmetic preparations comprising creatine andlor creatine derivatives as

humectant (s)

Description

The present invention relates to the use of creatine and/or creatine derivatives as humectant (s) (moisturizer(s)) is cosmetic preparations.

Preparations in cream, gel or liquid form which, for cosmetic purposes, can be applied topically, but also orally and then systemically, in most cases comprise humectants, so-called moisturizers. Use of these humectants firstly ensures a continually stable consistency and applicability of the respective cosmetics, which is particularly important in the case of the very wide variety of creams. Secondly, the humectants also contribute to a certain feeling of well- being because of the cooling effect which arise [sic] from the diverse cream and gel preparations during their use.

The aim of the vast majority of cosmetic preparations is to have a positive effect on the condition and the appearance of the skin.

The condition and appearance of the skin are greatly affected by ageing processes. Namely, with increasing age, the colloidal state of the proteins, for example of collagen, changes in a manner such that the waterbinding capacity decreases and the tissue turgor is reduced. A consequence of this is atropic changes, which manifests itself in particular in an increased formation of wrinkles and increased dryness, in particular of the upper layers of the skin, such as the Stratum corneum. The increased symptoms associated with the said changes, such as flakiness, lead overall to a worsened appearance of the surface of- the skin.

However, the surface of the skin is changed not only as a result of ageing processes, but also as a result of a number of external influences. For example, in general, environmental influences and weathering, but also extreme washing and removal of grease from the skin, such as e.g. the frequent use of solvents, cause an increased drying out of the skin with chapping and flaking. In this respect, age-induced changes in the skin and also changes caused by external influences can add up.

In order to counteract these processes which take place on the surface of the skin, the skin by nature provides mechanisms which are referred to as natural moisturizing factors. Known representatives of these factors are urea and certain amino acids, such as glycine and arginine, which are found naturally on the surface of the skin.

These naturally occurring substances are aided in modern skincare compositions - as already mentioned by so-called moisturizers. These humectants, some of which are synthetic, such as polyols, glycerol, sorbitol, ethoxylated phenols and hydrolyzed proteins can have a favourable effect on skin roughnesses which are age-ind1ced and/or caused by external influences in the sense that the skin gains a smoother and more supple surface.

A disadvantage of numerous synthetic humectants is their often inadequate stability, primarily over relatively long periods of time, which, particularly at extreme temperatures, leads to the breaking of the emulsions, which has an adverse effect, particularly on cream-like O/W emulsions.

The object of the invention is then to provide a humectant (moisturizer) for cosmetic preparations which ensures stable preparations, is natural in origin or nature- identical, is, moreover, readily accessible and which does not suggest any side effects with regard to health on the basis of its composition.

This object was achieved by the use of creatine and/or creatine derivatives as humectant(s) for cosmetic preparations.

Surprisingly, such as chapping and flaking in the case of the practical use of creatine or suitable derivatives thereof, it was established that not only are the desired stable cosmetic preparations obtained therewith, but also that the symptoms of dry skin, such as chapping and flaking, can be eliminated permanently, or these phenomena can even be prevented. Furthermore, the use according to the invention can also have a positive effect on the body's own energy balance in the sense that deeper layers of the hypodermis also experience a lasting tightening, which could not have been foreseen to this extent.

Creatine is a natural compound occurring as a known energy store primarily in muscle tissue, which is nontoxicy is catabolized by the kidneys to give creatinine, which is found in urine, and, moreover, when applied locally, has very good compatibility, as experimental investigations have shown. It is also known that creatine is able to bind 23 ml of water per gram (cf. Neumann: creatinabol [sic] study).

For the purposes of the present invention, creatine monohydrate has proven particularly suitable and is therefore preferred; however, creatine derivatives, for example in salt form, such as the preferred creatine ascorbate, are also very highly suitable. In this connection, it is possible to use all suitable creatine derivatives also as mixtures with one another, but also combined with further suitable humectants, such as, for example, the known natural "moisturizing" factors.

4 - The use of creatine (derivatives) as humectant (s) in cosmetic preparations has proven particularly advantageous also because additive effects, but also some times synergistic effects, can be achieved using the suitable creatine compounds.

For these particular application cases, the invention provides for the use of the creatine and/or suitable derivatives thereof preferably in creams, such as day and night creams, gelatinous or liquid preparations, the latter being particularly preferably face tonics, lotions and suspensions. The creatine and/or creatine derivative can also be packed in liposomes for these and the other preparation forms. This form is preferred if reactions with other components of the preparation are to be avoided.

In cases of a purely external application, the creatine component(s) according to the invention is (are) preferably used in amounts of from 0.5 to 10% by weight, particularly preferably in an amount of from 1 to 5% by weight, in each case based on the total preparation.

The invention is also suitable for oral administration of the creatinecontaining preparations. The preferred preparation forms, which have no further humectants, such as powders, drageds, tablets, pastilles, capsules, liposomes or liquids, should in this connection permit the intake of the creatine component in an amount which does not exceed a daily dose of 10 g; a daily dose of from about 4 to 6 g is recommended.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, suitable creatine components are used in preparations for external or internal application in combination with further physiologically active constituents. Preference is given here to antioxidants such as, for - 5.

example, ascorbic acid, vitamins, such as cc-tocopherol acetate, trace elements or/and sunscreens.

The use according to the invention of creatine and/or derivatives thereof resulted in, in the case of oral intake of the corresponding cosmetic preparations, water being stored within the body, but primarily in the deeper layers of the skin, as a result of which particularly persistent wrinkles can be smoothed and the development of new wrinkles can be prevented. In the case of local and in most cases superficial application of the creatine-containing preparations according to the invention, the main phenomenon of dry skin, skin flaking, in particular, is repressed and the superficial formation of wrinkles is avoided.

The appropriately formulated creatine-containing preparations permanently improve primarily the elastic properties, in particular of stressed skin, making them suitable for numerous cosmetic applications, which may also extend beyond the traditional fields of skin cosmetics, for example in shampoos, hair tonics, mouthwashes and gurgles, lipsticks, make-up formulations, hand and foot baths, and concealing creams etc.

6 Examples

Skin care composition based on an O/W (oil-in-water) cream. 5 Ingredients: by weight Paraffin oil, subliquid 15.0 Creatine monohydrate 4.0 Capryl capric acid 4.0 triglyceride Cetyl alcohol 3.0 Vaseline 3.0 Glycerol 3.0 Glycerol monostearate 2.0 Octyl dodecanol 2.0 Hydrogenated coconut fat 2.0 Cetyl phosphate 0.4 Sodium hydroxide q.s.

Perfume oil q.s.

Preservative q_ Water, demineralized ad 100.0 q.s. = quantum satis - 7. claims 1. Cosmetic preparation comprising creatine and/or creatine derivatives as humectant(s) (moisturizer(s)).

Claims

2. Preparation according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises

creatine monohydrate and creatine ascorbate as creatine (derivatives).

3. Preparation according to Claims [sic] 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises one or more further humectants.

is 4. Preparation according to any of Claims 1 to 3 as cream, gelatinous or liquid formulation.

5. Preparation according to Claim 4 as liquid formulation in the form of face tonic, lotion or suspension, in each case with or without a content of liposomes.

6 Preparation according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the creatine component is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 10% by weight, based on the total preparation.

7. Preparation according to Claim 6, characterized in that it comprises 1 to 5% by weight of the creatine component.

8. Preparation according to Claim 1 or 2 as formulation to be administered orally.

9. Preparation according to Claim 8, characterized in that it comprises creatine component in an amount such that 10 g per daily dose are not exceeded.

10. Preparation according to either of Claims 8 and 9 in the form of powder, dragde, tablet, pastille, capsule or liquid formulation.

11. Preparation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the creatine and/or creatine derivative packed in liposomes.

12. Preparation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises further physiologically active constituents, in particular antioxidants, vitamins, trace elements and sunscreens.

13. Use of creatine and/or at least one creatine derivative as humectant tor a cosmetic preparation.