JP7405511B2 - How to improve skin brightness - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies ▲1▼Website address: https://www. amazon. co. jp/%E3%82%B1%E3%82%B7%E3%83%9F%E3%83%B3-%E5%B0%8F%E6%9E%97%E8%A3%BD%E8%96% AC-%E3%82%B1%E3%82%B7%E3%83%9F%E3%83%B3%E3%81%B5%E3%81%8D%E3%81%A8%E3%82%8A %E3%82%B7%E3%83%9F%E5%AF%BE%E7%AD%96%E6%B6%B2-160ml/dp/B07KZFYT9C Website publication date: November 30, 2018

The present invention relates to technology for improving skin brightness.

Pigmentation such as spots, freckles, dullness, dark spots, melasma, and senile pigmentation on the skin is caused by excessive melanin formation in the skin due to UV exposure, hormonal abnormalities, physical stimulation, etc. It is known that this is caused by the deposition of Such skin pigmentation lowers the brightness of the skin and is a major cosmetic problem, especially for women.

Conventionally, ingredients that suppress melanin production and/or dilute melanin production, such as ascorbic acid and its derivatives, have been known as so-called skin-whitening ingredients, and have been used as whitening ingredients for the purpose of suppressing skin pigmentation. Widely used in external compositions. However, the current situation is that relying solely on the effect of whitening ingredients to suppress skin pigmentation does not fully satisfy consumer needs.

Therefore, formulations that improve the effect of whitening ingredients on suppressing skin pigmentation are being considered. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that in a composition for external use, the effect of suppressing melanin production is enhanced by using ascorbic acid and its derivatives together with an extract of a plant of the genus Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae.

On the other hand, the stratum corneum (aged stratum corneum), which should be desquamated as plaque during normal skin metabolism, remains on the surface of the stratum corneum, causing the skin to become less transparent and dull. It is considered. Therefore, a wiping lotion has been proposed for the purpose of improving dullness by removing aged keratin on the surface of the stratum corneum.

Formulas that improve the exfoliating effect of wiping lotions are also being considered; for example, in Patent Document 2, in wiping lotions, the exfoliating effect is enhanced by blending hot spring water classified as salt springs. It is stated that.

JP2017-66080A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-174527

When the wiping lotion removes aged keratin on the surface of the stratum corneum, melanin that was contained in the aged keratin and should be excreted is also removed. Therefore, it is thought that the wiping operation provides an appearance with improved transparency and reduced dullness. On the other hand, melanin is produced in the basal layer and is pushed out to the skin surface through turnover, so in skin with decreased brightness, melanin can exist continuously from the basal layer to the cells on the surface of the stratum corneum. . For this reason, the change in skin appearance obtained simply by removing the surface of the stratum corneum cannot effectively improve the brightness of skin with decreased brightness.

Therefore, in order to effectively improve skin brightness, it is considered effective to use a whitening ingredient that actively suppresses melanin production and/or dilutes the melanin produced in skin cells that cannot be removed by wiping. However, consumer demand for skin whitening is increasing year by year, and it is no longer possible to satisfy consumer demand with the whitening effect obtained only through pharmaceutical formulations. Therefore, in order to keep up with the ever-increasing demands of consumers, there is a desire to develop better technology that can effectively improve skin brightness.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that achieves an excellent whitening effect by improving skin brightness.

The inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive research and found that the brightness of the skin can be improved to various degrees by wiping the skin surface using a wiping tool impregnated with a liquid external composition containing a whitening ingredient. The present invention was completed through further studies based on this knowledge. That is, the present invention provides the inventions of the following aspects.
Item 1. A method for improving skin brightness, comprising wiping the skin surface using a wiping tool impregnated with a liquid external composition containing a whitening ingredient.
Item 2. Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the skin includes a skin area where melanin is deposited.
Item 3. Item 3. The method according to item 1 or 2, wherein the liquid external composition contains a monohydric lower alcohol and/or glycerin.
Item 4. Item 4. The method according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the liquid external composition contains citrate ions.
Item 5. Item 5. The method according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the liquid external composition contains an alkali metal ion.
Item 6. Item 6. The method according to any one of Items 1 to 5, wherein the whitening ingredient is ascorbic acid glucoside.
Section 7. 7. The method according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the wiping tool is composed only of cotton fibers.
Section 8. A liquid external composition containing a whitening ingredient that is used to impregnate a cleaning tool and wipe the skin surface.

According to the method of the present invention, an excellent effect of improving skin brightness can be obtained. In particular, by wiping off areas of the skin where melanin is deposited, such as age spots, an even greater effect on skin brightness can be obtained.

1 shows the change in brightness of a non-stain area after application of the liquid external composition of the present invention compared to before application. 2 shows the change in brightness of the stain area after application of the liquid external composition of the present invention compared to before application.

1. Method for Improving Skin Brightness The method for improving skin brightness of the present invention includes wiping the skin surface using a wiping tool impregnated with a liquid external composition containing a whitening ingredient. Hereinafter, the method for improving skin brightness of the present invention will be described in detail.

Whitening ingredient The liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention contains a whitening ingredient. There are no particular limitations on the whitening component, as long as it has the effect of suppressing melanin production and/or diluting the produced melanin. Specifically, ascorbic acid and its derivatives, hydroquinone and its derivatives, kojic acid and its derivatives, ellagic acid and its derivatives, tranexamic acid and its derivatives, resorcinol derivatives, nicotinic acid derivatives, serotonin derivatives, salicylic acid derivatives, alkylphenols, Compounds such as astaxanthin, α-lipoic acid, and calcium pantetheinsulfonate; placenta extract, chamomile extract, Japanese sardine extract, saxifrage extract, cuckoo extract, scutellariae extract, grape seed extract, grape leaf extract, Panax ginseng extract, and Free leaf extract, Angelica extract, Ajitsu extract, Plum fruit extract, Ginkgo biloba extract, Licorice extract, Purple pepper extract, Rice bran extract and its hydrolyzate, White mustard extract and its hydrolyzate, White mustard fermented product, Peony Extracts or hydrolysates thereof, lactic acid bacteria-fermented grains (rice, germinated rice, barley, beans, etc.), lotus seed extracts and hydrolysates thereof, fermented lotus seeds, hydrolyzed coix seeds, fermented coix seeds, fermented royal jelly Examples include plant and animal extracts, and hydrolysates and fermented products thereof, such as fermented products and fermented products of sake lees.

Ascorbic acid and its derivatives include ascorbic acid glucoside (ascorbic acid 2-glucoside); ascorbic acid monoalkyl esters such as ascorbic acid monostearate, ascorbic acid monopalmitate, and ascorbic acid monooleate; ascorbic acid monophosphate esters and their like; Ascorbic acid monoesters such as magnesium salts; ascorbic acid dialkyl esters such as ascorbic acid distearate, ascorbyl acid dipalmitate, and ascorbic acid dioleate; ascorbic acid diesters such as ascorbic acid diphosphate and its salts; ascorbic acid tristearate, Trialkyl esters such as ascorbic acid tripalmitate and ascorbic acid triolate; ascorbic acid triesters such as ascorbic acid triphosphate; 3-O-ethyl, 6-acetyl-ascorbic acid, 3-O-ethyl, 6 -Butyl ascorbic acid, 3-O-ethyl, 6-lauroyl ascorbic acid, 3-O-ethyl, 6-palmitoyl ascorbic acid, 3-O-ethyl, 6-oleoylascorbic acid, 3-O-ethyl, 6- Examples include stearoyl ascorbic acid, 3-O-ethyl, 6-behelminoyl-ascorbic acid, and the like. These ascorbic acids and their derivatives may be either L-form or D-form, but L-form is preferred.

Hydroquinone and its derivatives include hydroquinone, arbutin (hydroquinone-β-D-glucopyranoside), α-arbutin (hydroquinone-α-D-glucopyranoside), hydroquinone glycosides, and the like.

Examples of kojic acid and derivatives thereof include kojic acid, kojic acid esters such as kojic acid monobutyrate, kojic acid monocaprate, kojic acid monopalmitate, and kojic acid dibutyrate, kojic acid ethers, and kojic acid glucoside.

Examples of ellagic acid and its derivatives include ellagic acid, 3,4-di-o-methylellagic acid, 3,3'-di-o-methylellagic acid, 3,3',4-tri-o-methylellagic acid, 3, Examples include 3',4,4'-tetra-o-methyl-5-methoxyellagic acid, 3-o-ethyl-4-o-methyl-5-hydroxyellagic acid, and salts thereof.

Examples of tranexamic acid and its derivatives include tranexamic acid (trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid (t-AMCHA)), tranexamic acid dimer (for example, trans-4-(trans-aminomethylcyclohexanecarbonyl)amino hydrochloride), methylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid), esters of tranexamic acid and hydroquinone (e.g., trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid 4'-hydroxyphenyl ester), esters of tranexamic acid and gentisic acid (e.g., 2-(trans-4 -aminomethylcyclohexylcarbonyloxy)-5-hydroxybenzoic acid and its salts), amide derivatives of tranexamic acid (for example, trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid methylamide and its salts, trans-4-(p-methoxybenzoyl)) Examples include aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid and salts thereof, trans-4-guanidinomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid and salts thereof.

Examples of resorcinol derivatives include 4-n-butylresorcinol and 4-isoamylresorcinol.

Examples of nicotinic acid derivatives include nicotinamide, benzyl nicotinate, and the like.

Examples of serotonin derivatives include coumaroyl serotonin and feruloyl serotonin.

Salicylic acid derivatives include 3-methoxysalicylic acid, 4-methoxysalicylic acid and 5-methoxysalicylic acid, and salts thereof.

Examples of the alkylphenols include rucinol (4-n-butylresorcinol), magnolignan, biphenyl compounds, rhododenol, and the like.

Salts of the above compounds include alkali metal salts such as sodium salts and potassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salts and magnesium salts; methylamine salts, diethylamine salts, trimethylamine salts, triethylamine salts, ethanolamine salts, and diethanolamine salts. , ammonium salts such as triethanolamine salt, ethylenediamine salt, tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamine salt, dicyclohexylamine salt, N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine salt, and alkanolamine salt; and basic organic salts. Preferable examples include sodium salt, potassium salt, magnesium salt, triethanolamine salt, and the like.

As the whitening component, one type from the above-mentioned components may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

Among the above-mentioned whitening ingredients, from the viewpoint of obtaining a better effect of improving skin brightness by wiping, whitening ingredients include ascorbic acid and its derivatives, preferably ascorbic acid derivatives, and more preferably ascorbic acid. Examples include glucosides.

In the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention, the content of the whitening component is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set depending on the type of whitening component and the desired skin brightness improvement effect. For example, the content of the whitening component in the liquid external composition is, for example, 0.01 to 5% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 4% by weight, and more preferably 1 to 3% by weight.

Monohydric lower alcohol and/or glycerin The liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention contains a monohydric lower alcohol and/or glycerin from the viewpoint of further improving the feeling of use and improving skin brightness by wiping. It is preferable that the alcohol contains a monohydric lower alcohol and glycerin.

The monohydric lower alcohol is not particularly limited as long as it is pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable, but examples include alcohols with 2 to 6 carbon atoms such as ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, and isopropanol. can be mentioned.

These monohydric lower alcohols may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among these monohydric lower alcohols, ethanol is preferred from the viewpoint of obtaining better effects of improving the feeling of use and improving skin brightness by wiping.

In the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention, the content of monohydric lower alcohol is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set depending on the desired skin brightness improvement effect. For example, the monohydric lower alcohol content in the liquid external composition is 1 to 15% by weight, preferably 2 to 10% by weight, and more preferably 3 to 7% by weight.

In the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention, the ratio of the whitening component to the monohydric lower alcohol is determined by the above-mentioned content of each component, but is 0.2 to 1500 parts by weight per 1 part by weight of the whitening component. Parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 150 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 5 parts by weight.

Examples of glycerin include glycerin listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia and concentrated glycerin listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. Glycerin listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia contains 84.0 to 87.0% glycerin (C ₃ H ₈ O ₃ ) when determined by the method described in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. Concentrated glycerin listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia contains 98.0 to 101.0% glycerin (C ₃ H ₈ O ₃ ) based on the converted dehydrated product when quantitatively determined using the method described in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. . These glycerins may be used alone or in combination of two types. Among these glycerins, concentrated glycerin is preferred.

In the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention, the content of glycerin is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set depending on the desired feeling-improving effect and skin brightness-improving effect. For example, the glycerin content in the liquid external composition is, for example, 1 to 15% by weight, preferably 2 to ₁₀ % by weight, more preferably 3 to 10% by _weight , based on the total amount of pure glycerin ( _C 3 H 8 O 3 ). 7% by weight.

In the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention, the ratio of the whitening component to glycerin is determined by the above-mentioned content of each component, but the ratio of pure glycerin (C ₃ H ₈ O The total amount of ₃ ) is 0.2 to 1500 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 150 parts by weight, and more preferably 1 to 3 parts by weight.

In the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention, the ratio of primary lower alcohol to glycerin is determined by the above-mentioned content of each component, but the ratio of pure glycerin (C ₃ H The total amount of ₈ O ₃ ) is 0.06 to 15 parts by weight, preferably 0.1 to 8 parts by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 parts by weight.

Citrate ion It is preferable that the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention contains citrate ion from the viewpoint of obtaining an even better effect of improving skin brightness by wiping.

Sources of citric acid ions include citric acid and citrate salts. Citrates include alkali metal salts such as sodium salts and potassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salts and magnesium salts; methylamine salts, diethylamine salts, trimethylamine salts, triethylamine salts, ethanolamine salts, diethanolamine salts, Examples include ammonium salts such as triethanolamine salt, ethylenediamine salt, tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamine salt, dicyclohexylamine salt, N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine salt, and alkanolamine salt; and basic organic salts.

As the citric acid ion source, either citric acid or citrate may be used alone, or both may be used in combination. Preferably, a combination of citric acid and citrate is used as the citrate ion source. Further, as the citrate, one of the above citrates may be used, or two or more thereof may be used in combination. Among the above citric acids, alkali metal salts are preferred, and sodium salts are more preferred.

In the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention, the content of the citric acid ion source is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set depending on the desired skin brightness improvement effect. For example, the amount of the citric acid ion source in the liquid external composition may be 0.01 to 0.5% by weight, preferably 0.07 to 0.3% by weight in terms of citric anhydride.

Alkali metal ions It is preferable that the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention contains alkali metal ions from the viewpoint of obtaining an even better effect of improving skin brightness by wiping.

Alkali metal ions include sodium ions and potassium ions. These alkali metal ions may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Preferably, a combination of sodium ions and potassium ions is used.

The alkali metal ion source is not particularly limited, and may be an alkali metal salt compound that falls under at least one of the above components, or an alkali metal salt compound that does not fall under any of the above components. good. Alkali metal salt compounds that do not fall under any of the above components include alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; weak acids and strong acids such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium phosphate, and potassium phosphate. Salts with bases (buffer salts); examples include neutral salts such as sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and the like.

These alkali metal ion sources may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among these alkali metal ion sources, preferable examples include alkali metal salts (that is, alkali metal citrate salts) and alkali metal hydroxides corresponding to the above-mentioned citrate ion sources, and more preferable examples include sodium citrate and alkali metal hydroxides. Potassium hydroxide is mentioned.

In the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention, the content of the alkali metal ion source is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set depending on the desired skin brightness improvement effect. For example, when sodium ions are included as the alkali metal ion source, the content of the sodium ion source in the liquid external composition is 0.01 to 0.5% by weight, 0.05 to 0.5% by weight in terms of sodium. 14% by weight. When potassium ions are included as the alkali metal ion source, the content of the potassium ion source in the liquid external composition is 0.01 to 0.5% by weight, 0.2 to 0.4% by weight in terms of potassium. % is mentioned.

Other Components In addition to the above-mentioned components, the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention may contain other pharmacological components as necessary. Such pharmacological ingredients include, for example, antihistamines (diphenhydramine, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, chlorpheniramine maleate, etc.), local anesthetics (lidocaine, dibucaine, methyl aminobenzoate, procaine, tetracaine, bupipacaine, mepipacaine, chloroprocaine). , proparacaine, meprilcaine or their salts, orthocaine, oxesazein, oxypolyentoxydecane, rhoto extract, percaminpase, tesitdesitin, etc.), anti-inflammatory agents (allantoin, glycyrrhizic acid, methyl glycyrrhizinate, stearyl glycyrrhizinate, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, glycyrrhizic acid) Monoammonium, glycyrrhetinic acid, pyridoxine glycyrrhetinate, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, glyceryl glycyrrhetinate, monoglucuronide glycyrrhetinate, salicylic acid, methyl salicylate, glycol salicylate, indomethacin, felbinac, diclofenac sodium, loxoprofen sodium, ufenamate, ibuprofen piconol, suprofen, bender Zac, Suprofen, Bufexamac, etc.), disinfectants (benzalkonium chloride, dequalinium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, isopropylmethylphenol, aqueous ammonia, sulfadiazine, lactic acid, phenol) ), skin protectants (collodion, castor oil, etc.), blood circulation promoters (nonylic acid vanillylamide, nicotinic acid benzyl ester, capsaicin, chili pepper extract, etc.), cooling agents (menthol, camphor, etc.), vitamins (vitamin A, B, D, etc.), mucopolysaccharides (sodium chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid and its salts, etc.), polyhydric alcohols other than glycerin (propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, isoprene glycol, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.), wetting agents (dl-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid sodium solution, D-sorbitol solution, macrogol, etc.), plant extracts (Magnoliaceae, Magnolia genus plants, such as Magnolia biloba, Bosunca japonica, White magnolia, Kobushi (porus porcupine), Extracts of magnolias (Magnolia, Magnolia), Karaho (Chinese Magnolia), Magnolia sprengelii, Magnolia (Magnolia sprengelii, Magnolia sprangeri); Rosaceae plants of the Prunus genus, such as prunes, apricots (Prunus conradinae, Kasumizakura), Clove cherry, Dog cherry, Uwamizuzakura, Yamazakura, Mamezakura (Fujizakura), Weeping cherry (Itozakura), Niwaume (Kouume, Rinshobai), Kanzan (Sekiyama), Oshimazakura, Miyamazakura, Plum, Minezakura, Bungoume, Chishimazakura, Peach, Edohigan (Ubahigan), Plum (Hatankyo), Oyamazakura, Linbok (Hiiragigashi), Shiurizakura (Miyaminezakura, Shiorizakura), Higanzakura (Kohiganzakura), Someiyoshino cherry, Bakuchinoki (Biran, Biranju) etc.).

Further, the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention may contain a base and additives as necessary in order to obtain a desired formulation form. Such bases and additives are not particularly limited as long as they are pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable, but include, for example, water; oils (olive oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, camellia oil, Corn oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, lard, squalane, fish oil, etc.), mineral oils (liquid paraffin, paraffin, gelled hydrocarbons, petrolatum, etc.), waxes/waxes (beeswax, carnauba wax, candelilla) wax, ceresin, rice wax, microcrystalline wax, etc.), ester oil (isopropyl myristate, isopropyl adipate, diethyl sebacate, isopropyl sebacate, isopropyl palmitate, cetyl palmitate, ethyl oleate, tri-2-ethylhexanoic acid) fatty acid alkyl ester, fatty acid (stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, behenic acid, linoleic acid, lanolin, etc.), fatty acid ester (cetyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, ethyl linoleate, etc.), medium chain fatty acid triglyceride , higher alcohols (stearyl alcohol, cetanol, behenyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, hexadecyl alcohol, lanolin alcohol, cholesterol, dihydrocholesterol, phytosterols, lauryl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, octyldodecanol, hexyldecanol, isostearyl (alcohol, etc.), cetyl 2-ethylhexanoate, oil bases such as silicone oils (dimethylpolysiloxane, cyclic silicone, etc.); POE (10 to 50 moles) phytosterol ether, POE (10 to 50 moles) dihydrocholesterol ether, POE (10-50 mol) 2-octyl dodecyl ether, POE (10-50 mol) decyl tetradecyl ether, POE (10-50 mol) oleyl ether, POE (2-50 mol) cetyl ether, POE (5-50 mol) ) Polyoxyethylene such as behenyl ether, POE (5 to 30 moles) polyoxypropylene (5 to 30 moles) 2-decyltetradecyl ether, POE (10 to 50 moles) polyoxypropylene (2 to 30 moles) cetyl ether Alkyl ethers, phosphoric acids and phosphates of these (POE cetyl ether sodium phosphate, etc.), POE (20-60 moles) sorbitan monooleate, POE (10-60 moles) sorbitan monoisostearate, POE (10-80 moles) mol) glyceryl monoisostearate, POE (10-30 mol) glyceryl monostearate, POE (20-100 mol)/polyoxypropylene-modified silicone, POE/alkyl-modified silicone, polyethylene glycol monolaurate, polyethylene glycol monopalmitate , polyethylene glycol monostearate, polyethylene glycol dilaurate, polyethylene glycol dipalmitate, polyethylene glycol distearate, polyethylene glycol dioleate, polyethylene glycol diricinoleate, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil (5 to 100), polysorbate (20 to 85), surfactants such as glycerin fatty acid esters (glyceryl monostearate, etc.), hydrogenated soybean phospholipids, hydrogenated lanolin alcohol, etc.; cooling agents (menthol, camphor, borneol, peppermint water, peppermint oil, etc.), preservatives (methylparaben, propylparaben, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, etc.), flavoring agents (citral, 1,8-cyonel, citronellal, farnesol, etc.), colorants (tar pigments (brown No. 201, blue No. 201, Yellow No. 4, Yellow No. 403, etc.), cacao pigment, chlorophyll, aluminum oxide, etc.), pH adjusters (phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, etc.), stabilizers (dibutyl hydroxy Toluene, butylhydroxyanisole, sodium edetate, sodium metaphosphate, L-arginine, L-aspartic acid, DL-alanine, glycine, sodium erythorbate, propyl gallate, sodium sulfite, sulfur dioxide, chlorogenic acid, catechin, rosemary. Extracts, etc.), antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, chelating agents, adhesives, buffers, solubilizing agents, solubilizers, preservatives, and other additives.

Formulation The form of the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is liquid. Furthermore, the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention may be a non-emulsified preparation such as an aqueous preparation or an oil-based preparation, or an emulsified preparation such as an oil-in-water emulsion or a water-in-oil emulsion. However, an aqueous preparation is preferable from the viewpoint of obtaining an even better effect of improving skin brightness by wiping.

Further, the liquid external composition used in the method of the present invention may be in the form of any of a skin external medicine, a quasi-drug, and a cosmetic, as long as it is applied to the skin.

Specific examples of the formulation form of the external composition include liquids (including lotions, sprays, aerosols, and emulsions), emulsions, lotions, and lotions, and preferably lotions and lotions. , lotion. These formulations can be prepared by using additives appropriate for the formulation according to the known methods described in the 16th edition of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, General Rules for Preparations, etc.

Cleaning Tool In the method of the present invention, a cleaning tool is used to wipe the skin surface. In the method of the present invention, the liquid external composition is applied to the skin surface by impregnating the cleaning tool with the liquid external composition and sliding it on the skin surface in a wiping manner. At this time, the aged keratin on the surface of the stratum corneum is wiped off (removed) using the liquid external composition having the above composition and the wiping tool, and at the same time, the newly exposed surface of the stratum corneum is first exposed to the liquid composition in the liquid external composition. Can come into contact with whitening ingredients. The whitening component that comes into contact with the surface of the stratum corneum penetrates into the stratum corneum and suppresses melanin production and/or dilutes the produced melanin, thereby improving skin brightness.

The wiping tool is not particularly limited as long as it is an absorbent base material that can be impregnated with a liquid external composition. Specifically, a fiber base material can be mentioned. The fiber base material may be a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric, but from the viewpoint of better obtaining the effect of improving skin brightness by wiping, a fiber laminate is preferable, and among non-woven fabrics, a fiber laminate is more preferable. Mention may be made of certain fiber laminates (so-called cosmetic cotton puffs).

Materials for the fiber base material include natural fibers and chemical fibers derived from plants or animals. Examples of natural fibers derived from plants include cotton and pulp, and examples of natural fibers derived from animals include silk, chitin, and collagen fibers. Examples of chemical fibers include rayon, cupro, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, and polyacrylonitrile. These fibers may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these fibers, cotton is preferred from the viewpoint of obtaining even better effects of improving skin brightness by wiping. That is, from the viewpoint of obtaining even better effects of improving skin brightness by wiping, it is particularly preferable that the wiping tool is made of only cotton fibers.

Improving skin brightness In the method of the present invention, the skin brightness is improved by impregnating a wiping tool with the liquid external composition and using it for wiping the skin surface. The lightness of the skin can be evaluated by measuring the lightness index L ^* value in the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system. That is, improvement in skin brightness by the method of the present invention can be evaluated by an increase in the L ^* value of the skin surface.

The skin area to which the method of the present invention is applied is not particularly limited as long as it is a part where a decrease in skin brightness is noticed, but preferably the face is susceptible to physical stimulation and ultraviolet stimulation. Furthermore, the method of the present invention can not only improve the brightness in areas where melanin deposition has not occurred, but also improve the brightness in areas where melanin deposition has occurred. The brightness can be improved more markedly compared to the conventional method. Therefore, it is particularly preferable that the skin area to which the method of the present invention is applied includes an area where melanin is deposited. Areas where melanin is deposited include age spots and freckles, and more preferably age spots. That is, the method of the present invention is particularly effective when the above-mentioned liquid external composition is used for stain prevention.

Target of application The method of the present invention can be applied to people of any age or gender, but it is particularly preferable for people over 35 years old, preferably over 40 years old, who tend to retain aged keratin on the surface of the stratum corneum due to disordered turnover. People in this age group can be expected to obtain even better effects of improving skin brightness by wiping. Further, people in this age group are preferable in that many of them are aware of age spots whose brightness can be improved more markedly by the method of the present invention. The upper limit of the age to which the method of the present invention is preferably applied is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of effectively obtaining the effect of improving skin brightness by wiping, examples include those under 80 years old, preferably under 70 years old, and more preferably under 60 years old. .

Usage/Dosage In the method of the present invention, the skin surface may be wiped using a wiping tool impregnated with the liquid external composition. Specifically, the liquid external composition can be applied to the skin surface by impregnating the cleaning tool with the liquid external composition and sliding it on the skin surface in a wiping manner. From the viewpoint of obtaining even better effects of improving skin brightness by wiping, it is preferable to perform the wiping operation on the skin after washing the face.

The amount of the liquid external composition to be used per one wiping operation may be an amount sufficient to impregnate the wiping tool, but is preferably 1 to 6 mL. The number of wiping operations per day is 1 to 3 times, preferably 2 times. In order to effectively obtain the effect of improving skin brightness by the method of the present invention, it is preferable to continue the wiping operation with the liquid external composition. From this point of view, the method of the present invention is preferably carried out continuously for three weeks or more.

2. Liquid External Composition As mentioned above, skin brightness can be improved by wiping the skin surface using a wiping tool impregnated with a liquid external composition containing a whitening ingredient. Therefore, the present invention further provides a liquid external composition containing a whitening component, which is used to impregnate a cleaning tool and wipe the skin surface. The specific composition of the liquid external composition, formulation form, wiping tool used for impregnation, method of use, target for application, dosage and administration, etc. are as described in "1. Method for improving skin brightness" above. .

EXAMPLES The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to Examples below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Test example [Preparation of liquid external composition]
Liquid external compositions listed in Table 1 were prepared.

[Procedure of test]
(1) Two subjects, one in their 40s and one in their 50s, who had spots on both cheeks were selected.
(2) The L ^* values of the subject's blemish and non-stain areas on one cheek, the blemish and non-stain areas on the other cheek, and the forehead (Ctrl) were measured using a spectrophotometer CM-2600d ( Konica Minolta), each site was measured five times, and the average values (0w L ^* (stain), 0w L ^* (non-stain), and 0w L ^* (Ctrl)) were derived.
(3) After washing your face twice in the morning and evening for 3 weeks, impregnate a cosmetic cotton puff made only of cotton fibers with 4 mL/time (2 mL/time/one cheek) of the above liquid external composition. Application was performed by patting on both the stained and non-stained areas, and on the other cheek, the application was applied by wiping on both the stained and non-stained areas. Note that the liquid external composition was not applied to the forehead.
(4) After 3 weeks, the L ^* value of each part was measured 5 times in the same manner as in 2 above, and the average value (3w L ^* (spot), 3w L ^* (non-spot), and 3w L ^* (Ctrl)) was derived.

[result]
Based on the following formula, the change in brightness (ΔΔL ^* ) of the non-stain area after application of the liquid external composition compared with before application was calculated. The results are shown in Figure 1.
ΔΔL ^* = {3w L ^* (non-stain) - 3w L ^* (Ctrl)} - {0w L ^* (non-stain) - 0w L ^* (Ctrl)}

Based on the following formula, the change in brightness (ΔΔL ^* ) of the stain area after application of the liquid external composition compared with before application was calculated. The results are shown in Figure 2.
ΔΔL ^* = {3w L ^* (stain) - 3w L ^* (Ctrl)} - {0w L ^* (stain) - 0w L ^* (Ctrl)}

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, compared to simply applying the liquid topical composition, wiping off the liquid topical composition had an excellent improvement effect on skin brightness in both non-spotted and blemished areas. was recognized. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the L ^* value in the blemish area increased to a surprising degree of 1.9, and the effect of improving skin brightness was extremely noticeable. It is recognized that such an effect obtained in this example is a very high brightness improvement effect that cannot be observed by a simple wiping operation or a simple application of a liquid external composition containing a whitening ingredient. This effect is strongly considered to be a synergistic effect resulting from the combination of the selection of a liquid external composition containing a specific component and the wiping operation.

Claims (3)

Liquid external composition containing ascorbic acid glucoside, polyhydric alcohol, ethanol, alkali metal hydroxide, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, citric acid ion, and water (with the exception of those containing Ikuinin extract) , sage water , and trisodium palmitate trisodium phosphate ). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin includes areas of skin where melanin is deposited. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the wiping implement is comprised solely of cotton fibers.