MX2007004689A - Novel skin care formulation - Google Patents

Abstract

Skin moisturizing formulations which can be administered in the bath or shower, depositing a thin layer of moisturizing agents on application, which is not rinsed off but remains to protect the skin from drying, resulting in smoother, softer skin feel;the formulations comprising polyvalent metal cations and fatty acids, which react on application in the shower or bath to form a thin deposit of insoluble salts, thereby enhancing the retention of moisturizing oils and conditioning agents.

Description

FORMULATION FOR NEW SKIN CARE Field of the Invention This invention relates to novel skin care formulations containing low concentrations of long chain acids, for example, fatty acids and polyvalent metal ions, suitable for use in the bath or shower and capable of delivering wetting and other beneficial ingredients to the skin and provide an improved skin feeling after rinsing.

Background of the Invention Skin care compositions, e.g., skin moisturizing compositions, are typically aqueous formulations comprising emulsified oil which is stabilized with the surfactant. Finally, the moisturizing compositions are better applied to the skin when the skin is wet and saturated with water, but less advantage of the conventional formulations in this aspect is that they are immediately and completely rinsed, applied in the shower or bath. Oil-based skin care formulations which are essentially free of surfactants, on the other hand, can resist rinsing, but form a relatively thick and aesthetically unpleasant layer of the oil on the skin.

There is a need for a skin care formulation which can be applied when the skin is wet, for example, in the shower or bath, but which can be essentially rinsed leaving a conditioning or moisturizing agent sufficient to protect the skin and provide a long lasting moisturizing effect.

Synthesis of the Invention The present invention provides formulations for skin care which can be administered in the bath or fight by depositing a thin layer of moisturizer or other conditioning agents with the application, which are not rinsed, but remain to protect the skin of the skin. dryness, resulting in a softer and smoother skin feeling. The formulations of the invention comprise polyvalent metal cations and long-chain acids, which react with the application in the shower or bath to form a thin deposit of insoluble salts, thereby improving the retention of wetting oils and conditioning agents .

Detailed description of the invention The invention provides a skin care formulation comprising: (i) cosmetically acceptable polyvalent metal cations (more particularly di-o-tri-valent metal cations (e.g., a cation selected from the group consisting of Ca ++, Zn ++ , Mg ++, Al +++, and mixtures of any of two or more of the above), especially transition metal ions, for example, as provided by the salt or cosmetically acceptable water-soluble salts of such cation or cations (more particularly one or more members selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc acetate, magnesium sulfate and mixtures of two or more of the above) preferably the salt form being present in an amount of from 0.01 to 2% by weight of the total formulation; (ii) cosmetically acceptable long chain acids capable of forming an insoluble salt with the polyvalent metal cation (particularly a transition metal cation) with examples of such long chain acids being straight branched chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having -40 carbons, particularly C16-30 saturated fatty acids, and particularly examples including one or more of palmitic acid, stearic acid, or ceric acid; the amounts of such long chain fatty acids being preferably in the range of 2 to 10% by weight of the total formulation; (iii) a cosmetically acceptable water insoluble oil component in addition to the long chain fatty acid listed in (ii), particularly a member selected from the group consisting of: to. cosmetically acceptable hydrocarbon oils, for example, mineral oil, petrolatum, hydrocarbons found in beeswax (for example C21-37 hydrocarbons, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, especially mixtures of from 1: 1 to 3: 1 oil mineral to oil by weight; b. esters of fatty acids and long straight-chain alcohols, for example as found in beeswax, in polar wax, for example esters of straight chain C24-36 alcohols and Ci8-36 fatty acids, such as triacontanol hexadecanoate, hexacosanol hexacosanoate, and miricyl palmitate; c. and optionally, lipophilic emollients, for example, (i) long straight chain alcohols, for example, C12-34 straight chain alcohols, for example one or more of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and alcohols found in beeswax and polar wax; and / or (ii) silicone oils, for example, dimethyl polysiloxane. for example, the oil component being preferably present in an amount of from 25-60% by weight of the total formulation; wherein the polyvalent metal cation is prevented from the substantial reaction with the long-chain acid while it is in the formulation (for example, it is in a substantially undissolved salt form, or the chain acid is essentially physically sequestered) long), but with the application of the formulation on the skin and the rinsing with water, it is capable of the reaction with the long-chain acid to form a thin layer of the insoluble precipitate on the skin.

By "skin care composition" is meant a composition which provides a therapeutic, prophylactic, or cosmetic benefit to the skin, including wetting and protecting the skin, thereby improving the condition or health of the skin, including for example the water-in-oil and oil and oil-in-water emulsion compositions.

By "cosmetically acceptable" is meant the use in a formulation for topical application to human skin. A cosmetically acceptable excipient, for example, is an excipient which is suitable for external application in the amounts and concentrations contemplated in the formulations of this invention, and includes, for example, excipients which are "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS). ) by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America. The radioactive elements, the heavy metals, and other materials which a person skilled in the art reasonably expected to be toxic for topical administration are excluded.

The formulation also comprises: (i) a hydrophilic component, particularly a member of the group consisting of lower water and alkanes, for example, alkanols having 2-9 carbons such as ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triglycerol, and mixtures of any of the foregoing; Y (ii) one or more surfactants, for example, cosmetically acceptable nonionic surfactants such as to form an emulsion with the aforementioned fatty acids and the hydrocarbon oil, for example, a water-in-oil emulsion or an oil-emulsion. in-water, preferably a water-in-oil emulsion.

The surfactants for the emulsion formulations of this invention may comprise a combination of nonionic surfactants, for example, one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of: (i) lipophilic surfactants, for example, having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance value of 8 or lower, for example fatty acid sorbitan esters, such as sorbitan oleates, for example, sorbitan sesquioleate; Y (ii) hydrophilic surfactants, for example, having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance of more than 8, particularly to. di- or tri-alkanol amides such as triethanol amine; b. polyethoxylated surfactants, for example, polyethoxylated alcohols (especially polyethoxylated polyols), polyethoxylated vegetable oils, and polyethoxylated silicones, for example, polysorbate 80, polyethylene dimethicone oxide and dimethylmethyl (polyethylene oxide) siloxane.

For a water-in-oil emulsion, the overall lipophilic hydrophilic balance of the surfactant mixture is preferably 2-8, for example, there is typically a higher proportion of lipophilic surfactant; while for an oil-in-water emulsion, the overall lipophilic hydrophilic balance of the surfactant mixture is preferably 8-16.

The formulation may further comprise preservatives, for example, chelators (e.g. edetic acid (EDTA), antibacterials (e.g., dimethyl-dimethyl-dimethyl-hydantoin (DMDMH) and / or antioxidants (e.g. tocopheryl acetate); perfumes; coloring agents and / or other excipients as is known in the art of cosmetics For example, the formulation may further comprise pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agents which provide a prophylactic or therapeutic, or cosmetic, benefit to the skin, for example. (i) skin softening / conditioning agents, especially plant extracts, eg, shea butter, aloe vera extract, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, plant essential oils, eg, lavender oil, rosemary oil or chamomile extract; (ii) vitamins, for example, B complex vitamins such as panthenol, pantothenic acid and its cosmetically acceptable salts, esters and derivatives; or free radical scavenging vitamins in addition to the antioxidants provided to stabilize the above formulation, eg, vitamin C, vitamin E, and their cosmetically acceptable salts, esters and derivatives; (ii) antibacterials, for example dimethyl-dimethyl-hydantoin (DMDMH), trichlorocarban (TCC), or triclosan; (iv) agents for the sunscreen, for example, p-aminobenzoic acid and its cosmetically acceptable salts, esters and derivatives, as well as sunscreen agents selected from cinnamates, benzophenes and anthranilates.

The pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent is provided in a defective amount which will vary depending on the agent selected and the desired benefit, for example, from 0.1 to 5%.

As noted above, the formulation may further comprise preservatives, for example chelators (e.g., edetic acid (EDTA)), antibacterials, (e.g., dimethyl-dimethyl-hydantoin (DMDMH)) and / or antioxidants (e.g., tocopherol acetate); perfumes, coloring agents; and / or other excipients as known in the art of cosmetics.

It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that the thin residue left on the skin after the application of the formulations of the invention can be exploited to allow a sustained delivery of benefit agents to the skin, as well as pharmaceutical agents, particularly lipophilic agents. which will be deposited on the skin, as well as the moisturizing oils of the formulation. In this aspect of the invention this provides, for example, for moisturizing, protecting and / or conditioning the skin comprising applying a formulation of the invention to the skin and rinsing with water and a method for delivering a pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent to the skin. skin comprising applying a skin care formulation as described herein, wherein the formulation comprises a defective amount of a pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent.

Prior to the application of the formulation, the polyvalent metal cation is prevented from a substantial reaction with the long-chain acid while the formulation is, for example, the cation may be present in an essentially undissolved salt form or cation can be essentially physically sequestered from the long chain acid, with the application of the formulation to the skin and the rinsing with water, the cation is capable of reaction with the fatty acid to form a thin layer of an insoluble precipitate on the skin. The reaction of the cation with the long-chain acid before the application can therefore be minimized or avoided, for example (i) by encapsulating or coating the cosmetically acceptable salt or salts or the long chain acid or acids so that the capsule or coating is released with the application of the formulation, as in the presence of water or rubbed, for example, the encapsulation in water-soluble capsules, for example water-soluble polymer capsules or starch which by coating with a meltable coating, for example, mixing the salt with a melted wax then cools and pulverizes the mixture , so that the salt particles are coated with a wax coating which is stable in the formulation but which is dispersed and dissolved with the application in the presence of water; (ii) by using a low or non-aqueous water formulation, particularly containing less than 20% and, more particularly containing less than 10% water by weight in order to avoid substantial solubilization of the cosmetically acceptable salt prior to application so that the cation is not free to react with the fatty acid before application; or (III) by adding the cosmetically acceptable salt to a formulation after the oil and water components are essentially combined, so that any cosmetically acceptable salt is not essentially dissolved and is available for reaction with the acid (e.g. when the salt is added to the oil phase of an existing water-in-oil emulsion) or the acid is already sequestered in the oil phase and is therefore not available for reaction with the cation (for example, when the salt it is added to an existing oil-in-water emulsion).

The concentration of the polyvalent metal cation in the formulation of the invention is preferably low, for example less than 2%, for example 0.01-2%, more particularly 0.05-1% by weight of the cosmetically acceptable salt to the finished formulation, since the small amount is sufficient to allow the retention of wetting agents, while very high amounts can leave an aesthetically undesirable film on the skin. When the water-soluble salts are used or where the water content of the formulation is relatively low the salt concentration may be somewhat higher while the desirable properties of the formulation are retained, but the concentration must not generally exceed 2% by weight. The anions which are chelating agents may tend to inhibit the formation of metal salt of the fatty acid, since the constant formation of the metal chelate is typically greater than that of the metal salt of the fatty acid, therefore if the chelating agents are used in the formulation, for example as condoms, weaker chelators such as EDTA are preferred, with the concentration maintained at a relatively low level, particularly of less than 0.5% and more particularly, on the order of 0.05-0.15% , and / or the formulation is preferably designed to avoid substantial reactions between the cations and chelates prior to application, for example, analogous to the approaches described above to avoid a substantial reaction between the fatty acid and the cation prior to application, for example by sequestering the chelator cation or preventing substantial dissolution of the cation salt in the formulation before e the application.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a skin care product comprising, by weight: (i) 0.01% to 2%, for example, 0.05% to 1%, of cosmetically acceptable salt of polyvalent metal ion as described above; (ii) 2 to 10% of one or more long chain fatty acids as described above; (iii) 25-60% of a cosmetically acceptable oil component as described above; Wherein the cosmetically acceptable water-soluble salt is prevented from reacting with the fatty acid before application.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a wetting composition which is an emulsion, particularly a water-in-oil emulsion comprising: (i) 0.01-2%, for example 0.5% to 1% of a cosmetically acceptable water soluble salt of a polyvalent metal ion as described above; (ii) 2-10% fatty acid as described above; (iii) 25-60% of a cosmetically acceptable oil component as described above; (iv) 3-10% surfactant, preferably nonionic surfactant; (v) 30-60% hydrophilic component as described above; Wherein the cosmetically acceptable water-soluble salt is added after the emulsion has been formed.

For example, in a preferred embodiment, formulation is a water-in-oil emulsion comprising (i) one or more fatty acids as described above, (particularly in an amount of 1-4%); (ii) a cosmetically acceptable oil component as described above particularly in an amount of 10-40%); (iii) a hydrophilic component as described above (particularly of an amount of 30-50%); Y (iv) one or more surfactants, preferably nonionic surfactants (particularly in an amount of 3-10%); and further comprising a cosmetically acceptable salt of a polyvalent metal cation, preferably in an amount of 0.01 to 2%, for example 0.05 to 1%, which has been added after the emulsion has been formed.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the formulation is a water-in-oil emulsion comprising by weight: (i) 0.05-1% of a cosmetically acceptable salt of a selected polyvalent metal ion consisting of calcium chloride, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc acetate, and magnesium sulfate; (ii) 1-8% saturated C16-30 fatty acids for example, one or more selected from palmitic acid, stearic acid, cerotic acid, and mixtures thereof, preferably stearic acid; (iii) 2-10% beeswax, polar wax or mixtures thereof, preferably beeswax; (iv) 20-30% mineral oil; (v) 5-20% petrolatum; (vi) 0.5-5% straight chain alcohols C12-34, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol or mixtures thereof; (vii) 30-45% deionized water; (viii) 2-10% propylene glycol, glycerin or mixtures thereof; (ix) 2-5% lipophilic surfactant, for example, sorbitan sesquioleate; (x) 1-3% hydrophilic surfactant, for example, one or more members selected from di-o-tri-alkanol amine, polyethoxylated alcohol, polyethoxylated silicone, particularly one or more members selected from triethanol amine, polysorbate 80, and dimethyl methyl (polyethylene siloxane oxide; (xi) 0.1-1% preservatives and antioxidants, for example one or more members selected from EDTA, DMDMH, and tocopherol acetate; wherein the cosmetically acceptable salt has been added after the emulsion has already been formed; wherein the formulation optionally further comprises one or more components selected from: (i) 0.1-2% fragrance; (ii) 0.05-0.5% coloring; (iii) 0.1-5% skin benefit agent as described above, for example, selected from skin softening agents, vitamins, antibacterials, sunscreen agents and combinations thereof; for example, shea butter, particularly in an amount of 1.5-2.5%.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides a process for the preparation of a skin moisturizing formulation according to the invention, as described above, comprising adding the water soluble salt of polyvalent metal ion as described above. , to an emulsion, for example, a water-in-oil emulsion or an oil-in-water emulsion as described above.

For example, the invention provides a process for the preparation of a skin moisturizing formulation which is a water-in-oil emulsion comprising (i) mixing the aqueous components of the formulation as described above, excluding the salt, one or more of propylene glycol water, glycerol, diglycerol and / or triglycerol, together with one or more hydrophilic surfactants; and separately mixing the lipophilic components as described above, for example, the long chain acid and the oil components, together with one or more lipophilic surfactants, at an elevated temperature, for example 60-95 degrees centigrade; (ii) adding the aqueous mixture to the lipophilic mixture and homogenizing to form a water-in-oil emulsion; (iii) cooling the emulsion, for example the temperature in the range of 20-50 degrees C; (iv) adding the salt of the polyvalent metal ion to the emulsion and mixing so that the salt is suspended in the oil phase of the water-in-oil emulsion.

The formulations provided herein are based on ingredients used to make the formulation. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that in some cases the component ingredients can overlap, for example beeswax contains the long chain alcohols and the fatty acids, as well as esters thereof, sorbitan sesquioleate can contain the acid oleic as an impurity or a degradation product, and others.

EXAMPLES The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention, not to limit it and such variations of these exemplified formulations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that are within the scope of this invention.

Examples 1, Ia-1G, 2, 2a, 3 and 3 Water-in-Oil Emulsions Table 1 The amounts of the table given above are given as a percentage by weight of the final formulation.

The above formulations are prepared as water-in-oil emulsions and the metal salts are added once the emulsion is complete. The metal metal salts are essentially undissolved in the continuous phase (oils) of the emulsions.

Formulations 1A-1G, and 2A are prepared as follows: Part A (Water Phase) Add water in a side container and start stirring and heating; Add EDTA; mix and heat; Add Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80), continue mixing and warming; Add Propylene Glycol; continue mixed and heated: Add Triethanolamine; continue mixed and heated: Continue mixing and heating until a temperature of 80 ° C is reached Part B (Oil Phase) The main container add shea butter Add White Beeswax Add Stearic Acid Add Sorbitan Sesquioleate Add Mineral Oil Add Fluid DC 193 Add Petrolatum Add Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol Add Vitamin E Acetate Heat and mix until it is homogeneous and reached at a temperature of 80 ° C.

Part C When both phases have reached 80 ° C, and add to the water phase to the oil phase and homogenizes.

After homogenization, the cooling process begins. When the temperature of 38 ° is reached, add DMDM hydantoin and fragrance. Disperse the metal salt. Continue mixing until homogeneous.

Formulations 1 and 2 (comparative examples) are prepared on the same day, except that there is no added metal salt. Formulations 3 and 3a are prepared in the same manner, except that the silicone oil (dimethylpolysiloxane) is included in the oil phase and in formulation 3, there is no salt of such metal.

The formulations are compared on the basis of consistency on the skin sensation. Formulations Ia, IB, 2a, 3a, ID, IE, IF e 1G were found to have a superior consistency and provide an improved silky skin feel compared to formulas 1, 2, 3 which do not have the metal salts added and the formulation 1C has not been compared, which already has a relatively high level of added metal salt.

Examples 4 and 4a Oil-in-Water Emulsions The quantities in the above table are given as a percentage by weight of the final formula.

The above formulations are prepared in oil-in-water emulsions and the metal salt (here zinc oxide) and secreted once the emulsion is complete. The metal salt does not enter the oil phase of the emulsions to a significant degree and therefore does not react with the fatty acids. The formulations are prepared as follows: Party? (Water phase) Add water to the main container and start stir and boil; Add the triethanolamine and continue mixing until the temperature reaches 80 ° C.

Part B (Oil Phase) side bowl add shea butter Add white beeswax Add Stearic Acid Add Glyceryl Oleate Add Mineral Oil Add Petrolatum Heat and mix until homogeneous and reach a temperature of 80 ° C.

Part C When both phases have reached 80 ° C, slowly add the oil phase, the water phase and homogenize. After homogenization, cool while stirring. When the temperature is below 40 ° C, add DMDM hydantoin in fragrance. Disperse the zinc oxide of the formulation 4A. Continue mixing until homogeneous.

The formulations are compared on the basis of consistency and skin feel. Formulation 4a was found to have a superior consistency and provide an improved skin feel compared to Formulation 4, which does not have the added metal salt.

Claims (28)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A formulation for skin care comprising: (i) cosmetically acceptable polyvalent metal cations; (ii) cosmetically acceptable long chain acids capable of forming a soluble salt with a polyvalent metal cation; (iii) a cosmetically acceptable water-insoluble oil component; wherein the polyvalent metal cation is prevented in a substantial reaction with the long chain acid while it is in the formulation, but with the application of the formulation to the skin and the rinsing with water is capable of reaction with the chain acid long to form a thin layer of insoluble precipitate on the skin.

2. The formulation as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the polyvalent metal cations are selected from the group consisting of Ca ++, Zn ++, Mg ++, Al +++, and combinations of any two or more of these.

3. The formulation as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the polyvalent metal cations are provided in the form of a cosmetically acceptable water soluble salt.

4. The formulation as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that the salts are selected from the group consisting of the group consisting of calcium chloride, zinc acetate, zinc oxide, zinc acetate, magnesium sulfate and combinations of any of 2 or more of these.

5. The formulation as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the long chain acids are C 12-40 fatty acids.

6. The formulation as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the fatty acids are saturated fatty acids.

7. The formulation as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that the fatty acids include one or more selected from the group consisting of palmitic acid, stearic acid, or ceric acid.

8. The formulation as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the cosmetically acceptable water-insoluble oil component comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of (i) cosmetically acceptable hydrocarbon oils and (ii) fatty acid esters and long straight chain alcohols.

9. The formulation as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the cosmetically acceptable water-insoluble oil component comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, petrolatum, beeswax and polar wax.

10. The formulation as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that the cosmetically acceptable salt (s) or the long chain acid or acids are coated or encapsulated.

11. The formulation as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it comprises less than 20% water by weight.

12. The formulation as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that the salt is added to the formulation after the aqueous components and the oil are essentially combined.

13. The formulation as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the formulation for skin care is an emulsion.

14. The formulation as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that it is a water-in-oil emulsion.

15. The formulation as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that it comprises a mixture of surfactants having a combined lipophilic hydrophilic balance of less than 8.

16. The formulation as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that it comprises by weight: (i) 0.01% to 2% cosmetically acceptable water soluble salt of polyvalent metal ion; (ii) 2 to 10% long chain fatty acids; (iii) 25-60% cosmetically acceptable oil component; wherein the cosmetically acceptable water soluble salt is prevented from reacting in long chain acid prior to application.

17. The formulation as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that it further comprises 3-10% surfactant and 30-60% hydrophilic component having one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol and glycerol; wherein the cosmetically acceptable water soluble salt is added after the emulsion has been formed.

18. The formulation as claimed in clause 17 characterized in that the emulsion is water-oil comprising by weight: (i) 0.05-1% of a cosmetically acceptable salt of a polyvalent metal ion selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc acetate, and magnesium sulfate; (ii) 1-8% of saturated fatty acids Ci6-3o (iii) 2-10% beeswax, polar wax or mixtures thereof; -30% mineral oil; (v) 20% petrolatum; (vi) 0.5-5% of straight chain alcohols C12-34; (vii) 30-45% deionized water; (viii) 2-10% propylene glycol, glycerin or mixtures thereof; (ix) 2-5% of lipophilic surfactant; (x) 1-3% hydrophilic surfactant; (xi) 0.1-1% preservatives and / or antioxidants; wherein the cosmetically acceptable salt has been added after the emulsion has already been formed.

19. The formulation as claimed in clause 1, further characterized in that it comprises one or more of 0.1-2% fragrance and / or 0.05-0.5% colorant.

20. The formulation as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it comprises an effective amount of a pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent.

21. The formulation as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent is selected from skin softening agents, vitamins, antibacterial agents, sunscreen agents and combinations thereof.

22. The formulation as claimed in clause 20, characterized in that the pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent is a skin-relieving agent.

23. The formulation as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that the skin relieving agent is shea butter.

24. A process for the preparation of a skin care formulation as claimed in clause 1, comprising preparing an emulsion comprising hydrophilic components, lipophilic components and surfactants, and adding a water soluble salt of an ion of polyvalent metal to the emulsion.

25. The process as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that the formulation for skin care is a water-in-oil emulsion and the process comprises: (i) mixing the water-soluble components of the formulation, excluding the salt, together with one or more hydrophilic surfactants; and separately mixing the lipophilic components, together with one or more lipophilic surfactants, at a temperature where the components are liquid; (ii) adding the mixture of water-soluble components to the lipophilic mixture and homogenizing to form a water-in-oil emulsion; (iii) cooling the emulsion; (iv) adding the polyvalent metal ion salt to the emulsion and mixing so that the salt is suspended in the oil phase of the water-in-oil emulsion.

26. A skin care formulation prepared by the process as claimed in clause 25.

27. A method for moistening, protecting and / or conditioning the skin comprising applying to the skin a skin care formulation of clause 1 to the skin and rinsing with water.

28. A method for delivering a pharmaceutically or cosmetically active agent to the skin which comprises applying to the skin a skin care formulation according to clause 20 and rinsing with water. SUMMARIZES The moisturizing formulations of the skin can be administered in the bath or shower, depositing a thin layer of moisturizing agents with the application, which are not rinsed out but remain to protect the skin from drying, resulting in a softer skin feeling and more smooth; The formulations comprise polyvalent metal cations and fatty acids, which react with the application in the shower or bath to form a thin deposit of insoluble salts, thereby improving the retention of moisturizing oils and conditioning agents.