MXPA00009056A - Method of treating skin irritation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to skin-care compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing minor skin irritations containing a vitamin B3 compound.

Description

METHOD FOR TREATING SKIN IRRITATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to compositions containing a vitamin B3 compound for skin care and to methods for treating and / or preventing minor skin irritations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many years it has been investigated about the causes of, and remedies for, minor skin irritations in humans. Such rashes are usually caused by allergies, exposures of the skin to periods of cold weather, exposure to heat, wet conditions such as dishwashing or the like, or exposure to irritating materials in topical products or ingredients (eg, retinoids, hydroxy acids, keto acids). These irritations can also be caused by excessive drying of the skin without adequate moisturization of the skin. Although the causes may vary, symptoms usually include minor skin irritation, skin rashes, redness and swelling accompanied by burning, itching, pain and discomfort. Over the years, numerous attempts have been made to develop topical creams, ointments and pharmaceuticals to alleviate or soothe the pain and / or itching typically associated with such skin irritations. Examples of these attempts have been found in the patents of E.U.A. 5,620,695; 5,244,679; 4,923,875 and 4,137,301. Notwithstanding such descriptions in the area of skin care, the need remains for additional compositions that provide improved symptomatic relief of minor skin irritations. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for alleviating the symptoms of minor rashes, redness, itching, dryness, rashes and inflammation in the skin of mammals, especially humans. Another object of the present invention is to provide topical preparations for skin comprising a safe and effective amount of a vitamin B3 compound to alleviate symptoms of minor skin irritations. These and other objects will become readily apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods for treating minor skin irritations comprising the steps of administering a safe and effective amount of a skin care composition comprising: a) at least more than 2.5% of an anti-aging agent; - skin irritant selected from the group consisting of vitamin B3 compounds and mixtures thereof; and b) a dermatologically acceptable vehicle for said vitamin B3 compound. The present invention also relates to methods for treating minor skin irritations by applying a safe and effective amount of the skin care composition. The present invention further relates to articles of manufacture comprising a skin care composition containing from about 0.1% to about 40% of a vitamin B3 compound in a package for said composition for skin care in association with information and / or instructions about the use of vitamin B3 compounds to treat minor skin irritations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages and ratios used herein are by weight of the total composition. All percentages by weight, unless otherwise indicated, are on an active weight basis. All measurements are made at approximately 25 ° C unless otherwise indicated. The invention herein may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, the essential ingredients as well as optional ingredients and components described herein. The term "skin anti-irritant agent", as used herein, means a useful agent for alleviating symptoms associated with minor skin irritations. Examples of such symptoms include, but are not limited to, itching, inflammation, contact dermatitis, minor rashes, burn, sunburn, itching, redness, sensitivity, flaking / peeling and the like. Contact dermatitis, specifically, is an inflammatory condition of the skin that results from the primary irritant effect of a substance or from hypersensitivity to a substance that comes in contact with the skin. Rashes are caused by occlusion, such as on skin under a diaper, a towel for feminine hygiene, a diaper for incontinence, a bandage, transdermal patches or cosmetics, etc. Rashes can also occur in response to the adhesive in bandages and similar devices. In addition, rashes can occur in response to physical, biological or chemical insults to the skin, such as from plants (for example, the Rhus genus of plants such as poison sumac, flea tree and the like), plant materials (e.g. , spines, nettles and the like), insects (e.g., bee stings, mosquito bites, fly bites, as well as flea bites, nits, termites, ticks, ants and the like), spider bites, jellyfish stings, microbes, enzymes, pH extremes, detergents, surfactants, fragrances, perfumes, preservatives, irritating cosmetic products, high levels of salts or metals such as nickel; some of these conditions occur in the skin (including anal and genital tissue) in a diaper or diaper incontinence environment, in which the contents and / or products of degradation of urine and feces contribute greatly to the aggression biological and chemical. The term "safe and effective amount" as used herein means an amount of a compound or composition sufficient to induce significantly a positive benefit, preferably a positive benefit of skin appearance or sensation, including independently the benefits described in present, but low enough to avoid serious side effects, that is, to provide a reasonable benefit-risk ratio within the scope of the fair judgment of the person skilled in the art.

Essential Components Vitamin B Component The compositions of the present invention comprise a safe and effective amount of a natural or synthetic vitamin B3 compound. The compositions of the present invention preferably comprise from about 0.1% to about 50%, most preferably from about 5% to about 40%, more preferably from about 5% to about 30%, more preferably from 10% to about 30%, of the vitamin B3 compound.

As used herein, "vitamin B3 compound" means a compound having the formula: wherein R is -CONH2 (ie, niacinamide), -COOH (ie, nicotinic acid) or -CH2OH (i.e., nicotinic alcohol); derivatives thereof and salts of any of the foregoing. Examples of derivatives of the above vitamin B3 compounds include nicotinic acid esters, which include non-vasodilating esters of nicotinic acid, nicotinic amino acids, nicotinic alcohol esters and carboxylic acids, nicotinic acid N-oxide and niacinamide N-oxide . Suitable nicotinic acid esters include nicotinic acid esters with C---C22 alcohols, preferably C1-C16, more preferred Ci-Cß alcohols. The alcohols are appropriately straight chains or branched chains, cyclic or acyclic, saturated or unsaturated (including aromatic), and substituted or unsubstituted. The esters of preference are non-vasodilators. As used herein, "non-vasodilator" means that the ester commonly does not provide a visible reddening response after application to the skin in the present compositions (the majority of the general population does not experience a visible response of redness). , although such compounds can cause vasodilation not visible to the naked eye). Alternatively, a nicotinic acid material that is vasodilator at higher doses would be used at a lower dose at which the redness response would not occur. Non-vasodilating esters of nicotinic acid include tocopherol nicotinate and inositol hexanicotinate; tocopherol nicotinate is preferred. Other derivatives of the vitamin B3 compounds are niacinamide derivatives that result from the substitution of one or more of the hydrogens of the amide group. Non-limiting examples of niacinamide derivatives useful herein include nicotinyl amino acids, derived for example, from the reaction of an activated nicotinic acid (e.g., nicotinic acid azide or nicotinyl chloride) with an amino acid, and esters of nicotinic alcohol of organic carboxylic acids (for example Ci-Ciß). Specific examples of such derivatives include nicotinuric acid and nicotinyl hydroxamic acid, which have the following chemical structures: nicotinuric acid: Nicotinylhydroxamic acid: Examples of nicotinyl alcohol esters include nicotinyl alcohol esters of salicylic, acetic, glycolic, palmitic carboxylic acids and the like. Other non-limiting examples of vitamin B3 compounds useful herein are 2-chloronicotinamide, 6-aminonicotinamide, 6-methylnicotinamide, n-methyl-nicotinamide, n, n-diethylcotinamide, n- (hydroxymethyl) - nicotinamide, quinolinic acid imide, nicotinanilide, n-benzylnicotinamide, n-ethylnicotinamide, nifenazone, nicotinaldehyde, isonicotinic acid, methylisonicotinic acid, thionicotinamide, nialamide, 1- (3-pyridylmethyl) urea, 2-mercaptonicotinic acid, nicomol, and niaprazine. Examples of the above vitamin B3 compounds are well known in the art and are commercially available from various sources for example, Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, MO); ICN Biomedicals, Inc. (Irvin, CA) and Aldrich Chemical Company (Milwaukee, Wl). At present one or more vitamin B compounds can be used. The preferred vitamin B3 compounds are niacinamide and tocopherol nicotinate. Niacinamide is the most preferred. When they are used, the salts, derivatives and derivatives of niacinamide salts are preferably those which have substantially the same efficacy as niacinamide in the methods of regulation of the skin conditions described herein. Salts of vitamin B3 compounds may also be useful herein. Non-limiting examples of salts of vitamin B3 compounds useful herein include organic or inorganic salts, such as inorganic salts with anionic inorganic species (e.g., chloride, bromide, iodide, carbonate, preferably chloride), and carboxylic acid salts organic (including salts of C 1 -C 18 carboxylic acid mono-, di- and tri-, for example, acetate, salicylate, glycolate, lactate, malate, citrate, preferably salts of monocarboxylic acid such as acetate). These and other salts of the vitamin B3 compound can be readily prepared by the person skilled in the art, for example as described by W. Wenner, "The Reaction of L-Ascorbic and D-losascorbic Acid with Nicotinic Acid and Its Amide ", J. Organic Chemistry. VOL. 14, 22-26 (1949), which is incorporated herein by reference. Wenner describes the synthesis of the ascorbic acid salt of niacinamide. In a preferred embodiment, the ring nitrogen of vitamin B3 compound is substantially chemically free, (eg, unbound and / or unimpeded), or after supplying it to the skin it becomes substantially chemically free ("chemically free" is hereinafter alternatively referred to as "not complexed"). More preferably, the vitamin B3 compound is not essentially complexed. Therefore, if the composition contains the vitamin B3 compound in the form of a salt or otherwise is in complexed form, preferably such a complex is substantially reversible, more preferably essentially reversible in supplying the composition to the skin. For example, such a complex must be substantially reversible at a pH ranging from 5.0 to 6.0. Such reversibility can easily be determined by one skilled in the art.

More preferably the vitamin B3 compound is substantially not complexed in the composition prior to delivery to the skin. Examples of proposals to minimize or prevent the formation of undesired complexes include the omission of materials which form substantially irreversible complexes or other complexes with the vitamin B3 compound, the pH adjustment, the adjustment of the ionic strength, the use of agents surfactants and the formulation wherein the vitamin B3 compound and the materials that are complexed therewith are in different phases. Such proposals are within the level of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the vitamin B3 compound contains a limited amount of the salt form and is preferably substantially free of salts of a vitamin B compound. Preferably the vitamin B3 compound contains less than 50% of said salt, and preferably is essentially free of the salt form. The vitamin B3 compound in compositions having a pH ranging from 4 to 7 typically contains less than 50% of the salt form. The vitamin B3 compound may be included as the substantially pure material, or as an extract obtained by physical and / or chemical isolation from natural sources (eg plants). The vitamin B3 compound is preferably substantially pure, preferably essentially pure. In response to antigenic stimuli, cells, particularly inflammatory cells, release a variety of agents, including free radical oxidants, which can damage skin cells or skin tissue (oxidative stress). This damage at the cellular or tissue level results in or contributes to symptoms of skin irritation, e.g., redness, itching, etc. Vitamin B3 compounds such as niacinamide serve as precursors for enzyme cofactors such as nicotinamide adenine nucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) and its reduced forms (NADH and NADPH). These cofactors are essential to maintain the energy balance of the cell or to reduce the capacity (i.e., the production and / or maintenance of antioxidant substances such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, tocopherol, etc.). Without being limited by theory, it is believed that increased levels of these cofactors (and / or their precursors) improve the reducing capacity of cells and, consequently, help to neutralize and reduce the oxidative stress associated with these free radicals. The term "antioxidant stimulator", as used herein, refers to the cofactors mentioned above and their precursors.

Vehicle The compositions of the present invention also contain a dermatologically acceptable vehicle. The phrase "dermatologically acceptable vehicle", as used herein, means that the vehicle is suitable for topical application to the skin, has suitable aesthetic properties, is compatible with the active ingredients of the present invention and with any other component, and will not cause any safety or toxicity concerns. A safe and effective amount of a vehicle is from about 50% to about 99.99%, preferably from about 99.9% to about 80%, most preferably from about 98% to about 90%, more preferably from about 95% to about 90% of the composition. The vehicle can have a wide variety of forms. For example, emulsion vehicles, including, but not limited to, oil in water emulsions, water in oil, water in oil in water and oil in water in silica are useful herein. These emulsions can cover a wide range of viscosities, for example, from about 100 cps to about 200,000 cps. These emulsions can also be supplied in the form of sprays using either mechanical pumping containers or pressurized aerosol containers using conventional propellants. These vehicles can also be supplied in the form of a mousse. Other suitable topical vehicles include anhydrous liquid solvents such as oils, alcohols, and silicones (e.g., mineral oil, ethanol, isopropanol, dimethicone, cyclomethicone, and the like); individual water-based liquid phase solvents (eg, hydro-alcoholic solvent systems) and thickened versions of these anhydrous and water-based individual phase solvents (eg, where the viscosity of the solvent has been increased to form a solid or semi-solid by the addition of gums, resins, waxes, polymers, suitable salts and the like). Examples of topical vehicle systems useful in the present invention are described in the following four references, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: "Sun Products Formulary" Cosmetics & Toiletries, vol. 105, pp. 122-139 (December 1990); "Sun Products formulary", Cosmetics & Toiletries, vol. 102, pp. 1 17-136 (March 1987); patent of E.U.A. No. 4,960,764 to Figueroa et al., Issued October 2, 1990 and patent of E.U.A. No. 4,254,105 to Fukuda et al, issued March 3, 1981. The vehicles of the present invention may comprise from about 50% to about 99% by weight of the compositions of the present invention, preferably from about 75% to about 99. % and more preferably around 85% to about 95%. Preferred cosmetic and / or pharmaceutically acceptable topical vehicles include hydro-alcoholic systems and oil-in-water emulsions. When the vehicle is a hydro-alcoholic system, the vehicle may comprise about 0% to about 99% ethanol, isopropanol or mixtures thereof, and about 1% to about 99% water. More preferred is a vehicle comprising about 5% to about 60% ethanol, isopropanol or mixtures thereof, and about 40% to about 95% water. Especially preferred is a vehicle comprising about 20% to about 50% ethanol, isopropanol or mixtures thereof, and about 50% to about 80% water. When the vehicle is an oil-in-water emulsion, the vehicle can include any of the common excipient ingredients for preparing these emulsions. A more detailed description of suitable vehicles is found in the US patent. 5,605,894 to Blank et al., And in the patent of E.U.A. 5,681, 852 to Bissett, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Optional components The compositions of the present invention may optionally comprise additional skin actives. Non-limiting examples of said active ingredients for skin include hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid; exfoliating or peeling agents such as zwitterionic surfactants; sunscreens such as 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, 4,4'-t-butyl methoxydibenzoyl-methane, octocrylene, phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid; sun blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide; anti-inflammatory agents (spheroidal and non-spheroidal); corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone acetonide and deoxametasone; anesthetics such as benzocaine, dyclonine, lidocaine and tetracaine; antipruritics such as camphor, menthol, oatmeal (colloidal), pramoxine, benzyl alcohol, phenol and resorcinol; antioxidants / radical scavengers such as tocopherol and esters thereof; metal chelators, especially iron chelators; retinoids such as retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate and retinal; hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid; keto acids such as pyruvic acid; N-acetyl-L-cysteine and derivatives thereof; benzofuran derivatives and skin protectors. Mixtures of any of the active ingredients for skin mentioned above can also be used. A more detailed description of these assets is found in the patent of E.U.A. 5,605,894 to Blank et al (previously incorporated by reference). Preferred skin actives include hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid, sunscreens, antioxidants and mixtures thereof. Other conventional skin care product additives may also be included in the compositions of the present invention. For example, urea, guanidine, glycerol, petrolatum, mineral oil, sugar esters and polyesters, polyolefins, methyl stearate, ethyl isostearate, cetyl ricinoleate, isononyl isononanoate, isohexadecane, lanolin, lanolin esters, cholesterol, carboxylic acid / pyrrolidone salt (PCA), trimethylglycine (betaine), tranexamic acid, amino acids (eg, serine, alanine, threonine, histidine) and / or its salts, panthenol and its derivatives, collagen, hyaluronic acid, elastin, hydrolysates, oil of rose, jojoba oil, epidermal growth factor, soy saponins, mucopolysaccharides and mixtures thereof. Other suitable skin additives or active ingredients are described in greater detail in PCT application WO 97/39733, published October 30, 1997, to Oblong et al., And incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Preparation of skin care compositions The compositions of the present invention are generally prepared by conventional methods such as those known in the art of making topical compositions. Such methods typically include mixing the ingredients in one or more steps to a relatively uniform state, with or without heating, cooling, applying vacuum and the like. Non-limiting examples of the product form may be a gel, emulsion, lotion, cream, ointment, solution, liquid, etc.

Methods for treating skin irritation The compositions of the present invention are useful for treating or preventing irritation of the skin of mammals, especially the dermis and epidermis of mammalian skin. The irritation reduction methods of the present invention include topically applying to the skin a safe and effective amount of the skin care composition of the present invention. The amount of the composition to be applied, the frequency of application and the period of use will vary widely depending on the level of the vitamin B3 compound and / or the other components of a certain composition, and the level of irritation reduction desired. The skin care compositions of the present invention can be applied chronically to the skin. By "chronic topical application" is meant continuous topical application of the composition over an extended period during the subject's life, preferably for a period of at least about one week, most preferably for a period of at least about two weeks, even most preferably for a period of at least one month, still most preferably for about three months, including most preferably for at least about six months and more preferably still for at least about one year. Although the benefits can be obtained after several periods of maximum use (for example, five, ten or twenty years), it is preferred that the chronic application continue throughout the life of the subject to maintain and / or increase the benefits achieved. Applications will typically be in the order of approximately once a day during such extended periods, however application rates may be more than four times a day, especially over areas particularly prone to irritation such as the face, hands and legs . A wide range of amounts of the compositions of the present invention can be employed to provide a benefit of skin appearance and / or sensation. The amounts of the present compositions that are typically applied per application are, in milligrams of composition per square centimeter of skin, about 0.1 mg / cm2 to about 10 mg / cm2. A particularly useful application amount is approximately 2 mg / cm2. The method of treating skin irritation is preferably practiced by applying the composition in the form of a lotion for skin, cream, gel, cosmetic or the like, which is designed to be left on the skin for some time for some aesthetic, prophylactic benefit, therapeutic or other (that is, a "non-rinsing" composition). After applying the composition to the skin, it is preferably left on the skin for a period of at least about 15 minutes, most preferably at least about 30 minutes, even most preferably at least about one hour, more preferably by at least for several hours, for example, up to about 12 hours. Another approach to ensuring continuous exposure of the skin to at least a minimum level of vitamin B3 compound is to apply the compound by the use of a patch applied, for example, to the face. This approach is particularly useful for problematic areas of the skin that require more intensive treatment. The patch may be obstructive, semi-obstructive or non-obstructive. The composition with vitamin B3 compound can be contained in the patch or applied to the skin before the application of the patch. The patch may also include additional active agents such as chemical initiators for exothermic reactions such as those described in the PCT application WO 9701313 to Burkett et al. Preferably, the patch is applied overnight as a form of nocturnal therapy.

EXAMPLES The following examples describe and demonstrate more embodiments within the scope of the present invention. The examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and should not be considered as limitations of the present invention, since many variations thereto are possible without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

EXAMPLE 1 The following is an example of a skin cream incorporating the compositions of the present invention. The compositions are formed by combining and mixing the ingredients of each column using conventional technology and then applying to the skin about 0.5 g to about 50 g.

Ingredient% by weight Glycerin 6,933 Niacinamide 5,000 Permethyl 101 A 1 3,000 Sepigel 2 2,500 Q2-14033 2,000 Isopropyl isostearate 1,330 Arlatone 2121 4 1,000 Cetyl alcohol CO-1695 0.720 Cotonate SEFA 5 0.670 Tocopherol acetate 0.500 Panthenol 0.500 Adol 62 6 0.480 Dioxide Kobo 0.400 titanium 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide 0.0125 Fiery 5 7 0.150 Disodium EDTA 0.100 Glydant Plus 8 0.100 Myrj 59 9 0.100 Emersol 132 10 0.100 Color 0.00165 Purified water cbp at 100 EXAMPLE 2 The following is an example of a skin cream incorporating the compositions of the present invention. The compositions are formed by combining and mixing the ingredients of each column using conventional technology and then applying to the skin about 0.5 g to about 50 g.

Ingredient% by weight Glycerin 6,933 Tocopherol nicotinate 2,000 Permethyl 101 A 1 3,000 Sepigel 2 2,500 Q2-14033 2,000 Isopropyl isostearate 1,330 Arlatone 2121 4 1,000 Cetyl alcohol CO-1695 0.720 Cotona SEFA 5 0.670 Tocopherol acetate 0.500 Panthenol 0.500 Adol 62 6 0.480 Titanium dioxide Kobo 0.400 50% Aqueous sodium hydroxide 0.0125 Fiery 5 7 0.150 Disodium EDTA 0.100 Glydant Plus 8 0.100 Myrj 59 9 0.100 Emersol 132 10 0.100 Color 0.00165 Purified water cbp at 100 EXAMPLE 3 The following is an example of a skin cream incorporating the compositions of the present invention. The compositions are formed by combining and mixing the ingredients of each column using conventional technology and then applying to the skin about 0.5 g to about 50 g.

Ingredient% by weight Glycerin 6,933 Niacinamide 2,000 Permethyl 101 A 1 4,000 Q2-14033 2,000 Isopropyl isostearate 1,330 Arlatone 2121 1,000 Cetyl alcohol CO-1695 0.720 Cotonate SEFA 5 0.670 Carbopol 954 11 0.500 Tocopherol acetate 0.500 Panthenol 0.500 Adol 62 6 0.480 Dioxide titanium Kobo 0.400 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide 0.250 Fiery 5 7 0.150 disodium EDTA 0.100 Glydant Plus 8 0.100 Myrj 59 9 0.100 Emersol 132 10 0.100 Carbopol 1382 12 0.100 Color 0.00165 Purified water cbp at 100 I. Isohexadecane, Presperse Inc., South Plainfield, NJ 2. Polyacrylamide (e) isoparaffin C13-14 (and) Laureth-7, Seppic Corporation, Fairfield, NJ 3. Dimethicone (and) dimethiconol, Dow Corning Corp., Midland, Ml 4. Sorbitan monostearate and sucrococoate, ICI Americas Inc., Wilmington, DE 5. Fatty saccharose ester, Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati, OH 6. Stearyl alcohol, Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati, OH 7. Fiery 5 n / a, Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati, OH 8. DMDM hydantoin (and) iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Lonza Inc., fairlawn, NJ 9. PEG-100 Stearate, ICI Americas, Wilmington, DE 10. Stearic acid, Henkel, Corp., Kankakee, IL II. Carbomer, BF Goodrich, Cleveland OH 12. Carbomer, BF Goodrich, Cleveland OH

Claims (10)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A skin care composition for treating minor skin irritations comprising: a) at least more than 2.5% of an anti-skin irritant selected from the group consisting of vitamin B3 compounds and mixtures of the same; and b) a dermatologically acceptable vehicle for said vitamin B3 compound.

2. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the concentration of the anti-irritant agent of the skin is present in more than 5%.

3. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said vitamin B3 compound is selected from nicinamide, niacinamide derivatives, non-vasodilating nicotinic acid esters and mixtures thereof.

4. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition further comprises an additional skin active selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, corticosteroids, non-spheroidal anti-inflammatory agents, anesthetic agents, antipolytics, zinc oxide and mixtures thereof.

5. - A skin care composition for treating minor skin irritations caused by chemical compounds comprising: a) at least more than 2.5% of an anti-skin irritant selected from the group consisting of vitamin compounds B3 and mixtures thereof; and b) a dermatologically acceptable vehicle for said vitamin B3 compound.

6. A skin care composition for neutralizing oxidizing free radicals in skin cells comprising: a) a safe and effective amount of an antioxidant stimulator selected from the group consisting of vitamin B3 compounds and mixtures thereof; and b) a dermatologically acceptable vehicle for said vitamin B3 compound.

7. A skin care composition for treating minor irritations in the skin comprising: a) a safe and effective amount of an anti-skin irritant agent consisting of tocopherol nicotinate; and b) a dermatologically acceptable vehicle for said vitamin B3 compound.

8. An article of manufacture comprising a composition for the care of the skin containing about 0.1% to 40% of a vitamin B3 compound in a package for said composition for the care of the skin.

9. A skin care composition for treating minor skin irritations consisting essentially of: a) at least more than 2.5% of an anti-skin irritant selected from the group consisting of vitamin compounds B3 and mixtures thereof; and b) a dermatologically acceptable vehicle for said vitamin B3 compound.

10. A skin care composition for treating contact dermatitis comprising: a) a safe and effective amount of a vitamin B3 compound or mixtures thereof; and b) a dermatologically acceptable vehicle for said vitamin B3 compound.