MXPA01010758A - Skin-friendly absorbent articles and compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

A superior skin barrier enhancing body facing material, such as a body side liner on an absorbent article, can be made by applying, on the outer surface of the body facing material, a lipid-enriched hydrophobic composition comprising a natural fat or oil, a sterol or sterol derivative, an emulsifying surfactant, a humectant, an emollient, a wax, and a viscosity enhancer, and thereafter resolidifying the composition to form a distribution of solid composition on the outer surface of the body facing material.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLES AND COMPOSITIONS FAVORABLE TO THE SKIN Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the inclusion of a hydrophobic lotion enriched with lipids on the face-to-face material of disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers, training underpants, adult incontinence products, underpants, and the products for the care of women and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to improving the health of the skin by increasing the function of sweeping the skin by delivering a lipid or lipid materials from the body-facing material of an absorbent article. disposable to the skin.

Background of the Invention The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin and is responsible for regulating the levels of water in the skin and works as a barrier against chemicals and other stressors found in the environment. The complex arrangement of lipids in the intercellular space of the stratum corneum is responsible for the establishment of a normal barrier function. The multi-layered structures of cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids as well as some other minor lipids, provide the main barrier to the transport of hydrophilic substances in or through the skin. The link between the barrier function and the skin cells is evident from the skin inflammation caused by the extraction of the lipid from the skin.

The skin barrier can: be damaged due to a number of mechanisms. Physical abrasion, for example caused by the repeated rubbing of abrasive materials, such as cleaning cloths or absorbent tissues, on the skin, undresses the layers of the skin and therefore damages the skin barrier. Biological fluids, such as urine, feces and vaginal secretions, may contain a variety of components that can damage the skin barrier. Examples of these components include proteases, lipases and bile acids. Once the skin barrier has been compromised, these components, in addition to other constituents of biological fluids, can initiate or exacerbate inflammation of the skin.

Diaper dermatitis, for example, is a genre of skin conditions that, to a large extent, originate from an impaired barrier function. The damage to the skin barrier can result from a variety of factors including increased skin hydration due to skin occlusion caused by diapers, damage to the enzymatic skin due to urinary and fecal enzymes, and Physical damage caused by repeated cleaning of the skin with wet cleaning cloths or cloth.

Excessive hydration also has a negative impact on the skin barrier. The level of hydration of the skin with diapers, for example, can reach between five to ten times that of skin without diapers. Frequent contact of skin without diapers with urine can also contribute to increased skin hydration. The hydration of the increased skin interrupts the organization of skin lipids in the stratum corneum. This rupture can increase the permeability of the skin to irritants from feces and urine, thus increasing the risk of inflammation of the skin.

Skin with diapers is usually cleaned several times a day with cleaning cloths using solutions containing surfactants. The surfactants can extract the lipids from the stratum corneum or disrupt the lipid structure within the stratum corneum, thereby decreasing the barrier function. The cleaner material can cause physical damage to the skin and therefore lead to a reduced barrier function.

Disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, training underpants, adult incontinence products, absorbent underpants and women's care products have been used to absorb body fluids and leave skin dry. Disposable absorbent articles of this type generally comprise a liquid-impermeable backsheet member an absorbent core or assembly, and a liquid-permeable body facing material. It is the material facing the body that puts itself in contact with the user's skin. Even though the material facing the body is made of a soft and gentle material, it can erode the skin during use and may not leave the foot completely dry and free of body fluids, such as solid or semi-solid waste. , which the absorbent article is trying to absorb. During frequent discharges of body fluids and frequent use of disposable absorbent articles, the skin may be eroded to appear red and tender to the touch.

Typically, barrier creams, lotions or ointments are used to provide an artificial hydrophobic barrier on the skin and to treat skin conditions such as diaper rash. This application of these chemicals to the skin is often dirty and inconvenient. They are typically used only when the signs of a diaper rash are evident.

The diaper liners can be treated with emollients, such as petrolatum, which can be transferred to the skin through normal diapering practices. Once the diaper lining formulas are transferred to the skin, it can provide an artificial barrier against faeces and urine. These formulas may require high concentrations of petrolatum to ensure a sufficient transfer to the skin for the benefit of health. The high concentrations of petrolatum can be dirty, greasy to the tact and can impede the fluid handling properties of an absorbent article, such as a diaper. The slow penetration of petrolatum into the skin can lead to the smear of agent on the skin and on clothes and other materials.

Therefore what is required in art is A topical chemistry delivered from the material side to the body of an absorbent article that protects, maintains and / or recovers the skin barrier against the irritants and biological fluids. A topical chemistry delivered from a material side to the body of an absorbent article that is absorbed in the skin and that is not greasy and is cosmetically acceptable to consumer. A topical chemistry delivered from the material side to the body of the absorbent article that does not impair the waste containment functions to the diaper.

Synthesis of the Invention It has been found that with the increase of the superior skin barrier disposable absorbent articles using an hydrophobic oil-based composition and skin barrier improver comprising from about 0.1 to about 95% by weight can be made. of natural oils or fats, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of sterols and sterol derivatives, from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of humectant, from about 1 to about 20% by weight of a combination of surfactant / water-in-oil emulsifier surfactant having a range of lipophilic hydrophilic balance of from about 3 to about 6, from about 5 to about 95% by weight of emollient, from to about 5 to about 95% by weight of wax, and from about 1 to about 25% by weight of a viscosity increaser. The composition can have a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C and a process viscosity of more than about 50 centipoise. Also, the composition can have a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to 360 millimeters.

Therefore in one aspect, the present invention is a disposable skin barrier enhancing absorbent article that can be made by applying, on the exterior surface of the material facing the body, a hydrophobic lipid enriched composition comprising an emollient , a sphere, a viscosity increaser, or humectant, a water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant that has a range of lipophilic hydrophilic balance from about 3 to about 6, a sterol and a d sterol derivative, and a fat or oil natural, and then resolidify the composition to form a distribution on the outer surface of the material facing the body. Because the composition is solid at room temperature it solidifies rapidly after application, it has little tendency to penetrate and migrate into the material facing the body. Comparison to face-to-body materials treated with liquid formulations leaves a greater percentage of the composition of solid lotion added on the surface of the material facing the body where contact can be transferred to the user's skin to provide benefits of increased skin health. In addition, a lower additional amount may be added to deliver the same benefit at the lower cost due to the efficient placement of the composition essentially on the surface of the material facing the body of the absorbent articles.

In another aspect, the present invention is a body facing material in which the outer surface of the material has solidified deposits of an hydrophobic, oil-based composition comprising from about 0.1 to about 95% by weight of oils or natural fats, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of sterols and sterol derivatives, from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of a humectant, from about 1 to about 20% by weight of a combination of water-in-oil surfactant / surfactant emulsifier having a range of lipophilic hydrophilic balance from about d 3 to about 6, from about 5 to about 95 by weight of emollient, from about 5 to about of 95 by weight of wax, and from about 1 to about 25% by weight of viscosity increaser. The composition may have a freezing / melting point of from about 30 ° C around 100 ° C and a process viscosity of more than about 50 centipoise. Also, the composition can have a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters penetration to 360 millimeters penetration.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in a method for treating a body facing material with a composition by comprising: (a) a natural fat or oil, sterols and combinations of sterols, a humectant, a surfactant or emulsifying surfactants of water in oil having a range of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of from about 3 to about 6, an emollient, a sphere, and a viscosity increaser, at a temperature above the melting point of the composition, causing the composition melts; (b) uniformly applying the molten composition to the exterior surface of the material facing the body; and (c) resolidifying the molten composition. The composition may have a melting point varying from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 representatively shows a top plane view partly in section of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 representatively shows a top plane view partly in section of an absorbent article according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention An embodiment of the present invention is a body facing material that contains a composition that increases the skin barrier. The composition may comprise from about 0.1 to about 95% by weight of natural oils or fats, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of sterols or sterol derivatives, from about 1 to about 20 % by weight of a water-in-oil emulsifier surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance range of from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of humectant, from about 5 to about 95% by weight of emollient, from about 5 to about 95% by weight of wax, and from about 1 to about 25% by weight of a viscosity increaser.

The composition can have a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C. The composition may have a process viscosity of more than about 50 centipoise. The composition may have a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters. The aggregate amount of the composition can be from about 0.1 grams per square meter (g / m2) to about 30 grams per square meter of the material, and more preferably from about 0.5 grams per square meter to about 25 grams per square meter.

The natural oil or fat used in the composition may include sunflower oil, borage oil or avocado oil. The sterol or sterol derivative used in the composition may include soy sterol, cholesterol or latherterol. The humectant used in the composition may include glycerin, sorbitol, or a hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate. The emulsifying surfactant used in the composition may include sorbitan oleate, glyceryl stearate, or sorbitan stearate. The emollient used in the composition may include petrolatum, mineral oil, cosmetic esters. The wax used in the composition may include ozokerite, cerasin or ceramic or crystalline. The viscosity increaser used in the composition may include ethylene / vinyl acetate or polyethylene copolymer.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for treating a face-to-face material with a composition that increases the skin barrier by: (a) heating a composition comprising a natural oil or fat, a sterol or sterol derivative as a humectant, or water-in-oil emulsifier surfactant having a range of lipophilic hydrophilic balance of from about 3 to about 6, an emollient, a wax, and a viscosity increaser, at a temperature above the melting point of the composition, causing the composition to melt; (b) applying the molten composition to the outer surface of the fabric of material facing the body in spaced and spaced tanks; and (c) resolidifying the deposits of the molten composition. The molten composition can be applied by spraying, slot coating or printing.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a skin barrier enhancing composition comprising from about 0.1 to about 95% by weight of fat or natural oils, from about 0.1 to about 10% sterols and derivatives thereof. sterol, from about 1 to about 20% by weight of water-in-oil emulsifier surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance range of from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight humectant weight, from about 5 to about 95% by weight of emollient, from about 5 to about 95% by weight of wax, and from about 1 to about 25% by weight of enhancer viscosity.

The natural fats or oils of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of avocado oil, apricot oil, babassu oil, borage oil, camellia oil, safflower oil, castor oil, chamomile oil, coconut oil , corn oil, cottonseed oil, spring primrose oil, hemp seed, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, maleated soy bean oil, prairie foam oil, oil palm kernel, phospholipids, cola seed oil, palmitic oil, stearic acid, linoleic acid, rose hip oil, saffron, sunflower oil, soybean oil, sweet almond, PROLIPID 141 or derivatives of natural oils and fats (such as stearyl alcohol, auric alcohol, myristyl alcohol and benenyl alcohol and the like) and mixtures thereof. (PROLIPID is commercially available from International Specialty Products located in Wayne, New Jersey.) PROLIPID is generally described in United States Patent No. 5,849,315 issued to Rerek and others, which was granted on December 15, 1998; full description of which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is consistent therewith).

The sterol and sterol derivative of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmaterol and argo sterol, latherterol, soy sterol, avocado sterols, CRODAROM AVOCADIN, sterols, esters and mixtures thereof. The emulsifying surfactant of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan sequioleate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan stearate, sorbitan tristearate, and mixtures thereof (Crodarom Avocadin is commercially available from Croda, Inc. located in Parsippany, New Jersey).

The humectant of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of glycerin, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate, propylene glycol, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, sorbitol, and mixtures thereof. The emollient of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of: mineral oils, mineral gelatins, petrolatum, cosmetic esters, and mixtures thereof. The wax of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of carnauba, crassin, cetyl esters, microcrystalline wax, montan wax, ozokerite, synthetic wax, and mixtures thereof. The viscosity increaser of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of: polyolefin resins, polyolefin polymers, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene and mixtures and mixtures thereof.

The amount of the natural fats or oils used in the composition can be from about 0.1 to about 95% by weight. The amount of sterols and sterol derivatives used in the composition can be from about 0.1 to about 10%. The amount of the emulsifying surfactant used in the composition can be from about 1 to about 20% by weight. The amount of humectant used in the composition can be from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight. The amount of the emollient used in the composition can be from about 5 to about 95% by weight. The amount of the wax used in the composition can be from about 5 to about 95% by weight. The amount of the viscosity increaser used in the composition can be from about 1 to about 25% by weight.

An incorporation of the composition comprises about 10% by weight of sunflower seed oil, 0.8% by weight of soy sterol, about 1% by weight of sorbitan oleate, about 5% by weight of glycerin, 31.2% by weight of petrolatum, about 45% by weight of mixture of microcrystalline cetyl esters and ozokerite, and about 7% by weight of vinyl acetate / ethylene copolymer. The mixture of microcrystalline wax, cetyl esters and ozokerite is from about 10 to about 20% by weight of microcrystalline wax, about 10 to about 20% by weight of cetyl esters and about 60 to about 80% by weight. weight of ozokerite.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 10% by weight of borage oil, about 0.8% by weight of soy sterol, about 1% by weight of sorbitan oleate, about 5% by weight of glycerin, about 26.2% by weight of petrolatum, about 50% by weight of wax and about 7% by weight of vinyl acetate / ethylene viscosity copolymer.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 10% by weight of avocado oil, about 0.8% by weight of soy sterol, about 1% by weight of sorbitan oleate, about 5% by weight of glycerin, about 31.2% by weight of petrolatum, about 45% by weight of a mixture of ozokerite, cetyl esters, microcrystalline wax, and about 7% by weight of vinyl acetate / ethylene copolymer of viscosity. The mixture of microcrystalline cer, cetyl esters, and ozokerite is about 10 to about 20% by weight of microcrystalline cer, about 10 to about 20% by weight of cetyl esters, and about 60 to about 80. % by weight of ozokerite.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 2% by weight of PROLIPID 141 (from Internationa Specialty Products, of Wayne, New Jersey), about 10% by weight of sunflower oil, about 1% by weight of sterol d soya, about 1% by weight of sorbitan oleate, about 5% by weight of glycerin, about 34% by weight d petrolatum, about 32% by weight of cerasin, and about d 15% by weight of viscosity polyethylene.

Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 2% by weight of PROLIPID 141 (from International Specialty Products, of Wayne, New Jersey), about 30% by weight of sunflower oil, about 3% by weight of soy sterol, about 5% by weight of sorbitan oleate, about 5% by weight of sorbitol, about 5% by weight of petrolatum, about 40% by weight of ozokerite, and about 10% by weight of polyethylene.

Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 5% by weight of lanolin, about 25% by weight of sunflower oil, about 3% by weight of cholesterol about 5% by weight of sorbitan stearate, about 5 by weight of hydrolyzate of hydrogenated starch, about 2 by weight of petrolatum, about 40% by weight of ozokerite mixture and microcrystalline wax, and about 15% by weight d polyethylene. The mixture of microcrystalline wax and ozokerit is about 40% by weight of microcrystalline wax, about 60% by weight of ozokerite.Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 27% by weight of avocado oil, about 3 by weight of avocadin or avocado sterols, about 2% by weight of glyceryl stearate, about 15% by weight of glycerin, about 3% by weight of petrolatum, around 40% by weight of ozokerite, and around 10% by weight of polyethylene.

Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 15% by weight of avocado oil, about 5% by weight of sterol esters, about 10% by weight of glyceryl stearate, about 8% by weight of glycerin, about 2%. % by weight of petrolatum, about 55% by weight of a mixture of ozokerite and cetyl esters of about 5% by weight of polyethylene. The mixture of cetyl esters and ozokerite is about 10% by weight of cetyl esters, and about 90% by weight of ozokerite.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 45% by weight of borage oil, about 10% by weight of avocadin or avocado sterols, about 5% by weight of glyceryl stearate, about 1% by weight of glycerin, around of 1% by weight of petrolatum, about 36% by weight of cerasin, and about 2% by weight of polyethylene.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 25% sunflower seed, about 3% by weight of latherterol, about 2% by weight of glyceryl stearate, about 5% by weight of glycerin, about 15% by weight of petrolatum, about 45% by weight of a mixture of ozokerite and microcrystalline wax, and about 5% by weight of polyethylene. The mixture of microcrystalline wax and ozokerite is about 10% by weight of microcrystalline wax and about 90% by weight of ozokerite.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 35% by weight of avocado oil, about 3% by weight of sitosterol, about 5% by weight of sorbitan trioleate, about 5% by weight of glycerin, about 1% by weight of petrolatum, around 41% by weight of ozokerite and around 10% by weight of polyethylene.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for increasing / restoring / maintaining the skin barrier function of a user of absorbent articles. The method comprises the steps of: a) contacting the user's skin with the face-to-body material wherein the face-to-face material comprises an increase / restoration / barrier maintenance composition of the skin that provides an increment / restoration / barrier maintenance benefit of the skin with the transfer of the composition from the material facing the body to the skin of the user: b) transferring at least a part of the composition from the face-to-body material to the wearer's skin during the use of the absorbent article; Y c) repeating steps a) and b) with one or more additional face-to-body materials with sufficient frequency to increase / restore / maintain said skin barrier in an area of the skin that has been contacted by the material facing the body, in relation to the skin contacted by an equivalent face-to-body material that does not comprise the skin barrier increase / restoration / maintenance composition.

The skin barrier maintenance increase / restoration composition of the method comprises from about 0.1 to about 95% by weight of natural oils or fats, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of sterols and derivatives thereof. sterol, from about 1 to about 20% by weight of water-in-oil emulsifier surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance range of from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight humectant weight, from about 5 to about 95% by weight of emollient, from about to about 95% by weight of wax, and from about 1 about 25% by weight of viscosity increaser.

The composition can have a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C. The resolidified composition can have a process viscosity of greater than about 50 centipoise. The resolidified composition can have a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters. The method may further comprise using a face-to-body material having an increase / restoration / skin barrier maintenance composition by the user upon each occasion of use. The method may further comprise the use of a body facing material which does not comprise an increase / restoration / skin barrier maintenance composition intermittently by the user. The method may further comprise using the face-to-body material comprising a skin barrier enhancement / restoration / maintenance composition by a user whose skin is compromised and with a sufficient frequency to improve the skin's barrier function.

The amount of natural oil or fat or a mixture of natural oils or fats in the hydrophobic base oil composition can be from about 0.1 to about 95% by weight, more specifically from about 5 about 75% by weight , more specifically from about 10 to about 50% by weight. As used herein, natural oils or fats are understood to include fats, oils, essential oils, fatty oils, fatty alcohols, phospholipids, and mixtures thereof. As used herein, natural oils or fats include, but are not limited to the following materials classified according to the CTFA designations: Fats and Oils: Apricot Nugget Oil, Avocado Oil, Babassu Oil, Borage Oil, Butter, Triglyceride C, 2-Cl5 Acid, Camellia Oil, Canola Oil, Caprilic / Capric / Lauric Triglyceride, Caprigric Iced Trigl / Caprico / Linoleico, Triglicerido Caprilico / Caprico / Estearico, Triglicerido Caprilico / Caprico, Carrot Oil, Cashew Nut Oil, Castor Oil, Cherry Bone Oil, Chia Oil, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Oil Bacalao Liver, Corn Germ Oil, Corn Oil, Cottonseed Oil, Triglyceride C10-C18, Egg Oil, Soybean Oil, Epoxidized, Evening Primrose Oil, Glyceryl Tricetyl Hydroxystearate, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Glycosphingolipids, Grape Seed Oil, Hazelnut Oil, Human Plasint Lipids, Hybrid Saffron Oil, Hybrid Sunflower Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ric Oil Laurato Hydrogenated, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Hydrogenated C12-C18 Triglycerides, Hydrogenated Fish Oil, Hydrogenated Butter, Hydrogenated Menhaden Oil, Hydrogenated Musk Oil, Hydrogenated Orange Rough Oil, Peppermint Oil Hydrogenated Palm, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Hydrogenated Peanut Oil, Hydrogenated Shark Liver Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Tallow Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lanolin and Lanolin derivatives, Butter, Lauric / Palmitic Triglyceride / Oleic, Lesquerela Oil, Linaise Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Maleated Soybean Oil, Prairie Foam Seed Oil, Menhaden Oil, Musk Oil, Moringa Oil, Mortierela Oil, Oil Neatsfoot, Triglyceride O leico / L inoleic, T riglicerido Oleic / Palmitic / Lauric / Miristic / Linoleic, Oleafesarine, C oil Olive ascara, Olive Oil, Oral Lipids, Orange Rough Oil, Palm Nugget Oil, Palm Oil, Peach Nut Oil, Peanut Oil, Penjawar Djambi Oil, Pentadesma Butter, Phospholipids, Oil Pistache Nut, Placenta Lipids, Rosehip Oil, Rice Oil, Safflower Oil, Sesame Oil, Shark Liver Oil, Shea Butter, Soybean Oil, Sphingolipids, Sunflower Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Tallow Oil, Tallow, Tribehenin, Tricaprin, Tricaprylin, Triheptanoin, Trihydroxymethoxystearin, Trihydroxystearin, Triisononanoin, Trisuriarin, Trilaurin, Trilinolein, Trinolenin, Trimiristin, Trioctanin, Triolein, Tripalmitin, Tricebasin, Triestearin, Triundecanoin, Vegetable Oil, Walnut Oil, Wheat Bran Lipids, Germ Oil of Wheat, Zadoari Oil, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

Fatty Acids: Arachidic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Behenic Acid, Capric Acid, Caproic Acid, Capric Acid, Coconut Acid, Corn Acid, Cottonseed Acid, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Hydrogenated Menhaden's Acid, Hydrogenated Tallow Acid, Hydroxystearic Acid, Isostearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Flaxseed Acid, Miristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Palm Nugite Acid, Pelargonic Acid, Ricinoleic Acid, Soybean Acid, Stearic Acid, Oil Acid of Sebum, Sebum Acid, Undecanoic Acid, Undecylenic Acid, Wheat Germ Acid and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

Fatty Alcohols: Behenyl Alcohol, C9-Cp Alcohols, C12-C Alcohols, C12-C Alcohols, C2-C6 Alcohols, C14-C15 Alcohols, Caprile Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coconut Alcohol, Decyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Tallow Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Miristyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, Palm Alcohol, Palm Pepita Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tallow Alcohol, Tridecyl Alcohol and the like as well as mixtures thereof.

Essential Oils: Anise Oil, Citronella Mint Oil, Basil Oil, Bee Citronella Oil, Bergamot Oil, Birch Oil, Bitter Almond Oil, Bitter Orange Oil, Calendula Oil, California Nut Oil , Caraway Oil, Cardamom Oil, Chamomile Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Wild Salvia Oil, Clove Oil, Clove Oil, Coriander Oil, Cypress Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Fennel Oil, Oil Gardenia, Geranium Oil, Ginger Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Hops Oil, Hyptis Oil, Indian Bush Oil, Jasmine Oil, Juniper Oil, Kiwi Oil, Laurel Oil, Lavender Oil, Oil of Lemon Grass, Lemon Oil, Linden Oil, Lovage Oil, Orange Tangerine Oil, Matricaria Oil, Musk Rose Oil, Walnut Oil, Olibanum Oil, Orange Flower Oil, Orange Oil, Patchouli Oil , Peniroya Oil l, Peppermint Oil, Pine Oil, Pine Tar Oil, Rosehip Oil, Rosemary Oil, Rose Oil, Rue Oil, Salvia Oil, Sambucus Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Sasafras Oil, Silver Fig Oil, Peppermint Oil, Sweet Marjoram Oil, Sweet Violet Oil, Tar Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Thyme Oil, Wild Mint Oil, Yarrow Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

Preferred natural oils or fats include, but are not limited to: Avocado Oil, Apricot Oil, Babassu Oil, Borage Oil, Camellia Oil, Cañola Oil, Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Corn Oil, Cottonseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Nugget Oil, Maize Soybean Oil, Oil of Prairie Foam, Palm Pepita Oil, Phospholipids, Rosehip Oil, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Miristyl Alcohol, Benenilic Alcohol, Rosehip Oil, Sunflower Oil, Soybean Oil, PROLIPID 141 (the proprietor of Glyceryl Stearate, Fatty Acids, Fatty Alcohols, and Phospholipids from International Specialty Products, of Wayne, New Jersey), and the like so with mix s of them.

The amount of sterol or sterol derivative mixtures thereof in the hydrophobic d-oil composition can be from about 0.1 to about 10% po weight, more specifically from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight , and even more specifically from around 0.8 d to about 1% by weight. As used herein, suitable sterols and sterol derivatives include, but the following materials are not limited: 0-sterols that have a tail on position 17 and that do not have polar groups, for example, cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmaterol and ergosterol, as well as lanosterol / cholesterol esters C10-C30, cholecalciferol , cholesteryl hydroxystearate, cholesteryl isostearate, cholesteryl stearate, 7-dihydrocholesterol, dihydrocol is toluene, dihydrocholesteryl octyldecanoate, dihydrolanoesterol, dihydrolansteryl octyl decanoate, ergocalciferol, tallow oil sterol, soy sterol acetate, latherterol, soy sterol, sterols of avocado, avocadin, sterol esters, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of the combination of surfactant / water emulsifying emulsifier in oil with a range of lipophilic hydrophilic balance of from about 3 to about 6 in the hydrophobic oil-based composition can be from about 1 to about 20% by weight, more specifically from about 2 to about 10% by weight, and even more specifically from about 3 to about 8% by weight. Emulsifying surfactants are typically employed in cosmetic preparations to form multi-component emulsions. The immiscible phase, such as dispersible / water soluble materials and water is dispersible as droplets in the continuous phase such as an oil.

Preferred surfactants and combinations of surfactant with a lipophilic hydrophilic balance of from about 3 to about 6 include, but are not limited to: sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan sesquiolate, sorbitan trioleate, glyceryl stearate, sorbitan stearate, tristearate of sorbitan, and the like as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of humectant in the hydrophobic oil-base composition can be from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight, more specifically from about 1 to about 15% by weight, and even more specifically from about 3 to about 10% by weight. Moisturizers are typically cosmetic ingredients used to increase the water content of the upper layers of the skin. This group of materials includes primarily hydroscopic ingredients. As used herein, suitable humectants include, but are not limited to the following materials: acetamide MEA, aloe vera gel, arginine PCA, chitosan PCA, copper PCA, corn glycerides, dimethi imidazole idinone, fructose, glucamine, glucose, glutamate d glucose, glucuronic acid, glutamic acid, glycereth-7, glycereth-12, glycereth-20, glycereth-26, glycerin, honey, hydrogenated mie, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate, hydrolyzed maí starch, lactamide MEA, lactic acid, lactose licina PCA, mannitol, methyl gluceth-10, methyl gluceth-20 PCA, PEG-2 lactamide, PEG-10 propylene glycol, sugar condensate polyamino, potassium PC, propylene glycol, propylene glycol citrate, saccharide hydrolyzate, saccharide isomer, sodium aspartate , sodium lactate, sodium PCA, sorbitol, TEA lactate, TEA-PCA, urea, xylitol and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

Preferred humectants include, but are not limited to, glycerin, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate, propylene glycol, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, sorbitol and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of emollient in the hydrophobic, oil-based composition can be from about 5 about 95% by weight, more specifically from about 15 to about 80% by weight, and even more specifically from about 20% by weight. around 65% by weight. As used herein, suitable emollients include, but are not limited to the following materials: mineral oil, mineral gelatin, petrolatum, cosmetic esters, fatty esters, glycerin esters, alkoxylated carboxylic acids, alkoxylated alcohols, fatty alcohols, lanolin and derivatives of lanolin, petrolatum-based oils, silicones, fats, hydrogenated vegetable oils, polyhydroxyl esters and the like as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of wax in the hydrophobic oil-based composition can be from about 5 to about 95% by weight, more specifically from about 10 to about 75% by weight and even more specifically from about 20% by weight. to around 60% by weight. As used herein, suitable waxes include, but are not limited to the following materials: natural and synthetic waxes such as bay berry wax, beeswax, alkyl dimethicone C3 (), candelilla wax, carnauba, ceresin, cetil esters, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated jojoba oil, hydrogenated jojoba wax, hydrogenated microcpstalin wax, hydrogenated corn husk oil, japan wax, jojoba butter, jojoba esters, jojoba wax, lanolin wax, microcrystalline wax, musk wax, motan acid wax, wax motan , wax of ouricuri, ozokerite, parafma, beeswax PEG-6, beeswax PEG-8, wax of bran and corn, wax shelac, wax of spent grain, wax of synthetic bees of stearyl dimethicone, wax of synthetic candelilla, Synthetic carnauba wax, synthetic japan wax. Synthetic jojoba wax, synthetic wax and the like as well as mixtures thereof.

Preferred waxes include but are not limited to: carnauba, cerasin, cetyl esters, microcrystalline wax, montan wax, ozokerite, synthetic wax and the like as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of viscosity increaser in the hydrophobic oil-based composition can be from about 1 to about 25% by weight, more specifically from about 5 to about 20% by weight, and even more specifically from around 10 to around 15% by weight. As used herein, suitable viscosity builders include, but are not limited to the following materials. the group consisting of polyolefin resins, polyolefin polymers, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term "body facing material" includes, but is not limited to, materials such as side-to-body lining; the elastic material; the tissue, the intake and distribution material, the absorbent material, including, but not limited to, coform, woven and non-woven materials, backsheet material, or any other material known in the art that can or is used in the construction of absorbent articles for personal care such as diapers, training pants, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, products for women's hygiene. The term "body facing material" is understood to include materials that are both typically and less frequently in contact with the wearer's skin. The body facing material of the present invention can be single layer or multi layer.

The composition of the present invention can be applied to a specific part or to a specific component of the absorbent article or to the entire surface of the absorbent article that comes into contact with the wearer's skin during the use of the absorbent article. In addition, the composition can be applied in a variable concentration or deposit amounts on the contact surface with the skin of the absorbent article or part thereof. The compositions are applied so that the compositions are delivered through contact with the wearer's skin during the use of the absorbent article. The compositions of the present invention may be applied after the face-to-face material is incorporated in the absorbent article or before incorporation of the face-to-body material into the absorbent article. The phrase "effective amount of the composition" is understood to mean an amount of the composition of the present invention, which, when applied to the material facing the body, will be effective to provide the skin barrier improving benefits.

Some additional examples of materials that can serve as body material in the present invention are discussed in the following patent applications: "Absorbent Article Having Improved Breathing Ability", serial patent application No. 09 / 139,820 of the United States of America, lawyer issue No. 13732, filed on August 25, 1998 with inventors such as Michael J. Faulks and Pamela J. Mayberry; "Absorbing Article having an Air Exchange Rate", United States of America patent application series No. 09 / 139,824, attorney's case No. 13827, filed on August 25, 1998 in the name of Michael J. Fulks , Pamela J. Mayberry, Sue C. Paul, Audra S. Wright and Frank J. Akin as inventors; and "Absorbent Article Having a Low Growth of Albican Candida S", patent application of the United States of America series No. 09 / 328,681, filed on June 9, 1999, attorney's issue No. 14270 (priority claimed as soon as to the provisional application filed on August 25, 1998 with serial No. 60 / 097,810 provisional) with inventors Michael J. Fulks, Pamela J. Mayberry, Sue C. Paul, and Audra S. Wright, whose full descriptions of which they are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that is consistent therewith.

The resolidification of the hydrophobic composition based on melted oil can occur almost instantaneously, without the need for external cooling means such as cooling rollers, if the composition is heated to a temperature only slightly above or at the melting point of the composition. However, external means such as the cooling rollers, either before or after the melt application, can be used if desired to accelerate the resolidification. Such instantaneous resolidification tends to prevent the penetration of the composition into the liner from side to body 18 or into the tissue material 20 and to retain it on the outer surface 28 of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20, which is advantageous. For example, the temperature of the molten composition may advantageously be above the melting point of about 10 ° C or less, more specifically about 5 ° C or less and even more specifically about 2 ° C or less. Upon approaching the temperature of the molten composition to the melting point, the viscosity of the molten composition generally increases, which further increases the tendency of the molten composition to be retained on the upper surface 28.

For purposes of the present, the melting point is the temperature at which the majority of the melt occurs, recognizing that the melt actually occurs over a range of temperatures. The melting point of the compositions of this invention can be from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C, more specifically from about 40 ° C around 80 ° C and even more specifically from about 50 ° C. C at around 60 ° C.

In addition, for the purposes given here, the "penetration hardness" is the penetration of a needle in millimeters according to ASTM D 1321, "Penetration of Oil Wax Needles". The lower needle penetration hardness values correspond to harder materials. The penetration hardness of the compositions of this invention can be from about 5 to about 360 millimeters, more specifically from about 5 to about 200 millimeters, more specifically from about 20 to about 150 millimeters, and even more specifically from around 40 to about 100 millimeters. (Formulas that have a needle penetration hardness greater than 360 millimeters can not be measured using the ASTM D 1321 method).

The hardness of the formulas or compositions of this invention is important for two reasons. First, the softer the formula, the more mobile the formula will be, making said formula more prone to migrate into the liner side to body 18 or 20, as well as to absorbent core 14, which is undesirable. Second, softer formulas tend to be more greasy / oily to the touch which is also less desirable. In general, formulas that have a needle penetration hardness of from about 200 millimeters to 360 millimeters feel creamy to slightly greasy with less softness (depending on the additives). Formulas that have needle penetration hardness values of from about 5 millimeters to about 200 millimeters feel silky to creamy and very soft (depending on the additives).

The melting point viscosity and / or the viscosity of the process temperature of the formulas or compositions of this invention is important for two reasons. First, the higher the viscosity of the melting point or the viscosity of the process temperature when applied to the outer surface 25 of the liner from side to body 18 or from the tissue material 20, the formula is less feasible for it to enter through. from the inner surface 30 of the liner side to the body 18 or from the tissue material 20. The less formula is able to penetrate through the liner side to the body 18 or the tissue material 20, the more formula will remain on the outer surface 28 of the liner side to the body of the tissue material 20 wherein said formula can be easily transferred to the surface of the wearer's skin.

Second, the higher the viscosity of the formula at or above the melting point of the formula, the less likely it is that the formula will migrate to typical or adverse storage conditions.

In order to improve benefits to consumers, additional ingredients may be used. The kinds of ingredients and their corresponding benefits include, without limitation: antifoam agents (reduce the tendency of foaming during processing); antimicrobial assets; antifungal assets; antiseptic assets; antioxidants (product integrity to avoid oxidation of natural oils and other ingredients in the formula or composition); astringent-cosmetics (induce a tightening or stinging sensation on the skin); astringent-drug (a drug product which verifies the spill, discharge or bleeding when applied to the skin or mucous membrane and works by means of a coagulating protein); biological additives (improve the functioning or attraction to the consumer of the product including vitamins); dyes (impart color to the product); deodorants (reduce or eliminate unpleasant odor and protect against the formation of bad odor on body surfaces); emollients (help maintain the smooth, smooth and supple appearance of the skin through its ability to remain on the surface of the skin or in the stratum corneum to act as lubricants, to reduce scale formation and to improve the appearance of the skin); film formers (to keep the active ingredients on the skin by producing a continuous film on the skin when drying); fragrances (attraction to the consumer); lubricants, such as silicones and organomodified silicones; natural moisturizing agents (NMF) and other skin moisturizing ingredients known in the art; skin conditioning agents; skin exfoliating agents (ingredients that increase the rate of change of skin cells such as alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids); skin protectors (a drug product which protects the surface of the mucous membrane or of injured or exposed skin from harmful or annoying stimuli; solvents (liquids used to dissolve compounds found useful in cosmetics or drugs); ultraviolet absorbers; and surfactants (as cleaning agents, solubilizing agents, suspending agents and wetting agents).

The minimum level of the composition to be applied to the side-to-body liner 18 or to the tissue material 20 is an effective amount to reduce abrasion or irritation of the wearer's skin. The side liner to the total body 18 or the aggregate tissue material 20 of the composition can be from about 0.05 mg / cm2 to about 100 mg / cm2, desirably from about 1 mg / cm2 to about 50 mg / cm2 and more desirably from about 10 mg / cm2 to about 40 mg / cm2 based on the weight of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20. The amount added will depend on the desired effect of the composition on the attributes of the product and the specific composition.

A preferred method for uniformly applying the heated composition to the outer surface 28 of the lining fabric from side to body 18 or from the tissue material 20 is slot coating or spraying. However, other methods such as flexographic, gravure printing, and spraying, such as WEKO, can be used.

As used herein, all recited ranges of quantities, temperatures, molecular weights and penetration hardness are intended to include all sub-ranges within the ranges quoted, even if they are not specifically declared.

As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to articles or products that are used to absorb and contain body fluids. Disposable absorbent articles 10 include such products as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence articles, absorbent underpants, and women's hygiene products that have been used to absorb body fluids and leave the skin to the skin. dry Disposable absorbent articles 10 of this type generally comprise a lower liquid impermeable sheet member 12, an absorbent core 14 or an absorbent assembly 16, and a liquid-permeable body-side liner 18 (see Figures 1 and 2). It is possible for the body-facing liner 18 or the tissue material 20 to be placed in contact with the wearer's skin. Typically, the lower leaf member 12 is attached to the body side liner 18 with the absorbent core 14 positioned between the back sheet member 12 and the side-to-body liner 18. A general description of these components, of the sheet member lower 12, from the side facing to the body 18 and from the absorbent core 14 will be discussed below.

In general, the absorbent core 14 absorbs and retains body fluids, such as menstrual fluids, urine, and other exudates from the body. The absorbent core 14 is preferably compressible, conformable and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The absorbent core 14 may take a variety of shapes and sizes, such as rectangular, oval, hourglass, "T" shape, asymmetric shape, dog bone shape, and the like. The absorbent core 14 may be comprised of a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in absorbent articles 10. Absorbent cores 14 typically include a porous fibrous matrix 22 and a high absorbency material 24.

The fibrous and porous matrix 22 of the absorbent core 14 is preferably a block placed by air of fluff and of high absorbency material 24 which can be formed in many ways, for example, according to the teachings of Mazurak and Fries as indicated in U.S. Patent No. 4,381,782 whose full description is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is consistent with the present. The absorbent core 14 can comprise a mixture formed by air of an alt absorbency material 24 (SAP), and fiber 22, preferably pulp d eras. The mixing of the fluff fibers 22 and the high absorbency material 24 can be homogeneous, graded or layered. Also, fibers 22, other than fluff pulp such as thermomechanical or chemically stiffened pulps, may be used.

In addition, the absorbent core 14 may comprise an absorbent material other than the formed lint material 22 and the high absorbency material 24. For example, the coform materials as mentioned in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,818,464 issued to Lau and 4,100,324 granted to Anderson can be used to make the absorbent as long as they also contain high absorbency materials. In addition, wet-formed composite materials comprising a combination of fibers and high-absorbency materials can also be used as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,651,862 issued to Anderson et al. Stabilized air-laid materials comprising a mixture of fibers, binder fibers, and high-absorbency materials which are joined together by means of latex bonding or air-bonding can also be used as absorbent materials. Additionally, any material known in the art that serves to absorb exudates from the body can be used to construct the absorbent core 14 as shown in the present invention.

The high-absorbency materials 24 are typically hydrogel polymers that are desirably cross-linked in a manner sufficient to render the materials essentially insoluble in water. The crosslinking can, for example, be by means of irradiation or by means of covalent, ionic, Van der Waals or hydrogen bonding. Suitable materials are available from various commercial vendors such as Dow Chemical Company (Drytech 2035 LD), Hoechst-Celanese Corporation and Allied-Colloid. Typically, the high-absorbency material 24 is capable of absorbing at least about 15 times its weight in water, and desirably is capable of absorbing more than about 25 times its weight in water.

The high-absorbency material 24 can be distributed or otherwise incorporated into the absorbent core 14 employing various techniques. For example, the high-absorbency material 24 may be essentially distributed between the fibers 22 comprising the absorbent core 24. The material 2 may also be distributed non-uniformly within the fibers 22 of the absorbent core 14 to form a generally continuous gradient. with either a decreasing increasing concentration of the high-absorbency material 24, as determined by observing the concentration moving inwardly from the lower sheet member 12. Alternatively, the high-absorbency material 24 may comprise a discrete layer separated from the fibers 22 of the absorbent core 14, or may comprise a discrete layer integral with the absorbent core 14.

The absorbent core 14 may also include a wrap layer 26 to help maintain the integrity of the fibrous absorbent core 14. (See Figure 2). This wrapping layer 26 may comprise a cellulose or spunbond, meltblown or carded woven and bonded composite fabric of synthetic polymer filaments, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, or natural polymer filaments such as rayon or cotton. The wrapping layer 26 can be made from the same materials as those used in the body-side liner 18 or it can be made from materials that differ from those used in the body-side lining 18. In some cases, the side lining at body 18 may be absent, and the wrapping layer 26 also referred to as a tissue material 20, will serve as the side-to-body layer 18 of the absorbent article 10, which is brought into contact with the wearer's skin.

The absorbent core 14 may include additional components to aid in the acquisition, storage distribution of body exudates, such as a dusting layer, a transport layer, a transmission or acquisition / distribution layer, a take-up layer, or a layer d emergence. See U.S. Patent No. 4,798,603 issued January 17, 1989 to Meyer et al., An emergence management layer, as described in United States Patent No. 5,486,166 issued on October 23, 1989. of January 1996 to Bishop et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,364,382 issued November 15, 1994 to Latimer et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,490,846 issued to Ellis et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,429,629 to Latimer et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,509,915 to Hanson et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,192,606 to Proxrnire et al.

The body side liner 18 consists of a non-woven fabric or other soft material to make contact with the wearer's skin. The body side liner 18 has an outer surface 28 facing the user and an inner surface 30 that faces the user outwardly. The body side facing 18 is described in greater detail below. The lining on the side to the body 18 is gentle and feels soft to the user. The body side liner 18 can be any soft, flexible and porous sheet that is permeable to aqueous liquid, which allows aqueous liquids to easily penetrate into its thickness. A side liner to the suitable body 18 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g., cotton or wood fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester fibers or polypropylene) or a combination of natural synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and perforated plastic films.

The body side liner 18 is formed of a material permeable to the aqueous liquid so that the aqueous liquid waste, and possibly the semi-solid waste as well, can pass through the absorbent core 14 and be absorbed by the absorbent core 14 of the absorbent article 10. A suitable side-to-body liner 18 can be composed of a non-woven fabric, linked with spinning, of a meltblown or bonded fabric and carding composed of synthetic polymer filaments or fibers, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, a perforated film, or a fabric or fibers or filaments of natural polymer such as rayon or cotton.

In addition, the body side liner 18 can be treated with a surfactant to aid in the transfer of aqueous liquid. Suitably, the body side liner 18 e a material bonded with non-woven yarn. Suitably, yarn-bound material is available from Kimberly-Clar Corporation, located in Roswell, Georgia. The side-by-side liner 18 has a weight of from about 0.3 ounces per square yard (osy) to about 2.0 ounces per square yard, alternatively 0.5 ounces per square yard. The liner d on the body 18 of the underpants may be printed colored or decoratively engraved. The side liner to the body 18 may also be a sheet or non-woven fabric of polyolefin fibers, such as polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, rayon, Chisso and the like. The body lining 18 can also be a plastic film co perforations, an expanded plastic fabric material or a canvas material. The body side liner 18 has a pore size that easily allows passage through the same air, sweat and perspiration due to the ability to breathe of the material. The body side liner 18 can be selectively engraved or punched with discrete holes or slits extending therethrough.

Ideally, the fabric of the side-to-body liner 1 is surface treated with a surfactant such as that commercially available from Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastic Company, Inc., of Danbury, Connecticut, United States of America, under the trade designation. TRITÓN X-102. As used herein, the term "fabric" refers to all woven, woven and non-woven fibrous fabrics. The term "non-woven fabric" means a fabric of material that is formed without the aid of a knitting or textile fabric process.

As an alternate material, an aqueous-liquid-permeable body liner 18 of a carded fabric of polyester fibers bonded to a polypropylene or polyethylene carrier sheet spun-bonded can be made. The carded material is made from about 20 weight percent to about 60 weight percent polypropylene or polyethylene is from about 80 to about 40 weight percent polyester. The base weight of this material can be between about 30 grams per square meter and around 70 grams per square meter.

The lower leaf member 12 is necessary to prevent the aqueous liquid from passing through the outer clothing when the side-to-body fluid is discharged onto the absorbent core 14 of the absorbent article 10. The lower sheet member 12 typically consists of a film impervious to aqueous liquid such as polyethylene. The lower sheet member impermeable to the aqueous liquid 12 has an outer surface 32 that faces the user outwardly and an inner surface 34 that faces the user. In the construction of the disposable absorbent article 10, the lower sheet member 12, which acts as a barrier, must retard the movement of the aqueous liquid through the absorbent article 10 by making the lower sheet member 12 resistant to penetration normally encountered. under conditions of use. The lower sheet member 12 desirably comprises a material that is formed or treated to be impermeable to the aqueous liquid.

Alternatively, the lower sheet member 12 may comprise a material permeable to the aqueous liquid and other suitable means (not shown) such as a layer impermeable to the aqueous liquid associated with the absorbent core 14 may be provided to prevent the movement of the aqueous liquid out of the absorbent core 14 of the absorbent article 10. The disposable absorbent article 10 can be made impermeable to the aqueous liquid by any method well known in the art such as coating the absorbent core 14 or by securing a material impermeable to the aqueous liquid separated to the absorbent core. 14. The lower sheet member 12 may comprise a sheet or fabric impervious to thin, aqueous liquid of plastic film such as polyethylene, of polypropylene, of polyvinyl chloride or of a similar material. Other acceptable materials include a single-spun bonded layer of the aforementioned types of materials, two layers of spin-bonded and meltblown materials or three-ply material of spunblown-spunbonded material. Suitable foam materials can also be used, as well as materials that are both impermeable to aqueous liquid and vapor permeable.

Alternatively, the lower sheet member 1 may comprise a fibrous nonwoven fabric which has been constructed and properly arranged to have a low permeability to the aqueous liquid. Still alternatively, the lower sheet member 12 may comprise a layered or laminated material, such as a thermally bonded plastic film and a nonwoven fabric composite. Alternatively, the lower sheet member 12 consists of a film or foam impervious to the aqueous liquid which is permeable to water vapor under normal conditions of use. More preferably, the lower sheet member 12 has a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 800 grams / m2 / 24 hours as measured by ASTM E96-92. An example of a suitable film is a microporous film of 39.4 grams per square meter produced by Mitsui and sold by Consolidated Thermoplastics (CT) under the brand ESPOIR® N-TAF-CT.

The absorbent articles 10 may also include the elastic members 36 on the waist 42 (on the absorbent articles 10, such as underpants and short pants), on the regions surrounding the leg openings 38 and 40, on the waist portions. (not shown) as notch elastics (in absorbent articles 10, such as underpants), in side panels (not shown) (in absorbent articles 10 such as short pants and underpants) and in barrier structures or fin (not shown). The elastic members 36 may be in the form of strips, tapes, strips or connected tapes, sheets, threads, bands, strips, filaments or any combination of these and other forms known in the art. The elastic members 36 may also be of a latent elastic material that is activated after placement in the absorbent articles 10.

The compositions of the present invention are solid or semi-solid at 30 ° C. As used here. The term "semi-solid" refers to a composition that has a typical rheology of pseudoplastic or plastic fluids. Because the compositions are in at least a semi-solid state at room temperature, migration of the composition is minimal. The compositions, which are solid or semi-solid at room temperature, do not have the tendency to migrate into the liner side to the body 18 or the tissue material 20 and finally into the absorbent article 10 to which the composition has been applied. The compositions are transferable to the user's skin by normal contact, by the movement of the user or by the heat of the user's body.

The body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 contains an effective amount of the composition of the present invention. As used herein, the term "body lining" is used interchangeably with the term "tissue material". As used herein, the phrase "effective amount of the composition" refers to an amount of the composition which when applied to the side-to-body liner 18 or to the tissue 20, will be effective in reducing abrasion and irritation.

The composition is applied to the outer surface 28 of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tis-material 20 of the absorbent article 10. Any of a variety of application methods can be used which evenly distribute the lubricating materials having a molten liquid consistency. . Suitable methods include spraying, slot coating, printing (such as flexographic printing), coating (such as photo etching), extrusion or combinations of these methods, such as spraying the composition on a rotating surface, and then transferring the composition to the outer surface 2 of the side liner to the body 18 or to the tissue material 20.

The manner of applying the composition to the liner d to the body 18 or to the t 20 material should be such that the lining on the body 18 or the tissue material 20 does not become saturated with the composition. If the body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 is saturated with the composition, the fluid permeability of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 can be reduced or blocked. In addition, the saturation of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 is not necessary to obtain therapeutic or protective benefits of the composition of the present invention.

A variety of fastening means can be used 44 for securing the absorbent article 10 around or in contact with the wearer including tape fasteners, bands, fasteners, disposable and reusable garments, and mechanical fasteners. Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, buttonholes, snaps, buckles, clips, hooks and curls, end extensions, appendages and the like which are taught or adapted to enclose or latch some type of complementary device or the outer cover of the absorbent article 10. Suitable coupling elements for such mechanical closure elements include materials of self-engaging geometrical shape, such as hooks, loops, automatic locks, buckles, protrusions, fungi, arrowheads, balls on rods, female and male casing components, or the like. In addition, the elasticized fasteners can also be used to ensure a better fit of such absorbent articles 10. Examples of some fastening systems and securing members are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,423,789 issued to Kuen.; 5,405,342 issued to Roessler and others; 5,403,302 granted to Roessler and others; 5,399,219 issued to Roessler and others; 5,386,595 issued to Kuen et al .; 5,374,262 issued to Keuhn, Jr. and others; 5,318,555 issued to Siebers and others; 5,304,162 granted to Kuen; 5,288,546 issued to Roessler and others; 5,176,671 granted to Roessler and others; 5,176,671 granted to Roessler and others; and 5,019,073 granted to Roessler and others.

Disposable absorbent articles 10 may also include packing or flap structures (not shown). These packing or flap structures can be assembled in a number of different configurations, including those described in United States of America Patent No. 4,704,116 issued to Enloe on November 3, 1987, the United States of America patent. No. 4,846,823 issued to Enloe on July 11, 1986, United States of America No. 5,413,570 issued to Enloe on May 9, 1995, United States of America No. 5,415,644 issued to Enloe on September 16, 1995; May 1995 and U.S. Patent No. 5,599,338 issued to Enloe on February 4, 1997.

The compositions of the present invention can be applied to the entire outer surface 28 of the side-to-body liner 18 of the tissue material 20 or parts thereof. Preferably, the composition is applied in a strip or pattern aligned with a centering on the center line longitudinal 4 of the disposable absorbent article 10. (See Figure 1). The dimensions of the strip or pattern will vary with the different absorbent articles 10 to which the composition is being applied.

The compositions of the present invention can be applied non-uniformly to the outer surface 28 of the forr side to the body 18 or to the tissue material 20. The term "n uniformly" as used herein, refers to the amount, to pattern of distribution , to the thickness of the application, or similar of the composition and which can be varied on the outer surface of the liner side to the body 18 or the tis material 20. The composition can be applied to the inner surface 30 of the liner from side to body 18 or to the tissue material 20 alone or in combination with the application of the composition to the outer surface 28.

The compositions of the present invention can be applied to the body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 at any point during the assembly of the absorbent article 10. For example, the raw material fabric being formed in the lining of side to body 18 or in the tissue material 20 can be treated with the composition before the fabric is processed in the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20; the side facing liner 18 of the tissue material 20 can be treated with the composition before it is incorporated into the absorbent article 10; and the body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 can be treated with the composition after the body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 has been incorporated into the absorbent article 10.

And emplos The following examples are presented to provide a more detailed understanding of the invention. The particular materials and parameters are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The following formulas are used in the Examples 1-4: Formula 1 percent by weight Petrolatum 93.7% Glycerin 5% PROLIPID 141 1.0% (International Specialty Products, Wayne, New Jersey) Tocopherol acetate 0.3% Formula 2 percent by weight Petrolatum 88.7% Glycerin 5% PROLIPID 141 1.0% (International Specialty Products, Wayne, New Jersey) Tocopherol acetate 0.3% Avocadin (CRODA) 5.0% Formula 3 percent by weight Petrolatum 83.7% Glycerin 5% Tocopherol acetate 0.3% Sunflower seed oil 9.2% Soybean sterol 0.8% PROLIPID 141 1.0% [International Specialty Products, Wayne, New Jersey) Formula 4 percent by weight 100% Petrolatum Formula 5 percent by weight Petrolatum 85.4% Glycerin 5% Glycerin Mono-Oleate 3% Borage Oil 3% Soy Sterol 3% Aloe 0.3% Tocopherol Acetate 0.3% Formula 6 percent by weight Petrolatum 86.4% Glycerin 5% Glyceryl Mono-Oleate 3% Borage Oil 3% Soy Sterol 1% PROLIPID 141 (ISP) 1.0% (International Specialty Products, Wayne, New Jersey) Aloe 0.3% Tocopherol acetate 0.3% Formula 7 Percent by weight 1) Glycerin 5.00 2) Prolipid 141 1.00 3) Soy Sterol 0.80 4) Sunflower Seed Oil 10.00 5) USP 43.20 Petrolatum 6) Allyson AE-1692 40.00 Wax Formula 8 Percent by weight 1) Petrolatum USP 60.00 2) Allyson wax AE-1692 38.90 3) Butyl paraben 0.20 Formula 9 Percent by weight 1) Petrolatum USP 60.00 2) Estearílico Alcohol 40.00 Example 1 Lipid-enriched formulas for the treatment of absorbent articles promote barrier repair as measured by transepidermal water loss.

All studies were conducted in a controlled temperature and humidity room (71 ° F ± 5 ° F, 40% ± 5% relative humidity).

Loss of Transepidermal Water (TEWL) The palmar forearm of 24 panelists was worn by means of emery cloth to increase the levels of transepidermal water loss at 18-20 g / pr / hour. After the abrasion, fifteen microliters of a formula enriched with hydrophobic lipid was applied topically to the palmar forearm. Transepidermal water loss measurements were obtained using a Dermalab evaporimeter instrument at 1, 2 and 4 hours. The mean transepidermal water loss values are expressed in Table 1. Repeated ANOVA measurements were used to adjust for repeated measurements of transepidermal water loss.

Table 1: Results of Transepidermal Water Loss (g / pr / hour) Absorbent article formulas enriched with lipid PIR 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours Average Average Media Media Formula 1 19.8 6.6 * 6.6 * 7.9 * Formula 2 18.3 6.4 '6.6 * 7.3 * Formula 3 19.2 6.5 * 6.5 * 7.1 * Not Treated 19.2 15.2 14.3 14.3 denotes significantly different than the untreated site.

The aforementioned data clearly demonstrates that lipid-enriched formulas improve skin barrier repair.

Example 2 The lipid-enriched formulas for the treatment of absorbent articles improve skin moistening as measured by conduction.

All studies were conducted in a controlled temperature and humidity room (71 ° F ± 5 ° F, 40% + 5% d relative humidity).

Driving Fifteen microliters of hydrophobic co-lipid enriched formula for an absorbent article were applied topically to the palmar forearm. The conduction measurements were obtained using a Skicon instrument at 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours. The mean conduction values are expressed in Table 2. A comparison was applied in the direction of the pair for each period of time using non-varied ANOVAs.

Table 2: Conduction - Lipid enriched formulas for absorbent articles Baseline 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours 6 Hours Average Medium Average Medium Average Formula 1 202 370 * 357"335 '310' Formula 2 220 344 * 349 '333' 319" Formula 3 220 342 * 340 '333' 320 * No Treaty 200 220 235 232 223 denotes significantly different than the untreated site.

The data mentioned above clearly demonstrate that lipid-enriched formulas improve skin barrier wetting.

Example 3 Lipid-enriched formulas for the treatment of absorbent articles increase skin wetting as measured by conduction.

All studies were carried out in a room of controlled temperature and humidity (71 ° F ± 5 ° F, 40% ± 5% relative humidity).

Driving Fifteen microliters of a formula enriched with lipid for an absorbent article were applied topically to the palmate arm. The conduction measurements were obtained at 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours. The average conduction values for the baseline, time points of four and six hours are expressed in Table 3. A comparison was applied in the direction of the pair for each period of time using non-varied ANOVAs.

Table 3: Conduction - Lipid-enriched formulas for an absorbent article Baseline 4 Hours 6 Hours Average Media Average Formula 4 187. 243 247 Formula 5 179 281 * 289 * Formula 6 195 295 * 297 * No Treaty 194 210 215 denotes significantly different than the untreated site.

The data mentioned above clearly show that lipid-enriched formulas improve skin barrier wetting.

Example 4 The lipid-enriched liners improve the skin barrier as measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the exclusion of soluble water discharge.

All studies were carried out in a room of controlled temperature and humidity (71 ° F ± 5 ° F, 40% ± 5% relative humidity). Before the beginning of the study, the palmar forearms of 20 panelists were washed to remove any endogenous surface oils. Briefly, each arm was washed with foam using an Ivory soap for 30 seconds. the foam remained on the arm for 20 seconds before a full rinse. The arms were dried and a waiting period of 20 minutes was required before obtaining the baseline transepidermal water loss and chromameter readings.

The study included four test products and a non-screening control site. The test products included liners treated with formulas 7, 8, 9, or an untreated liner. The aggregate level of treatment for each liner was approximately 0.2 g of treatment / lining.

Loss of Transepidermal Water After obtaining a transepidermal baseline water loss measurement using a Dermalab evaporimeter instrument, the forearm was cleaned with a folded liner. The lining was folded in half lengthwise and wiped across the site of the arm five times, opened, and then folded back to expose a new surface, again cleaned five times. all cleanings were made with the treated lining side. This procedure was repeated every 15 minutes for a total of 30 cycles. Transepidermal water loss and chromameter reading were taken after the last cycle. The lower table of the middle of the last transepidermal water loss reading with base line values subtracted is expressed in Table 4. The values of transpidermal water loss were found to be decreased due to recovery of the barrier after washing, as well as due to the lotion treatment tank. Significant differences were found between the means of the codes.

Table 4. Transepidermal Water Loss Results (g / pr / hour) - Liner enriched with lipid Loss of Transepidermal Water Untreated, control site -0.69 Untreated lining -0.60 Lining treated with the formula -1.28 * 7 -0.92 Lining treated with the formula -0.97 8 Lining treated with the formula 9 denotes significantly different from the lining and from the control sites.

The aforementioned data clearly demonstrate that linings treated with lipid-enriched formulas improve skin barrier function after repetitive cleaning.

Chromameter The cleaned skin sites were then challenged with a water-soluble dye (0.5% methylene blue) by adding 300 microliters of the dye to a HillTop chamber. A camera was placed on each site and gently pressed down to ensure contact with the skin. After one minute of contact, the chamber was removed and the arm was rinsed under water for 30 seconds. Each site was dried with blotting paper and a chromameter reading was obtained. A control site was included on one arm for the ability to determine the extent of dye taking on untreated skin. Chromameter readings were recorded on the L, a, b scale. L is brightness, a is red / green (positive values = red), and b is yellow / red (positive values = yellow). Given that the b-value is more relevant for an absorption study of methylene blue dye, only this data was analyzed in detail. The results are expressed in Table 5 as the lower table of the mean with the subsequent clean-up baseline readings subtracted.

Table 5. Chromameter Results - Lipid Enriched Liner value b Not treated, control site -18. 11 Untreated lining -21. 13"Lining treated with the formula - 12 .63 * 7 -18 .93 Lining treated with the formula - 18. 78 8 Lining treated with the formula 9 denotes a significantly lower dyeing than all other treatments (p value <0.001). denotes a dye absorption significantly higher than that of all other treatments (p value <0.001).

The data mentioned above clearly demonstrates that lining with lipid-enriched formulas prevents the absorption of blue methylene dye significantly less than all other treatments indicating a protection against water-soluble materials.

Thus, the examples representatively illustrate that the hydrophobic lipid-enriched composition of the present invention can provide absorbent articles having improved softness as well as providing improved protection of skin barrier function. Therefore, different aspects of the present invention can advantageously provide absorbent articles which, when compared to conventional absorbent articles, are softer and have an improved protection of the skin barrier function. Such absorbent articles can be advantageously used for diapers, training underpants, adult incontinence products, underpants, and women's care products and the like.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, upon achieving an understanding of the foregoing, that alterations, variations and equivalents of these aspects can be conceived. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be evaluated as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims (57)

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

1. A body facing material having an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of said material has a composition that increases the barrier of the skin comprising: from about 0.1 percent by weight about 95 percent by weight of natural fats or oils; from about 0.1 percent by weight about 10 percent by weight of sterols or sterol derivatives; from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of a water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance range of from about 3 to about 6; from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight of humectant; from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent emollient; from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent wax; Y from about 1 weight percent to about 25 weight percent viscosity increaser.

2. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said composition has a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C.

3. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said composition has a process viscosity of more than about 50 centipoise.

4. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

5. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said aggregate amount of said composition is from about 0.1 grams per square meter (g / m2) to about 30 g / m2 of said material.

6. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said oil or natural fat and sunflower seed oil.

7. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said oil or natural fat and borage oil.

8. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said oil or natural fat and avocado oil.

9. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said sterol or d sterol derivative is soy sterol.

10. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said sterol or sterol derivative is cholesterol.

11. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said sterol or sterol derivative is latherterol.

12. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said humectant is glycerin.

13. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said humectant is sorbitol.

14. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said humectant is hydrolyzed from hydrogenated starch.

15. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said emulsified surfactant is sorbitan oleate.

16. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said emulsified surfactant is glyceryl stearate.

17. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said emulsifying surfactant is sorbitan stearate.

18. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said emollient is petrolatum.

19. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said emollient is mineral oil.

20. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said emollient is estere cosmetics.

21. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said wax is ozokerite.

22. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said wax is waxen.

23. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said wax is microcrystalline cer.

24. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said viscosity increaser is ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer.

25. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said viscosity increaser is polyethylene.

26. A method for making a face material having an outer surface comprising: a) heating a skin barrier enhancing composition comprising a natural oil or fat, a sterol or a sterol derivative, a humectant, a surfactant water and oil emulsifier having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance range of from about 3 to about 6, an emollient, a wax, a viscosity increaser, at a temperature above the melting point of the composition, causing the composition is melted, said composition has a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C; b) applying the molten composition to the exterior surface of the material facing the body; and c) resolidifying the molten composition.

27. The method as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a process viscosity of more than about 50 centipoise.

28. The method as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

29. The method as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that said molten composition is applied by spraying.

30. The method as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that said molten composition is applied by groove coating.

31. The method as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that said molten composition is applied by printing.

32. A skin barrier enhancing composition comprising from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 95 percent by weight of natural oils or fats, from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of sterols and sterol derivatives, from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of a water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance range of from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight of humectant, from about 5 percent by weight to about 95 percent by weight of emollient, from about 5 percent by weight to about 95 percent by weight of wax, and from about 1 percent by weight to about 25 percent by weight of a viscosity increaser.

33. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said composition has a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C.

34. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a process viscosity of greater than about 50 centipoise.

35. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

36. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said natural fats or oils are selected from the group consisting of: avocado oil, peach oil, babassu oil, borage oil, camellia oil, canola oil , castor oil, chamomile, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, evening primrose oil, hemp seed, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, bean oil beaten soybeans, prairie foam oil, palm kernel oil, phospholipids, colaza oil, palmitic oil, stearic oil, linoleic oil, rose hip oil, safflower, sunflower seed oil, soy bean oil, almond sweet, or derivatives of natural oils or fats such as stearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.

37. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said sterol and the sterol derivative is selected from the group consisting of: cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmaterol and eroesterol, latherterol, soy steroid, avocado sterols, avocadine, esters of sterol, and mixtures thereof.

38. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said sterol is natural extracts containing sterols or sterol derivatives selected from the group consisting of: lanolin, avocadine and mixtures thereof.

39. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said emulsifying surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan trioleate, glyceryl stearate, sorbitan stearate, sorbitan tristearate and mixtures thereof.

The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said humectant is selected from the group consisting of: glycerin, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate, propylene glycol, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, sorbitol and mixtures thereof.

41. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said emollient is selected from the group consisting of: mineral oils, petrolatum mineral jellies, cosmetic esters and mixtures thereof.

42. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the wax is selected from the group consisting of: carnauba, crassin, cetyl esters, microcrystalline wax, montan wax, ozokerite, synthetic wax mixtures thereof.

43. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said enhancer is selected from the group consisting of: polyolefin resins, polyolefin polymers, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene and mixtures thereof.

44. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the amount of natural fats or oils is from about 0.1 weight percent to about 95 weight percent.

45. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the amount of sterols and sterol derivatives is from about 0.1 percent to about 10 percent.

46. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the amount of surfactant emulsifier is from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent.

47. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the amount of said humectant is from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight.

48. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the amount of said emollient is from about 5 weight percent to about 9 weight percent.

49. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the amount of said wax is d from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent.

50. The composition as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that the amount of said viscosity increaser is from about 1 weight percent to about 25 weight percent.

51. A method for increasing / restoring / maintaining the skin barrier function of said skin of a user, comprising the steps of: a) contacting a face-to-body material on said skin of said user wherein said material comprises a skin barrier-enhancing / restorative / maintenance composition that provides a skin barrier / restoration / maintenance barrier; the skin with the transfer of said composition to the wearer's skin; b) transferring at least a portion of said composition during the use of said material facing the body; Y c) repeating steps a) and b) with one or more additional face-to-face materials at a frequency sufficient to increase / restore / maintain said skin barrier in an area of the skin that has been brought into contact with said skin material face to the body, in relation to the skin contacted by an equivalent body facing material that does not comprise said skin enhancing / restorative / barrier maintenance composition, wherein said skin barrier maintenance / enhancing / maintaining composition comprises: from about 0.1 weight percent to about 95 weight percent of said natural oils or fats, from about 0.1 percent by weight weight to about 10 weight percent of sterols and sterol derivatives, from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of a water-in-oil emulsifying surfactant having a range of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance from about 3 to about 6, from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of a humectant, from about 5 percent by weight to about 95 percent by weight of emollient , from about 5 to about 95 percent by weight of wax, and from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of a viscosity increaser.

52. The method as claimed in clause 51, characterized in that said composition has a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C.

53. The method as claimed in clause 51, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a process viscosity of greater than about 50 centipoise.

54. The method as claimed in clause 51 characterized in that said resolidified composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

55. The method as claimed in clause 51, characterized in that said body facing material comprising said skin barrier maintenance / enhancing / restorative composition is used by said user on each occasion of use.

56. The method as claimed in clause 51, characterized in that said body facing material which does not comprise an enhancing / restorative / skin barrier maintenance composition is used intermittently by said user.

57. The method as claimed in clause 51, characterized in that said body facing material comprising said skin barrier maintaining / restoring / restoring / maintaining composition is used by said user whose skin is compromised and is used with a sufficient frequency to improve the barrier function of the skin. SUMMARY A material can be made facing the upper skin barrier enhancing body, such as a body sided in an absorbent article, by applying, on the exterior surface of the material facing the body, a hydrophobic composition enriched with lipid comprising a natural fat or oil, a sterol or a sterol derivative, an emulsifying surfactant, a humectant, an emollient, a wax and a viscosity increaser, and then resolidifying the composition to form a distribution of said composition on the outer surface of the material facing the body.